Roco 7500183 H0 - Electric locomotive Rc 4 1173, SJ, Era IV

Model of the electric locomotive Rc4 1173 in the livery of the Swedish Railways

A model of the electric locomotive Rc4 1173 of the Swedish Railways (SJ), reproduced in its original condition. The H0 model corresponds to Era IV.

It is a finely detailed model with many separately fitted detail parts. The switchable head light is set with a DIP switch.

Model specifications:

• Scale: H0 (1:87)
• Catalogue number: 7500183
• Manufacturer: Roco
• Vehicle: electric locomotive Rc4 1173
• Model length: 179 mm
• Era: IV
• Operator: Swedish Railways (SJ)
• Motor: 5-pole; flywheel
• Power system: direct current DC (analogue version)
• Decoder socket: PluX22
• Number of driven axles: 4; axles with traction tyres: 1
• Lighting: Swedish light change (LED), additional light function; switchable head light (DIP)
• Features: original condition, many separately fitted detail parts
• Minimum curve radius: 358 mm
• Coupler: NEM 362 standard (without close-coupling kinematics)
• Recommended age: 14 years and over

Note: controlling and powering the model.

The model is produced in the analogue DC version. An ordinary direct-current controller is enough to run it – no digital command station is required. The locomotive has a factory-fitted decoder socket (PluX22), which makes it possible to equip it with a decoder later and switch to digital DCC control. The model is not a starter set and does not include track or a controller.

Model railways – digital or analogue control?

A digital DCC system lets you control several locomotives independently on the same track at a constant rail voltage, whereas in an analogue system all vehicles on a given circuit respond simultaneously to changes in the supply voltage. The model described here is supplied in the analogue version (for direct current DC), with a decoder socket allowing later conversion to digital DCC control.

About the Rc family locomotive (SJ Rc4):

With the locomotives of the so-called Rc family, the Swedish Railways (SJ) introduced – built by ASEA – the first thyristor-controlled electric locomotives in Sweden. A total of 360 Rc locomotives came off the line at the ASEA works, with a Bo'Bo' wheel arrangement.

The fourth series (Rc4) was the largest in this family – 130 units were delivered between 1975 and 1982. They were used throughout Sweden in passenger and freight service. The reproduced example – Rc4 1173 – is shown in its original condition.

Original technical data (SJ Rc4):

• Type: thyristor-controlled electric locomotive, Bo'Bo' wheel arrangement
• Manufacturer: ASEA
• Rc family: 360 locomotives in total
• Rc4 series: 130 units between 1975 and 1982 (the largest series in the family)
• Use: passenger and freight service throughout Sweden
• Operator: Swedish Railways (SJ)
• Era: IV

About the manufacturer – Roco:

Roco is an Austrian model railway manufacturer that has been operating since 1960, founded in Salzburg and today based in Bergheim near Salzburg as part of the Modelleisenbahn GmbH group (alongside the Fleischmann brand). It released its first locomotives in 1976 and earned its reputation early on through precision and fidelity to the prototype. The brand introduced a number of innovations to the industry, among them unshortened, true-to-length coaches, track with a lower rail profile, and snag-free close couplers. Roco's contemporary H0 models stand out for their rich detail, while the digital range is rounded out by the Z21 control system. Roco models are valued by modellers and collectors throughout Europe.