Product Features and Details
Prototype: The BR 57 is one of the famous Prussian designs that were created by Robert Garbe who also designed the P8 and G8. As all of Garbe’s engines, it is simple, robust and utilitarian, but lacks the elegance of south German locomotives. With a top speed of 60 km/h, it was rather slow for mainline service even in the 1920’s, but survived on secondary lines since its axle load was only 15 tons. After WWII many served as yard engines since the tender gave them a long operational range, and also worked transfer runs. In these roles, the class survived until 1970, some of the last survivors even receiving the new computer number 057. But others soldiered on with their old number. As its slightly heavier brother, the 55 class which is available from Fleischmann, the 57 class can be used on a variety of freight trains, except perhaps on heavy oil and coal trains. Also, long distance runs between freight yards occurred only seldom after WWII. Another use of these engines was that of a pusher for steep lines. Here their slow speed did not matter, but their high tractive effort could be put to good use. If the modeler ignores the DB symbol, the loco can be used in earlier eras too.
Model: The Roco 52603 BR 57 is extensively detailed and comes equipped with a 8 pin NEM 652 DCC receptacle. Model also has a powerful Five-pole motor with flywheel and drive on all three axes in tender. The model features oscillating tender axes to improve running smoothness and current draw.
