Product Features and Details
Prototype: In 1939, the German State Railroad developed the 50 class freight locomotive for secondary lines. It became one of the most successful locomotive designs of the German railroad, and many of them survived in service until the end of steam. Unfortunately, the East German State Railroad did not receive as many of the 44 and 50 class freight engines as it needed. Most of these locomotives ended up in West Germany, because the German armed forces withdrew them to the West to keep them out of the hands of the Russian army. Instead, East Germany had to rely on WWI designs like the 58 class, and the two war locomotives of the 42 and 52 classes. Therefore, the two State railroads went different ways to address their post-war freight needs. In the West, the 42, 58, and 52 classes were withdrawn from service in the mid 1950’s, and only very few survivors of the war locomotives lingered on until the early 1960’s. No modernization or heavy repairs were made, since there were enough 44 and 50 class locomotives available. Moreover, a heavy program of electrification made many steam locomotives redundant. In contrast, East Germany started electrification 10 years later, and thus had a demand for more freight steam engines.
Model: The Roco 72172 German Steam Locomotive Class 50 is a very attractive and powerful model. It offers a great level of detail and impressive running performance; both the tender and locomotive are powered. Roco did an exceptional job on the detailing, paint livery and printing. The BR 50 is one of the most iconic German heavy freight locomotives and no European model train collection is complete without this impressive model.
- 5 Pole Can Motor with Flywheel
- Metal Chassis
- Directional lighting
- 8 Pin DCC Receptacle NEM 652
- NEM 362 Coupler Pocket
- 2 Traction Tires
