THE Z SCALE MODEL
(scroll down for information on the prototype locomotive)
Introducing the most modern Swiss freight locomotive to the Z scale range in 2006 was reasonably easy for Maerklin, as it only took two additional pantographs and a repaint to turn the also newly introduced model of the BR 185 into an SBB Cargo Re 482 (catalogue number 88482).
(c) MaerklinA pleasing model which captures the prototype well, Maerklin made quite an effort to recapture the differences visible in the roof area between a BR 185 and the Re 482. The shortfalls of the model are, once more, to be found beneath the locomotive body, with the chassis. The outer axles on both bogies are quite markedly set back from where they should be, the only saving element being Maerklin's standard of using blackened wheels which can hide this to a certain extent. The pristine printing and colouring of the loco shell, however, ensures a high standard of overall appearance.
However, the release of this locomotive, which gave Swiss Z scale modellers the possibility to be bang up to date on their layouts, also illustrated how the scale had progressed, as Maerklin were not, in fact, the first to reproduce this prototype in Z scale.
click for larger imageWhilst Rob Albriton's Class 482 was an individual effort in 2002, Mikkelsen International's model was a rebuild/respray available on the ready-to-run market since 2004.
(c) Mikkelsen
When the newly formed SBB Cargo had to look into purchasing new motive power in 2001, they had to rely on foreign contractors. First of all, because the traditional Swiss locomotive builders ABB and SLM had bowed out and locomotives were no longer built in Switzerland, and secondly, because price had become a sensitive issue now that SBB Cargo was no longer seen as part of a wholly state-owned railway system. Quality standards (which had made the Re 460 and Re 465 an exquisite but expensive piece of motive power) were lowered and SBB Cargo put out an international call for offers based on existing models as the urgent need locomotives precluded new construction designs.
Several international locomotive builders submitted their offers for locomotive types they were already producing at the time, with Bombardier Transportation being the successful bidder with a Swiss specifications version of the Class BR 185 they had already built for the Deutsche Bahn (DB), beating Siemens who had made an offer based on their Taurus model.
The BR 185 is a dual-systems locomotive built in large numbers for DB, and the fact that this is basically a German locomotive seemed an added bonus as SBB Cargo would be able to use this locomotive straight away on the German rail network without restrictions.
An Re 482 waits to be coupled to its train at Olten, October 2004With a power output of 5,600 kW (7,626 hp) the BR 185 falls 800 kW short of the Re 460. However, with a maximum speed of 140 km/h this locomotive is still fast enough for freight trains (which have a maximum speed allowance of 120 km/h), and running two units in multiple provides enough power output even for the Gotthard ramp.
Classified as Re 482, SBB Cargo ordered an initial 40 units. This locomotive is now part of Bombardier's TRAXX family of locomotives based on the initial BR 185 design; however, only Re 482'000 - 482'034 are units from the DB production run (with BR 185 style body), with Re 482'035 - Re 482'039 produced on the TRAXX locomotive shell with a changed (more sloping) cab front. SBB Cargo's need for motive power on freight routes into Italy produced the Re 484, a multi-systems locomotive based on the Re 482 / Bombardier TRAXX F140 MS, of which SBB Cargo ordered 18 units. Another variant is the BLS class Re 485, which is in fact the same locomotive as the Re 482 or BR 185. Once BLS has seen complete delivery of its class Re 485 locomotives all BLS Re 465s will be handed over to SBB passenger services where the class will be used to pull Bahn 2000 services.
Re 482 019-7 in the pouring rain at Olten, October 2004
Text and pictures not marked otherwise © Adrian WymannPage created 20/MAR/2006
Last revised 01/MAY/2006
