RhB Ge 4/4 III (641 - 649) in 0m-Scale

In 1989, the Rhaetian Railways ordered new Ge 4/4 III engines at SLM/ABB, a modern universal locomotive with AC engine and GTO thyristor control. The engines 641 to 649 were delivered to RhB in 1993/94, the road numbers 650 to 652 were added in 1998. They soon showed to be excellent for their duties. Today, these locomotives pull mainly heavy express and freight trains on the Albula route, where in that mountainous area with tight curves and steep grades the intelligent radial wheel steering, first built into the Ge 4/4 III's, dramatically reduces wear of rails.

The model locomotive is equipped with four strong ESCAP motors of 2.5 Watt power each, with them it has excellent running qualities and optimal traction power. The wheelsets have shock absorbers and ball bearings, frame details and the trucks are exactly built to prototype. The model is designed for 1.0 metre radius in minimum, but for operation with long trains and on grades radii of 1.2 metre or larger are recommended. The pantographs are driven by their own motors and can be moved up and down. The model is available as digital version, including sound and integrated Zimo MX66M DCC-decoder, or as analog version without sound, independent of the lettering variant. The electronics in the digital version makes use of 9 DCC functions and enables mastering of all light functions, individual pantograph control and sounds. Headlights and cabin lights are LED's. Two microprocessors have been used, one to control lights and pantographs, the other in the soundelectronics. The following sounds can be played: engine turn on/off, idling and running with accelleration and braking, pantograph up and down, the horn (2 different recordings) and air release from the compressor.