Diesel locomotive 68050 of the National French Railways.

Update!

■ For the first time with PluX22 sound decoder and LED lighting
■ Original design with embossed trim lines and numbers
■ Extremely fine detailing on fan grille
■ Light functions switchable in line with the French prototype in digital mode
■ 2 loudspeakers

80 locomotives of the series 68000 were constructed between 1963 and 1968 for the National French Railways (SCNF). Originally planned as a four-axle locomotive, the 68000 engine proved too heavy for four axles, and this excessive axle pressure led to them being retrofitted with three-axle bogies. To remedy the situation, a running axle with smaller wheels was installed in the centre of the bogie. The six-axle, diesel-electric locomotive had a service weight of 106 tonnes. With its 12-cylinder diesel motor and 1,660 kW performance, it can reach a top speed of 130 km/h.

In the original design, these locomotives had trim line applications to give them their unmistakeable appearance. They were used in heavy passenger and freight transport. Up until the 1980s, the 68000 could also be seen regularly in Germany, on its way to Kehl and Offenburg via Strasbourg. Further scheduled operations led from Metz to Trier, but also to Basel in Switzerland via Mulhouse.

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