NEW Roco 7310118 H0 Diesellok BR 217 017-3 DB-AG Ep.V-VI DC-Sound

Roco 7310118 H0 Diesel Locomotive BR 217 017-3 DB AG – Era V–VI, DC-Digital with Sound

Are you looking for an exceptional Deutsche Bahn diesel locomotive that will delight you with authentic sound, impressive attention to detail, and a fascinating railway history? Then the Roco 7310118 BR 217 017-3 diesel locomotive with DCC sound is an excellent addition to your H0 model railroad layout. The traffic-red locomotive from the legendary V-160 family combines the characteristic appearance of a classic German diesel locomotive with modern digital technology.

As an elaborately designed variant featuring a Voith cooling system, the model impresses with its prototypical front end—without a 1,000-volt heating cable—numerous separately attached details, and exceptionally finely crafted wheel sets with low flanges. Some of the intricate add-on parts are produced using etching technology, underscoring the high-quality craftsmanship.

A special highlight is the pre-installed digital sound system with a PluX22 decoder. Together with the switchable headlight and tail light, as well as the cab and engine room lighting, it ensures a varied and realistic driving experience.

The Class 217 – A Rare Diesel Locomotive of the Deutsche Bundesbahn

The Class 217 is one of the most interesting members of the well-known V-160 locomotive family. While other classes in this family were produced in larger numbers, only 15 Class 217 locomotives were built.

The locomotives were developed for versatile use in both passenger and freight service. Their unique technical features made them a distinct variant within the successful diesel locomotive family.

Unique Technology with an Additional Heating Diesel Engine

A distinctive feature of the Class 217 was its original configuration with two diesel engines serving different purposes.

In addition to the main traction diesel engine, the locomotives were equipped with a separate auxiliary diesel engine. This engine supplied electrical power to passenger cars, thereby enabling the locomotives to be used with various types of passenger trains.

At the same time, the locomotives were powerful enough to reliably haul freight trains as well.

This combination made the Class 217 a versatile locomotive for daily railway operations.

The History of 217 017-3

The 217 017 diesel locomotive was built by Krupp in 1968 and delivered to the Deutsche Bundesbahn.

For many years, the locomotive was based in Regensburg and was used for various tasks in rail transport.

In 2000, the locomotive was transferred to the Mühldorf depot. There, it was operating in the distinctive traffic-red paint scheme of Deutsche Bahn AG and was used primarily for freight service.

In 2008, the locomotive underwent another simplified general inspection. During this process, the heating diesel engine—which was no longer needed—was removed and replaced with ballast.

This adapted the locomotive for its remaining duties in freight service.

The Last Operational BR 217 of Deutsche Bahn

The 217 017-3 held a special place within its small class.

It remained in service with DB Schenker Rail until the end of 2011, making it the last operational Class 217 locomotive in Deutsche Bahn’s fleet.

In February 2014, it was finally taken out of service and sold to the Pfalzbahn.

This remarkable operational history makes the locomotive an interesting model for collectors and enthusiasts of German diesel locomotives.

Roco BR 217 017-3 – Prototype-Accurate Variant in Traffic Red

With the Roco 7310118, you’ll receive a detailed replica of the 217 017-3 diesel locomotive as it appeared during service in Eras V and VI.

The classic traffic-red paint scheme, the distinctive roof design, and the characteristic attachments give the model an authentic appearance.

In particular, the version with the Voith cooling system distinguishes this variant from other models in the V-160 family.

Prototype-accurate Voith cooling system

A key feature of this version is the detailed reproduction of the Voith cooling system.

It defines the locomotive’s exterior design and plays a key role in accurately representing the depicted operational condition.

This variant is particularly interesting for model railroaders who value different construction states and technical details.

Front without 1,000-volt heating cable

The front of the Roco BR 217 017-3 was designed without a 1,000-volt heating cable, in keeping with the prototype.

This feature reflects the locomotive’s later service, during which the original electric train heating was no longer required.

This modified front design results in a particularly authentic reproduction of the locomotive during its later years of service.

Delicate Attachments and High-Quality Etching

Roco has equipped the model with numerous separately attached parts.

Some of these components were manufactured using fine etching technology, enabling particularly delicate structures and a representation faithful to the prototype.

This meticulous detailing ensures a compelling overall impression, whether the model is in operation on a layout or on display in a showcase.

Authentic diesel sound for a realistic driving experience

A special highlight of the Roco 7310118 DC-Sound is its built-in digital sound system.

The factory-installed PluX22 sound decoder provides an auditory accompaniment to the locomotive’s operation and creates a lively atmosphere on your model railroad layout.

The character of a classic diesel locomotive comes across particularly impressively when starting, accelerating, and operating in front of freight trains.

PluX22 sound decoder for digital DC operation

The locomotive comes equipped with a PluX22 digital decoder with sound right from the factory.

This makes it suitable for operation on appropriately equipped digital H0 DC layouts.

Using a compatible digital control center, you can control the driving functions, sound functions, and various lighting settings.

The combination of digital speed control and sound makes the BR 217 017-3 a versatile model for sophisticated model railroad operations.

Digitally controllable lighting for authentic operating scenes

The Roco BR 217 017-3 features various digital lighting functions that make model railroad operation particularly realistic.

The model features LED lighting with three white headlights and two red tail lights. The lights change depending on the direction of travel.

Additionally, other lighting functions can be controlled digitally.

Switchable Headlights and Tail Lights

The head and tail lights can be controlled in digital mode.

This allows for the realistic depiction of various operating situations, such as when leading freight trains or shunting the locomotive in the station area.

The LED technology ensures clear and even illumination.

Digitally controllable cab lighting

The integrated cab lighting allows for an atmospheric depiction of the locomotive engineer’s workstation.

This feature really comes into its own, especially at dusk or in the dark.

An illuminated cab lends the locomotive added realism and makes it an attractive focal point, even in nighttime operating scenes.

Switchable engine room lighting

Another highlight is the digitally controllable engine room lighting.

This feature allows you to illuminate the engine room selectively and showcase the diesel locomotive’s technical design particularly effectively.

Especially for a locomotive with such an interesting technical history, this additional lighting feature is an attractive addition.

Powerful drive for freight transport in Eras V and VI

The Roco BR 217 017-3 also impresses technically with its reliable drive design.

The locomotive features a flywheel-equipped drive system that ensures smooth running characteristics.

All four axles are powered. One axle is equipped with traction tires to improve power transfer to the rails.

This makes the model ideal for use with a variety of freight trains.

Fine wheel sets with low flanges

A special quality feature of the Roco 7310118 is its prototypical low flanges.

They ensure a particularly realistic undercarriage appearance and make the locomotive look even more authentic on the track.

These finely crafted wheels really stand out, especially on carefully designed H0 track layouts.

Alternative wheel sets available as replacement parts

For model railroaders who prefer higher flanges or whose track layouts have special requirements, matching wheel sets with 1.2 mm high flanges are available separately.

The corresponding replacement parts are available under part numbers 145433 and 145435.

This allows you to customize the model’s wheel set design to meet the specific requirements of your model railroad layout.

Versatile Applications on Your H0 Model Railroad Layout

The Class 217 was originally used for both passenger and freight service. In its later years of service, its duties increasingly focused on freight service.

The locomotives were particularly active in southern Germany, around Mühldorf.

With the Roco BR 217 017-3, you can recreate numerous typical freight transport scenes from Deutsche Bahn AG.

Matching freight cars for the BR 217

Numerous freight cars from Eras V and VI are suitable for creating a realistic train formation.

Tank cars, sliding-wall cars, open freight cars, covered freight cars, and flat cars are an excellent fit for the later operational environment of this diesel locomotive.

Mixed freight trains and transfer trains can also be convincingly depicted with the BR 217.

This makes the model particularly interesting for layouts based on southern Germany, non-electrified main lines, and varied freight traffic.

Contents of the Roco 7310118 Diesel Locomotive Set

You’ll receive the Deutsche Bahn AG BR 217 017-3 diesel locomotive in traffic red livery and in the design of Eras V and VI.

The model comes factory-equipped with a PluX22 digital sound decoder and is designed for digital DC operation.

Features include the prototypical Voith cooling system, the front end without a 1,000-volt heating cable, numerous separately attached details, and the finely crafted wheel sets with low flanges.

The digitally controllable cab and engine room lighting, as well as the controllable headlight and tail light, are already integrated.

Alternative wheel sets with higher flanges are available separately as replacement parts.

A special model for collectors and digital model railroading enthusiasts

The Roco 7310118 is an excellent choice for model railroaders who are passionate about the history of German diesel locomotives.

With only 15 prototype locomotives built, the Class 217 is one of the rarest members of the V-160 family.

The 217 017-3 holds a special place due to its long operational history and its status as the last operational DB locomotive of its class.

Technically, the model also impresses with its elaborate body design, integrated sound decoder, and numerous digitally controllable lighting functions.

This makes the locomotive suitable for both regular layout operation and as an attractive collector’s item.

Roco 7310118 – Experience the legendary BR 217 with digital sound

With the Roco 7310118 H0 BR 217 017-3 DC Sound diesel locomotive, you can add an exceptional representative of the legendary V-160 family to your model railroad layout.

The traffic-red paint scheme, the prototypical Voith cooling system, and the distinctive front design make this variant a real eye-catcher.

The integrated sound decoder, digitally controllable cab and engine room lighting, and switchable headlight and tail light ensure a varied driving experience.

The finely crafted wheel sets, the separately attached details, and the powerful drive round out the complete package.

Enrich your H0 collection with one of the last great representatives of the Class 217 series! Discover the Roco BR 217 017-3 with DCC sound now in our model train shop and enjoy classic German diesel locomotive technology with modern digital features.

Features:

• Manufacturer: Roco
• Item Number: 7310118
• Model: BR 217 017-3 diesel locomotive
• Locomotive family: V 160
• Railroad company: Deutsche Bahn AG (DB AG)
• Gauge: H0
• Scale: 1:87
• Era: V–VI
• Version: Variant
• Color scheme: Traffic red
• Prototype-accurate Voith cooling system
• Front without 1,000-volt heating cable
• Separately attached plug-in parts
• Delicate details, some produced using etching techniques
• Wheel sets with low flanges
• Alternative wheel sets with 1.2 mm high flanges available separately
• Part numbers for alternative wheel sets: 145433 and 145435
• Drive with flywheel
• Number of powered axles: 4
• Number of axles with traction tires: 1
• Power system: DC Digital (direct current)
• Digital interface: PluX22
• Digital decoder: PluX22
• Sound: Yes, factory-installed
• LED headlight: Yes
• Headlights: 3 white headlights
• Taillights: 2 red taillights
• Direction-dependent light switching
• Headlights and taillights digitally switchable
• Cab lighting: LED, digitally switchable
• Engine room lighting: Digitally controllable
• Additional digital lighting functions
• Coupler: NEM 362 with close-coupling kinematics
• Minimum curve radius: 358 mm
• Length over buffers: 189 mm
• Suitable for freight trains and transfer traffic
• Ideal for H0 model railroad layouts of eras V and VI
• Of particular interest to collectors of the V-160 locomotive family

Further links:

• Print View

CAUTION: Not suitable for children under 3 years. Danger of swallowing! Age recommendation from 14 years.