NEW Roco 7500273 H0 E-Lok Serie 1608 NS Ep.IV

Roco 7500273 H0 Electric Locomotive Series 1608 NS – Dutch State Railways, Era IV

Would you like to recreate classic Dutch rail transport from the 1980s on your H0 model railroad layout? With the Roco 7500273 Series 1608 electric locomotive from the Dutch State Railways (NS), you can bring one of the most powerful Dutch electric locomotives of its time to your tracks. The model features the original design without air conditioning and with the locomotive number centered on the side panel. Delicate pantographs with an innovative mounting system, four powered axles, and a PluX22 interface make this H0 DC locomotive an interesting addition to your Era IV collection.

The NS Series 1600 – French Locomotive Technology for the Netherlands

The Dutch Series 1600 electric locomotives were based on the French BB 7200 series. Their introduction in 1981 marked the beginning of a new chapter in electric rail transport for the Dutch State Railways.

At the time, these four-axle locomotives were among the most powerful vehicles in the NS fleet. With a power output of 4,540 kW, a service weight of 83 metric tons, and a top speed of 140 km/h, they were suitable for both passenger service and demanding freight train operations.

Their distinctive design and versatile capabilities made the 1600 series a defining feature of Dutch rail transport.

Roco has recreated the 1608 electric locomotive in its original Era IV configuration under part number 7500273.

Roco NS 1608 – Original Version with Characteristic Details

Prototype-accurate design without air conditioning

A special feature of this model is the recreation of the original version without air conditioning.

Thus, the Roco 1608 corresponds to the early operational state of the Dutch 1600 Series electric locomotives.

This version is particularly interesting for model railroaders who set their layouts in the 1980s. It allows for an accurate representation of Dutch rail traffic during Era IV.

Locomotive number centered on the side panel

Roco also incorporates a characteristic feature of the original design into the lettering.

The locomotive number 1608 is located in the center of the side panel. This arrangement is one of the typical identifying features of the operational condition depicted.

Together with the characteristic shape of the locomotive body, this creates a model that reflects the design of Dutch electric locomotives of that time.

Delicate pantographs with innovative mounting

The roof equipment of the Roco 7500273 deserves special attention.

The pantographs are intricately detailed and feature an innovative mounting system. This effectively complements the electric locomotive’s characteristic roof design.

On electric locomotives in particular, the pantographs are among the most striking components. Their delicate design contributes significantly to the model’s prototypical appearance.

The combination of detailed roof equipment, the locomotive’s original design, and the centrally positioned road number makes the Roco NS 1608 an intriguing locomotive for enthusiasts of classic European electric locomotives.

Four driven axles for reliable model railroad operation

The Roco 1608 electric locomotive features four powered axles. This provides the model with a solid technical foundation for hauling passenger and freight trains.

An integrated flywheel ensures smooth running and improves the locomotive’s coasting performance.

In addition, one axle is equipped with traction tires. These enhance traction and are particularly advantageous when pulling longer train formations.

With a length over buffers of 201 mm, the locomotive has a distinctive appearance on your H0 model railroad layout.

LED headlight with direction-dependent light change

The Roco 7500273 is equipped with modern LED lighting.

The model features a three-light headlight that changes direction based on the direction of travel and two tail lights.

When the direction of travel changes, the lights switch accordingly. This visually enhances the operation of the electric locomotive on your model railroad layout.

The LED technology offers a modern lighting solution and highlights the technical features of this analog DC locomotive.

PluX22 interface for future digitization

Would you like to operate your Dutch electric locomotive in analog mode for now and convert it to digital operation later?

The Roco 7500273 already meets the necessary requirements for this.

The model is supplied as an analog DC version and features a PluX22 electrical interface.

This allows the locomotive to be retrofitted with a suitable digital decoder. Thus, the NS 1608 can be integrated into a correspondingly equipped digital H0 DC layout as needed.

A digital decoder is not included as standard equipment with this analog version.

The History of the Dutch Series 1600 Electric Locomotives

When the Dutch State Railways put their new Series 1600 electric locomotives into service in the early 1980s, they were among the company’s most modern and powerful locomotives.

The design was based on the French BB 7200 and was adapted to the requirements of the Dutch rail network.

With a power output of 4,540 kW, the locomotives had considerable power reserves. Their top speed of 140 km/h allowed them to be used with various types of trains.

The locomotives were used to haul both passenger trains and freight and shaped the landscape of electric rail transport in the Netherlands for many years.

The Roco 1608 commemorates the early days of this successful locomotive series and allows you to recreate a classic operational scenario from Era IV.

Matching passenger cars and freight cars for the NS 1608

The Roco 1608 electric locomotive can be flexibly integrated into an H0 model railroad layout based on Dutch or international prototypes.

For a classic passenger train from the 1980s, matching passenger cars from the Dutch State Railways are ideal.

Era IV freight cars can also be combined with the locomotive to recreate typical freight train operations of that time.

The NEM 362 coupler housing with close-coupling kinematics facilitates the use of compatible coupler systems and allows you to configure your trains accordingly.

The minimum curve radius is 358 mm. This makes the model suitable for numerous H0 layouts that support this radius.

Who is the Roco NS Series 1608 suitable for?

The Roco 7500273 is particularly appealing to model railroad enthusiasts who are passionate about the railway history of the Netherlands.

Collectors of classic electric locomotives will receive a characteristic NS locomotive in its original design without air conditioning.

For model railroaders with an Era IV layout, the locomotive offers numerous possibilities for designing passenger and freight trains.

Fans of French-influenced locomotive designs will also find an interesting prototype in the NS Series 1600, as its development is based on the French BB 7200.

Thanks to the PluX22 interface, the model is also suitable for model railroaders planning to digitize their layout at a later date.

Roco 7500273 – Dutch railway history for your H0 model railroad

With the Roco 7500273, you can add a classic electric locomotive from the Dutch State Railways to your model railroad layout.

The NS 1608 stands out with its original design—without air conditioning—the centrally positioned locomotive number, and delicate pantographs with an innovative mounting system.

Four powered axles, a flywheel, an LED headlight, and a PluX22 interface round out the model’s technical features.

The locomotive is particularly well-suited for recreating Dutch passenger and freight trains from the 1980s and is an interesting addition for collectors of European electric locomotives.

Experience the early years of the powerful NS Series 1600 in H0 scale! Discover the Roco 7500273 1608 electric locomotive and expand your model railroad collection with a distinctive piece of Dutch railway history from Era IV.

Features:

• Manufacturer: Roco
• Item Number: 7500273
• Model: Electric Locomotive 1608
• Class: NS Series 1600
• Railroad Company: Dutch State Railways (NS)
• Gauge: H0
• Scale: 1:87
• Era: IV
• Version: Original version without air conditioning
• Locomotive number: 1608, centered on the side panel
• Prototype: French BB 7200 electric locomotive
• Introduction of the prototype series: 1981
• Prototype power: 4,540 kW
• Prototype maximum speed: 140 km/h
• Prototype operating weight: 83 t
• Power system: DC Analog (direct current)
• Number of powered axles: 4
• Number of axles with traction tires: 1
• Flywheel: Yes
• Pantograph: Delicate design
• Pantograph mounting: Innovative mounting
• Headlights: Three-light front signal
• Taillights: 2 taillights
• Light switching: Depends on direction of travel
• LED headlight: Yes
• Digital interface: PluX22
• Can be retrofitted with digital control: Yes, with a compatible decoder
• Coupler: NEM 362 socket with close-coupling kinematics
• Minimum curve radius: 358 mm
• Length over buffers: 201 mm
• EAN: 9005033398781
• Suitable for: H0 DC layouts as well as Era IV passenger and freight trains

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