Category Archives: Freudenreich Feinwerktechnik Z

FR Locomotives: NSB

The first and only NSB locomotive to grace z scale is the EL-18 produced in partial kit form by FR. FR delivered this loco with the shell painted and lettered, it was up to the new owner to make modifications in order to install the snowplows. What is an NSB locomotive without snowplows, and these are very well cast metal plows painted yellow. The modification of the FR EL-18: 1. remove shell 2. trim and level bottom edges of shell either end 3. spot/retouch paint if defects arise from leveling 4. using only epoxy attach each snowplow and hold in place until epoxy has become permanent (plastic glues will melt the shell making for poor results) 5. set shell aside after assembly of both plows are completed 6. chassis: remove both trucks 7. truck modification: trim each just behind coupler (couplers need to removed to allow shell with plows to be installed) 8. holding truck together make a very small pilot hole into the outer edge of truck which will be held together with a screw 9. install screws in each truck, epoxy maybe applied to screw head it is at all loose.

FR #47.198.10 – Norges Statsbaner AS (Norwegian State Railways) NSB, class EL-18 electric locomotive with snowplows. Edition size: 30.

Siding: FR’s NSB EL-18 is based on the Marklin SBB 460 locomotive series which is another very successful series by Marklin. And a great performance loco in ‘Z’. The prototype is also similar to the SBB 460 with modifications, it has proven itself as highly successful locomotive for Norway being used to haul freight and passenger coaches.

FR: SBB rolling stock

SBB and DB are the big heavy weights in Marklin’s long list of z scale offerings since 1972. Much has been produced for SBB, and much has not been produced in SBB. Marklin certainly isn’t to blame for any missing locos or rolling stock, the SBB has a rich and varied history and probably too much to cover by a single manufacturer. More on this topic will follow, but for now let’s talk FR’s SBB rolling stock. For the first time in z FR has produced K3 box cars types and other interesting items for freight hauling in and around the charming and majestic landscapes of Switzerland.

FR #ZF300a – BBC, type Fbkk hoppers for recycling haulage, lettered for the firm BBC. Full metal construction.

FR #ZF300c – SBB, type Fbkk hoppers for recycling haulage. Full metal construction.

FR #41.331.01 – SBB, type K3 box cars.

FR #41.331.02 – SBB, type Gms box cars formerly K3

FR #41.331.11 – BT, type X286 (former K3) box car

FR #41.331.12 – SBB / Sersa, type Gleisbauwagen V (former K3) box cars.

FR #41.331.22 – SBB, type Gms (former K3) box cars with graffiti and weathering. Limited edition: 25.

FR: DB rolling stock

FR’s DB rolling stock includes numerous box cars some in two car sets. Examples in this selection are out of production including mail wagons and a metal box car.

FR #49.334.71 – DB, type Gms30 box car lettered for Goggo Motor Roller.

FR #49.341.11 – DB / Deutsche Bundespost, type Post 2 ss-t/13. Full metal construction. Prototype from 1976.

FR #49.341.21 – DB / Deutsche Bundespost, type Post 2-s/13 SS. Full metal construction. Prototype from 1967

FR #49.343.31 – DB type Gms54 box car lettered for KALDEWEI. Full metal construction.

FR: SNCB rolling stock

One two car set for the SNCB is currently produced by FR, it features the early ‘B’ Cargo design: dark green paint scheme with yellow lettering and gray roof.

FR#32.334.02 – SNCB, type Oppeln box car lettered for B Cargo.

FR: OBB rolling stock

So far there are just a few cars offered by FR for the OBB, but Austrian trains can correctly haul any number of the German cars FR includes in the line-up as well as the two car set for SNCB.

FR #43.343.02 – OBB, type Gs + Gss-vx box cars. Full metal construction. 2 car set includes 1 standard freight car and 1 ‘Express’ freight car with the distinctive yellow mark across door.

FR: DSB rolling stock

Shipping is an important business enterprise in Denmark thus container shipping is included in the rolling stock of the DSB. FR has created a car body that accepts removable 40′ high or standard containers compatible with Marklin’s container wagen. A variety of containers can be ordered each lettered by differing shipping companies.

FR #45.814.01 – DSB, type Lgs container wagon lettered for DSB and 40′ hi-cube container lettered for HYUNDAI.

FR: NSB rolling stock

Norges Statsbaner AS – NSB (Norwegian State Railways) is a neighbor to Sweden and thus any cross border deliveries of timber and other goods will likewise share rolling stock from country to country. FR’s inventory in this category includes lumber cars as well as climate sensitive box cars.

FR #47.334.02 – NSB, type Godsvognsett Gklms box cars. Set of 2 injection molded plastic cars with separately applied hand rails.

FR #47.805.01 – NSB, type Tommervogn Lps lumber car

FR #47.812.00 – NSB, type Kjole- og Varmevogn IbbIps insulated box car. Full metal construction. Unique box car design built with heavy insulation to protect goods from perma-frost and contrasting high temps from sun.

FR: SJ – Rolling Stock

FR rolling stock like the locos is precision made and precisely designed based on the prototypes. Build characteristics: separately applied details, metal chassis, body of injection molded plastic or metal, pad printing and sometimes decals. And sometimes weathering is applied in special editions. These are little charmers that are even better in person.

SJ – Statens Jarnvagar freight cars:

FR #46.807.01 – SJ type Lgs container wagon lettered for TOLLPOST GLOBE.

FR #46.810.01 – SJ type Elos hopper lettered for Jarnmalmer. Full metal construction.

FR #46.811.01 – SJ type Gbs box car. Full metal construction.

FR #46.811.31 – SJ/Roda Korset, type Gbs box car with weathering. Edition size: 25. Used by Roda Korset (Swedish Red Cross) for transporting used clothing. Full metal construction.

FR #46.811.61 – Green Cargo, type Dalm box car. Full metal construction.

FR #46.816.01 – SJ, type Huvvagn Kis950 sliding roof car for transporting steel products. Limited edition: 40. Full metal construction.

FR Locomotives: SJ

Colorful locomotives designed for heavy duty operation in a difficult and unforgiving climate describes train operation in the Sweden. Sweden along with its Scandinavian neighbors have much to contend with as the winter months embrace these countries so of course snow plows are standard equipment and most propulsion is electric generated by hydro-electric plants. I would claim Sweden to be one of the best at climate change sensitivity, not only is the electric generated by turbines in the form of hydroelectric, but their Rc locos don’t last and last and last thereby reducing the impact on the environment from scraping and making more.

The Scandinavian train is found in Marklin’s HO scale, and only covered by them in Z for the MY locos for the DSB. All four versions by Marklin of the NOHAB locos are GREAT! FR has come along and provided an extensive line-up of rolling stock and locos for Scandinavian train enthusiasts including the next three examples:

FR #46.130.31 – SJ (Statens Jarnvagar – Swedish State Railways), class Rc-2 1103

FR #46.130.10 – SJ (Statens Jarnvagar – Swedish State Railways), class Rc-2 1037

FR #46.131.03 – BANVERKET, class ELL0003R

FR Locomotives: Austria

The current production of locomotives by Harald Freudenreich centers around the many variations of the highly successful SJ Rc series locomotives, versions can be seen in the United States driving passenger trains up the Northeast corridor by Metro-North and Amtrak. FR’s production includes numerous SJ examples as well as Austria with the release of 43.130.01 class 1043.03 from the early 70’s.

FR #43.130.01, OBB (Österreichische Bundesbahnen-Austrian Federal Railways), class 1043.03

FR Rc locomotives feature snowplows of two types as appropriate to class, two variations of pantographs depending on class, coreless motors, pad printing, and accurate detailing which yield true variations between the FR Rc’s. I forgot to mention LED’s that change over with direction of travel that also provide realistic lighting in the cab: BRILLIANT! And last but not least, the mirrors are chrome, they are not painted over adding much realism: BRILLIANT!!!

FR just announced a forthcoming release of another Austrian locomotive in ‘Valousek’ paint scheme, I haven’t met anyone who does not like Valousek paint schemes.

But one more FR Austrian loco is class 1043.008 with ‘Jaffa” paint scheme. This one was produced in a very small batch of 12 only, it was only economically feasible for Harald to use decals for this one. Now another choice to haul the Marklin ‘Export’ passenger coach set 87354.