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.

FR #43.131.11, OBB (Österreichische Bundesbahnen-Austrian Federal Railways), class 1043.008