Category Archives: Austrian Locomotive Numbering System

V 100.57 Diesel Locomotive for Salzburg Transport Logistics, Inc.: Marklin 88212 

Marklin 88212 class V 100.57 SETG + Atchistories ARC-102121 Two-Bay Locomotive Shed

Featuring distinctive yellow green/light gray basic paint scheme SETG (Salzburg Transport Logistics, Inc.) rolling stock specializes in freight transport. Headquartered in Austria, SETG (based on google search) runs a regular route between Koper (Slovenia) and terminals in Enns/Salzburg (Austria), its freight includes timber, steel, agriculture, chemicals, vehicles and other freight.

Marklin 88212 class V 100.57 SETG + Atchistories ARC-102121 Two-Bay Locomotive Shed
Marklin 88212 class V 100.57 SETG + Atchistories ARC-102121 Two-Bay Locomotive Shed
Marklin 88212 class V 100.57 SETG + Atchistories ARC-102121 Two-Bay Locomotive Shed

Color of the delivered model is more attractive than Marklin’s advertising photos suggest: green is less bright and less ‘electric’. Light gray referred to in description is closer to grayed white so to speak. The appearance Marklin 88212 is striking: much better in person. Highly recommended loco featuring highly detailed lettering, metal construction and fine LED headlights and trailing lights. Of course this is another in the long evolution of this locomotive class represented in Z gauge, first one released in 2001 as item #88690 (turquoise) BR 212 for German Federal Railway (DB), it featured the last generation motor (5 pole): 25 years and going strong!

Marklin 88212 class V 100.57 SETG
Marklin 88212 class V 100.57 SETG
Marklin 88212 class V 100.57 SETG
Marklin 88212 class V 100.57 SETG
Marklin 88212 class V 100.57 SETG

Pictured with Marklin 88212 is Archistories Two-Bay Locomotive Shed (ARC-102121) building kit featuring precision laser cut card-stock parts, it features glued windows and hinged doors, its design inspired by Prussian Railway Architecture.

Marklin 88212 class V 100.57 SETG + Atchistories ARC-102121 Two-Bay Locomotive Shed

Archistories kits represent a modern approach to significantly improve architectural examples for model railroad layouts in Z. This topic is currently being explored on this site in coming weeks: Z gauge building examples from the past 35 years (stayed tuned!).

Archistories dealers in the United States include Zscalehobo.com and Zscalemonster.com.

Siding: weathering an Archistories building is another topic for another time: perhaps this week!

Siding: Archistories (ARC-102121 Two-Bay Locomotive Shed) made its debut on ZTrainsWeekly.com October 2015, 10 years later I continue to highly recommend this kit for ease in construction, durable build materials and historical appearance. And with all Archistories kits, builders will receive very high value for their purchase.

Austrian Locomotive Numbering System

The current Austrian locomotive numbering system has been in place since 1985. In brief the numbering for each locomotive can be determined by reviewing 3 charts for each digit followed in some cases by a computer check digit.

1st Digit – Traction Code: 0-steam locos, 1-electric locos, 2- diesel locos, 3- steam railcars, 4- electric multiple unit, 5- diesel multiple unit, 6- driving trailers, 7- intermediate trailers, 8- (NA), 9- tenders

2nd Digit – Origin Code: 0-5- Austrian and German standard, 6-8- pre-DRB, 9- foreign types. For electrics: 0-7- AC, 8- AC/DC, 9- DC. Note: 1 is added to the second digit to represent developments of a type thus a Class 1116 is a further development of Class 1016.

3rd and 4th Digit – Utilization Code:  Steam Locomotives – 01-39- passenger tender, 40-59- freight tender, 60-79- passenger tank, 80-96- freight tank, 97- rack fitted, and 98-99- narrow gauge. Diesel Locomotives – 01-19- express over 2000hp, 20-39- heavy freight over 2000hp, 40-59- mixed traffic 1000-2000hp, 60-64- “B” wheel arrangement under 1000hp, 65-69- “C” wheel arrangement under 1000hp, “D” wheel arrangement under 1000hp, 80-89- self propelled snowplough, 90-99- narrow gauge. Electric Locomotives – 01-19- express, 20-39- heavy freight, 40-59- mixed freight, 60-69- shunting loco, 70-89- older types, 90-99- narrow gauge. Railcars – 01-19 express, 20-59- local, 60-79- baggage, 80-89- light railbus, 90-99- narrow gauge.

A Computer Check Digit is used to double check that all digits are correct, this final digit in the locomotive number is not always displayed on the loco. To verify the class and running number digits are multiplied alternately by 2 and 1. The resulting digits are added together and deducted from the next whole 10 number thus revealing the correct “check digit”.

Example: for the OBB electric shunting loco #1063 028 the check number is thus calculated: 1×2, 0x1, 6×2, 3×1, 0x2, 2×1, 8×2= 2+0+1+2+3+0+2+1+6=17. 20-17=3 thus the full number for this OBB loco is 1063 028-3.

My guide to understanding European train classifications is the excellent series under the title European Handbooks. This highly recommended series of books on various European railways is indispensable.

Reference material: Austrian Railways, published by Platform 5, written by Roland Beier and Brian Garvin.