Original page created on 04/10/2018; updated on 13/02/2023.
Roco 73700
A1A A1A 68053 with reinforced cab. Depot of Sotteville.
422 g / 0,53 A
The six axles are driving. So it’s not an A1A A1A, but a CC.
The markings are pad printed. The name of the depot is not very clear. Photo-etched nickel silver plates are supplied: it’s up to the user to strip them to reveal the marking, which will be yellowish and not aluminium-coloured!
Lifting the body is easy: just spread the sides. We discover a fairly clear double-sided printed circuit. The connection to the lamps is done by flexible circuits. The lamps are still incandescent! The white and red lights are linked. Their separation doesn’t appear obvious at first sight.
This machine doesn’t have an extraordinary pulling force: its cousin 67580 from Jouef pulls it like playing!
See gamos81.altervista.org for the list of references of issued 68000 models.
Locomotives built in 80 units from 1963 to 1968 by Compagnie des Ateliers et Forges de la Loire (C.A.F.L.), Compagnie de Construction électro-mécanique (C.E.M.) and Fives-Lille-Cail (F.L.C.). UIC Power 1660 kW (Sulzer diesel engine type 12 LVA 24, 12 cylinders, direct injection, 1980 kW). Maximum speed: 120 km/h (130 km/h in Caen). Weight in running order 106 t.
The 68000 are slightly more powerful than the BB 67000 (UIC 1260 kW), with whom they can be coupled in multiple unit. The main difference is that they embed a boiler for steam heating of trains. A system of interchangeable holds made it possible to adjust the load on the trailing axles. It has been used very little, and the load is set at 18 t per driving axle, which allows these machines to run on almost all tracks.
The A1A A1A 68005 was built as 68501.
A1A A1A 68053 is put into service in June 1966 in Limoges. Successive depots: Tours St Pierre (9-75), Sotteville (date unknown). It is withdrawn in April 2004.
There was no 68000 in the Nord in the 1960s and
70s. Those who came to the area were probably based in Caen, as 68046
and 68047 in original livery and cabs, visible in Boulogne sur mer in
1973 in this photo of Michel Costes
(railpictures.net).
Photo Poggi in Loco-Revue sheet 595/596/12/1977.
Dimension | Actual | 1:87 | Model |
---|---|---|---|
Overall length | 18 010 | 207.0 | 206.9 |
Chassis length | 16 720 | 192.2 | 192.1 |
Width | 2 920 | 33.6 | 34.2 |
Height | 4 280 | 49.2 | 49.8 |
Pivot distance | 9 500 | 109.2 | 109.5 |
Bogie wheelbase | 3 000 | 34.5 | 34.5 |
Driving wheel diameter | 1 250 | 14.4 | 14.4 |
Trailing wheel diameter | 950 | 10.9 | 10.7 |
This figure varied subsequently because some exchanges
between the 68000 and 68500 series happened.
Document available as a PDF.
If you are interested, please let me know by e-mail,
specifying the title of the document-s.
For conditions, see page
Loco-Revue documentary sheets. .
No dismantling instructions, only a list of spare parts and tips for preparing etched plates are present. These plates, as well as the handrails of faces and cabs, are to be assembled.
The wheels are not burnished, but they have a plastic hub cap showing the transmission details.