CSD Rh477 008 Steam Locomotive III (~AC-Sound)

CSD Rh477 008 Steam Locomotive III (~AC-Sound)

1:87 scale model produced by Roco. This model is ready-to-run straight out of the box and would make a excellent addition to any model railway collection.

Features:

• AC Sound Model
• Best suited to Epoch IV Model Railways
• This model mainly operates in Czech Republic
• Decorated in CSD company markings
• Best suited to 358mm radius curves
• Completely new design
• Version of the first series
• Completely unobstructed view between boiler and frame
• Particularly delicate pipework under the boiler
• Distinctive star mounted separately on the smokebox door
• Delicately crafted spoked wheels
• Parts of the model made of metal
• Highly detailed driver's cab
• Striking blue paintwork with white decorative elements.

Details

The CSD Class 477.0 was a powerful steam tank locomotive built for the Czechoslovak State Railways (CSD) in the early 1950s. Designed and manufactured by CKD in Prague, it became the last steam locomotive type produced for the national railway in significant numbers, with a total of 60 units built between 1951–1952 and 1955. It was developed as an evolution of the earlier Class 475.0 to provide robust performance for heavy suburban passenger and fast local trains.

Featuring a distinctive 4-8-4T wheel arrangement (two leading, four driving and two trailing axles) and a three-cylinder steam engine, the Class 477.0 delivered strong power and good speed for its size, with top speeds around 100–110 km/h. Early batches experienced weight-distribution issues that were corrected in later series by altering water tank placement and related modifications, improving stability and performance.

The locomotives quickly earned the affectionate nickname “Papoušek” (meaning parrot) from crews due to their distinctive appearance. They became highly valued for suburban and regional services in urban centres like Prague, Brno and Bratislava, where their combination of power and agility suited frequent stop-start operation.

Class 477.0 units remained in regular service through the 1960s and 1970s, gradually declining as electrification and diesel traction expanded. A handful of locomotives have been preserved into the 21st century, with two examples still operational on heritage and excursion trains.