Marklin have announced the addition of their latest HO scale model. The BLS Ae4/4 251 Electric Locomotive.
The model is finished in the distinctive nut-brown livery and faithfully recreates the current operational condition of the fully restored museum locomotive operated by BLS Historic. Completely redesigned, the model features highly detailed metal construction and numerous finely crafted details. A particular highlight is the newly developed scissor-type pantograph, which can be raised and lowered digitally.
This model is available as a two rail DCC Sound model from Trix and as a three rail Digital Sound model from Marklin.
The Model
This highly detailed European electric locomotive features a digital decoder with extensive sound functions and a centrally mounted, controlled high-performance motor with flywheel. All four axles are powered via cardan shafts, with traction tyres providing additional pulling power. The model features direction-dependent triple headlights and a white marker light, with digitally controllable lighting functions including red marker lights, warning lights, long-distance headlights, cab lighting and machine room illumination. Maintenance-free warm-white and red LEDs provide realistic lighting effects, while a fitted buffer capacitor ensures reliable operation.
Additional details include finely reproduced roof equipment, a newly designed digitally operated pantograph and numerous separately applied components. The model also features NEM-compliant buffer height and separately supplied brake lines, screw couplings and closed rail clearance devices for installation.
History of the Locomotive
Delivered between 1944 and 1954, the BLS Ae 4/4 locomotives were among the first modern four-axle bogie locomotives, achieving an impressive output of 1,000 hp per axle. Their innovative design and high performance established them as pioneers of modern electric locomotive development, paving the way for subsequent generations of powerful four-axle locomotives.
Over their operational lives, the BLS Ae 4/4 locomotives underwent several modernisation programmes to improve performance, reliability and braking efficiency. These upgrades included replacing the step switches, main oil circuit breakers and driver's brake valves, alongside doubling the output of the electric brake. The braking improvements were achieved by removing one pantograph, allowing additional roof-mounted braking resistances and increasing braking power.
Further modifications included replacing the original leaf-spring suspension with rubber springs, fitting jet nozzle grilles in place of the ventilation louvers and improving adhesion through an electrically powered control cable connected to the traction motors. This final modification also increased the weight carried by the leading axles.
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