LGB/Märklin RhB GE 4/4 variants

W

Wanderer

Registered
I've a few G scale steam locos but now I fancy playing with an electric loco from the RhB, one of my favourite railways, had a load of Bemo HOm stuff at one time....

What I'm looking for is one of each, an RhB Ge 4/4 II and a III. I do not like the weird advertising liveries, prefer the old plain green or red.

I'd like LGB sound, but am totally confused over what's best, LGB older models or the newer Märklin ones which so far to me in my research have been cut down feature-wise.

I don't mind second-hand (I like to bash them a bit and weather them) I like the auto raising pantographs, I want sound (or easily retrofitted sound) and I know the earlier GE 4/4 II's looked a bit nasty with non-flush windows etc. The Ge 4/4 III seems a newer model so no issue on that score.

Any help gratefully received!

Cheers

Steve
 
Hi Steve,

I have recently purchased both the Ge 4/4 III (item number 27420) and Ge 4/4 II (item number 28436). Both of these are in RhB red liveries - I agree with you on not liking the advertising liveries. The "III" does not have sound pre-installed, but is digital with moving pantographs, directional lights and dash lighting in the cab. I am intending on putting a Massoth XLS unit inside at some point for the sound - the speaker slot is already there, so this would be a simple process.

The "II" also has moving pantographs, but also has cab interior lighting along with sound inbuilt. The red of the "II" is darker - according to LGB this was a recent change to make the colouration of the red more accurate.

I am fairly picky quality wise, and in my opinion, you can't really fault either of them in terms of the overall quality and fit and finish.

The advantage of getting a newer unit such as the "III" is that it already has a spot to mount the speaker, so you don't need to drill or cut out spacing for this for the sound to come out. The "II" in this case already have the speaker built into the unit ready to go.

The "III" being a more modern unit means that it is probably a little less detailed than the "II" - speaking in terms of the insulators and electrical equipment/detailing on the roof, the "II" being an older generation means that more of this is exposed and able to be detailed. The "II" also has sliding cab windows and opening doors, whereas the "III" has opening doors and no opening windows.

I'll take some pictures of them if you like - both are excellent units, so it is really a matter of deciding if you want a modern or more classical locomotive from the RhB. I got the "III" about 5 months ago now, and had an opportunity recently to pickup the "II" at a great price, so the decision there was an easy one!

Once again, both are great locomotives.

Cheers,

Tim.
 
You will only need the S sound unit for the III. The XLS is a full sound decoder and you say you already have the decoder part. Saves a few bob.
 
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