Roco 70201 – Steam locomotive 02 0201-0, DR

Steam locomotive 02 0201 of the Deutsche Reichsbahn.

■ Epoch IV model available for the first time (1980s state)
■ Reissue model of the popular ROCO model
■ Rich detailing on the metal wheels
■ Only one generator on top of the smoke chamber
■ No oil lock at the rear of the tender

The “Versuchsanstalt Halle” intended to test new passenger carriages and therefore needed a fast-running steam locomotive. So the new locomotive 18 201 was developed on the basis and design of the high-speed tender locomotives 61 002 and the experimental high-pressure locomotive H 25 024. As steam generator was used a modified new boiler of the series 22 with an extended smoke chamber and a Giesl ejector. The locomotive was equipped with a counter pressure brake to enable her to precisely make her stick to the speed limits even when fast running. “Fast running” meant up to 175 km / h, which was the maximum speed the 18 201 was initially authorized to run with – later on the maximum speed was increased to 180 km / h, of course, only permitted in forward gear.

In 1967 the locomotive had an oil main firing installed. With the conversion to the new system of computer-compatible operating numbers at the DR in the year 1970, the locomotive was registered under the number 02 0201-0. The status as “traditional locomotive” she had already received during her times at the GDR. She often had the honour to haul special trains already in the 1980s, either on order of the DMV, or – foreign exchange generating – for Western tour operators. In 1985, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the German Railways, the locomotive received for the first time an exit permit to the West. At the time the locomotive was one of the major attractions at the Nuremberg exhibition.