27422
RhB Ge 4/4 III Electric Loco, Sound





The modern Ge 4/4 III electric locos of the Rhätische Bahn often carry advertising on their smooth sidewalls. However, loco number 642 is a unique locomotive, because it is lettered “100 Jahre ALBULA und RUINAULTA” (100 years of ALBULA and RUINAULTA) to advertise the RhB itself. The depiction of the winding ALBULA line on the sidewall is the source of the machine’s “spaghetti loco” nickname, and the roof-mounted speakers play a “yodel” to celebrate the anniversary.
Of course, all these special features, including the yodel sound and the four speakers, are modeled on the LGB replica. It’s a special loco, deserving of a special place on your layout.


The Prototype
100 years ago, the RhB line from Reichenau to Ilanz was inaugurated. The 19 km (12 mile) long line through the deep, narrow Upper Rhine gorge (Ruinaulta) crosses 14 bridges and goes through 3 tunnels. Today, it remains one of the masterpieces of railway engineering. Also 100 years old is the Albula line with its remarkable helical tunnels (to gain altitude) and vertiginous bridges, including the famous Landwasser Viaduct.
To celebrate these anniversaries, Ge 4/4 III No. 642 was repainted and lettered with a stylized rendering of the Albula line. Nicknamed “Spaghetti Loco,” the engine was equipped with speakers that play a yodeling “100 Jahr Albula, 100 Jahr Ruinaulta.”

The Model
This detailed model features:
- weather-resistant construction
- factory-installed onboard decoder for MTS and analog operation
- opening cab doors
- digital sound:
- drive motor sounds
- horn
- air pump
- fan
- brake
- pantograph sounds
- station announcement (with Multi-Train System)
- yodeling sound
- remote control of sound features (with Multi-Train System)
- two power control switches
- track or catenary power operation
- two protected gearboxes with seven-pole Bühler motors
- eight powered wheels
- one traction tire
- twelve power pickups
- two automatic pantographs
- voltage stabilization circuit with surge protection
- automatic directional lighting (exterior and interior)
- two multi-purpose sockets with circuit breakers