I remember, a while ago contemprary rail fans complained about the dullness of nowadays rolling stock. Boxy, fridge like locomotives pull consists in boring paint schemes. The variety in types faded into a few form factors based on standardized platforms. Therefore it’s not worth hanging out at the tracks anymore- let’s stay home and celebrate the good old days on our model pikes. Well, I am sure future generations of train buffs will sing the same song and feel sorry for being born too late in order to see the GEVOs, “Taurus” and ICE 1 in action. I think that rail fanning has its sentimental part and usually the present is given for granted till its gone.

So what has this all to do with the picture of today? In my opinion the Czech electro locomotive class 380 is a prime example that today’s fleet of engines plowing the rails is far from humdrum monotony. I spotted some examples of this breed last fall while watching trains in Vienna, namely at Wien Hbf. Since December 2016 the CD 380 also visits Linz Main Station up to four times per day with the service from Prague. On one hand side there are similarities to the Austrian “Taurus” but on the other hand this machines stand out from the crowd. Corrugated sides, a distinctive “face” featuring a big single window as well as a beautiful blue and silver paint job. Interestingly the engineer has his seat right in the middle. Unless the ÖBB class 1X16, four doors provide direct access to the cabs.

Last Friday I interrupted my commute home for a while at Linz in order to enjoy operations and eventually get a nice shot of a 380 as well as D409, the “Russian Train” I talked about in the previous post. Well, I got lucky and had a good time watching CD 380 20-8 changing ends on its consist in order to return to Prague. I for sure took some pics. Unfortunately the skies were pretty overcast but that also gave me the opportunity to aim “against the sun”.

Back home I became curious if there are any models available in H0. Interestingly, Roco announced a version of the CD 380 some years ago but it seems that this project has been cancelled due the lack of interest. Well, maybe the time was not right back then but with this class showing up more often outside the Czech Republic maybe there is another chance. Luckily Roco has a “wish-list section” on their website and I placed my desire for a CD class 380 model in HO. So if you like this breed as well as would love to have a model in known Roco quality, don’t be shy to let the folks in Salzburg know. Meanwhile there is a model available in H0 from a Czech company. The engine is based on a PIKO chassis shouldering a resin body.