The Austrian Railway Group
Roco

Roco started trading in 1960 producing finely detailed plastic injection-moulded models, firstly of military vehicles and then some American railroad wagons. In 1967 they entered the European model railway market and have since become one of the major players. Roco’s range reflects the strength of the markets it serves – German models are most numerous, but it is probably also the main source of Austrian prototype (or rather German prototype operated in Austria) railway models in both HO & N scales. Roco’s main factory is at Rifer Hauptstraße 21, A-5400 Hallein (near Salzburg): they also have production facilities in Gloggnitz.

Roco have revised their marketing strategy to address each level of interest from children’s ‘trainsets’ to serious adult enthusiasts. Their products were sometimes made readily available only in the country of the prototype, but more recently the ‘International Collection’ has enabled enthusiasts to pre-order formerly country-specific items: Roco makes only the number ordered. Note: these items do not appear in the mainstream Roco catalogue.

Roco’s support for railways extends beyond models to the sponsorship of the real thing. Notably they were instrumental in funding (by way of subscriptions included in the price of their model) the late 1990s refurbishment of the famous Gölsdorf designed Museumlok Cl 310.23.

They have sponsored specific items from their product range by the affixment of plaques to the corresponding prototype. Working with ÖBB, they also have sponsored major events such as the 2001 Linz Werke Open Day and HO Taurus launch.


Linz Werke Sept 2001
the plaque Sept 2001
in Dortmund Aug 2001

Note: It is quite possible that our first efforts to list the Austrian models produced by Roco will be incomplete – there are so many! Corrections are invited. Furthermore the author has little knowledge of Roco’s N gauge products, so no attempt has been made to include them – yet – contributions are invited.

In HO Scale:

Steam Locomotives
  • ÖBB Class 16 is the only ‘true Austrian’ model (also available for BBÖ & DRG)
  • German prototypes ÖBB Class 17, (a seriously inaccurate model which is supposed to be the ex-Prussian S.10/1)
  • German prototypes ÖBB Class 50(prototype manufactured in Austria)
  • German prototypes 657, 658, 688, 693
Diesel Locomotives & Railcars
  • ÖBB Class 2043, 2045, 5081
Electric Locomotives & Railcars
  • ÖBB Class 1010, 1110/1110.5, 1018/1118, 1020, 1141, 1042/1042.5/1142, 1043, 1044/1144, 1045, 1161, 1670, 1189, 4010.
  • ÖBB Class 1099 (HOe)

In addition to German prototypes in Austrian liveries for Eras 3 - 5, Roco produce models of Austrian-built coaches used for inland and cross-border services during Eras 4 & 5: furthermore the recent introduction of the ‘professional’ range has added more ‘genuine Austrian’ prototype coaches – the ‘mitteleinsteig’ sets used across Austria on internal services.

Furthermore, in spite of the emphasis on German freight vehicles it is possible to assemble a rich mixture of goods vehicles with Austrian markings."

Roco also offer a full range of track, accessories and control equipment.

It is possible to order spares direct from the factory, but it may be more convenient to seek them through local vendors: in the UK Howes provide a 6 – 8 weekly spares service.

the company's web site

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updated 20th January 2005
Design and © 2004 Ron Ferguson