Introduction to the Di5
In the mid-1980's the Norwegian Railways (NSB) bought 17 second hand German V60 switchers. The first five arrived in September 1985 in Norway. After some rebuilds they were put into service. They were mostly used in the Trondheim area. By the mid-1990's most were taken out of service and the last were scrapped in 1998.
Because of the Di5 is based on a German V60 models, there are many model train options for the Di5. Over the years, Roco, Märklin, Fleischman and Polar model made HO scale models. My own collection is based on the Roco model.
Models in my collection
| Number: |
Di5.861 former DB 261 640-7 |
| Manufacturer: | Roco (modified) |
| Catalogus no: | 43624 |
| Era: | 1985-1997 |
| System: | DCC - ESU Loksound 5 Micro |
| Description: | A renumbered version of the Roco Di5. |
| Number: |
Di5.867 former DB 261 705-8 |
| Manufacturer: | Roco |
| Catalogus no: | 43624 |
| Era: | 1985-1992 |
| System: | DCC - Lenz LE0521 |
| Description: | The original Roco model. |
| Number: |
Di5.869 former DB 261 004-6 |
| Manufacturer: | Roco (modified) |
| Catalogus no: | 43624 |
| Era: | 1987-1997 |
| System: | DCC - Lenz LE0521 |
| Description: | A renumbered version of the Roco Di5. |
| Number: |
Di5.876 former DB 260 451-0 |
| Manufacturer: | Roco |
| Catalogus no: | 43624 (II) |
| Era: | 1987-1997 |
| System: | DCC - ESU Loksound 5 Micro |
| Description: | The second run of the Roco Di5. |
DCC
The original Roco model (catno. 43624) with road number Di5.867, was released without any DCC options. I hardwired a Lenz LE0512 into ths locomotive, which fits underneath the cab insert. Unfortunately I didn'take any pictures of it.
The second run (catno 43624) with road number Di5.876 has a 8 pin DCC socket. More info about this: Installing DCC decoder in Roco Di5 (second run).
In 2020 I revisited this mode and installed sound in it: Installing ESU Loksound decoder in Roco Di5. In 2021 I installed an ESU Loksound decoder in an original Roco Di5 and renumbered it to the Di5.861.
