Roco factory

[Chris333]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=367&v=gCYyCaTvmXY

[Doug G.]

Fascinating! Wonderful to see such skill!

Doug

[Joetrain59]

Wow, they even make their own motors. I might never complain about the cost of a loco again.
 And some fine looking Frau's too!
 Joe D

[peteski]

I love learning how stuff is made - thanks Chris!  So much of it is not done by automation nowadays.  It is designed on a computer and molds are also made machines.  And so much of the manufacturing process is also automated - painting and even multiple-hit Tampo printing.  It was all very high-tech.

No more craftsman making large scale wooden masters and then using pantographs to cut the steel molds.    The technology has evolved.

Also interesting to see that all the assemblers are women - they are supposedly more precise and pay more attention to details than (most) men. 

Seeing the part count was also impressive - that helps to explain the cost.  I wish they sold models as kits - I would enjoy assembling them myself, and the price would be lower too.  I know - I'm weird.

This factory was no in China. I wonder where it is.  Maybe in Romania?  That is where Fleischmann now produces their model locomotives.

[Chris333]

Part count... I was thinking the exploded view looked like a Peteski loco review. 

[peteski]

Part count... I was thinking the exploded view looked like a Peteski loco review. 

That exact thought has also crossed my mind. 

But this one is a Minitrix, not a Roco. 

[Point353]

Seeing the part count was also impressive - that helps to explain the cost.

The Arnold Rapido catalogs from around 1970 used to include a photo illustrating all of the individual parts for one of their more elaborate German steam loco models. 

This factory was no in China. I wonder where it is.  Maybe in Romania?

Could be either Romania, Slovakia or Austria. Probably not the factory in Vietnam.
https://www.roco.cc/en/aboutus/locations/index.html

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Oh that is neat. I can't believe the motor are still essentially hand made.

Between this and the V200 thread, I'm really feeling the Euro bug. I try to buy stuff I've actually taken (a Kato Eurostar, Liliput RegioExpress FLIRT). I'll have to see if there is a Swiss ICE or Italian ETR 500 available.

[mmagliaro]

Yeah, I was surprised and impressed that Roco makes their own motors.  I would have thought that part would be purchased from another source for sure.

[Doug G.]

I don't think it's weird, at all, to want to assemble one yourself. The summer before last, I bought a NOS Tyco HO Mikado kit and had an absolute blast putting it together, even removing the flash from the castings. Of course, I have had many N scale locos apart and back together, too.

Of course, that may mean I'm a bit weird, too.

;D

Doug

[peteski]

Oh that is neat. I can't believe the motor are still essentially hand made.

Between this and the V200 thread, I'm really feeling the Euro bug. I try to buy stuff I've actually taken (a Kato Eurostar, Liliput RegioExpress FLIRT). I'll have to see if there is a Swiss ICE or Italian ETR 500 available.

I love European N scale, but my excuse is that I grew up seeing these trains literally in my back yard (which was adjacent to a busy main line, and just a short walk were couple of other main lines).

And there is such a variety of European prototype models available (especially a huge variety of steam locos). Much more than what is available for American prototype.  And some of those are really unusual and strange looking (which also attracts me).  Even the European layout settings are much more whimsical looking (with all the old buildings and cobblestone streets) - again fun to model and look at.

And as you say, even the modern prototype models look really cool.

[flight2000]

This factory was no in China. I wonder where it is.  Maybe in Romania?  That is where Fleischmann now produces their model locomotives.

Could be.  They list Austria, Slovakia, Romania, and Vietnam as manufacturing sites.  Looks like their motors are built in the Austria location along with all of the tool making shops.

https://www.roco.cc/en/aboutus/locations/index.html

That was a fascinating video...

Brian

[Doug G.]

The Minitrix motors always look like they were designed by an automotive transmission engineer.



Doug

[MK]

Great video!  I wonder if Kato's factory is similar.

I will never question the cost of a locomotive again. 

[peteski]

Could be.  They list Austria, Slovakia, Romania, and Vietnam as manufacturing sites.  Looks like their motors are built in the Austria location along with all of the tool making shops.

https://www.roco.cc/en/aboutus/locations/index.html

Too bad that a similar arrangement couldn't be used in U.S.:  High quality tooling designed and made in U.S., and the models produced in a neighboring country with lower wages (like Mexico or Panama).  And no, I don't want to start another "bring production back to the U.S." thread, but it seems that Roco has this thing figured out quite well.