Electric Locomotive BR212/243 Prototype “White Lady" / "Weiße Lady”
- langemat
- Mar 8
- 3 min read
About the original:
After more than ten years of focusing on diesel locomotives, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) began a comprehensive track electrification at the Deutsche Reichsbahn in 1978. The manufacturer VEB Lokomotivbau Elektrotechnische Werke "Hans Beimler" Hennigsdorf (LEW), the only manufacturer of electric locomotives in the GDR, was commissioned in 1978 to develop a lighter and technically more modern four-axle variant for passenger and medium freight train services, based on the proven heavy freight locomotive of the series 250. This new locomotive was to replace the locomotives of the series 211 in the express train and the series 242 in the freight train service without operational restrictions.
At the Leipzig Spring Fair in 1982, the prototype 212 001 was presented to the public. The locomotive attracted attention mainly due to its attractive appearance (white with red stripes) and was nicknamed "White Lady" by visitors. The electric locomotive of the BR 212/243 series was awarded the "Good Design" prize at the Spring Fair for its design.
After the fair, the Deutsche Reichsbahn started testing the 140 km/h fast locomotive, which was designed for 160 km/h. Es a result, the gear ratio was changed, and the machine was re-designated as 243 001. Due to the changed gear ratio, the tractive force was significantly increased, while the permissible speed was reduced to 120 km/h which wasn’t a problem because that time 120km/h was the max speed on the entire rail network of the Deutsche Reichsbahn (DR).
Only the prototype of the BR212/243 was originally the one with the white/red colour scheme. All other BR212/243 from series production were given the typical DR colour scheme.
About the MOC:
Even the design of the original doesn’t look challenging, it was. Even if the design of the original does not seem sophisticated, the implementation in interlocking bricks is. It is particularly the small details - which determine the look of the locomotive - that are difficult to implement with angular bricks. I would particularly like to mention the sloping roof section at the beginning and end of the locomotive, the wave-shaped panel and diagonal colour design on the side, the distinctive coil springs on the bogies and the rounded corners.
To give it sufficient power and traction, the model comes with two train motors (part 87574c01) and four bricks with extra weight (part 73090b). So, speed and pulling power are guaranteed. The model also has a suggested driver's cabin in the front and rear
MOC stats:
Length: 49 studs, 392 mm
Width: 8.8 studs, 70 mm
Height: 16.2 studs, 129 mm
Weight: 1121 g
Parts: 1353
I provide a detailed step-by-step building instruction. At the end of it, you find an overview of all needed parts.
Print-ready sticker sheets are available too (in case the model contains stickers). I provide it in the widely used PDF-format in high-resolution for DIY printing and as Adobe Illustrator file (.ai) for printing with professional print shops.
Furthermore, I provide the parts list in .csv and .xml format. This makes it easy to import the parts list on common platforms and create wanted lists.
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damages or injury on parts and humans happen while following my instructions. Everything you do is your responsibility and under your personal risk.
Link to the instruction and sticker files:
Link to more pictures of the model:
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