RC units in Sweden

GC Rc1 1007
The first Rc ever built was Rc1 1007, caught here in Borlänge in March 2003. In its appearence many things has changed and even its main asignment. No longer it is a part of mainline fleet, instead it is mainly used as a heavy switcher in Borlänge. In the yard 1007 and its sisters are commonly used on humpservice.
GC Rc1 1015
Weekend lull means that many units are parked outside the engine terminal of Borlänge. All the Rc1.s such as this bandit Rc1 1015 and several road units of Rc2 and Rc4.s has received a additional diagonal stripe to indicate that the units are remote controllable.

Note that engine is now in Green Cargo roster and received new decals.
Rc1 1015
The Swedish nationalrailway (SJ), has been a strong believer on standard designs ever since the mainlines were electrified. The first of the standard designs were the various D-class 2-6-2. from the thirties. The design was considered so succesful that SJ oredered a modifed class, Da during the fifties. But during the sixties the D-class needed to be replaced, and the new standard design was the RC. The first batch were constructed during the late sixties and within time modified to improve performance and working conditions. During the nineties, the engines were considered as surplus and sat idle, cannibalized for parts to keep their younger sisters of classes Rc2-Rc6 running. By, the mid nineties it was desided to convert a number of these engines to yard service. Switching platforms and various other details were added. Here we see the 1015 sitting idle during a afternoon break from the hump duty in Borlänge during the summer of 2001.
GC Rc1 1018
Rc1 1018 is standing by to be used for the next set of freight cars to being humped. Note that Rc1.s and some of the road units carries an extra red diagonalstripe, to indicate that the engine can be controlled by a remote control.

More on GC bandits? click here.
Rc in Garsås in the early 1990.s.
During the early 1990-es the IC consist between Stockholm and Mora was still decked out with cars designed in the 1960.es. But gradually this was replaced by newer cars dating from 1980.s.
Rc1 1018
The sister unit Rc1018 dragging another cut of cars to be humped over the hump. The diagonal stripe on the side on some units indicates that the unit is also able to run on remote control. Beside switching duties, the engines see occationally service as a second unit in a heavy freights.
Rc3 1041
The RC3.s and RC6.s are used on all kinds of passanger runs. Here is Rc3 1041 has arrived in Mora. After loading off its passengers and the cleaning the consist is switched to storage tracks during the weekends.
Rc3 1046
The RC3.s and RC6.s are used on all kinds of passenger runs. Here is Rc3 1046 waiting for departure for Stockholm on a IC run. Note the special decor on the exebitioncar, a former A2 built in the sixites.
Rc3 1046
Sitting in the track one in Mora 21/2 2003, with a specialtrain.
SJ Rc3 1049
In March 2003, it became clear that SJ was in finacialtrouble but still carried out business as usual. Newly washed Rc3 1049 in Mora.
SJ Rc3 1050
In the first of April 2003 the Rc3 1050 approaches to Avesta-Krylbo with an IC-train for Falun .


Rc3 1056
Late winter pics on Rc3 1056 with consist about to leave for Stockholm in 3. march 2003 .
Rc3 1057
Blue Rc3 1057 in Mora with a IC train for Stockholm. The Rc3.s are Rc2.s with gearing to 160 km/h instead of 135 km/h as for the Rc2.s.
SJ Rc3 1059
In the first of April 2003 the Rc3 1059 just arrived to Stockholm Central with a IC-train from Dalecarlia.
Rc3 1061
Weekend lull in the february 23.th in 2003 in Falun.
SJ Rc3 1062
Rc3 1062 as the second unit on a Wasa skirun Spcial in 22/2 2003. The consist was 18 passengercars, mostly Slovakian couchette cars. Note that this is one of few among the Rc.s with singel strut pantographs.


SJ Rc3 1067
Rc 3 1067 has jsut arrived with a weekend IC train from Stockholm. In Mora a quick switching with the unit assisted by GC T44 407, befor the crew will call for the day. 5th. of April 2003 in Mora.
GG Rc2 1070
Green Gargos Rc2 1070 in Mora in fall 2002. Modellers take not on this image. Take a look on the weathering on the track and the platform.
GG Rc2 1071
After hauling a long string of empty Habis alldoor four axle cars to Borlänge the pair of bandits, Rc 2 1071 and Rc4 1180 backs to the engine terminal in Borlänge.
GG Rc2 1087
GC Rc2 1087 arrives with the lunch time general freight to Mora. The engine sports the new green GC paint scheme. After swicthing over the waiting southbound general freight the engine is ready for its return trip to Borlänge.
CG Rc4 1101
A recent repaint in full Green Gargo green, Rc2 1101 in Mora leaving with noon general freight for Borlänge. This noon freight is the only non unit train from Mora. Photo 23.th of May 2003.


CG Rc4 1110
A couple of quickshots with switching of the lead units of empties of pulwood cars in Mora. The train did not certainly need this excess of power, the second unit is the power for the afternoon general freight. Mora 8.th April 2003.


Rc4 1114
The largest subclasses of Rc is the Rc4.s, now THE standard freight engine in Sweden. Here is Rc4 1114 in Mora waiting departure of afternoon general freight, with a pair of 4-axle tankcars from power plant, and perhaps 10 cars or more of lumber and few loads of woodchips.
GG Rc2 1117
Green Gargos Rc2 1117 in Mora in fall 2002.
CG Rc 2 1127
The warm spring days came early to Mora in april 2003. CG Rc2 1127 waiting for departure with afternoon freight.
CG Rc 2 1128
Comparing to the image below, only in few years the feight Rc.s has changed. When the Green Cargo was formed there was a massive repainting campain in progress of repainting the units to the SJ blue scheme. The most of the repaints in the current green scheme seem to be concentrated on the engines still carring orange scheme.
Rc 2 1129
Allmost in orginal version (new lettering and larger air intakes) Rc4 1129 leaves Mora for the afternoon general freight in 1999.
CG Rc 4 1140
The GC bandit Rc4 1140 in Borlänge engine terminal.
GC Rc 4 1141
The most largest group of Rc.s are the RC4.s and together with Rc2.s haul the vast majority of the freights in Sweden. Some of the older Rc2.s are used as cabcars in the mass transit trains in Stockholm area. Rc4 1141 during the weekend lull in Borlänge.
CG Rc 2 1153
The Rc 1153 about to be coupled to a timber unit train in april 2003.
GC Rc 4 1160
In light snowfall typical in April, the GC Rc4 1160 slows down for a stop with a heavy freight of coils in Avesta-Krylbo in April fools day in 2003.
GC Rc 4 1161
Rc4 1161 is about to departure Mora with a train of pulpwood in late March 2003.
Rc 4 1186
After arriving with a freight RC4 1186 and its rc2 sister calls for the day in Borlänge engine terminal.


CG Rc4 1189
Green repainted unit that led the lashup of empty train of pulpwood to Mora. date 8.th April 2003.
SJ Rc 4 1191
A modified RC 4 in old scheme hauling the afternoon freight to Borlänge.
SJ T44s and Rc 4 1196
Only ten years ago?
It is amaizing how time changes, Here is a view fråm Rättvik in the early 1990.es, the Rc4 1196 is sitting in the hole in the yars, waiting for the pulwoodtrain powered by usual set of pair of T44.s. Today, the Rc is propably either in blue or green paint, the T44.s on timbertrain are replaced by a Rc. The yard was "cleaned up" from unused rail, so all those sidings barely visible here are gone too.
GC Rc 4 1251
The only Green GC unit that day was this Rc 1251 among its bandit sisters.
photo in Borlänge 15.th March 2003.
GC Rc4 1253
GC Rc4 1253 is leaving Mora with a train of pulpwood in february 22.th in 2003.
Rc4 1262
The Ra class was followed by the 6 Rb-class built in three variations used as a testbeds for the new class of standard engines of the Rc-class, which were built in all seven variations from 1967 to the mid eighties, The difference of the Rc classes are mostly internal, due the improvements of technology during the long production time. The Rc 3 and Rc 6 differs from the rest by that they are geared for the maximum speed of 160 km/h, instead for 135 km/h for the Rc classes. Another variation is the Rm engines added with more ballast and geared for 100 km/h for the service for the heavy ore trains. Here we see a modified RC4 leaving Mora with a freighttrain in the orginal orange paintscheme, except for the new logo.
GC Rc4 1268
As a part of display of Rc.s in different color, GC Rc 4 1268 was in Gävle in 2002.




CG Rc4 1270
At noon, the afternoon freight is about to leave Mora in 26/2 2003. The freight is mostlyconsisted of Hbis cars and kbs loaded with forrest industri products, one easy way to spot this it usually sports a couple empty tankcars from the heating plant just west of Mora.
Rc4 1284
Almost identical image taken another day with Rc4 1284 hauling the timbertrain ot of Mora.
Rc4 1285
In the end of the ninetines the freights to Mora were still heavy enough to be doubleheaded.
GC Rc4 1312
One of the last of the class, the highest number of Rc4.s is 1322, the GC Rc4 1312 in Borlänge.
GC Rc 4 1317
In light snowfall typical in April, the GC Rc4 1160 slows down for a stop with a heavy freight of coils in Avesta-Krylbo in April fools day in 2003.
Rc4 1318
One of the last Rc4.s served as a secondunit on a freight. Only couple of years before these shots were taken the freights on the mainline Mora -Borlänge were hauled like this. Double headed Da.s on timbertrains, other freghts by a single SJ Ma.
Rc6 1325
Here is Rc 1325 in Mora in summer of 2000. After the X11 and X12 class EMU.s were transfered to private companies, the RC 3 and RC 6 hauls all kinds of passengertrains. Also for Intercity-trains like this Mora - Stockholm run.
Rc5 1331
Most of the present Rc 6.s were delivered as Rc 5.s an geared for 135 km/h. Here a brand new Rc5 1331 is showing off its dual duty abilities as it in sparkling new condtion is about to leave from Stockholm C with a train along the Västerås line. Note the orginalcolor on the airconditioner box on the roof, it was later repainted in darker grey before the entire class was repainted in to the current bluescheme. The roof was covered with black nonskid material all the way from the cab to cab.
SJ Rc6 1338
There is nothing extraordinary about this engine, except that a modell of this unit Rc6 1338 was offered by Roco. I included it as help for owners of the model to check out details. It was also displayed in Gävle. It is allways nice to capture something you have as model with the camera....
SJ Rc6 1343
In the last saturday of May 2003, RC 1343 is just about leave Mora for Stockholm with a IC-train.
SJ Rc6 1346
Sunday afternoon and a minutes away from departure for Stockholm....
SJ Rc 5 1347
Another IC train for Stockholm in April 2003 in Mora.



In may of 2003 the same unit is seen allmost at same spot in Mora.
SJ Rc 6 1354
At Stockholm Central it is usually to have a reserve power available to aid any units with any pproblem. This day 1.st of April the duty was assigned to RC6 1354.
Rc6 1355
The Rc 5 and Rc6 engines 1323-1422 are easely spotted by larger airtakes and the boxy air-condition located on the roof. All of the engines were delivered with a orange paintscheeme as the Rc-4 pictured above exept for the engine 1377 which was delivered in twoshapes of silver grey with striping and lettering in blue as a testbed for the scheme for the high speed X 2000-trains. Only two of the Rc 5.s 1327 and 1377 received the new paintscheme before all were regeared and reclassfied as Rc6.s. During the rebuilt all the engines received the new paintscheme. Together with Rc3.s they haul all the passangertrains in Sweden except for the shuttletrains and some regionaltrains hauled by by EMU. classes of X1 and X10-14.


Rc6 1359
Here is Rc 1359 in Mora in may 1999. Rc engines or their technology were exported to a number of countries including Austria, Iran, Norway and in much modified form to Amtrak in USA.
SJ Rc 6 1360
One of the longest consists on day runs are the shuttle trains between Stockholm and Uppsala. The consist is made of an RC and mostly 80.es generation cars with either another RC or special cabcar at the other end.
Rc6 1367
RC6 1367 in Mora on IC service.
Rc6 1375
During the summer of 2001 RC6 1375 has parked its short consist of regional train for the weekend in Mora. Interesting thing about these runs was that the power was commonly RC6.s and the RC3.s were more often than before seen on the IC runs. These runs ended in a few weeks after this picture was taken, being replaced by brand new EMU.s of X51-class.
Rc6 1376
RC6 1376 is assigned to the Blue X train. These trainsets are more commonly hauled by specially asigned and repainted units Rc 1419 - 1422.
SJ Rc 6 1379
At Stockholm Central in 1.st of April, another shuttle train for Uppsala headed by Rc 6 1379.


Rc6 1380
RC6 1380 in Mora on IC service.
Rc6 1381
A summer pic from the summer of 2002 on RC6 1381 in Mora on IC service.


SJ Rc 6 1385
IC Run From Stockholm just a houndred yards from arriving at Mora in May 2003.


SJ Rc6 1386
Rc 6 1386 with another IC from Stockholm. Train has been switched and cleaned, well sort of and waits for the return to the Royal Capitol next morning. Mora 8.th April 2003.


SJ Rc 6 1390
In light snowfall the first of the IC-trains to Stockholm is about to leave, date 2.nd of April 2003.



A few weeks later, same scene.
SJ Rc6 1394
The SJ retained all 100 units of Rc6.s for the passenger service, allthough a number of them are leased or taken over by private companies. RC 1394 is about a few minutes to leave for Stockholm on another IC-duty.



On the image to right, the engine is about to pick passengers before departure with a IC run to Hallsberg in Stockholm Central station.


SJ Rc6 1395
The honour of hauling the morning IC trains were in hands of RC 6 1395 in 22.th April 2003.

Few weeks later the engine is about to leave for Stockholm in 24. of May 2003.
SJ Rc6 1398
Just another view, now on Rc6 1398 in Falun with a typical IC-consist for the region of A7, B5, B8, B2 and a pair of B7.s. IC-trains from Stockholm to Falun and Mora do not feature dinercars, unless it is a train during the famous Wasa Skirace first week of March.
SJ Rc6 1399
Rc 6 1399 at Stockholm Central.


SJ Rc6 1402
Rc 6 1402 with another IC from Stockholm. Train has been switched and cleaned, well sort of and waits for the return to the Royal Capitol next morning. Mora 25. May 2003.
Rc6 1402 walk around detailshots.


More images on details will follow shortly!
SJ Rc6 1407
Rc 6 1407 with another IC from Stockholm. Train has been switched and cleaned, well sort of and waits for the return to the Royal Capitol next morning. Mora 5.th April 2003.
SJ Rc6 1411
Rc 6 1411 at Stockholm Central.
Rc6 1412
Rc6 1412 as head power for a specialtrain in Mora 22/2 2003. More info on this train? just click on the link Wasa Ski Run Special at left.
Rc6 1414
A view of the Rc6 1414 in Mora while resting with a intercity consist in Mora may 1999. Some of the engines were delivered with a singelarmed pantograph for the testing for the new X-2000 highspeedtrains. All of the Rc engines are rated for 4 500 hp.

There have been a discussion aroud Rocos modell of this very unit, whether it should have been with single strut pantographs. But when this picture was taken the modell is correct on this aspect.


RC6 1415
Night rest for a Stockholm bound consist in Mora 3. of Mars 2003 with Rc 6 1415 in the lead.
SJ Rc7 1422
This the very last Rc built 1422, repainted and regeared for the reserve sets for X2000 that seems to have problems with availability. Usually they hall a five car sets of cars in same paint scheme. But occationally hauls regular IC trains. The last two 1421-1422 were regeared for 180 km/h, while 1420 only repainted but kept the 160 km/h gearing. Click here to images of the matching cars for the Blue X cars!
SJ Rc6 1419
Blue X 1419 rests with its matching set in Mora the last day in May 2003.



The trainset consists of a pair of first class cars, followed by a foodservce car and a couple of second class cars. All equipment permited for 180 km/h. More info on the Blue X cars!
SJ Rc7 1422
A couple of images on 1422 and one featured the complete trainset during the first friday of May 2003.



The trainset consists of a pair of first class cars, followed by a foodservce car and a couple of second class cars. All equipment permited for 180 km/h. More info on the Blue X cars!
RC3 and X2000
This the both equippment of Swedish IC-trains used today. A X2000 and a RC 3 with its typical set of cars mainly dating from the 80-es in Mora in 2000.


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