[FREE / locomotive] A Rail Legend Revived: ÖBB 1043.01 is Back! But not in Austria.

TÅGAB (Tågåkeriet i Bergslagen AB) has restored Rc2 001 to its former Austrian identity as ÖBB 1043.01. This decision marks a symbolic and visual return to the locomotive’s roots — not just as a piece of rolling stock, but as a tangible link to a unique period of collaboration between Sweden and Austria in railway engineering. This return to the striking orange-and-white design is more than aesthetic — it’s a tribute to a unique cross-border legacy in railway engineering.

Rc2 001 – Returning to 1043.01 Glory

During their Austrian service, the 1043s wore a bold orange livery with contrasting white stripes — first mimicking the classic Swedish Rc color scheme, and later evolving into a more distinct ÖBB version with a broader white band placed lower along the body. The design, which the Rc2 001 now has, features a orange body contrasted with creamy white striping and a black dark blue underframe, giving it a timeless and powerful stance.

How the process went from yellow to orange. Beginning with how it looked before:

In early 2025, after being out of regular service for almost a year due to ETCS installation and testing, it entered the design hall in Kristinehamn—home of TÅGAB—where it began its nearly six-month journey from yellow to orange. The process started with sanding and repairing rust and other surface damage:

The second bigger stage involved removing windows, doors, lights, and other parts that wouldn’t be painted or would be painted separately. Any openings or non-removable components where paint shouldn’t reach were carefully covered. Then the primer was applied:

It was then time to outline the areas for the white stripes on the front and sides. Notice also that additional coatings, tape and paper has been applied, also that the main frame got painted in dark blue:

After outlining was complete, the roof and body was painted orange. The entire locomotive—except for the white stripes—was then covered with protective paper to prevent the color from bleeding and ruining the finish:

The lower section has been revealed—now it’s almost time for the rest of the locomotive!

The entire locomotive is now revealed—back in orange for the first time in over 25 years!

Identification and manufacturer plates!

It’s nearly complete, with the newly added steps for driving the locomotive with a controller outside the cab—now only the number plates and logos remain to be added:

The locomotive is fully finished! From yellow to orange, from Swedish back to Austrian—it’s now a striking ÖBB-themed machine, just like it once was!:

The locomotive is officially out—after over a year, it’s back outside and moving under its own power. With a fresh paint job and ETCS installed, it’s ready for many more years of service!

From Rc2 to ÖBB: The Origins of the 1043 Series

In the early 1970s, Austria faced a growing demand for reliable, high-performance electric locomotives capable of handling mountainous terrain. The Swedish Rc2, developed by ASEA, had already proven itself to be a modern, efficient locomotive for Scandinavian operations. ÖBB saw an opportunity and commissioned ten slightly modified Rc2 locomotives to serve Austrian routes — giving birth to the ÖBB Class 1043. They were the first ÖBB locomotives to use thyristor-based control technology, marking a significant technological advancement for Austrian electric rail.

Specifications

• Total: 10 units built for ÖBB
• Type: Electric locomotive (thyristor-controlled)
• Power Output: 3,600 kW (01-04), 4,000 kW (05-10)
• Max Speed: 135 km/h
• Axle Configuration: Bo’Bo’
• Traction Effort: ~275 kN
• Weight: ~76 tons
• Electric System: 15 kV, 16⅔ Hz AC

Rc2 ÖBB Design and Livery: Then and Now

Visually, the ÖBB 1043 series was nearly identical to Swedish Rc-locomotives — but with subtle and distinctive differences:

Headlights: Larger round lights and a vertical top light configuration (two top lights), unlike the horizontal layout on Swedish Rc units.

Livery: Initially, the 1043s featured an orange body with white accent stripes similar to early Rc designs. Later, ÖBB adopted a bolder variant with a broader white stripe lower down the body, giving it a unique and commanding presence which is the version Rc2 001 is in.

From ÖBB back to Sweden

By the early 2000s, ÖBB was modernizing its fleet, and the 1043 locomotives were retired. In late 2001, all nine functioning locomotives were sold and transported back to Sweden — returning to their design roots but with a new chapter ahead.

After arriving in Sweden, ATC (Automatic Train Control) equipment was installed to comply with Swedish safety systems.

The locomotives were then distributed among various Swedish railway companies:

• Banverket purchased three locomotives, 001, 002 and 003, painted in a distinctive yellow livery and reclassified as ELL (Ellinjelok).
• TGOJ Trafik used three units (004, 007 and 008), which were repainted green and blue and renumbered 410–412.
• TÅGAB (Tågåkeriet i Bergslagen AB) retained three units, 006, 009 and 010, for freight operations.
• TÅGAB’s locomotives received a silver and red color scheme and were designated Rc2 ÖBB to reflect their heritage.
• The TGOJ locomotives were returned to TÅGAB in 2005 and gradually repainted in TÅGAB’s livery.
• Banverket’s locomotives were later transferred to Infranord after Banverket Produktion was corporatized in 2010 and later sold off to other companies.

Modern Status and Preservation

Over the years, ownership in Sweden consolidated:

• In 2012, Infranord sold locomotive 002 to TÅGAB.
• In 2017, locomotive 001 was also sold to TÅGAB, and Svensk Tågkraft acquired 003.

As of today:

• TÅGAB operates 7 of the original 10 units. (Rc2 001, 002, 006-010)
• Svensk Tågkraft owns 1 (Rc2 003 painted in black and red, classified as Rc).
• 1 was destroyed in a fire (Rc2 004) and 1 was destroyed in Austria (ÖBB 1043.05).
• Due to their 135 km/h top speed, these locomotives are primarily used by TÅGAB in freight service, while faster Rc3 units handle the company’s passenger trains.