Rivarossi Shunting tractor Breuer BP with tank wagon BP

July 13, 2011

The HO scale Rivarossi Breuer shunting tractor in BP livery. Both axles driven, original loco was used for shunting services in a fuel depot. (HO scale 2-rail DC) Diesel tractor with BP oil tank wagon, DC. Epoch IV Length: 131mm. Features a fully operational mechanism including an 8 pin DCC decoder socket. 4 wheel drive with operating directional lights fitted. A great slow speed performer through insulated and live frog pointwork. Suitably geared for 15mph maximum speed of the prototype.

The prototype Breuer tractors were originally built at the Antonio Badoni Lecco factory (Italy) under a licence from the German factory Breuer. They were built between 1931 and 1952 and were used right up until 1984.

Breuer tractors were used in Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Austria, and Denmark. They were found to be particularly useful where space was limited in yards and where individual cars needed to be moved. The petrol and diesel variations produced 10 – 80 horsepower and they could move 80 – 500 ton loads. They had small wheels and reached top speeds of 30 to 40 km/h.

During WWII they were used by the Italian Royal Army in North Africa where they were nicknamed ‘Sardine Cans’ (just look at the shape).

The type V Breuer tractors were introduced in 1952 and used in marshaling yards and warehouses. They had a diesel engine and gearbox as opposed to the Type 111 which featured a petrol engine. The 6 cyclinder MAN engine featured 6 cyclinders and was coupled to a 4 speed gear box. Electric lighting as well as sanders were also fitted in the type V.