Vorbild • Prototype • Exploitation dans le réel • Grootbedrijf
5
The Crocodiles
What is a Crocodile?
Enthusiasts applied the name of this exotic reptile
to the type Ce 6/8 heavy electric locomotives which
were built starting in 1919 principally for the Gotthard
line. The locomotives have since then become leg-
endary and have thereby achieved something which
otherwise is only permitted of steam locomotives: The
lessening of the distance between man and machine.
Technicians and historians as well as railroads rate
these locomotives as milestone in the history of tech-
nology and symbols of progress. When these units
were built, they were viewed as a persuasive solution
to a difficult problem of railroad technology.
The scholars argue over when and why the locomo-
tives were given their nickname. It is most unlikely
that they will ever be able to ascertain whether it was
to long nose pieces, the power from them, the articu-
lated design or even the color - brown at first, green
later.
Because of difficulties in obtaining fuel and supplies,
the Swiss Federal Railroads decided in 1918 to elec-
trify all heavily used lines in their network.
The famous Crocodile Ce 6/8“ evolved because of
the demands required on such lines as the Gotthard
Route, which required two round trips between Arth-
Goldau and Chiasso within 28 hours while dragging
430 tons uphill and easing 850 tons downhill on
grades not exceeding 10‰.
Two companies, SLM (Swiss Locomotive and Ma-
chine Foundry Winterthur) and MFC (Machine Foun-
dry Oerlikon), constructed 33 units of this legendary
engine during the years 1919 -1922. Technical
characteristics of these beauties included its axles
and triangular coupling frames. Each truck was driven
by two motors which transmitted power through a
common hidden shaft whose crank ends were con-
nected at one end with the triangular coupling frame
and the other end with the original swinging auxiliary
axleshaft.
The main advantage of this method was in its per-
formance, since instead of the usual sloping rod
drive, just the horizontal forces of the counter shaft
were transmitted of the wheels.
The Ce 6/8“ was able to maintain 1648 kW (2240hp)
at 36 kmph (21 mph), and had a top running speed of
65 kmph (39 mph). Its service weight was 128 tons.
