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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 princi-
pally for the Gotthard line. The locomotives have since then become
legendary 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 loco-
motives as milestone in the history of technology and symbols of
progress. When these units were built, they were viewed as a persu-
asive solution to a difficult problem of railroad technology.
The scholars argue over when and why the locomotives were given
their nickname. It is most unlikely that they will ever be able to as-
certain whether it was to long nose pieces, the power from them, the
articulated 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 electrify 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 1,0 %.
Two companies, SLM (Swiss Locomotive and Machine Foundry
Winterthur) and MFO (Machine Foundry 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 trans-
mitted power through a common hidden shaft whose crank ends
were connected at one end with the triangular coupling frame and
Vorbild • Prototype
the other end with the original swinging auxiliary axleshaft.
The main advantage of this method was in its performance, 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 1.648 kW (2.240 hp) at 36 kmph
(22 mph), and had a top running speed of 65 kmph (40 mph). Its
service weight was 128 tons.
No. 14 253 is still used for fan trips out of Erstfeld. Special markings
of this historic model locomotive Ce 6/8" are, in addition to the brown
paint scheme, black trucks and frames as well as 4 operating cab
doors.
Braking was done by two sets of brake shoes per driving axle which
are activated either by a Westinghouse air brake or by manual bra-
kes. While the air brake mechanism controlled all four sets, manual
mechanism controlled only those at either respective end. For extra
traction when pulling heavy loads, sand boxes were installed at each
end.
The 33 locomotives built by SLM and MFO prior to 1922 continued
in regular service on the Gotthard Route. But the ever increasing
demands for more powerful and faster locomotives in addition to the
breakdowns of the 4 motors, prompted the railroad management to
rebuild 13 engines. Thus, during the years 1942 -1947, the engines
also received new detailing, along with the construction of new mo-
tors and stronger frames. The locomotives not rebuilt were eventual-
ly reassigned to yard duty.
Improvements in electric motor construction resulted in more power-
ful motors, even though they were of lighter weight. In fact, it was
rumored to be 70% better. This, of course, translated into a welcome
improvement in the ability to serve the important Gotthard Route. The
new rebuilds were classed Be 6/8" and were capable of 2.679 kW
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