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Mixed Traffic Locomotives with Rod Drive[Inhalt]
Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon Railway Fb 5/7
later Be 5/7
Switzerland | 1913
13 produced
Works photo of the SLM
Works photo of the SLM
SBB Historic

After the tests with the two electric locomotives on the Spiez-Frutigen route, conclusions were drawn from the experience as to what a new, series-built locomotive should look like. The F 2x3/3 impressed with its power train, while the Fb 2x2/3 with its carrying axles improved running smoothness and the ability to negotiate curves. That is why the decision was made to order a similar power train from the manufacturers of the F 2x3/3 locomotives, but instead of bogies they were equipped with coupled axles fixed in the frame and a carrying axle at each end. Additional electrical assemblies were supplied by BBC to shorten delivery times. A total of 13 locomotives were delivered in 1913, which were to pull both freight and passenger trains on the newly built mountain route, including the 14.6 km long Lötschberg tunnel.

In order to achieve good running characteristics, three of the five driven axles could be moved sideways. While the middle one could be moved by 25 mm, the first and fifth were each mounted with the adjacent carrying axle in a Krauss-Helmholtz bogie. With the lateral deflection of the carrying axles by a maximum of 78 mm, they were moved by up to 40 mm. Despite the five driven axles, this made a fixed wheelbase of just 4,500 mm possible.

Between the second and third, as well as between the third and fourth coupled axles, there was a 14-tonne series motor on the frame, which drove a jackshaft via a Citroën gearbox underneath. By means of a rod triangle on each side, both engines acted on the middle axle. Since the rod triangles often broke under the high load during operation, they were later replaced with cast pieces. In order to achieve a large number of speed steps with a relatively small number of taps on the transformers, the next of the twelve steps of only one of the motors was switched alternately to obtain a total of 24 steps.

Schematic drawing
Schematic drawing
Die Lokomotive, June 1914

With an hourly output of 2,500 hp, the Fb 5/7, which was soon renamed the Be 5/7, was the most powerful electric locomotive in the world. On the ramp with a gradient of 2.7 percent, it was able to pull trains weighing 330 tonnes at 50 km/h. After the predecessor locomotive had been moved to flatter routes, the Be 5/7 was the only locomotive used on this route. Thanks to the good running characteristics, the locomotives were later approved for 80 instead of 75 km/h, one locomotive was even equipped with four smaller motors and could run 90 km/h. From the second half of the 1940s, they were increasingly pushed into freight train service b the Ae 4/4 and when the Re 4/4 were delivered in 1964, they were quickly scrapped.

General
Built1913
Manufacturermechanical part: SLM, electrical part: Oerlikon, BBC
Axle config1-E-1 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length52 ft 5 15/16 in
Wheelbase37 ft 2 7/16 in
Rigid wheelbase14 ft 9 3/16 in
Service weight235,894 lbs
Adhesive weight172,401 lbs
Axle load36,597 lbs
Boiler
Power Plant
Power
Power sourceelectric - AC
Electric system15.000 V 16⅔ Hz
Continuous power2,467 hp (1,840 kW)
Top speed50 mph
Starting effort39,679 lbf
Calculated Values
electric locomotive
freight
passenger
last changed: 04/2022
Bern-Lötschberg-Simplon Railway Ce 4/6 and Ce 4/4
Switzerland | 1920
17 produced
Works photo of the SLM
Works photo of the SLM
SBB Historic

At the time of the First World War, the government of the Canton of Bern decided that the branch lines of the BLS Group should be electrified and operated with the abundant water power available in order to do something about the acute shortage of coal. An electric locomotive had to be developed for these railways, which would achieve a low axle load and could replace the existing steam locomotives in all train types. This meant exactly that at 1.5 percent 310 tonnes should be pulled at 35 km/h, as well as 180 tonnes at 2.5 percent at the same speed. In addition, these speeds should not only be maintained, but it should also be possible to accelerate these weights from a standing start to the specified 35 km/h within four minutes.

To speed up development, a scaled-down version of the Be 4/6 introduced at the SBB at the same time was created. 14 units were initially built in 1920 and three more in 1924, which were slightly more powerful and 10 km/h faster. They were spread among the BLS subsidiaries and, if necessary, exchanged with one another. Since they were created by order of the government, they quickly earned the nickname “decree mills”.

In their original design, the locomotives had two bogies, each with two coupled axles and one carrying axle. The buffers and couplings, as well as small hoods were attached to the bogies. This meant that the locomotives could actually be assigned to the design of the crocodiles, which, however, was rarely actually stated due to the very small front end. The power came from a traction motor that stood on the bogies and drove a jackshaft.

Schematic drawing with dimensions
Schematic drawing with dimensions
Locomotive Magazine, May 1921

Between 1954 and 1956, the carrying axles and front hoods were removed from the ten most recently built locomotives, since the branch lines could now cope with the higher axle loads. They could now come up with a higher adhesion mass and were given the designation Ce 4/4. The engines that were not converted were retired by 1973 at the latest, the converted ones between 1975 and 1988. Two units with only one traction motor were in service for a long time as shunting locomotives in the Böningen workshop. A Ce 4/6 and a Ce 4/4 are still preserved today.

VariantCe 4/6Rebuilt Ce 4/4
General
Built1920, 19241954-1956
Manufacturermechanical part: SLM, electrical part: Oerlikon, BBC
Axle config1-B+B-1 B-B 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length47 ft 2 9/16 in40 ft 5 13/16 in
Wheelbase34 ft 7 3/8 in25 ft 1 3/16 in
Rigid wheelbase9 ft 6 3/16 in
Service weight154,323 lbs141,096 lbs
Adhesive weight132,277 lbs141,096 lbs
Axle load33,069 lbs35,274 lbs
Boiler
VariantCe 4/6Rebuilt Ce 4/4
Power Plant
Power
Power sourceelectric - AC
Electric system15.000 V 16⅔ Hz
Hourly power987 hp (736 kW)
Top speed40 mph47 mph
Calculated Values
electric locomotive
passenger
freight
last changed: 03/2022
German Reichsbahn E 75
German Federal Railway class 175
Germany | 1927
31 produced
E 75 09 with a local train at the anniversary parade for 150 years of German railways in Nuremberg
E 75 09 with a local train at the anniversary parade for 150 years of German railways in Nuremberg
Manfred Kopka

In order to improve the running characteristics of the E 77, the E 75 was developed with a one-piece frame. The powered axles were further divided into two groups, but here they were mounted within the frame. Contrary to expectations, the running smoothness hardly improved, so that the speed could only be increased from 65 to 70 km/h. Of the 79 E 75s ordered, only 31 were ultimately delivered. They were used in front of passenger and freight trains and after the Second World War were mostly used by the Bundesbahn. Three were modernized in the early 1960s and the last commercial operations took place in 1972.

General
Built1927
Manufacturermechanical part: Maffei, LHW, BMAG, electrical part: MSW, BEW
Axle config1-BB-1 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length50 ft 5 1/2 in
Service weight233,249 lbs
Adhesive weight172,974 lbs
Axle load43,387 lbs
Boiler
Power Plant
Power
Power sourceelectric - AC
Electric system15.000 V 16⅔ Hz
Hourly power2,521 hp (1,880 kW)
Continuous power2,146 hp (1,600 kW)
Top speed43 mph
Starting effort52,830 lbf
Calculated Values
electric locomotive
freight
passenger
rod drive
last changed: 04/2023
French Southern Railway E 3301
Swiss Federal Railways Fb 2/5 or Be 2/5
France | 1910
only one produced
SBB Be 2/5
SBB Be 2/5
VariantE 3301Fb 2/5
General
Built1910
Manufacturermechanical part: SLM, electrical part: BBC
Axle config1-C-1 1-1B-1 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length43 ft 5 1/4 in
Service weight165,346 lbs
Adhesive weight109,129 lbs72,752 lbs
Axle load36,376 lbs
Boiler
VariantE 3301Fb 2/5
Power Plant
Power
Power sourceelectric - AC
Electric system12.000 V 16⅔ Hz15.000 V 16⅔ Hz
Hourly power987 hp (736 kW)
Continuous power888 hp (662 kW)
Top speed47 mph
Calculated Values
electric locomotive
passenger
freight
prototype
Lower Austrian State Railways class E
Austrian Federal Railways class 1099 and German Reichsbahn E 99
Austria-Hungary | 1909
16 produced
1099 011 in December 2004 at Mariazell
1099 011 in December 2004 at Mariazell
Herbert Ortner

When the Mariazell Railway was electrified between 1908 and 1911, both the trackside equipment and the locomotives were to be supplied by the Austrian Siemens Schuckert Works (ÖSSW). For the first time in history, a longer stretch of track was electrified with one-phase AC. Here, the system of choice was a unique combination of 6,500 Volts at a frequency of 25 Hertz. 16 locomotives were built which were designated class E by the NÖLB.

While the electrical part of all locomotives came from ÖSSW, the mechanical part of only 13 was built by Krauss at Linz. Two came from Floridsdorf and one from Weitzer at Graz. The locomotives stood on two bogies each which had three axles and one unsprung traction motor that transmitted its power via a crank axle and coupling rods. Each locomotive had one of two different gear ratios either for the flatter or steeper sections of the line.

In 1923, the line came under the control of the BBÖ and the class was still named E. In 1923, the gear ratios of all locomotives was equalized. In 1938 the Reichsbahn designated them E 99 and likewise, the ÖBB called them class 1099 after the war. Between 1959 and 1962, they were rebuilt thoroughly where most of their electric equipment and their outer appearance changed.

Only in the year 2000, the first locomotives were stored. In 2010, the ownership of the Mariazell Railway changed from the ÖBB to the NOVÖG. Soon more were retired after new Stadler EMUs had been introduced. In 2013, more than 102 years after their introduction, the last one was retired from regular service. But some continued to be used for tourist trains, for snow clearing or in construction trains.

General
Built1909-1914
Manufacturermechanical part: Krauss, Weitzer, Floridsdorf, electrical part: ÖSSW
Axle configC-C 
Gauge2 ft 5 15/16 in (Bosnian gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length35 ft 9 1/8 in
Wheelbase25 ft 11 in
Rigid wheelbase7 ft 10 1/2 in
Service weight109,790 lbs
Adhesive weight109,790 lbs
Axle load18,298 lbs
Boiler
Power Plant
Power
Power sourceelectric - AC
Electric system6,500 V 25 Hz
Hourly power563 hp (420 kW)
Continuous power429 hp (320 kW)
Top speed31 mph
Starting effort23,380 lbf
Calculated Values
electric locomotive
passenger
freight
narrow gauge
last changed: 10/2024
View on YouTube
Norwegian State Railways El 1
Norway | 1922
24 produced
El 1 2001 in July 2007 in Hamar, Hedmark
El 1 2001 in July 2007 in Hamar, Hedmark
Cato Edvardsen
VariantEl 1aEl 1b
General
Built1922-19231930
ManufacturerPer Kure, Thunes
Axle configB-B 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length41 ft 8 in
Rigid wheelbase9 ft 10 1/8 in
Service weight135,143 lbs136,686 lbs
Adhesive weight135,143 lbs136,686 lbs
Axle load33,786 lbs34,172 lbs
Boiler
VariantEl 1aEl 1b
Power Plant
Power
Power sourceelectric - AC
Electric system15.000 V 16⅔ Hz
Top speed43 mph
Starting effort35,295 lbf
Engine output925 hp (690 kW)
Calculated Values
electric locomotive
passenger
freight
Rhaetian Railway Ge 2/4
Switzerland | 1912
7 produced
Rebuilt Ge 2/4 No. 212 in June 1982 at Samedan
Rebuilt Ge 2/4 No. 212 in June 1982 at Samedan
J.J.Smit
Ge 2/4 on the SLM data sheet
Ge 2/4 on the SLM data sheet
SBB Historic
Variantas builtmodernizedrebuilt Gem 2/4
General
Built1912-19131945-19461967
Manufacturermechanical part: SLM, electrical part: BBCSAAS, RhB
Axle config1-B-1 
Gauge3 ft 3 3/8 in (Meter gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length28 ft 6 1/2 in
Wheelbase19 ft 8 1/4 in19 ft 0 3/8 in
Service weight80,910 lbs66,139 lbs72,752 lbs
Adhesive weight48,061 lbs48,502 lbs46,297 lbs
Axle load24,030 lbs24,251 lbs23,149 lbs
Boiler
Variantas builtmodernizedrebuilt Gem 2/4
Power Plant
Power
Power sourceelectric - ACelectric - AC + diesel-electric
Electric system11.000 V 16⅔ Hz
Hourly power282 hp (210 kW)574 hp (428 kW)294 hp (219 kW)
Top speed28 mph34 mph
Starting effort5,845 lbf8,768 lbf6,519 lbf
Engine output207 hp (154 kW)
Calculated Values
electric locomotive
diesel locomotive
dual power
passenger
freight
narrow gauge
Rhaetian Railway Ge 6/6I
Switzerland | 1921
15 produced
No. 414 in May 2008 in Untervaz
No. 414 in May 2008 in Untervaz
Joachim Kohler

When the Albula line was electrified, the RhB ordered a more powerful locomotive to complement the earlier electric locomotives and to replace the last steam locomotives. So the first six Ge 6/6, later called Ge 6/6I, were delivered by SLM, BBC and Oerlikon in 1921. Nine more followed until 1929. In reference to the larger SBB Ce 6/8II, they were also called “Rhaetian Crocodile”.

They stood on two three-axle bogies which were directly connected to the structures housing the traction motors. Each motor transmitted its power via a crank axle and coupling rods to the axles. Among others, the requirements for these locomotives had included a speed of 30 km/h with trains of 150 tonnes on grades of 4.5 percent.

SBB Historic

The first locomotive to be retired was the oldest one that had an accident in 1974, after 53 years of service. Nine more were retired in 1984 and 1985 after the introduction of the Ge 6/6II and Ge 4/4II. Three more were retired in 1993, 2000 and 2008, with only 414 and 415 remaining operational for heritage purposes. These are still operational today, with four more being preserved in a non-operational state.

General
Built1921-1929
Manufacturermechanical part: SLM, electrical part: BBC, Oerlikon
Axle configC-C 
Gauge3 ft 3 3/8 in (Meter gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length43 ft 7 5/8 in
Wheelbase33 ft 11 1/2 in
Rigid wheelbase10 ft 8 15/16 in
Service weight145,505 lbs
Adhesive weight145,505 lbs
Axle load24,251 lbs
Boiler
Power Plant
Power
Power sourceelectric - AC
Electric system11.000 V 16⅔ Hz
Hourly power1,126 hp (840 kW)
Top speed34 mph
Starting effort43,838 lbf
Calculated Values
electric locomotive
passenger
freight
narrow gauge
last changed: 09/2024
View on YouTube
Swedish State Railways D
Sweden | 1925
333 produced
D No. 432 in September 2006 at Gävle
D No. 432 in September 2006 at Gävle
David Gubler / www.bahnbilder.de
VariantDgDg1DsDu
General
Built1925-1943
ManufacturerASEA
Axle config1-C-1 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length42 ft 7 13/16 in
Service weight175,267 lbs177,251 lbs
Boiler
VariantDgDg1DsDu
Power Plant
Power
Power sourceelectric - AC
Electric system15.000 V 16⅔ Hz
Continuous power1,636 hp (1,220 kW)2,226 hp (1,660 kW)1,636 hp (1,220 kW)2,467 hp (1,840 kW)
Top speed47 mph62 mph
Starting effort42,039 lbf48,559 lbf31,698 lbf
Calculated Values
electric locomotive
passenger
freight
Swiss Federal Railways Fb 3/5
later Be 3/5
Switzerland | 1906
2 produced
No. 365
No. 365
archive Arthur Meyer

When the almost 20 km long Simplon Tunnel opened in 1906, it was operated with 3,000 V three-phase current. The five locomotives initially used included the numbers 361 to 363, rented from the Rete Adriatica, as well as the numbers 364 and 365, built by the SLM and BBC, which were externally very similar. These were all designated Fb 3/5.

Also on the newly built locomotives, the two traction motors were mounted in the frame and drove three axles via triangular rods. However, the control here was not via a cascade connection, but rather via pole switching, which resulted in continuous speeds of 37 and 74 km/h. They were designated Be 3/5 from 1921 and remained in use until 1930, when the line was converted to single-phase alternating current.

General
Built1906
Manufacturermechanical part: SLM, electrical part: BBC
Axle config1-C-1 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length41 ft 1 1/16 in
Wheelbase31 ft 9 7/8 in
Rigid wheelbase16 ft 0 15/16 in
Service weight136,686 lbs
Adhesive weight97,003 lbs
Axle load32,408 lbs
Boiler
Power Plant
Power
Power sourceelectric - three-phase
Electric system3,000 V 16 Hz
Hourly power1,046 hp (780 kW)
Top speed47 mph
Starting effort17,985 lbf
Calculated Values
electric locomotive
freight
passenger
last changed: 02/2024
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