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Bernina Railway R 1051 and 1052
Rhaetian Railway Xrot d
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Switzerland | 1910
2 produced
Original appearance without casing
Original appearance without casing
SBB Historic

Shortly after the opening of the Bernina line, they decided to operate it year-round, what required two snow blowers. They were built by SLM, were numbered R 1051 and R 1052 and differed from other snow blowers in that they had their own propulsion. Since it was not possible at this time to draw enough current from the overhead line for propulsion and the blower at the same time, they were built with steam power. This also had the advantage that they did not suffer from power outages after severe weather or when the overhead lines were frozen.

These vehicles were built like Meyer locomotives with two three-axle bogies with cylinders on the inside. This chassis was able to run through curves with a radius of 45 m. Two additional cylinders were mounted above the other four which only propelled the snow blower. All six cylinders had the same dimensions and worked with simple expansion. The first vehicle was built with a boiler pressure of 13 bars and a cylinder diameter of 310 mm, while the second one had 14 bars and 320 mm. Rated power was 500 hp for the blower and 300 hp for propulsion.

These snow blowers were able to remove up to three metres of snow. Although they could run on their own, they were mostly pushed by another locomotive to free up more power for the blower wheel. When the Bernina Railway became part of the RhB in 1944, they were renumbered to R 13 and R 14. In 1940 they received the designation Xrot d and were renumbered again to 9213 and 9214. They were replaced by more modern models in 1967, but were kept in working order in case they were still needed. Today 9213 is freshly overhauled, stationed at Pontresina and operated from time to time. 9214 is part of the Blonay-Chamby Museum Railway since 1996.

General
Built1910, 1912
ManufacturerSLM
Wheel arr.0-6-6-0 (Meyer)
Gauge3 ft 3 3/8 in (Meter gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length45 ft 5 7/8 in
Total wheelbase34 ft 11 1/2 in
Empty weight91,933 lbs
Service weight99,208 lbs
Adhesive weight99,208 lbs
Total weight139,993 lbs
Axle load16,535 lbs
Water capacity1,849 us gal
Fuel capacity8,818 lbs (coal)
Boiler
Grate area17.2 sq ft
Tube heating area1,184 sq ft
Superheater area188.4 sq ft
Power Plant
Driver diameter29.5 in
Boiler pressure203 psi
Expansion typesimple
Cylindersfour, 12 3/16 x 17 11/16 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Indicated power790 hp (589 kW)
Top speed22 mph
Starting effort30,860 lbf
Calculated Values
steam locomotive
narrow gauge
Meyer
last changed: 09/2026
No. 9213 in February 2010 at the Lago Bianco, assisted by a Gem 4/4
No. 9213 in February 2010 at the Lago Bianco, assisted by a Gem 4/4
David Gubler
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