To test the single-axle drive, SBB ordered a locomotive with four traction motors for different train types. What was special about the Ae 4/8 was that two traction motors were designed with Tschanz and Buchli drives each. The locomotive body was divided into three parts, with the transformer in the middle part. A total of four carrying axles were provided not to exceed the axle loads. Due to the different drives, the nickname “Bastard” arose, while the three-part locomotive body led to the nicknames “Tatzelwurm” and “Field Snake”. The locomotive was initially used for several years for trial runs, including on the Bern-Thun line and on the Gotthard. It was then used with different train types on timetables that were actually intended for the Ae 4/7 and was scrapped in 1964.