In 1909, the French Midi started to electrify its line between Perpignan and Villefranche-de-Conflent with 12 kV at 16 2/3 Hertz. To find the suitable locomotive, they ordered six 1-C-1 locomotives with rod drive from different manufacturers. On the 2.2 percent incline on this line, they were required to haul a maximum load of 400 tonnes and to accelerate 100 tonnes to 60 km/h. One of these prototypes was E 3301, built in Switzerland by the SLM with electric equipment from BBC.

Even the first trials on the BLS line between Spiez and Frutigen were not a success. It was delivered to France anyway and the results were the same. So the locomotive was returned to its manufacturer, who took the opportunity to rebuild it for trials with single-axle drive. In this process that took place in 1918, its old electric equipment was completely removed and only parts of its mechanic structure was retained.

The middle axle was now powered by a Buchli drive on both sides, while another axle got a Tschanz drive, while the third former powered axle became a carrying axle. The two transformers were exchanged for a new one. The locomotive was now called Fb 2/5 and soon renamed to Be 2/5. In the following years it was operated on several lines, but more and more new electric locomotives with single-axle drive and more power soon meant that it was not needed anymore. After serving its last year as a shunter at Zurich, it was retired in 1929. After this, it was rebuilt into a self-propelled welding machine with only the Tschanz drive remaining and was used in this role until 1937.