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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 principally
for the Gotthard line. The locomotives have since then become legen-
dary 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 locomotives
as milestone in the history of technology and symbols of progress.
When these units were built, they were viewed as a persuasive soluti-
on 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 II evolved because of the demands re-
quired 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 Win-
terthur) and MFO (Machine Foundry Oerlikon), constructed 33 units of
this legendary engine during the years 1919 -1922. Technical characte-
ristics of these beauties included its axles and triangular coupling
frames. Each truck was driven by two motors which transmitted power
through a common hidden shaft whose crank ends were connected at
Vorbild • Prototype
one end with the triangular coupling frame and 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 II was able to maintain 1.648 kW (2.240 hp) at 36 kmph
(22 mph), and had a top running speed of 65 kmh (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 II 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 brakes.
While the air brake mechanism controlled all four sets, manual mecha-
nism 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 motors and
stronger frames. The locomotives not rebuilt were eventually reassi-
gned to yard duty.
Improvements in electric motor construction resulted in more powerful
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
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Exploitation dans le réelle • Grootbedrijf
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