Rhaetian Railway Ge 4/4 I

Rhaetian Railway Ge 4/4 I

Ge 4/4 I No. 606 Kesch at Thusis, 2009.
Type and origin
Power type Electric
Builder SLM, BBC and MFO
Build date 1947, 1953
Total produced 10
Rebuild date 1986–1991
Specifications
UIC class Bo′Bo′
Gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in)
Length 12,100 mm (39 ft 8 in)
Width 2,650 mm (8 ft 8 in)
Loco weight Originally:
47 tonnes (46.3 long tons; 51.8 short tons)
Rebuilt:
48 tonnes (47.2 long tons; 52.9 short tons)
Electric system(s) 11 kV 16.7 Hz AC Overhead
Current collection Pantograph
Traction motors Four (type 8 SW 570)
Performance figures
Maximum speed Originally: 75 km/h (47 mph),
Rebuilt: 80 km/h (50 mph)
Power output 1,184 kW (1,590 hp)
Tractive effort 142 kN (31,920 lbf)
Career
Operators Rhaetian Railway
Numbers 601–610
Locale Graubünden, Switzerland
Current owner Rhaetian Railway
Disposition Six scrapped, four in service. one to be preserved in Germany in the near future.

The Rhaetian Railway Ge 4/4 I is a class of metre gauge Bo-Bo electric locomotives operated by the Rhaetian Railway (RhB), which is the main railway network in the Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland.

The class is so named because it was the first class of locomotives of the Swiss locomotive and railcar classification type Ge 4/4 to be acquired by the Rhaetian Railway. According to that type designation, Ge 4/4 denotes a narrow gauge electric adhesion locomotive with a total of four axles, all of which are drive axles.

The 10 machines in the Ge 4/4 I class were also the first RhB electric locomotives without rod drive.

History

Ge 4/4 I No. 610 Viamala in Davos.

In 1944, the Rhaetian Railway ordered four Ge 4/4 I class locomotives from the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM). The first of these machines was commissioned in July 1947. In service primarily in the haulage of fast trains, they proved themselves so well that in 1953 the Rhaetian Railway ordered six further examples.

The later entry into service of the Ge 6/6 II and the Ge 4/4 II class locomotives led to the cascading of the Ge 4/4 I class into lesser responsibilities.

Between 1986 and 1991, the Ge 4/4 I class was completely modernised. For example, the old cab fronts with their communication doors were replaced with new cab fronts. Since their modernisation, the locomotives in the class have continued to render loyal service to the Rhaetian Railway right up to today.

Specifications

Ge 4/4 I No. 607 Surselva.

The Ge 4/4 I class locomotives presently have a top speed of 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) (originally 75 kilometres per hour or 47 miles per hour) and a power output of 1,184 kilowatts (1,588 hp). They now weigh 48 tonnes (47 long tons; 53 short tons) (originally 47 tonnes or 46 long tons or 52 short tons) and are 12,100 millimetres (39 ft 8 in) long.

Beginning in 1997, the Ge 4/4 I class's old diamond-shaped pantographs were replaced by new single-arm pantographs, to enable deployment of the class on the Chur-Arosa line, which at that time was having its electrification system changed.

The names of the 10 locomotives in the class commemorate the names of certain valleys, mountains and mountain ranges in Graubünden. The names are located high on the left and right sides of the locomotives, in white script on a red background. The service numbers 601–610 are on both cab ends, and also on the lower sides.

Current operations

An important present day area of operation for the Ge 4/4 I class is the Rhaetian Railway line from Davos to Filisur, with its many tunnels. Since December 2004, the class has operated three car push-pull trains, consisting of a Steuerwagen BDt 172x, an Einheitswagen I B and an Einheitswagen III A, on this line. Previously, modernised centre entry cars were used on these services. Between Davos and Filisur, the introduction of the push pull trains has reduced the operating requirement to one consist of cars, instead of the two sets that were previously required.

In winter, the Ge 4/4 I class also hauls the Bergün-Preda-Bergün toboggan trains, and a few other wintersport trains in Prättigau.

Disposal and Preservation

During November 2010, the Rhaetian Railways began taking most of the locomotives of this series after more than 50 years of service, most were disposed off and scrapped, which included Ge 4/4I's 601/604/606/608/609, however four remain to this day, but however two are still in operation with Rhaetain Railways, 605 and 610,

While at a time of withdrawal commenced, two where saved in heritage collection, 602 named "Bernina" was passed in March 7, 2012 to the Museum of Transport, in Lucerne (five-year lone) and later returned to Landquart for service again, while 603 "Badus" is distant to be preserved and brought to the Museum Augsburg Railway Park in Germany and kept in safe hands but as of today 603 is still in service but eventually sometime in the near future 603 will be brought to Germany to Augsburg in the not too distant future,

List of locomotives

The following locomotives in the class have served on the Rhaetian Railway:

List of the Ge 4/4 I locomotives of the Rhaetian Railway
Traffic number Name Commissioning Status
601 Albula 8 July 1947 scrapped November 2010
602 Bernina 21 July 1947 Preserved in the Transport Museum in Lucerne on a five-year loan, from March 2012, o November 16, 2015, since November 16, 2015 again at the RhB. In service,
603 Badus 13 August 1947 Scheduled for Preservation in Augsburg Railway Park Germany, as of RhB still in service,
604 Calanda 23 August 1947 scrapped March 2011
605 Silvretta 12 March 1953 in service
606 Kesch 15 June 1953 scrapped April 2011
607 Surselva 24 April 1953 scrapped March 2011
608 Madrisa 15 June 1953 scrapped March 2011
609 Linard 13 May 1953 scrapped May 2011
610 Viamala 3 July 1953 in service

See also

References

This article is based upon a translation of the German language version as at January 2010.

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 8/24/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.