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For the motorail trains through the Vereina-Tunnel and the increased traffic on other lines of the RhB that could be expected once the tunnel was opened, new powerful three-phase-current locomotives were ordered by the RhB in the late eighties. Six-axle engines would have had advantages for the tunnel trains; because of the better handling on curved tracks, however, the decision was made to acquire four-axle locomotives. Currently, 12 locomotives of this new class Ge 4/4 III are in service.
The order for the first six engines (641–646) was signed on November 30, 1989, and on March 22, 1991, 647 to 649 were ordered. The mechanical components that weigh 34 metric tons were built at SLM (Schweizerische Lokomotiv- und Maschinenfabrik) in Winterthur, the electrical equipment was manufactured by ABB (Asea, Brown, Boveri) in Oerlikon.
On March 4, 1993, SLM delivered the mechanical parts of the first 4/4 III to ABB; on September 23, 1993, the electrical components of 641 were switched on for the first time. The first self-powered ride of a class 4/4 III took place on the ABB test track on November 15, 1993.
The first engine of this class, 641, was officially taken over by the RhB in the main depot in Landquart on December 7, 1993. During the first months, extensive tests were performed in the Landquart–Davos region including stretches with 35‰ gradients on the Albula line. Testing during the winter allowed an evaluation under harsh conditions. Optimizations made during these approximately five months were immediately included in the ongoing construction of the other locomotives so that the time to put these into operation was shortened. The technical equipment of this latest generation of narrow gauge locomotives is comparable to the class Re 460 that is used by the SBB, the Swiss Federal Railways.
Class Ge 4/4 III locomotives are also used by the Bière-Apples-Morges-Bahn (BAM) and the Montreux-Oberland-Bernois-Bahn (MOB):
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| Ge 4/4 # 21 and 22 were ordered by the BAM (15 kV, 16 2/3 Hz) for heavy army tank transport trains. Picture modified from eisenbahn-magazin 10/95, Copyright © Alba-Publikation, Düsseldorf 1995 |
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| The Ge 4/4 # 8001–8004 of the MOB are also used for adverstising purposes. A detailed description with pictures of all four engines is found on my MOB website (German text only). The picture shows 8004 in Rougemont on May 16, 2004; Copyright © C. Ozdoba |
Four-axle three-phase current main line locomotive class Ge 4/4 III
| Length over buffers | 16,000 mm (Vereina special coupling 16,050 mm) |
| Height | 3,860 mm |
| Width | 2,800 mm |
| Wheelbase | 11,440 mm |
| Number of traction motors | 4 |
| Tractive effort on starting | 200 kN (20,400 kg) |
| Tractive effort | 170 kN (17,335 kg) |
| Power at wheel – one hour rating | 3,200 kW (4,350 PS) |
| Maximum speed | 100 km/h |
| Weight | 62 tons (metric) |
| Price per unit | approx. SFr. 6,500,000.– (1993) |
| Operation | Main line, in the first years especially Albula line and Vereina tunnel. Since the conversion of the stretch between Schiers and Grüsch to double track in December 2004, they also do service on the line Landquart–Davos. |
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| 652 “riri” and 641 “Coop” work together to bring the “Regio-Express” from St. Moritz to Chur on February 5, 2005. The train has just passed Bever. |
With the class Ge 4/4 III, the RhB used new marketing concepts: Following the example of the SBB (and the German DB AG), most of these engines are used as “advertising locomotives” now. After a tentative beginning with RhB advertising for the “Heidiland-Bernina-Express” on 641 and changing poster advertising on 642 followed a white band on locomotive 644 advertising the company “Viessmann;” the complete re-painting of 643 as an advertising locomotive for the company “Ems-Chemie” was the beginning of the current trend to use the whole locomotive for advertising.
Here is an overview of the various locomotives; the table lists road number, date when put into service, name of the locomotive, and the advertising paintings that I know of. (JavaScript must be activated in your browser to view the pictures.)
| 641 – December 7, 1993 – Maienfeld |
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| 642 – January 24, 1994 – Breil/Brigels |
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| 643 – February 22, 1994 – Vals |
| 644 – April 14, 1994 – Savognin |
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| 645 – May 31, 1994 – Tujetsch |
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| 646 – June 27, 1994 – Sta. Maria / Val Mustair |
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| 647 – September 20, 1994 – Grüsch |
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| 648 – November 5, 1994 – Susch |
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| 649 – December 8, 1994 – Lavin (Il Grischun) |
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| 650 – October 1999 – Seewis im Prättigau |
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| 651 – October 1999 – Fideris |
| 652 – June 23, 2000 – Vaz / Obervaz Lenzerheide-Valbella |
| I would be grateful if someone could supply the exact dates when the various commercial paint schemes were first used. An overview about the current advertising locomotives used to be given on the RhB website, unfortunately, this service is no longer offered. |
Here is an (already historical) overview of Ge 4/4 III 641–650 from the early days, i.e., as of October 1999:
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References:
Copyright © 1998–2008 and responsible for contents: Christoph Ozdoba.
First version January 1, 1998, last edited February 17, 2008.
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