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As standard gauge locomotives are not our subject, I will only briefly mention these engines.
The term “Crocodile” without any addition usually refers to the class Be 6/8 II and III and class Ce 6/8 II and III locomotives of the SBB (Schweizerische Bundesbahnen, Swiss Federal Railways): powerful standard gauge freight train locomotives, for many, the classical Swiss locomotive.
There were green and brown versions, and, slightly modified, this engine could also be seen on the tracks of the ÖBB (Österreichische Bundesbahn, Austrian Federal Railways).
This “classic” crocodile is shown on the cover of the two “crocodile” books (cf. “References”).
The history and technical data are described in detail → here (German text).
We should not forget the “Seetal” crocodile operated by the OeBB, the Oensingen-Bahlstal-Bahn (please do not mix up ÖBB and OeBB – or RhB and RHB … (1)).
The three engines of this type (road numbers 15301–15303) were formerly operated by the SBB. All three were taken out of service in April 1983. 15302 and 15303 were scraped, 15301 came to the OeBB and is restored there (thanks to Rolf D. for the information!).
You find more information about these locomotives on Beat Birkhofer's → OeBB site.
Some people refer to the German class 93/(1)94 locomotives as “German Crocodiles.” A “real” crocodile, however, was, is and always will be a Swiss locomotive!
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| YSteC Crocodile in Yverdon-les-Bains, October 1997 |
The YSteC (Chemin de Fer Yverdon-Ste. Croix), a 1000-mm-narrow gauge railway in the canton Vaud (VD), owns a locomotive that is undoubtedly a “crocodile.”
This 4-axle locomotive (formerly Te 4/4, since 1977 Ge 4/4 21) which is mainly used for freight trains received this new colour scheme in the autumn of 1996.
I received emails telling me that this is not a “real” crocodile as it is not an articulated locomotive. I was sorry to see that (very few) of my readers have so much less sense of humour than the management of the YSteC …
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| BVZ Crocodile in Brig on August 8, 1994 Copyright © Gunnar Meisner, used here with permission. |
“Crocodiles” are also found at the former BVZ (Brig-Visp-Zermatt-Bahn; on January 1, 2003, BVZ and FO were combined to form the new Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn, MGB). The picture shows class HGe 4/4 I # 15.
Five locomotives of this class (road numbers 11–15) were put into service in 1929/30. These engines are 14.1 m long and weigh 46.8 metric tons; with a power of 736 kW, they achieve a top speed of 45 km/h (adhesion) / 25 km/h (cog wheel).
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| Ge 6/6 I # 407 owned by the Albula-Bahn-Club in Bergün. |
Between 1921 and 1929, 15 class Ge 6/6 I locomotives were built (road numbers 401–415). Until 1965 (delivery of the Ge 6/6 II), all kinds of trains were pulled by these locomotives, since then, the 6/6 I was mainly used in freight trains. Three of these locomotives are still operational. They are no longer used in regular service, but you find them pulling special trains (e.g., the Alpine Classic Pullman Express), sometimes in double-traction with a steam locomotive.
In the “Verkehrshaus” in Luzern, the Swiss Transport Museum, you can see an SBB crocodile and a Rhaetian crocodile side by side.
Last not least, we have a rarity: the “Bernina Crocodile.”
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| “Bernina Crocodile” # 182 at Lago Bianco shortly before arriving in Ospizio Bernina on September 25, 1976 Copyright © S. Unholz, used here with permission. |
The Ge 4/4 182 is unique; only this one locomotive of this type was ever built.
It was delivered to the Bernina-Bahn (which was still a separate company then) in 1928 as BB 82; it was the last locomotive bought by the Bernina-Bahn. Initially, 82 had two enormous snow-ploughs mounted at both ends which made it look more like a motorized snow-plough than a “real” locomotive. In 1943, the RhB took over the Bernina-Bahn, and in 1946, the large snow-ploughs were removed. This made 82 somewhat shorter (length over buffers 14.0 instead of 14.4 meters) and markedly lighter (weight 43.0 instead of 44.8 metric tons).
In 1961, 82 was re-numbered to 182, and the last visible change occured in 1966 when single-arm Faiveley pantographs were mounted (from the motor coaches 37 and 38) which replaced the former “Scheren”(“scissors”)-type pantographs.
There was a model of a green 82 once, but the RhB has confirmed that 82/182 has always been brown. More about this under Edelweiss on the “Manufacturers” page.
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| “Bernina Crocodile” # 182 in the Landquart depot, November 1978 Note that the engine has “scissors”-type pantographs again! They were probably installed for a “Crocodile” exposition at the Verkehrshaus in Luzern. Copyright © S. Unholz, used here with permission. |
In 1978, the RhB sold 182 to the La-Mure-Railroad in France; the engine was delivered in 1984. Unfortunately, nobody had thought of the fact that this railraod is a 2400 V DC-system while the Bernina-Crocodile needs 750–1000 V DC. The locomotive was simply parked somewhere and more or less forgotten. 182 was silently rusting and rotting away.
Fortunately, this unique locomotive will not end unter the cutting torch:
The Associazione 182 that was founded on July 17, 1999, has bought the Bernina crocodile and will restore it. Sponsors have been found, and we hope to see 182 back on the tracks of the Berninabahn. In 2007, the engine already looked quite respectable again. Pictures and details about this project (in German) are found on the “Club 1889” → website.)
References:
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| Two standard volumes about “Crocodiles” (German text): | |
Jörg Hajt In this book, you find everything about the SBB, ÖBB, and, of course, RhB crocodiles. Other crocodiles mentioned on this page (OeBB, BVZ) are not covered. |
Hans-Bernhard Schönborn An overview dealing with every locomotive that was ever called “Crocodile” including OeBB, BVZ, and even overseas locomotives. |
Copyright © 1997–2008 and responsible for contents: Christoph Ozdoba.
First version November 25, 1997, last edited February 17, 2008.
