Rhaetian Railway Ge 2/4

The Rhaetian Railway Ge 2/4 was a class of metre gauge 1′B1′ electric locomotives formerly operated by the Rhaetian Railway (RhB), which is the main railway network in the Canton of Graubünden, Switzerland. Four members of the class are now preserved, with one of them in operational condition.

Rhaetian Railway Ge 2/4
Ge 2/4 No. 201
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderSLM and BBC
Build date1912–1913
Total produced7
Rebuild date1943–1946
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UIC1′B1′
Gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in)
Leading dia.710 mm (2 ft 4 in)
Driver dia.1,070 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Trailing dia.710 mm (2 ft 4 in)
Wheelbase6,000 mm (19 ft 8 in)
Length8,700 mm (28 ft 7 in)
With snowplough: 9,448 mm (31 ft 0 in)
Width2,650 mm (8 ft 8 in)
Height4,050 mm (13 ft 3 in)
Loco weightOriginally: 36.7 tonnes (36.1 long tons; 40.5 short tons)
Rebuilt: 30 to 33 tonnes (29.5 to 32.5 long tons; 33.1 to 36.4 short tons)
Electric system/s11 kV 16.7 Hz Overhead
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Performance figures
Maximum speedOriginally: 50 km/h (31 mph)
Rebuilt: 55 to 65 km/h (34 to 40 mph)
Power outputOriginally: 228 kW (306 hp)
Tractive effort26 kN (5,850 lbf)
Career
OperatorsRhaetian Railway
Numbers201–207
LocaleGraubünden, Switzerland
Retired1974–2006
Current ownerRhaetian Railway
DispositionOne still operational

The class was so named under the Swiss locomotive and railcar classification system. According to that system, Ge 2/4 denotes a narrow gauge electric adhesion locomotive with a total of four axles, two of which are drive axles.

Technical details

As delivered
SBB Historic - RhB Ge 2/4 201

In 1912-1913, the Rhaetian Railway purchased seven examples of the Ge 2/4, numbered 201 to 207, for the newly constructed and electrified Engadin line. The 8.7-metre (29 ft) long locomotives had a top speed of 45 kilometres per hour (28 mph) and a power output of 228 kilowatts (306 hp). They also weighed 36.7 tonnes (36.1 long tons; 40.5 short tons). Their mechanical components were manufactured by the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM), while Brown, Boveri & Cie (BBC) furnished the electrical components. To drive the Ge 2/4s, repulsion motors were used, as these motors were characterised by a high torque and shock-free startup.

Rebuilds

Between 1943 and 1946, three Ge 2/4 machines were rebuilt as shunting locomotives, with a new single phase motor and a central driver's cab. In the vernacular, they then received the name Bügeleisen (flat iron). The rebuilt locomotives were given the numbers Gea 2/4 211, Ge 2/4 212 and 213, their service weight was reduced to 33 tonnes (32 long tons; 36 short tons), and their top speed increased to 55 kilometres per hour (34 mph).

In 1945 and 1946, two further Ge 2/4s were rebuilt with a new single phase motor. These two machines, renumbered as Ge 2/4 221 and 222 were not outwardly altered, but their weight was reduced to only 30 tonnes (30 long tons; 33 short tons), their power output was increased to 450 kilowatts (600 hp), and their top speed also increased to 55 kilometres per hour (34 mph). They then soon began rendering service as pilot locomotives on the Albula Railway.

Preservation
Ge 2/4 222

The two unrebuilt locomotives, numbered 205 and 207, are both still in existence. No. 205 stood until November 2007 as a memorial locomotive in front of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences in Winterthur. Originally, this locomotive was intended to be a part of the, then in the planning stage, Albula railway museum. The Rhaetian Railway's preservation society, Club 1889, is currently investigating other means of displaying the locomotive in the open air, but shielded from the weather, after completion of ongoing restoration work. Meanwhile, no. 207 can be seen on display at the Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne.

The last remaining example of the first three rebuilt locomotives (Ge 2/4 212) was withdrawn from service as recently as 2006, and is also now preserved. It has been transformed back into its original 1940s condition, and sold to a private company that wants to set up the locomotive outside a planned model railway layout in Fribourg.

Ge 2/4 no. 222 from the second batch of rebuilds is the fourth preserved example of the class; it is based in Landquart as a heritage locomotive.

List of locomotives
List of the Ge 2/4 locomotives of the Rhaetian Railway
Traffic number Commissioning Rebuilt Withdrawal Current whereabouts
201 27.12.1912 1943 → 213 1992 Scrapped after an accident
202 25.01.1913 1943 → 211 2001 Scrapped
203 16.04.1913 1946 → 221 1998 Scrapped
204 26.04.1913 1946 → 222 -- Operational preserved locomotive
205 17.05.1913 1928 → Equipping of both cabs with communication doors. 1974 Functional monument since 1974 (static display) in Winterthur.

Since the end of November 2007, in Arth-Goldau for restoration (only as a functional monument (static display)).

206 06.06.1913 1946 → 212 2006 Monument since 2007 in Fribourg
207 26.06.1913 -- 1974 On display since 1982 in the Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne.

See also

References
  • Belloncle, Patrick (2005). Das grosse Buch der Rhätischen Bahn: 1889–2001 [The Big Book of the Rhaetian Railway: 1889–2001]. Kerzers: Edition Viafer. ISBN 3952249408. (in German)
  • Finke, Wolfgang; Schweers, Hans (1998). Die Fahrzeuge der Rhätischen Bahn. Band 3 Lokomotiven, Triebwagen, Traktoren 1889–1998 [The Motive Power of the Rhaetian Railway Vol 3 Locomotives, Railcars, Tractors 1889–1998]. Aachen: Verlag Schweers + Wall. ISBN 3894941057. (in German)
  • Jeanmaire, Claude (1995). Die elektrischen und Diesel-Triebfahrzeuge schweizerischer Eisenbahnen 13 Rhätische Bahn: Stammnetz - Triebfahrzeuge; umfassende Darstellung des historischen Rollmaterials: Lokomotiven, Triebwagen, Traktoren, Dienstfahrzeuge [The Electric and Diesel Motive Power of the Swiss Railways 13 Rhaetian Railway: Core Network - Comprehensive Presentation of the Heritage Rolling Stock: Locomotives, Railcars, Tractors, Service Vehicles]. Villigen: AG Verl. Eisenbahn. ISBN 3856492194. (in German)
  • Peter Willen: Lokomotiven der Schweiz 2. Schmalspur Triebfahrzeuge. Orell Füssli Verlag, Zürich 1972, without ISBN


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