This photo is prompted by a comment made by Ruhri in regard to a better close-up of the same engine that I posted a few days ago. The original, legendary and iconic "Crocodiles" were locomotives built for Swiss National Railways (SBB, CFF, FFS) and built between 1919 and 1927. They were designed for pulling heavy goods trains on the steep tracks leading up to and through the famous Gottard tunnel to Italy. The original version had four motors that produced 1,810 kw of power with a maximum speed of 65km/h (41mph). In 1953 the motors were rebuilt making them capable of 75 km/h (47mph) and the paint scheme changed from brown to green. Not only does the characteristic shape make them readily identifiable, but they were brilliantly designed to avoid problems that might arise from their length. The powered nose units are bridged through two articulations with a pivoting center section containing the cabs and heavy transformer. This enables the engine to bend at two points in its structure when going around curves. They have excellent visibility from the driving cabs mounted safely in the middle rather then at each end of the locomotive. These machines were in use until the 1980s, some have suggested even as late as 1997. I certainly recall seeing them in service as a teenager on other routes and apparently going faster then 75 km/h. This one can be found in the Swiss National Transport Museum, which I highly recommend visiting. Since the locomotive is very long, it is difficult to photograph all of it indoors even with a wide angle lens. I don't think I have the green quite right, the grey is a touch too light, but it makes seeing the details easier, even if parts of the front steps are bleached out despite using Photomatix.
09 May 14:24
ruhri
Jaaaaa!!! :-) Hell of a train!
09 May 22:56
arnie58
They don't make them like that anymore! Nice.............
This photo is prompted by a comment made by Ruhri in regard to a better close-up of the same engine that I posted a few days ago. The original, legendary and iconic "Crocodiles" were locomotives built for Swiss National Railways (SBB, CFF, FFS) and built between 1919 and 1927. They were designed for pulling heavy goods trains on the steep tracks leading up to and through the famous Gottard tunnel to Italy. The original version had four motors that produced 1,810 kw of power with a maximum speed of 65km/h (41mph). In 1953 the motors were rebuilt making them capable of 75 km/h (47mph) and the paint scheme changed from brown to green. Not only does the characteristic shape make them readily identifiable, but they were brilliantly designed to avoid problems that might arise from their length. The powered nose units are bridged through two articulations with a pivoting center section containing the cabs and heavy transformer. This enables the engine to bend at two points in its structure when going around curves. They have excellent visibility from the driving cabs mounted safely in the middle rather then at each end of the locomotive. These machines were in use until the 1980s, some have suggested even as late as 1997. I certainly recall seeing them in service as a teenager on other routes and apparently going faster then 75 km/h. This one can be found in the Swiss National Transport Museum, which I highly recommend visiting. Since the locomotive is very long, it is difficult to photograph all of it indoors even with a wide angle lens. I don't think I have the green quite right, the grey is a touch too light, but it makes seeing the details easier, even if parts of the front steps are bleached out despite using Photomatix.
Jaaaaa!!! :-) Hell of a train!
They don't make them like that anymore! Nice.............