VZ HGe 4/4

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VZ HGe 4/4 11-15
VZ HGe 4/4 11 in Zermatt, 2003
VZ HGe 4/4 11 in Zermatt, 2003
Numbering: 11-15
Number: 5
Manufacturer: SLM , Maschinenfabrik Oerlikon , SWS
Year of construction (s): 1929 and 1930
Retirement: from 1992
Axis formula : Bo zz 'Bo zz '
Gauge : 1000 mm ( meter gauge )
Length over buffers: 14,100 mm
Service mass: 47 t
Top speed: 45 km / h ( adhesion )
25 km / h ( rack )
Hourly output : 736 kW
Gear system : Dept
Number of drive gears: 4th
Power system : 11 kV , 16.7 Hz ~
Power transmission: Overhead line
Number of traction motors: 4th
Drive: electric
Coupling type: Central buffer coupling

The VZ HGe 4/4 11–15 are a series of meter -gauge electric locomotives for mixed adhesion and cogwheel operation and high-voltage alternating current of 11,000 volts 16 2/3 hertz, originally operated by the Visp-Vermatt-Bahn (VZ) in in 1929 and 1930, on the occasion of the electrification of the Visp – Zermatt railway line and the Brig – Visp railway line, which was reopened in 1930 and which was electrically operated from the start, was put into operation. In 1962 the Visp-Zermatt-Bahn was renamed Brig-Visp-Zermatt-Bahn (BVZ) and designated the machines accordingly as BVZ HGe 4/4 11–15. However, the lettering "VZ" in chrome letters on the locomotives themselves remained unchanged. In 2003 the railway company, now called Brig-Visp-Zermatt-Bahn, became part of the Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn (MGB). After the merger of BVZ and FO, all of the remaining locomotives were transferred to the new MGB. The locomotives have been referred to as HGe 4/4 I since the BVZ HGe 4/4 II went into operation .

technology

In 1929, after the experience of the Rhaetian Railway, which was also meter-gauge, VZ decided in favor of electrification with 11,000 volts 16.7 Hertz alternating current .

The weight requirements, the base left a maximum operating mass of 47 tonnes, to be able to comply with the VZ were locomotives 11-15 with a locomotive body made of aluminum to air, as well as a lighter, rather than oil-cooled transformer equipped. Lightweight aluminum construction and the air-cooled transformer were a novelty in rail vehicle construction at the time. Auxiliary units are housed in the stems at both ends. The locomotive also has a smaller luggage compartment that can be opened by means of two door leaves and was used primarily for the transport of express goods .

Although the two large and distinctive fronts gave the locomotives the nickname " VZ crocodile ", in contrast to the SBB Ce 6/8 II and RhB Ge 6/6 I, they are already modern bogie locomotives with one One-piece bridge frame on which the locomotive body and stems are permanently mounted. The locomotives are thus referred to as so-called "fake crocodiles" within the crocodile-locomotive discussion .

Bogies

The locomotives have two two-axle bogies with a short wheelbase and a combined drive. The two motors outside of the two drive axles work simultaneously and inseparably on the respective drive axle and its drive gear. The pulling and pushing devices - i.e. buffers , pulling hooks and coupling lugs - are each connected directly to the bogie frame, which is advantageous in tight curve radii. In contrast, these devices are now usually attached to the locomotive body in bogie locomotives. The tensile and compressive stresses occurring during the transport of trains initially act directly on the rear bogie in the direction of travel in the case of these locomotives, as they were usually used at the front of the train. The forces are only transferred to a bridge frame consisting of sturdy, riveted profiles via a central, spherical pivot socket and from there to the front bogie.

Whereabouts

Of the five locomotives, only number 15 has survived; it was in use in winter with snow clearing compositions until 2015. It then had to be turned off because the inspection deadlines had expired, the converter had a defect and the wheel tires were reduced to the minimum. In December 2016 it was transferred to the Göschenen depot, where the vehicle is defective as of 2020. Locomotive number 15 has meanwhile been taken over by the MGBahn-Historic association.

literature

  • Louis-Henri Leyvraz: Memories of the electrification and expansion of the Brig – Visp – Zermatt Railway in the years 1929–1943 . In: Swiss Railway Review 7/1991.
  • Theo Stolz: Locomotives of Switzerland , Minirex, 1999, ISBN 3-907014-11-1 .
  • Hans-Bernhard-Schönborn: Swiss locomotives . GeraMond, 2004, ISBN 3-7654-7176-3 , pp. 70-71 .
  • Theo Stolz: Locomotives in Switzerland, as of January 1, 2006 . Minirex, Lucerne 2007, ISBN 978-3-907014-31-8 .

Web links

Commons : SLM HGe 4/4 I  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Theo Stolz, Dieter Schopfer: Brig – Visp – Zermatt, history and rolling stock. Self-published 1983, ISBN 3-907976-00-2 , page 110
  2. ↑ BVZ HGe 4/4 No. 15. Stored in Göschenen. MGBahn-historic, accessed on February 22, 2020 .
  3. ↑ MGBahn-Historic, founded in 2016 , accessed on February 18, 2020