Furka–Oberalp-Bahn Ge 4/4 III

The Furka Oberalp Bahn Ge 4/4 III, now known as the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn Ge 4/4 III, is a two member class of metre gauge electric locomotives operated until 2002 by the Furka Oberalp Bahn (FO), and since then by its successor, the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn, between the Cantons of Valais and Uri in southern Switzerland.

Furka Oberalp Bahn Ge 4/4 III
Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn Ge 4/4 III
Ge 4/4 III 81 in Realp
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderSLM and BBC
Build date1979
Total produced2
Specifications
Configuration:
 • UICBo′Bo′
Gauge1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in)
Length12,900 mm (42 ft 4 in)
Width2,684 mm (8 ft 10 in)
Loco weight50 tonnes (110,200 lb)
Electric system/s11 kV 16.7 Hz
Current pickup(s)Overhead
Traction motorsFour (type 6 FRO 4338)
Performance figures
Maximum speed90 km/h (56 mph)
Power output1,700 kW (2,280 hp)
Tractive effort101.5 kN (22,820 lbf)
Career
OperatorsFurka Oberalp Bahn
Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
Numbers81, 82
LocaleValais and Uri, Switzerland
First run1980
DispositionBoth still in service

History

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The Furka Oberalp Bahn (FO) acquired these Bo′Bo′ locomotives in 1979 for the purpose of hauling car shuttle trains through the then forthcoming Furka Base Tunnel.

Between the delivery of these locomotives and the completion of the Furka Base Tunnel, both members of the class were leased to the Rhaetian Railway, where they entered service hauling express trains on the Albula Railway. Since the opening of the Base Tunnel in 1982, they have been used exclusively on car shuttle trains between Oberwald and Realp.

On 1 January 2003 (2003-01-01), the locomotives became the property of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB), following a merger between the FO and the Brig-Visp-Zermatt railway (BVZ).

Technical details

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The two locomotives represent a further development of the Ge 4/4 II class of the Rhaetian Railway. They are therefore classified as Ge 4/4 III under the Swiss locomotive and railcar classification system, even though the FO had not previously operated Ge 4/4 type locomotives. According to the Swiss classification system, Ge 4/4 III denotes a third series of narrow gauge electric adhesion locomotives with four axles, all of which are drive axles.

The Ge 4/4 IIIs develop 1,700 kilowatts (2,300 hp), have a top speed of 90 kilometres per hour (56 mph), and operate at 11 kV 16.7 Hz AC under catenary. They are the only mainline locomotives of the MGB not fitted with cogwheels for rack railway operations.

List of locomotives

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List of Ge 4/4 III locomotives of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn
Traffic number Name Commissioning Status
81 Wallis 27.02.1980 in service
82 Uri 27.02.1980 out of service, used for spare parts
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See also

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References

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  • Finke, Wolfgang; Schweers, Hans (1999). Die Fahrzeuge der Furka-Oberalp-Bahn 1913-1999 : Brig-Furka-Disentis, Schöllenenbahn, Furka-Oberalp-Bahn (in German). Aachen, Germany: Schweers + Wall. ISBN 3-89494-111-1.
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This article is based upon a translation of the German-language version as at July 2010.