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Donnerstag Dezember 11, 2003 23:00:21
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The
legend of the Crocodile began in 1922 when the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB)
initiated rail service between Chiasso, Italy and Lucerne, Switzerland via
the St. Gotthard Tunnel. A new, heavy freight locomotive was needed to negotiate the very steep grades and endless sharp curves. To meet these requirements, the SBB developed and produced one of the most unusual electric locomotives ever. A prototype (Be 6/8 I), remotely resembling a crocodile was built and before evaluation was even complete, the Be 6/8 II was placed into production. The new locomotive quickly acquired the name Krokodil, German for crocodile. Perhaps the name was inspired by its distinctive long flat motor housings, double articulation and green livery.
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This site was last updated Dezember, 2003
