Rhaetian Railway Ge 4/4 II

File:CH RhB Ge44 II 611.JPG

The 23 Ge 4/4 ^II locomotives, numbered 611 to 633, were placed in service in 1973 (first series) and 1984 (second series). The last example of the second series, named Zuoz and numbered 633, was completed only in 1985. The Ge 4/4 ^II replaced the Ge 6/6 ^I (Crocodile), which was becoming less and less reliable.

Ever since its delivery, the Ge 4/4 ^II class has been in service on the whole of the core network of the Rhaetian Railway, at the head of both passenger trains and freight trains. Since 1997, the class has also served on the Arosa Line following its conversion to 11 kV {{frac|16|2|3}} Hz AC. The Ge 4/4 ^IIs can work double headed in multiple-unit train control operation. In combination with control cars of the series BDt 1751-58, acquired in 1999, they can also operate shuttle trains.

Since 1999, some units have been given new square headlights upon being technically revised, but their appearance has otherwise remained the same.

From 2004, all 23 locomotives were fully modernised as part of a refit program, involving, amongst other things, the replacement of the analogue control electronics with modern computer supported instrumentation. The last four locomotives to be updated in this program were nos. 612, 619, 627 and 632, in 2008.

Ge 4/4 II no. 611 Landquart has been reverted to its original look with green livery and Chrome lettering in April 2024.

{{clear left}}

File:RhB Klosters (colorized).jpg) in unrebuilt condition, behind it the already rebuilt no 613 (Domat/Ems) with square headlights and an altered position of the number on its nose.]]

In their external appearance, the Ge 4/4 ^II locomotives, supplied by Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM) and Brown, Boveri & Cie (BBC), are reminiscent of the Re 4/4^II of the Swiss Federal Railways.

The electrical componentry is nevertheless markedly different: in the Re 4/4 ^II locomotives, controlled rectifiers (phase fired controllers) made of thyristors and diodes supply the traction motors with wavy direct current.

In a Bo′Bo′ wheel arrangement, the Ge 4/4 ^II locomotives have a top speed of {{convert|90|km/h}} and weigh {{convert|50|t}}. Their power output is {{convert|1700|kW}} at {{convert|52|km/h}}.

The permissible towing capacity of the class is {{convert|185|t}} on a 4.5% gradient, and {{convert|245|t}} on a 3.5% gradient; with double heading it is a maximum of {{convert|400|t}}.

{{clear|left}}

File:Ge 4-4 II 622 movie-snapshot-1920x1080.jpg]]

The first series of the class, nos. 611–620, were originally green liveried, but have since been reliveried in the still contemporary Rhaetian Railway standard red. The second series, numbered 621–633, was delivered already painted in the red livery.

Each individual locomotive in the class is named after a town along the Rhaetian Railway network in Graubünden. The relevant name is applied in white letters to the right and left sides near the top of the locomotive. Each locomotive's traffic number (between 611 and 633) is featured on both of its ends, and low down on both of its sides. Adjacent to its name, each locomotive also bears the coat of arms of the community after which it was named.

The following locomotives of the Ge 4/4 ^II class are in service with the Rhaetian Railway:

{{Portal|Trains|Switzerland}}

• A further development of this class, the FO Ge 4/4 III, was acquired in 1979 by the Furka Oberalp Bahn.
• History of rail transport in Switzerland
• Rail transport in Switzerland
• Swiss locomotive and railcar classification

{{Notelist-lr}}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|SLM Ge 4/4 II}}

• {{Finke-Schweers-Fahrzeuge RhB Bd 3}}
• {{Schönborn-Die Rhätische Bahn}}

{{RhB rolling stock}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rhaetian Railway Ge 4 4 Ii}}

Category:SLM locomotives

Category:Brown, Boveri & Cie locomotives

Category:Bo′Bo′ locomotives

Category:Electric locomotives of Switzerland

Category:11 kV AC locomotives

Category:Rhaetian Railway locomotives

Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1973

Category:Metre gauge electric locomotives