Heavy Freight Locomotive "Crocodile". Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) class Be 6/8III. Wheel arrangement 1C-C1. 3 driven axles. 4 non-skid tires. Body in 3 sections. Flexibly coupled steering trucks giving good cornering ability. RELEX coupling at each end. Length over buffers 22.8 cm (9").
18 locomotives of the Be 6/8III were commissioned in 1926/1927 for use on the Gotthard route. With a length of 20.06 m (65 ft 9-3/4") and a motor power of 1800 kW giving a maximum speed of 75 km/h (47 mph), they were for many years the most impressive sights in the Swiss heavy freight train service. Their shape reminded many of crocodiles as they lumbered over the scenic Swiss grades.
