Rhaetian Railway Gem 4/4
Gem 4/4 is the series designation for the two dual power locomotives of the Rhaetian Railway (RhB).
- 3.1 snow removal
History
The two Gem 4/4 should be procured as a universal locomotives to replace steam locomotives and one damaged in a fire railcars. The locomotives should be used on the entire network of RhB in the diesel-electric operation. In addition, a purely electric operating on the Bernina Railway should be possible.
Originally, the Furka -Oberalp -Bahn was also interested in such a locomotive. For cost reasons, the Furka -Oberalp -Bahn, however, ordered a locomotive which is designed only for the pure diesel operation. Nevertheless, the HGm 4/4, which were a year later delivered to the Furka -Oberalp -Bahn, strongly related to the Gem 4 /4 of the RhB.
On Construction of 13:54 m long, 50 -tonne machines were the company SLM, SWS, BBC and MFO involved. The two locomotives were passed after a relatively long development period of five years, in 1968 the RhB.
Construction
The 1968 went into operation bogie locomotives with numbers 801 and 802 each have two diesel engines with direct current generator and can thus catenary independently operate over the entire route network.
At startup, the locomotives were red with silver grilles. They were adapted 1986-1987 to the color scheme since then valid: Frame gray-brown, red box with bilingual logo and the Grisons cantonal coats of arms.
Mechanical Part
The mechanical part was supplied by SLM. For reasons of easy maintenance and economy with some parts of the ABe 4/4 II are identical. Thus, for example, the bogies, including the travel motors and the braking system is applied.
Electrical Section
Even when electrical part parts of the ABe 4/4 II were adopted, such as the Leitelektronik is almost identical and the four traction motors were also taken.
Operational use
Depending on a locomotive is located in Pontresina and Poschiavo.
The main application is on the Bernina Railway, where the Zweikraftloks often in mixed double traction with railcars ( ABe 4/4 II or ABe 4/4 III ) can be seen since commissioning. Furthermore, they assume construction train and snow clearing services on the entire RhB network.
From 1973 to 1981, the two Gem 4/4 were each booked in the summer for the transport of the Bernina Express. They took over the pass through to Tirano car from St. Moritz Samedan express and transported them in diesel traction to Surovas or Bernina Diavolezza where it was changed to DC operation. Then the machines led to further train to Tirano. Today, this form of operation would be considered hybrid traction.
After the track was 3 equipped with a switchable catenary section in Pontresina, drive the car direct from Chur to the main line locomotive to Pontresina under 11 kV AC. After the stop, the locomotive is suspended and converted the catenary section at 1000 V DC. Then the locomotives of the Bernina Railway (mostly railcars of the type ABe 4/4 II or ABe 4/4 III or mixed with the Gem 4 /4) maneuvered to the train. After timetabled maintenance of 7 minutes, the drive goes under DC continues over the Bernina.
Snow removal
In addition to the double header with said railcar also the Gem of the electric snow blowers Xrot et can be controlled remotely.
The snow blowers can either be powered directly from the mains voltage of 1 kV DC voltage or a Gem 4 / 4th In the second case one of the two diesel engines including the generator Gem 4/4 is used the snow blower to supply electric. The Gem Xrotet and via a cable to be connected. The second diesel engine including generator is used for the advance of the locomotive and the snow blower.
In this combination, the electric snow blowers of the Bernina Railway can be used on the entire network of RhB. Since the delivery of the new diesel-powered snow blowers of the Bernina range, the Gem also be used for the traction of those.
List of Gem 4/4
Conversions
In 2000 the locomotive was 801 completely renovated in the main workshop in Landquart after a fire damage. The following components have been changed:
- The two leaders supernatants were removed and replaced with new ones. The guide table has been adjusted so that it now corresponds to those of the Ge 4 /4 III.
- The diesel engines were replaced by new ones, each with 709 kW, also 12-cylinder Cummins engines.
- The cabs were extended to each 22 cm.
- The Leitelektronik was replaced by a microprocessor controlled.
- In cab air conditioning was installed.
The locomotive was 802 in 2002/ 03 also rebuilt.
Since this revision, the Gem again present in the radiant RhB red. The two copies are - except the operating numbers - distinguished by the silver signets side-mounted, showing an ibex at 801 and at 802 a marmot.