In 1902, the North Eastern started to electrify its suburban network in the Tyneside area. From Newcastle Manors station to Quayside Yard, there was a 3/4 mile curved freight line that had a gradient of 1 in 27 or 3.7 percent. Since this was too steep for efficient operation with steam locomotives, Wilson Worsdell decided to electrify this line, too. The specification for two electric locomotives to use on this short line included that they were able to haul 300 tons at 14 mph and to start up to 150 tons on the steepest portion.

They were designed as steeplecabs and were inspired by some locomotives GE had delivered to the Italian Milan-Varese Railway. The mechanical part came from Brush, while the electric part came from British Thomson-Houston. Four traction motors delivered 160 hp each. Additionally to the bow collector on the hood for the overhead line, they had collectors for the third rail in the tunnels.

The two locomotives were introduced in June 1905 when the electrification was finished. The bow collector was later replaced by a pantograph on the cab roof. In 1923, they came to the LNER and it took until 1945 for them to be assigned the class name ES1 for “Electric Shunting 1”. They were withdrawn in 1964 when the line was de-electrified and dieselised. One was preserved and is now on display at Shildon.

In 1980, the SBB had ten heavy class Ee 6/6^II shunting locomotives built. The mechanical part came from SLM Winterthur, while BBC was responsible for the electrical part. It used converter technology, making it the second locomotive of this type on the SBB. Structurally, the Ee 6/6^II was similar to many diesel shunters, i.e. it had a supporting frame, a central driver's cab and lower and narrower superstructures to enable visibility in both directions. There was a pantograph on the cab roof, which was used for driving in both directions.

They replaced the last Ce 6/8^II that were still used in shunting service. They were mainly used for service on electrified humps in marshalling yards. Now and then they also ran freight trains on routes of 100 kilometers and more, for which the top speed of 85 km/h was still sufficient. The career of the locomotives, now known as the Ee 961, ended after a little more than 40 years. By the beginning of 2021, all of them had already been decommissioned and scrapping began shortly thereafter.