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Swiss Locomotive and Machine Factory HGe 4/4II
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Switzerland | 1986
21 produced
HGe 4/4 II of the Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn with a Glacier Express in August 2006 near Randa, Visp
HGe 4/4 II of the Matterhorn-Gotthard-Bahn with a Glacier Express in August 2006 near Randa, Visp
Markus Giger

The HGe 4/4II is a metre-gauge electric locomotive that combines a top speed of 100 km/h in adhesion drive with an Abt rack drive for inclines of up to 12.5 percent. The key for this was the new differential drive that allows to split the power between the wheels and the cog wheels in a variable way. The first five locomotives were built in 1986 for an order from the FO and the Brünig line. They had been ordered mainly for heavy passenger services and are hauling trains like the Glacier Express. Good experiences led to the order for eleven more locomotives, followed by five additional ones for the BVZ. Between 2018 and 2022 nine locomotives, which are today part of the MGB, were rebuilt. Among other modernizations, they got a new three-phase drive that increased the output from 1,732 to 2,800 kW.

Variantas builtRefit MGB
General
Built1986, 1989-1990
Manufacturermechanical part: SLM, electrical part: BBC, ABB
Wheel arr.B-B 
Gauge3 ft 3 3/8 in (Meter gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length48 ft 6 11/16 in
Service weight141,096 lbs
Adhesive weight141,096 lbs
Axle load35,274 lbs
Boiler
Variantas builtRefit MGB
Power Plant
Power
Power sourceelectric - AC
Electric system15.000 V 16⅔ Hz11.000 V 16⅔ Hz
Hourly power2,591 hp (1,932 kW)3,755 hp (2,800 kW)
Continuous power2,514 hp (1,875 kW)
Top speed62 mph
Starting effort62,947 lbf
Calculated Values
electric locomotive
passenger
freight
rack railway
three-phase AC
last changed: 11/2025
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