One of the locomotives which were built to test electric traction on the Gotthard was No. 12201. It was designated Fc 2x3/4 in the old scheme when it was delivered in 1919 and became Ce 6/8I in the following year. Built in crocodile layout with small hoods mounted on top of the bogies which looked like suitcases, it got the nickname “Köfferli-Krokodil”. Another nickname was “Grossmutter” (Grandma) since it was the predecessor of the Swiss crocodiles.
The requirements had called for a speed of 35 km/h with 430 tonnes on an incline of 2.6 percent. Four traction motors, two in each bogie, delivered a total output of 1,750 kW or 2,380 hp. Each pair of motors transmitted their power onto a crank axle and via connecting and coupling rods to three driving axles on each bogie. Originally designed with only powered axles, a leading axle was added to each bogie to reduce the axle load. This resulted in a somewhat odd weight distribution, with axle loads between 13.4 and 18.7 tonnes on the individual driving axles.
Their introduction into service took longer than expected, so that it actually only entered service after the well known Gotthard crocodile Ce 6/8II. It did not have a rheostatic brake from the beginning, but a regenerative brake was added in 1920. Since this was complicated to operate, it was removed again in 1931. Although it was a only a single locomotive, it was used alongside other locomotives until 1982. Today it is on display at the Lucerne museum.