SBB Ae 6/6

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SBB Ae 6/6
Ae 6/6 11419 "Appenzell Innerrhoden" in Sierre
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder SLM Winterthur BBC Baden MFO Zürich Build date 1952, 1955–1966 Total produced 120
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Co′Co′ Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Length 18,400 mm (60 ft 4+3⁄8 in) Width 2,970 mm (9 ft 8+7⁄8 in) Height 4,500 mm (14 ft 9+1⁄8 in) Loco weight Prototypes: 124 tonnes (122 long tons; 137 short tons), Production: 120 tonnes (118.1 long tons; 132.3 short tons) Electric system/s 15 kV  16+2⁄3 Hz AC Catenary Current pickup(s) Pantograph
Performance figures Maximum speed 125 km/h (78 mph), later 120 km/h (75 mph) Power output 4,300 kW (5,770 hp) Tractive effort Starting: 392 kN (88,130 lbf), Continuous: 221 kN (49,680 lbf)
Career Operators Swiss Federal Railways Number in class 2005: 110 Numbers 11401–11520, later Ae 610 000 – Ae 610 119

The Ae 6/6 is a class of heavy electric locomotive used by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB). It is sometimes also referred to as "canton locomotive" (German: Kantonslokomotive), because the first 25 locomotives (a 26th was renamed after the separation of Jura) were named after the cantons of Switzerland and carried the canton's coat of arms on the side and chrome embellishments (a single raised stripe on each side and three raised stripes on each end), and the Swiss coat of arms on the front, between the chrome stripes. These adornments made them internationally famous. The other 95 (94) locomotives received the names of capital cities of Swiss cantons, and other towns and cities, but without the chrome embellishments. The namings were held as ceremonies in the respective cities. A less flattering moniker is Schienenwolf (lit. 'railroad plough') as the three axle bogie construction stresses the tracks heavily.

Originally designed for heavy services on the Gotthard route, as many Swiss locomotives were, the Ae 6/6 was one of the classic Gotthard locomotives.

All locomotives were originally painted in the SBB CFF FFS green livery, with the number, and either SBB CFF, or SBB FFS on each side, all raised numerals in chrome. Nowadays, about half are painted red, and a proportion of the fleet have been repainted in SBB Cargo livery, with all raised chrome embellishments removed apart from the Swiss coat of arms on each end. These locomotives have been renumbered (as class Re 610) in line with the current Swiss numbering scheme.