Bemo 1353535 H0m E-Nostalgielok "Krokodil" HGe 4/4 15, BVZ, Ep. V-VI, DC-Digital

Bemo 1353535 H0m E-Nostalgielok "Krokodil" HGe 4/4 15, BVZ, Ep. V-VI, DC-Digital Product Details

Description

As early as 1890, the first trains steamed from the Rhône valley through topographically difficult mountain terrain to Stalden, and a year later Zermatt was reached at the foot of the Matterhorn. The line towards the Matterhorn was operated in mixed adhesion and rack-and-pinion mode. The VZ (later BVZ Zermatt-Bahn, today MGB Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn) overcame a difference in altitude of almost 1000 meters on six rack and pinion ramps with a maximum gradient of 125‰ over a good 35 km. Rising passenger numbers and the high operating costs of steam traction prompted the VZ to switch to electric operation towards the end of the 1930s.

In 1929-30, five machines for mixed adhesion and rack-and-pinion operation were delivered as initial electrical equipment following a VZ tender. Due to the rack and pinion ramps, single-frame rack locomotives were dispensed with in favor of four-axle bogie vehicles. The HGe 4/4 11-15 locomotives were nicknamed "crocodiles" due to the characteristic front ends on the locomotive bodies with luggage compartments. They reach a maximum speed of 45 km/h on adhesion lines and 25 km/h in cogwheel operation. With the delivery of several series of railcars, the locomotives were initially relegated to freight train services, but were also frequently required to haul additional passenger trains. It was only with the acquisition of the five modern high-performance HGe 4/4 II 1-5 locomotives in 1990 that the old-timers were relegated to subordinate services.

In 1992, locomotive 14 was dismantled, and between 2002 and 2005, three more locomotives were broken up, so that today MGB Historic can only use the last locomotive built, locomotive 15, with modernized fan grilles, for special train operations.

Features:

• Gauge: H0m
• Era V-VI
• Minimum radius: 330 mm
• Length over buffers: 170 mm
• Die-cast chassis
• Head signal in direction of travel
• Functional Abt system cogwheel drive
• Drive and power consumption from all four axles
• Brake hoses, heating couplings and grab irons are included for self-assembly