(Standard DVD) SBB Re6/6 at work 1994-2007 (Vol 1)
Description
Run-time 47 mins
This programme mainly looks at the class at work on the northern Gotthard mainline between 1994 and 2007 and brings together video material previously published as part of the ‘European Railway’ series, although it does include a number of new sequences.
Introduced between 1972 and 1980 the class were designed for the rugged gradients of the Gotthard Main line linking Immensee and Belinzona. For over 35 years they remained the most powerful electric locomotive in the world being rated at 10,600 horsepower. This programme looks at the class at work on freight and passenger duties not only just on the Gotthard Route itself, but also briefly to the south of Basel and at Kandersteg on the Simplon Route south of Spiez. We see the locomotives in their original green colour schemes, the newer red livery as well as the latest SBB Cargo red and blue. What is also of interest in several scenes is of the locomotives at work hauling passenger trains, something which is now almost impossible to see since their wholesale transfer to the freight sector.
We see the class working together with the Re4/4 class 420 and 421 locomotives, which is still an everyday sight on the Swiss railways, on a variety of freight services at popular locations such as Artg Goldau, Erstfeld, Wassen and Göschenen. This latter location - right next to the famous Gotthard tunnel - is seen with snow on the ground, bringing an interesting angle to the trains as they run by.
This is the first programme in a series looking at the class at work within Switzerland. Run-time 47 mins.