In 1899 the Swiss Burgdorf-Thun-Bahn was the first electric standard gauge railway (tram systems went electric earlier).
The chosen system was 3-phase AC 40 Hz, 750 V. Two freight locomotives De 2/2 1 and 2 were built by SLM/BBC, with a
mechanic transmission allowing constant speeds of 18 and 36 km/h. The power of the single motor was 220 kW, at a mass of
29600 kg and a length of 7.8 meters. In 1933 the line was converted to 15 kV 16 2/3 Hz and the old locomotives retired. In
1942 the BTB became part of the EBT, today it belongs to the BLS.
De 2/2 1, Lokwelt Freilassing, 2013-08-10.
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<a href="mailto:tbk.uncia@gmail.com">tobias b k&ouml;hler</a>