Crocodile (locomotive)
Crocodile (German Krokodil) electric locomotives are so called because they have long "noses" at each end, reminiscent of the snout of a crocodile (see also Steeplecab). These contain the motors and drive axles, and are connected by an articulated center section. The center section usually contains the crew compartments, pantographs and transformer.
| Swiss "crocodile" locomotive Dimensions are for Be 6/8II version - an upgraded Ce 6/8II | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Crocodile Ce 6/8II on display in Erstfeld | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The first evidence of the nickname crocodile locomotive refers to the green Märklin model railway locomotives in gauge 0, item CCS 66/12920, as well as in gauge 1, item CCS 66/12921, which snake through the curves like a reptile when running through switch roads and counter curves, and are first referred to as such in the Märklin catalogue of 1933/1934. They are a reproduction of the Ce 6/8II and Ce 6/8III freight locomotives of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), which were put into service starting in 1919.
Sometimes the term is also used for locomotives of a similar design.