SBB-CFF-FFS C 5/6

SBB-CFF-FFS C 5/6

300px Swiss steam Elephant SBB C 5/6 on the turntable at Winterthur

Type and origin Power type Steam Builder SLM Winterthur Build date 1913–1917 Total produced 28

Specifications Configuration 2-10-0 UIC class 1′E h4v Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Driver diameter 1,330 mm (52.4 in) Length 19,195 mm (63 ft 0 in) Height 4,480 mm (14 ft 8 in) Axle load 15.8 t (15.6 long tons; 17.4 short tons) Adhesive weight 79 t (77.8 long tons; 87.1 short tons) Loco & tender weight 128 t (126.0 long tons; 141.1 short tons) Boiler pressure 15 bar (1,500 kPa; 220 psi) Firegrate area 4 m2 (43 sq ft)

Performance figures Maximum speed 65 km/h (40 mph) Power output 1,190 kW (1,600 hp)

Career Operators SBB-CFF-FFS Numbers 2951–2978 Nicknames Elephant Withdrawn Up to 1968 Preserved 4 (1 in working order)

The C 5/6 was a steam locomotive in use with Swiss Federal Railways. 28 locomotives were built between 1913 and 1917; all had been withdrawn by 1968. Four have been preserved, one of them in working order. The class was designed for use on the steep inclines of the Gotthard route, and was considered extremely efficient, earning the nickname Elephant. Its design was based on the successful C 4/5 locomotive, and the result is the largest steam locomotive operated by the Swiss Federal Railways. Within a few years of introduction, however, they began to be replaced by new electric locomotives.

Preservation

Number 2978, built in 1917, was the last steam locomotive built for Swiss Federal Railways, and is now part of the company's heritage fleet. In 1960, number 2978 was fitted with the boiler of number 2956. Number 2969, built in 1915, is being restored by Eurovapor in Sulgen. They also have the number 2958 for spare parts (which was earlier in Olten) and will preserve it as an exhibit. Number 2965, not in working order, is an exhibit in the Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne.

See also

• List of stock used by Swiss Federal Railways
• C 5/6 2978 CFF-Historic (French / German)