Class 1189 Electric Locomotive

The Austrian Federal Railways (BBÖ) decided as early as the Twenties to electrify its most important routes as fast as possible. The seven class 1100 (class 1089 on the ÖBB) mountain express train locomotives developed on the basis of a Swiss prototype especially for the grades in the mountains were delivered to the BBÖ in 1923/24. The 20,350 mm / 66 foot 9 inch long units consisted of two close coupled sets of driving wheels, on which a short machinery bridge with a transformer, a sliding relay, and two cabs was mounted with articulation. The name "Crocodile" quickly entered popular conversation due to the locomotive's long, low, and narrow hoods on the driving groups of wheels. These units looked the most like a crocodile of all "Crocodiles". Since this locomotive turned out so well, nine more units were delivered in 1926/27 as road numbers 1100.101-109 (ÖBB: 1189.01-09). They reached a higher speed due to an altered gear reduction and were equipped with more powerful motors.

Prototype: Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) class 1189 "Austrian Crocodile" electric locomotive. Blood orange basic paint scheme. Road number 1189.02. The locomotive looks as it did in the mid/end of the Seventies.