The Journey Out & 'Verkehrshaus'
The Swiss State Transport Museum, Lucerne
October 4 2003

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An early flight from Heathrow took Chris & I to Basle/Mulhouse airport. From there we attached ourselves to the super efficient Swiss public transport system for a bus trip to Basle railway station. Then it was on to the next available train heading for Lucerne, our first destination of the day. At Lucerne station we stowed our luggage before taking a look at something we had spotted on the way in - an electric Crocodile.

1925 built Ce 6/8 III 1-C-C-1 'Crocodile' 14305 was at Lucerne station having hauled an excursion from Basle in conjunction with the Bahn Expo 2003. Later in the day it would return to Basle. October 4 2003
1925 built Ce 6/8 III 1-C-C-1 'Crocodile' 14305 was at Lucerne station having hauled an excursion from Basle in conjunction with the Bahn Expo 2003. Later in the day it would return to Basle. October 4 2003
1925 built Ce 6/8 III 1-C-C-1 'Crocodile' 14305 was at Lucerne station having hauled an excursion from Basle in conjunction with the Bahn Expo 2003. Later in the day it would return to Basle. October 4 2003

A general view of Lucerne station; as ever it was full of trains ! October 4 2003

A general view of Lucerne station; as ever it was full of trains ! October 4 2003

Having seen the Crocodile we took a brief, but pricey, taxi ride to the other side of Lake Lucerne to the Verkehrshaus - The Swiss State Transport Museum. We only had a few hours available to look around and this was never going to be enough. When we got in we realised just how much we would miss out on. Perhaps not so surprisingly we concentrated on the fascinating railway exhibits. The museum had a series of extra exhibits as it was celebrating the Bahn Expo 2003.

The collection seemed to be made up of many very interesting bits of kit and some other less interesting bits - less interesting until the detail of these types were noticed. It has to be said the collection is perhaps one of the most interesting and varied I have ever seen. Verkehrshaus can not be recommended highly enough, it is fantastic and I will be going back again.

Verkehrshaus features a fantastic model of the Gotthard Pass in HO. If I remember rightly a sign stated 36000 man hours had been put in to the construction of this layout. Here the railway can be seen on three separate levels. October 4 2003
Verkehrshaus features a fantastic model of the Gotthard Pass in HO. If I remember rightly a sign stated 36000 man hours had been put in to the construction of this layout. Here the railway can be seen on three separate levels. October 4 2003

Two 'Crocodiles' can be found in the Museum. On the left is metre gauge, 1921 built, Rhätische (Rhaetian) Bahn Class Ge 6/6I 402 and on the right is standard gauge SBB Be 6/8II 13254. October 4 2003

Two 'Crocodiles' can be found in the Museum. On the left is metre gauge, 1921 built, Rhätische (Rhaetian) Bahn Class Ge 6/6I 402 and on the right is standard gauge SBB Be 6/8II 13254. October 4 2003

As can be seen the drive arrangement on Be 6/8II 13254 is somewhat different to that seen on Ce 6/8 III. This locomotive dates from 1919 and is rated at 2700kW (3620hp.) In many ways these locomotives are an electric version of the Beyer-Garratt type of steam locomotive. October 4 2003
As can be seen the drive arrangement on Be 6/8II 13254 is somewhat different to that seen on Ce 6/8 III. This locomotive dates from 1919 and is rated at 2700kW (3620hp.) In many ways these locomotives are an electric version of the Beyer-Garratt type of steam locomotive. October 4 2003

Be 6/8II 13254 is a 1-C-C-1. It was constructed by SLM and carries Winterthur works number 2674. It was withdrawn from service in 1982. October 4 2003

Be 6/8II 13254 is a 1-C-C-1. It was constructed by SLM and carries Winterthur works number 2674. It was withdrawn from service in 1982. October 4 2003

Be 6/8II 13254 behind RhB C-C 'Crocodile' 402. The RhB locomotive is rated at 190kW (1020hp) and was allowed to operate at up to 55km/h (35mph).It was withdrawn from service in 1984. October 4 2003

Be 6/8II 13254 behind RhB C-C 'Crocodile' 402. The RhB locomotive is rated at 190kW (1020hp) and was allowed to operate at up to 55km/h (35mph).It was withdrawn from service in 1984. October 4 2003

This is the engine unit Bern Lötschberg Simplon Ce 6/6 121 built in 1910. October 4 2003
This is the engine unit Bern Lötschberg Simplon Ce 6/6 121 built in 1910. October 4 2003

This ancient looking 4-2-0 (yes, really) is called 'Limmat'. In reality it is a replica built in 1947. The original was built in the 1850's. October 42003
This ancient looking 4-2-0 (yes, really) is called 'Limmat'. In reality it is a replica built in 1947. The original was built in the 1850's. October 42003

An interesting feature of 'Limmat' was this rail cleaning "device". This was also found on several other locomotives in the collection. October 4 2003
An interesting feature of 'Limmat' was this rail cleaning "device". This was also found on several other locomotives in the collection. October 4 2003

Bern Lötschberg Simplon Bahn Ae 5/7 151 has a 1-E-1 wheel arrangement. This type are rated at 1840kW (2468hp.) It was built in 1913. October 4 2003
Bern Lötschberg Simplon Bahn Ae 5/7 151 has a 1-E-1 wheel arrangement. This type are rated at 1840kW (2468hp.) It was built in 1913. October 4 2003

Type Ec 2/5 No.28 'Genf' is the oldest remaining locomotive in Switzerland. It was built in 1858. October 4 2003
Type Ec 2/5 No.28 'Genf' is the oldest remaining locomotive in Switzerland. It was built in 1858. October 4 2003

This is valvegear on No.28 'Genf'. It is Stephenson's. October 4 2003

This is valvegear on No.28 'Genf'. It is Stephenson's. October 4 2003

0-6-0WT 'Langnau' was built in 1881. October 4 2003
0-6-0WT 'Langnau' was built in 1881. October 4 2003

'Langnau' has an interesting valvegear arrangement. It looks like an unusually arranged Walschaerts gear but is in fcat credited to Brown. October 4 2003
'Langnau' has an interesting valvegear arrangement. It looks like an unusually arranged Walschaerts gear but is in fact credited to Brown. October 4 2003

Double-ended electric "Red-Arrow" railcar RCe2/4 203 was operated by the SBB. October 4 2003

Double-ended electric "Red-Arrow" railcar RCe2/4 203 was operated by the SBB. October 4 2003

An extremely interesting exhibit is the sectioned "System Winterthur" compound rack and adhesion tank No.1063. It was built for the SBB Brunig Pass line in 1909. It operated until 1957. October 4 2003
An extremely interesting exhibit is the sectioned "System Winterthur" compound rack and adhesion tank No.1063. It was built for the SBB Brunig Pass line in 1909. It operated until 1957. October 4 2003

The lower cylinder drives the adhesion wheels whilst the higher cylinder drives the rack cog wheel. Given this locomotive's age it is not surprising to see it fitted with slide valves. The upper cylinders use the exhausts steam from the adhesion wheels when it is cut in, in other words the locomotives works as a compound. When the rack engine is cut out the locomotive works as a simple. October 4 2003
The lower cylinder drives the adhesion wheels whilst the higher cylinder drives the rack cog wheel. Given this locomotive's age it is not surprising to see it fitted with slide valves. The upper cylinders use the exhausts steam from the adhesion wheels when it is cut in, in other words the locomotives works as a compound. When the rack engine is cut out the locomotive works as a simple. October 4 2003

A close up of the sectioned rack engine cylinder. October 4 2003
A close up of the sectioned rack engine cylinder. October 4 2003

The locomotive has two sets of Walscharts valvegear on each side of the locomotive.However as can be seen the two sets of valvegear are linked. October 4 2003

The locomotive has two sets of Walschaerts valvegear on each side of the locomotive. However as can be seen the two sets of valvegear are linked. October 4 2003

This is the non-sectioned side of the 1063. October 4 2003
This is the non-sectioned side of the 1063. October 4 2003

Another interesting exhibit is this tramway engine No.18. No.12 of the same class operates in Bern. See here. October 4 2003
Another interesting exhibit is this tramway engine No.18. No.12 of the same class operates in Bern. See here. October 4 2003

On to the second page covering October 4 2003

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