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Rhätische Bahn Series (RhB Series)
レーティッシュ鉄道 (RhB) の世界
Photo: Axel Bozier
KATO's Rhaetian Railway Series began in 2013 witht he launch of the "Glacier Express." Since then, it has expanded with a wide range of products, including the "Bernina Express," regular passenger cars, and freight trains.Over the years, it has grown into a beloved series, cherished not only in Japan but also around the world.
From the very beginning, fans have longed for the day when it would arrive - and now, the most popular and iconic electric locomotive of the Rhaetian Railway, the "Ge6/6 I Rhaetian Crocodile," finally makes its highly anticipated debut.
This year KATO is celebrating its 60th anniversary. We are proud to introduce to you an even more compact train body developed using the technology we have cultivated over these past 60 years.
A crocodile in the rugged mountains?! …What is the "Crocodile"?
The name "Crocodile" was inspired by the train's appearance, which strongly the resembled the nose of a crocodile.
The Ge6/6-I electric locomotive has long been nicknamed the "Rhaetian Crocodile," with the term "Crocodile" not only being used for this specific train, but also as a general term used to describe electric locomotives whose shape similarly resemble that of a crocodile). These types of locomotives were mainly manufactured in the 1920s for use in mountainous regions, particularly in countries like Austria and Switzerland.
Although it was a powerful and modern electric locomotive for its time 100 years ago, one of its most unique features is that it still retains traces of steam locomotives, such as its rod-driven mechanism.
So why does it look this way? Well, its because navigating the rugged Alps requires a range of devices and advanced technology that needed to be incoporated in its design.
An electric locomotive that looks and feels like a steam engine.
To increase transport capacity, more powerful electric locomotives with greater hauling capacity were needed. However, this came at a cost, as electrical components—particularly motors and transformers—became larger, and the overall weight of the locomotives increased.
But increasing the weight of the train also meant a greater burden on the tracks. To reduce this strain, the number of driving wheels was increased, and measures were taken to distribute the weight more evenly. Furthermore, in order to achieve greater hauling capacity, all of these driving wheels needed to be activated. However, in the mountainous regions with many curves, trains with long bodies could not navigate the turns. As a result, the six driving wheels were distributed across two bogies, and to better handle sharp curves, the body itself was designed to be split into three sections: the front and rear bogies and the central driver’s cab.ました。
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The enlarged motors were too big to fit between the axles, as in modern electric locomotives, so they had to be mounted on top of the bogies instead. However, this setup made it difficult to transmit the motor's power directly to the wheels, so an alternative transmission method was developed. In this system, power generated by the motor is first transferred to an intermediate shaft called a “jackshaft” via a gearbox, and from there, the force is delivered to the driving wheels using rods—just like those found on steam locomotives.
Tips！
Apart from crocodile-type locomotives, there are also other electric locomotives where the motors couldn’t be mounted on the bogies like in modern locomotives, and were instead housed in the cab or bonnet sections.
In Japan, a similar design can be seen in locomotives such as the ED42, which was used as a helper engine on the steep Usui Pass.
The Creation of the Rhaetian Crocodile
Photo: Axel Bozier
The Rhaetian Railway is Switzerland’s largest private railway company, based in the eastern canton of Graubünden. Its origins go back more than 100 years, beginning with the opening of the Landquart–Davos line in 1889.
Despite the challenging conditions of sharp curves and steep gradients, the line was designed from the start as an adhesion railway, avoiding the use of rack-and-pinion systems or switchbacks. As a result, it features a distinctive layout with extensive use of loop lines.
To handle transportation on the challenging routes of the Rhaetian Railway, crocodile-type electric locomotives were introduced.
The Ge6/6-I electric locomotive was introduced in 1921 with the electrification of the Albula Line, with a total of 15 units entering service between 1921 and 1929. It was designed to haul heavy trains over steep gradients of up to 35‰ (per mille).
Photo: Axel Bozier
From freight to passenger transport--100 years of service
The Rhaetian Railway is responsible not only for passenger transport, but also for freight operations.
This historic locomotive is no exception—over its long 100-year history, it has taken on a variety of roles, from hauling freight to carrying passengers, playing a vital part in supporting everyday life.
The Symbol of the Rhaetian Railway--The Crocodile, still beloved today
The Crocodile locomotives, numbered 401 through 415, were built between 1921 and 1929, with a total of 15 units produced.
The last two units, 414 and 415, which were manufactured in 1929, are regularly maintained and preserved in operating condition.
Not only is it preserved in operating condition, but under the Rhaetian Railway's mission to allow more people to enjoy these historic vehicles, it is incorporated into the regular timetable each summer between Filisur and Davos. Passengers can board these trains without any reservations or additional fees.
The train is made up of historic carriages, some nearly 100 years old, and open panorama cars that offer a full experience of the Swiss summer. This service has become very popular among both locals and tourists.
The "Rhaetian Crocodile" can be seen as an iconic symbol of the railway company, representing both railway technology and its ongoing dedication to railway enthusiasts.
The "Rhaetian Crocodile" in N-Gauge
In the 12 years since launching the Rhaetian Railway Series in 2013, it has always been KATO's big dream and goal to create a model of the Crocodile. As a major project following the Big Boy and EF55 series, the technical expertise of our development and design teams was brought together to overcome the challenges, such as the unique exterior of the RhB series and the particularly tight minimum curve radius of R150mm. We have created a model that successfully combines the realistic appearance of the actual train with the ability to navigate curves and slopes, along with smooth operation provided by a compact coreless motor. According to our design department, the main difficulty with this product was achieving the distinctive appearance of the Crocodile.
With over 200 parts!
Excluding the Pocket Line Steam Train, this 凸-shaped N gauge locomotive is unlike any previous model, and is a completely new design with over 200 parts.
As a result, a great deal of time and effort was required to verify each individual part, making it a challenging product despite its small size.
About 90 mm
In the actual train, the power mechanism is located on the bogie, but in the model, the power mechanism has been incorporated into the bonnet section.
In the bonnet section, it was necessary to incorporate both the power transmission structure from the central motor to the bogie and the lighting system. Despite this, careful consideration was given to factors like the thickness of molded parts and the alignment of components, resulting in a highly realistic appearance.
The rods on the bogie, which at first glance resemble those of a steam locomotive, have a different shape, and the design of the press mold structure that balances both functionality and appearance was quite challenging.
Achieves a minimum curve radius of R150mm
The Rhaetian Railway series has been designed with a minimum passing curve radius of R150mm to allow users to easily enjoy the world of sharp curves and steep gradients of the real railway in N gauge.
In order for the 6-axle design to pass through the R150mm curve, it was essential to incorporate a bonnet structure that moves independently left and right from the cab, just like the real train.
When the initial prototype was assembled and successfully ran, it was a moment of great relief and excitement.
ーProduct Informationー
3103-1
Ge6/6-I <"Rhaetian Crocodile">
Ask your local model shop
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The 414 locomotive, which is still actively preserved in operational condition, in its form around 2023.
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The distinctive rod-driven chassis and the bonnet section, which swivels independently from the cab along with the bogie, have been recreated using the latest technology.
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The body with differing side windows and louvers on each side has been recreated.
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The distinctive large pantograph has been newly manufactured.
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The 100th-anniversary plaque attached to one of the crew doors of the 414 locomotive has been reproduced in print.
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The yellow handrail next to the crew door has been recreated as a separate part.
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3 headlights in the lead section are lit (warm-white LEDs)
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Coreless motor enables stable running performance
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Equipped with Glacier Express short couplers
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Includes exchangeable Arnold couplers
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Minimum Curve Radius: R150mm
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Single unit clear case
10-1987
Ge6/6-I <"Rhaetian Crocodile" with Green Passenger Cars 5-Car Set>
Ask your local model shop
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A 5-car set featuring green passenger cars, designed to evoke the early 1980s when the Crocodile was still in active service.
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The locomotive features the 415 locomotive, which differs from the individual product, with markings distinct from the 414 locomotive, reproduced in print.
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Includes one baggage car, one first-class car, and two second-class cars.
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The baggage car D4220 has no pantograph, and the number of windows and other features (which differs from the present appearance) have been newly designed.
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The first-class car A1235 has been recreated to reflect its appearance before the refurbishment, with toilets located at both ends on the L side of the car.
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The second-class cars B2355 and B2362 have been recreated with toilets located at both ends on the R side of the cars.
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Equipped with Glacier Express short couplers
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Includes exchangeable Arnold couplers
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Compatible with LED Interior Lighting (Clear) sets
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Minimum Curve Radius: R150mm
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6-Car Bookcase
Various DCC sound specifications to be released
10-1987S Ge/G-I <"Rhaetain Crocodile" with Green Passenger Cars 5-Car Set> DCC Sound ※Price TBC
10-1987S
Ge6/6-I＜レーティッシュ・クロコダイル＞+アルプスの緑の客車5両セットDCCサウンド ※価格未定
Expand the fun with the "Rhaetian Crocodile"
We offer a 5-car set featuring green passenger cars inspired by the early 1980s, but you can also enjoy a variety of other configurations, including freight trains, mixed freight-passenger trains, and double-headed operations. Additionally, the RhB series offers the freedom to arrange the trains how you like, without being tied to the actual configurations.
We invite you to explore the RhB series products alongside the historic Crocodile with its 100-year history.
Example Configuration
5-Car Set
EW-I Passenger Car (Green) + Freight Car with Logs (R-w)
Ge6/6-I Crocodile Double-heading + Freight Car with Logs (R-w)
Ge6/6-I Crocodile + Containers (R-w)
Ge6/6-I Crocodile + Freight Car with Logs (R-w) + Containers (R-w)
Gallery
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