SBB Re 620

---

title: "SBB Re 620" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["15-kv-ac-locomotives", "bo-bo-bo-locomotives", "swiss-federal-railways-locomotives", "electric-locomotives-of-switzerland", "standard-gauge-locomotives-of-switzerland", "railway-locomotives-introduced-in-1972", "brown,-boveri-&-cie-locomotives", "slm-locomotives"] description: "Swiss electric locomotive" topic_path: "geography/switzerland" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SBB_Re_620" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Swiss electric locomotive ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox locomotive"]

Field	Value
name	SBB Re 620
bgcolor	D81E05
color	FFFFFF
powertype	Electric
image	Re66 boezberg.jpg
caption	Re 620 and SBB Re 420 leading a freight train
on the northern Bözberg incline
builder
builddate	1972, 1975–1980
totalproduction	89
uicclass	Bo'Bo'Bo'
gauge
length	19,310 mm
width	2950 mm
height	3932 mm
locoweight	120 t
electricsystem	Catenary
collectionmethod	Pantograph
maxspeed	140 km/h
poweroutput	10700 hp
t/e starting	395 kN
t/e 1 hr	270 kN
t/e continuous	235 kN
fleetnumbers	11601 – 11689
::

| name = SBB Re 620 | bgcolor = D81E05 | color = FFFFFF | powertype = Electric | image = Re66 boezberg.jpg | imagesize = | alt = | caption = Re 620 and SBB Re 420 leading a freight train on the northern Bözberg incline | builder = | ordernumber = | serialnumber = | buildmodel = | builddate = 1972, 1975–1980 | totalproduction = 89 | rebuilder = | rebuilddate = | numberrebuilt = | aarwheels = | uicclass = Bo'Bo'Bo' | gauge = | trucks = | bogies = | wheeldiameter = | trailingdiameter = | minimumcurve = | wheelbase = | length = 19,310 mm | width = 2950 mm | height = 3932 mm | frametype = | axleload = | weightondrivers = | locoweight = 120 t | sandcap = | powersupply = | electricsystem = Catenary | collectionmethod = Pantograph | alternator = | generator = | tractionmotors = | headendpower = | transmission = | multipleworking = | maxspeed = 140 km/h | poweroutput = 10700 hp | tractiveeffort = | t/e starting = 395 kN | t/e 1 hr = 270 kN | t/e continuous = 235 kN | factorofadhesion = | trainheating = | locobrakes = | locobrakeforce = | trainbrakes = | safety = | operator = | operatorclass = | powerclass = | numinclass = | fleetnumbers = 11601 – 11689 | officialname = | nicknames = | axleloadclass = | locale = | deliverydate = | firstrundate = | lastrundate = | retiredate = | withdrawndate = | preservedunits = | restoredate = | scrapdate = | currentowner = | disposition = | notes = The Re 620, Re 6/6 in the old numbering scheme, are six-axle, electric locomotives of Swiss Federal Railways (SBB CFF FFS), which were acquired as a replacement for the Ae 6/6 for heavy services on the Gotthard Railway. They were produced between 1972 and 1980 and are the most modern of the so-called "Gotthard locomotives".

Construction and Technology

To reach the necessary tractive effort, a construction comprising six driven axles was necessary. In order to still get good running characteristics in curves, they were built into three two-axle bogies instead of two three-axle bogies as on the Ae 6/6. The middle bogie can move sideways, and the three bogies are connected by elastic cross couplings.

The other two prototypes (11603, 11604) got a softer secondary suspension instead of the joint, which proved to be so reliable in everyday use that all other locomotives of the series were built this way. Nevertheless, the two prototypes with a split body are still in regular operation. The exterior design is similar to the Re 4/4II (Re 420), as are the driver's controls and the conventional transformer technology with fixed running notches, which was applied for the last time for this locomotive. In contrast to the Re 4/4II, the Re 6/6 has two transformers (one power and one control transformer), which are mounted on the frame between the bogies. Due to the higher roof, the Re 6/6 looks more brawny than the Re 4/4II, especially when seen from the front side.

Operations

The Re 6/6 is equipped with multiple unit train control together with Re 4/4II, Re 4/4III (Re 430), Re 4/4IV and RBe 540. In passenger traffic they pull heavy passenger trains over the Gotthard route (as an alternative to a double heading of Re 4/4). In freight traffic they are used all over Switzerland for heavy trains, on the Gotthard route very often together with an Re 4/4II or Re 4/4III. Such a couple, often referred to as "Re 10/10" (both locomotives are Re class, so the couple is Re class; 10/10 means that they overall have 10 driven axles out of 10), is capable of pulling the maximum train weight of 1300 t on 2.6% gradients of the Gotthard line. For heavier trains, up to 1600 tons are operationally feasible, an additional bank engine has to help push the train in order to not overload the couplers.

Locomotive 11638 was retired and scrapped in 1990 due to an accident. For the renumbering to the UIC-conforming new numbering scheme in 1992, only the still existing locomotives were considered, thus the 11638 did not get a new number. But the renumbering was never done consistently. During 2005, the UIC numbering scheme was reworked, and 620 001 (instead of 000) was defined to be the smallest number. To make things easy, the scrapped 11638 also got a new number, 620 038. About half a dozen locomotives bore the new numbers at the beginning of 2006.

After two locomotives were tentatively equipped with radio remote control for pushing trains on the Gotthard line (such that the locomotive pushing at the end of the train may be controlled by the engineer at the front), about 30 locomotives were equipped with it in 2000. To make them administratively distinguishable, they got the new designation Ref 6/6.

When SBB was divided into passenger services and freight, the first thirteen locomotives (11601–11613) remained in the passenger division. On 1 January 2003 they were exchanged against the Re 460, meaning that now all remaining 88 locomotives were assigned to SBB Cargo. Due to the reassignment of the Re 460 to the passenger division, the Re 6/6 again dominated freight traffic on the Gotthard line.

The locomotives are assigned to the workshops in Erstfeld, Bellinzona and Lausanne (Lausanne: 2000, today unknown). Revisions are done at the main workshop at Bellinzona.

Naming and numbering

Since the Kantonsloks () Ae 6/6, naming of locomotives and EMUs (e.g., SBB RABDe 500, RABe 501) is common practice in Switzerland. Re 620 locomotives are numbered 11601–11689 and named after Swiss communes (except Bad Säckingen). In addition to the communes' names, also their coat of arms is indicated on the side of each engine.

The following table lists Re 620 locomotives with their number, commune names and respective coat of arms (COA). Crossed out numbers indicate scrapped locomotives. ::data[format=table]

№	COA	Name		№	COA	Name		№	COA	Name
11601	[[File:Pic Wolhusen.png	15px]]	Wolhusen		11631	[[File:Dulliken-blason.png	15px]]	Dulliken		11661
11602	[[File:CHE Morges COA.svg	15px]]	Morges	11632	[[File:Daeniken-blason.png	15px]]	Däniken	11662	[[File:CHE Péry COA.svg	15px]]
11603	[[File:Waedenswil-blazon.svg	15px]]	Wädenswil	11633	[[File:CHE Muri COA.svg	15px]]	Muri AG	11663	[[File:Eglisau-blazon.svg	15px]]
11604	[[File:Faido-coat of arms.svg	15px]]	Faido	11634	[[File:CHE Aarburg COA.svg	15px]] [[File:CHE Oftringen COA.svg	15px]]	Aarburg-Oftringen	11664	[[File:CHE Köniz COA.svg
11605	[[File:Uster-blazon.svg	15px]]	Uster	11635	[[File:Muttenz.png	15px]]	Muttenz	11665	[[File:GW-GL-Niederurnen.gif	15px]] [[File:Schänis-blazon.svg
11606	[[File:Wappen Turgi AG.svg	15px]]	Turgi	11636	[[File:CHE Vernier COA.svg	15px]] [[File:CHE Meyrin COA.svg	15px]]	Vernier-Meyrin	11666	[[File:Stein am Rhein-coat of arms.svg
11607	[[File:CHE Wattwil COA.svg	15px]]	Wattwil	11637	[[File:CHE Sonceboz-Sombeval COA.svg	15px]]	Sonceboz-Sombeval	11667	[[File:Bodio-coat of arms.svg	15px]]
11608	[[File:Wetzikon-blazon.svg	15px]]	Wetzikon	11638	[[File:CHE Ollon VD COA.svg	15px]]	St-Triphon	11668	[[File:CHE Stein COA.svg	15px]] [[File:DEU Bad Säckingen COA.svg
11609	[[File:CHE Uzwil COA.svg	15px]]	Uzwil	11639	[[File:CHE Murten FR COA.svg	15px]]	Murten	11669	[[File:Hägendorf-blazon.svg	15px]]
11610	[[File:Wappen Spreitenbach AG.svg	15px]]	Spreitenbach	11640	[[File:Münchenstein-coat of arms.svg	15px]]	Münchenstein	11670	[[File:CHE Affoltern am Albis COA.svg	15px]]
11611	[[File:Rueti-blazon.svg	15px]]	Rüti ZH	11641	[[File:CHE Moutier COA.svg	15px]]	Moutier	11671	[[File:CHE Othmarsingen COA.svg	15px]]
11612	[[File:Wappen Regensberg.svg	15px]]	Regensdorf	11642	[[File:Monthey - Wappen.svg	15px]]	Monthey	11672	[[File:CHE Balerna COA.svg	15px]]
11613	[[File:Rapperswil CoA.svg	15px]]	Rapperswil	11643	[[File:CHE Laufen BL official COA.svg	15px]]	Laufen	11673	[[File:CHE Cham COA.svg	15px]]
11614	[[File:Meilen-blazon.svg	15px]]	Meilen	11644	[[File:Blason ville suisse Cornaux (Neuchatel).svg	15px]]	Cornaux	11674	[[File:Wappen Murgenthal AG.svg	15px]]
11615	[[File:Kloten-blazon.svg	15px]]	Kloten	11645	[[File:Colombier-NE-coat of arms.svg	15px]]	Colombier	11675	[[File:Coat of arms of Gelterkinden.svg	15px]]
11616	[[File:Illnau-Effretikon-blazon.svg	15px]] [[File:CHE Effretikon COA.svg	15px]]	Illnau-Effretikon	11646	[[File:CHE Bussigny COA.svg	15px]]	Bussigny	11676	[[File:Zurzach Wappen.svg
11617	[[File:Wappen Heerbrugg.PNG	15px]]	Heerbrugg	11647	[[File:CHE Bex COA.svg	15px]]	Bex	11677	[[File:Neuhausen am Rheinfall-coat of arms.svg	15px]]
11618	[[File:Duebendorf-blazon.svg	15px]]	Dübendorf	11648	[[File:CHE Aigle COA.svg	15px]]	Aigle	11678	[[File:CHE Bassersdorf COA.svg	15px]]
11619	[[File:Arbon-blazon.svg	15px]]	Arbon	11649	[[File:CHE Aarberg BE COA.svg	15px]]	Aarberg	11679	[[File:Cadenazzo-coat of arms.svg	15px]]
11620	[[File:Wangen bO-blason.png	15px]]	Wangen bei Olten	11650	[[File:CHE Schönenwerd COA.svg	15px]]	Schönenwerd	11680	[[File:Wappen Möhlin AG.svg	15px]]
11621	[[File:Torricella-Taverne-coat of arms.svg	15px]]	Taverne-Torricella	11651	[[File:CHE Dornach SO COA.svg	15px]] [[File:Coat of arms of Arlesheim.svg	15px]]	Dornach-Arlesheim	11681	[[File:Wappen Immensee.PNG
11622	[[File:Wappen Suhr AG.svg	15px]]	Suhr	11652	[[File:Kerzers-coat of arms.svg	15px]]	Kerzers	11682	[[File:CHE Freienbach SZ COA.svg	15px]]
11623	[[File:CHE Rupperswil COA.svg	15px]]	Rupperswil	11653	[[File:CHE Gümligen COA.svg	15px]]	Gümligen	11683	[[File:Wappen Silenen.svg	15px]]
11624	[[File:Wappen Rothrist AG.svg	15px]]	Rothrist	11654	[[File:CHE Villeneuve COA.svg	15px]]	Villeneuve	11684	[[File:CHE Uznach COA.svg	15px]]
11625	[[File:Oensingen-blason.png	15px]]	Oensingen	11655	[[File:CHE Cossonay COA.svg	15px]]	Cossonay	11685	[[File:Sulgen-blazon.svg	15px]]
11626	[[File:CHE Zollikofen COA.svg	15px]]	Zollikofen	11656	[[File:Travers-coat of arms.svg	15px]]	Travers	11686	[[File:Pic Hochdorf.png	15px]]
11627	[[File:Luterbach-blason.png	15px]]	Luterbach-Attisholz	11657	[[File:Coat of Arms Estavayer-le-Lac.png	15px]]	Estavayer-le-Lac	11687	[[File:Bischofszell-blazon.svg	15px]]
11628	[[File:CHE Konolfingen COA.svg	15px]]	Konolfingen	11658	[[File:CHE Auvernier COA.svg	15px]]	Auvernier	11688	[[File:Linthal-coat of arms.png	15px]]
11629	[[File:CHE Interlaken COA.svg	15px]]	Interlaken	11659	[[File:CHE Chavornay COA.svg	15px]]	Chavornay	11689	[[File:Gerra(Gambarogno)-coat of arms.svg	15px]]
11630	[[File:CHE Herzogenbuchsee COA.svg	15px]]	Herzogenbuchsee	11660	[[File:CHE Tavannes COA.svg	15px]]	Tavannes
::

Gallery

Image:Sbb 1643 - martigny - 20-07-1985.jpg|Re 6/6 11641 in its original condition leading a passenger train in the Rhône valley at Martigny. File:SBB Re 6-6 Nr. 10601 Wolhusen - 20130217.jpg|SBB Re 6/6 Nr. 10601 Wolhusen (prototype with split body) Image:SBB-Re-6-6-11611.jpg|side view of Re 6/6 11611 with air conditioning Image:Front-Re11611.jpg|Front view of Re 6/6 11611 with air conditioning, UIC conforming plug, steps, headlights and red livery Image:2012 08 02 02 Re 6 6 11602.JPG|The first two prototypes 11601 and 11602 were built with joints in the body Image:2013 11 01 Re 6 6 11603 Waedenswil 1.JPG|The second two prototypes 11603 and 11604 were built without joints in the body File:Airolo, SBB Re 6-6 with express train at the mouth of the Gotthard tunnel (Com LC1943-001-019).jpg|Express train in 1983 SBB CFF FFS Cargo Re 620 046-3 "Bussigny" in Wil SG.jpg|SBB Cargo Re 620 046-3 "Bussigny" in Wil

References

• This article was mostly translated from the German language version of August 2006.

References

1. Meyer, Karl. (1972). "Die Prototyplokomotiven der Serie Re 6/6 der Schweizerischen Bundesbahnen". Schweitzerische Bauzeitung.
2. Nold, Michael. (2019). "60 Jahre Lokomotiven Ge 6/6 II der Rhätischen Bahn - Teil 1". [[Schweizer Eisenbahn-Revue]].
3. "European traction (SBB/CFF/FFS Re 6/6)".
4. "Re 6/6 Betriebseinsatz 1983 - 1992".
5. "Vielfachsteuerungssysteme bei den SBB (SBB Multiple Unit Control)".
6. "SBB Re 620 – Re 6/6". juergs.ch.

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