BLS - Die Loks Ae 4/4 und Ae 8/8 - Power auf der Lötschberg-Rampe

The Ae 4/4 of the BLS brought about a worldwide change in locomotive construction. Introduced in the mid-1940s, this locomotive was considered the world's first powerful axle-less bogie locomotive. With significant parts of its design, it ventured into uncharted territory - the success of the locomotive was fraught with risk. The success of the Ae 4/4 was all the greater. The 4000 HP machines could haul trains weighing 400 tons up the steep 27‰ gradients at Lötschberg at speeds of up to 75 km/h. In the mid-1960s, four Ae 4/4 units were combined to create two Ae 8/8 double locomotives, and three additional machines were built as new constructions. The Ae 8/8, with 8800 HP, was considered one of the strongest locomotives in Europe. Peter Hürzeler and Hans Roth, both recognized experts, present in this book for the first time the complete history and technology of the BLS locomotives Ae 4/4 and Ae 8/8. It also features never-before-published and fascinating photos of these machines in operation.