Interesting Video Showing the Workings of a 1920's Swiss Electric Locomotive

[kgbw49]

I am sure they ran like a Swiss watch.

[rcdrye]

Even by the 1920s, SBB used automatic air brakes (not vacuum) on trains. 

The straight air brake use for the locomotive itself is accurate.  There was also an Ae3/6iii, equipped by Secheron (the Ae3/6i, with quill drive, was equipped by Brown, Boveri), allowed a top speed of 90km/h.  The SLM/SAAS(Secheron) Ae3/5 was a 1-C0-1 locomotive with quill drive that was supposed to be an equivalent. The Ae3/5 did not track well, so SLM built an extended frame version with an extra pony axle for Secheron equipment, of which about a dozen were built.  All three Ae3/6 models were still in service into at least 1977 on secondary lines.

[54light15]

I traveled across Switzerland several times by train in the 1970s and I recall seeing side-rod electrics, mostly the legendary "Crocodile" type but there were others. 

[BEAUSABRE]

I think the name is Oerlikon. They are most famous for their 20mm Antiaircraft gun, that the British and US Navies mounted anywhere there was space. USA 20 mm/70 (0.79") Oerlikon Marks 1, 2, 3 and 4 - NavWeaps Still a big deal in weapons today (the Swiss may be neutral but aren't pacifists. And they don't let any moral scruples get in the way of making a profit. At one point, before France fell, the Swiss were buying German steel and sending the finished guns to both Germany and Britain)

[JayBee]

This video shows the internal workings of a Swiss electric locomotive built with licensed Westinghouse electric drive. The locomotive is a Ae 3/6 II built by the Schweizerische Locomotiv und Maschinenfabrik AG, using electrical equipment licensed from Westinghouse and manufactured by Maschinenfabrik Oerliken AG.  The class designation Ae 3/6 II shows the the locomotive has a pilot axle at each end with three driven axles between. The two traction motors are connected to a Jackshaft which connects to a Siderod that connects to the drive wheels. The video shows the Tap Changer in action with the servo motor driven camshaft, and all the components like the air compressor, the traction motor blower, the transformer cooling motor blower and its oil pump. All in action like you would never be allowed in the US where Insurance and Lawyers would prevent it.