Locomotive Ge 4/4 # 81 (or BB # 81) of the Blonay-Chamby Railroad Museum, built in 1916 by SLM and BBC for the then independent Bernina Railway as Ge 2x3/3 (later Ge 6/6) # 81, is back on the old home rails for about one year. The former Bernina Bahn freight and express train locomotive is on the Alp da Buond Sur between Bernina Lagalb and Ospizio Bernina during a photo charter. More then 100 years before, the rapid increase in traffic at the time called for a dedicated locomotive for heavy traffic. With a weight of 45 tons, originally distributed over six drive axles and two small axles for the subframe of the brake frame with the electromagnetic rail brake, and four traction motors, it was considered the most powerful meter-gauge locomotive in Europe at the time. Two motors were bolted to each bogie frame, and power was initially transmitted from the motor shaft to a countershaft. The two countershafts and the center driving axle of each bogie were connected by a triangular frame. The outer axles were driven by means of coupling rods. This arrangement did not prove successful. It has been reported that a triangular coupling rod was thrown through the roof at full speed after the cranks broke. In 1929, the locomotive was converted from the C'C' wheel arrangement to the B'B' wheel arrangement. The conversion was intended to increase the locomotive's power for planned express trains. The center axle of each bogie was replaced with a jackshaft. Power transmission from the engines is now by a gearbox. The driving axles are driven by slotted coupling rods. During the rebuild, the locomotive was prepared for the upcoming voltage increase from 750 volts to 1000 volts. This allowed the power to be increased from 960 hp to 1040 hp. The maximum permissible speed was reduced from 50 km/h to 45 km/h. As a special feature, the locomotive has a subframe equipped with two axles for the electromagnetic rail brake fed from the catenary. This aditional brake system is compulsory for the grade of up to 7.0 % of the Bernina line. In 1964 it was taken out of service, in 1968 officially withdrawn by the RhB and in 1970 the impressive vehicle came to the young Blonay-Chamby (BC) museum railroad, where it was initially used regularly. From 1990, damage to the electrical equipment prevented further use. It was not until 2008, with the help of a sponsor, that the refurbishement of the locomotive started and in 2018 she ran again in full glory.The "BB 81" is guest in Grisons (Bernina line) since august 2021 for about one year.
