Swiss Steam Locomotives since 1900

By Martin Fisher (hardback, Swiss Railways Society, www. swissrailsoc.org.uk, 224pp, £35, ISBN 9781916296862).

HERE is a magnificent survey of Swiss steam locomotives – a topic overlooked by English language publishers in the past.

Switzerland, uniquely among world railways, adopted main line electrification early in the 20th century and relentlessly carried on electrifying so that by the 1950/60s, when every other European railway was looking to buy diesel locomotives, the last pockets of steam in Switzerland were replaced by new electric trains.

The book begins with a useful summary of how Switzerland’s several major railways became the Federal railway company SBB/CFF/ FFS and details the fleet it inherited. SBB began main line electrification more than a century ago in 1919 using the 15kV AC system still in use today, so the vast majority of Swiss steam engines were built well before the 1920s. By 1960, less than 200 survived in use, although others remained in strategic store for the military, but SBB withdrew its last steam locomotive in November 1968.

The book then covers the multiplicity of non-SBB companies in Switzerland, both standard and narrow gauge; again, the common theme is early electrification, meaning most steam locomotives that remain (and many do) are now 70-100 years old, or older.

Each chapter contains entries for every type of steam locomotive built for the company. A short description is provided for each type, along with several of archive photographs and a technical diagram, where possible.

For anyone interested in the history of Swiss railways or steam locomotives development more generally, this excellent book is very highly recommended.

NEW DOOR INTO SWISS STEAM