Swiss Steam Locomotives since 1900

By Martin Fisher

THIS book is a magnificent survey of Swiss steam locos – a topic overlooked by English language publishers in the past. Switzerland, uniquely amongst world railways, adopted mainline electrification early in the twentieth century and relentlessly carried on electrifying so that by the 1950/60s, when every other European railway was looking to buy diesel locos, 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 mainline electrification over a century ago in 1919 using the 15kV AC system still in use today, so the vast majority of Swiss steam locos 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 loco 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 locos that remain (and many do) are now between 70 and 100 years old, or older. For anyone interested in the history of Swiss railways or steam loco development more generally this excellent book is very highly recommended.