The Ce 6/8 I 14201' was one of four test locomotives ordered by the Schweizerischen Bundesbahnen (Swiss Federal Railways) (SBB) in June 1917. For gaining experience for ordering electrical locomotives this locomotive should – as its three siblings Be 3/5 12201, Be 4/6 12301 and Be 4/6 12302 – have been used for services on the Gotthardbahn (Gotthard railway). The development of freight locomotives subsequently took a completely different way which was not conceivable at the ordering date (see Ce 6/8II). The Ce 6/8I came into service only after the first Ce 6/8II.