Power type Electric Build date 1925–1929 | Builder NEBB/Thune/Hamar UIC class 1′C+C1′ | |
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Length 19.6 m (64 ft 3.7 in) (triple) Loco weight 134.5 tonnes (132.4 long tons; 148.3 short tons) | ||
NSB El 4 was a class of electric locomotive used by the Norwegian State Railways (NSB) to transport iron ore on the Ofoten Line. NSB had a total of five triple-locomotive sets.
History
In 1923, Ofoten Line and the Swedish Iron Ore Line were electrified and NSB had to acquire electric locomotives to haul the trains. NSB chose to order five double-engine El 3 units and five triple-engine El 4 units for the purpose. The El 4 were built at NEBB, Thune and Hamar Jernstøberi.
After World War II, the production of iron ore in Kiruna and Malmberget increased dramatically and the train length was increased, with the consequence that each train needed more propulsion. NSB chose to order eight new El 12 locomotives at the same time it combined the ten El 3 locomotives to make three triple-engine sets with one reserve.
When the El 15 locomotives were delivered in 1967, the El 3 and El 4 units were taken out of service. None of the locomotives have been preserved.