NSB BM66
Encyclopedia
NSB Class 66 was a three-car electric train
used by the Norwegian State Railways for express trains on the Østfold Line to Halden
and Gothenburg
, and the Sørland Line to Kristiansand
and Stavanger
. The four multiple unit
s were built by Skabo
, with motors from Norsk Elektrisk & Brown Boveri
, and delivered in 1945–46. They were originally named Class 106, but this was changed in 1956. The trains received the numbering BFM 66.01–04, B 66.31–34 and BS 66.61–64.
The class was the electric counterpart of diesel Class 88. With a power output of 474 kW, it was the first train capable of 120 km/h (74.6 mph) in Norway. One of the Class 66 trains was involved in the Hjuksebø train disaster
in 1950. Since 1967, the trains served on the Vestfold Line. The Class 66 was retired from service in 1977. BFM 66.01 has been preserved by the Norwegian Railway Museum.
, Skabo Jernbanevognfabrikk and Norsk Elektrisk & Brown Boveri (NEBB). The diesel series was assembled by Strømmen, while Skabo assembled the electric version. NEBB delivered the motors for the units.
During construction, which occurred during World War II, there were several modifications, delays and accidents during construction to avoid the trains being finished before the war ended; this was to avoid the finished trains to be able to assist the German occupation forces. The first three units were finished in 1945, and delivery was completed the following year. The class was originally numbered 106, but NSB changed the numbering system in 1956, and the class was renumbered to 66. The units consisted of three cars, given the lettering BFM, B and BS. They were numbered 66.01–04, 66.31–34 and 66.61–64, respectively; this numbering system dates from 1970.
Seating was carried for 170 passengers - 46, 70 and 54 respectively for the cars. The motor car had a saloon section with ten seats; however, this was converted to conventional seating in 1956. It also had a 15 m² (161.5 sq ft) cargo section. The center and end cars each had two sections, and the latter had a 13 m² (139.9 sq ft) cargo area. However, 66.64 instead had a restaurant with 23 seats. This was for when the trains were planned to be used on the Dovre Line. However, the line was not electrified until after the class had been removed from service.
Class 66 was put into service on the Østfold Line on 23 June 1946. It reduced travel time to Halden to 1 hour and 53 minutes, and was branded as the Østfold Express. From 16 February to 8 September 1946, it also had three weekly services that continued to Gothenburg
, Sweden, as the Gothenburg Express. This was accomplished in 5 hours and 5 minutes. The high speed prohibited standing, and all passengers were required to purchase a seat reservation for . Three units were in operation at any given time, while the fourth was at service or in reserve. This proved to be too optimistic—during the 1950s, there were several periods were the trains were taken out of service due to lack of maintenance. During 1954, Saturday trains were operated as double units.
On 9 June 1947, the class was also taken into use from Oslo West Station
(Oslo V) on the Vestfold Line, and along the Sørland Line to Kongsberg
. From the 1 June 1949, after the Sørland Line was electrified to Kristiansand
, these services were shifted to the Sørland Express. On 15 November 1950, one unit was involved in the Hjuksebø train disaster
, and the end car needed to be fully rebuilt. From 1 December 1956, when the whole Sørland Line to Stavanger
was electrified, the service was extended and rebranded the Stavanger Express. To free up sufficient stock, the Østfold Express was discontinued on 14 November 1956. The Sørland Express operated each day, while the Stavanger Express only operated three times a week. However, the Stavanger Express did not prove a success, featuring low passenger numbers, and the last train ran on 24 August 1958. The trains remained in service on the Sørland Express until 27 May 1967.
During the 1960s, the new El 13
locomotives were delivered, and locomotive-hauled express trains replaced the multiple units. From 28 May 1967, Class 66 was moved to serve the Vestfold Line. It operated in services to Skien
until 3 June 1973, after which it only served to Larvik
. During the summer of 1975, they could also be seen operating Oslo V – Nelaug
, and during the fall of 1976 on Oslo V – Drammen
. The units were taken out of service on 21 May 1977.
A single motor car, 66.01, has been preserved by the Norwegian Railway Museum, and is located at Elverum Station
.
occurred, when a Class 66 train on route from Kristiansand to Oslo collided with freight cars that were running uncontrolled along the track between Hjuksebø
and Holtås. The accident is among the most disastrous in Norwegian history, killing twelve people.
On 26 March 1957, motor car 66.03 and center car 18821 were damaged in a fire at Kristiansand. Both were retired due to the large damages. On 8 June 1969, a unit derailed at between Eidanger
and Oklungen
, but was restored. Motor car 66.02 was exposed to a fire on 4 June 1975, and again on 28 December 1976. After the latter incident, the car was retired.
Electric multiple unit
An electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...
used by the Norwegian State Railways for express trains on the Østfold Line to Halden
Halden
is a both a town and a municipality in Østfold county, Norway. The seat of the municipality, Halden is a border town located at the Tista river delta on the Iddefjord, the southernmost border crossing between Norway and Sweden.-History:...
and Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
, and the Sørland Line to Kristiansand
Kristiansand
-History:As indicated by archeological findings in the city, the Kristiansand area has been settled at least since 400 AD. A royal farm is known to have been situated on Oddernes as early as 800, and the first church was built around 1040...
and Stavanger
Stavanger
Stavanger is a city and municipality in the county of Rogaland, Norway.Stavanger municipality has a population of 126,469. There are 197,852 people living in the Stavanger conurbation, making Stavanger the fourth largest city, but the third largest urban area, in Norway...
. The four multiple unit
Multiple unit
The term multiple unit or MU is used to describe a self-propelled carriages capable of coupling with other units of the same or similar type and still being controlled from one driving cab. The term is commonly used to denote passenger trainsets consisting of more than one carriage...
s were built by Skabo
Skabo Jernbanevognfabrikk
Skabo Jernbanevognfabrikk was a mechanical workshop focusing on design and construction of railcars. It was established by Hans Skabo in Drammen, Norway in 1864; it became the first rail car factory in the country when it took delivery of the cars for Kongsvingerbanen...
, with motors from Norsk Elektrisk & Brown Boveri
Norsk Elektrisk & Brown Boveri
Norsk Elektrisk & Brown Boveri A/S also known as NEBB was a Norwegian manufacturing company, which built a large amount of the rolling stock that is used by Norges Statsbaner. The plant was located at Skøyen. In 1988 it merged into Asea Brown Boveri ....
, and delivered in 1945–46. They were originally named Class 106, but this was changed in 1956. The trains received the numbering BFM 66.01–04, B 66.31–34 and BS 66.61–64.
The class was the electric counterpart of diesel Class 88. With a power output of 474 kW, it was the first train capable of 120 km/h (74.6 mph) in Norway. One of the Class 66 trains was involved in the Hjuksebø train disaster
Hjuksebø train disaster
The Hjuksebø train disaster was a rail accident on the railway Sørlandsbanen on 15 November 1950 between the stations of Hjuksebø and Holtsås in the Sauherad municipality in Telemark, Norway. With fourteen deaths resulting from the crash, this was Norway's worst railway accident in peacetime until...
in 1950. Since 1967, the trains served on the Vestfold Line. The Class 66 was retired from service in 1977. BFM 66.01 has been preserved by the Norwegian Railway Museum.
Construction
Four Class 66 units were ordered by the Norwegian State Railways (NSB) in 1939, to be used as express trains on the then newly or shortly-to-be electrified Sørland- and Østfold Lines. At the same time, similar Class 88 diesel multiple units were ordered for the non-electrified Bergen- and Dovre Lines. The trains were built by Strømmens VærkstedStrømmens Værksted
Strømmens Værksted A/S was an industrial company based in Skedsmo, Norway, specializing in the production of rolling stock. Founded in 1873, it remains as a part of Bombardier Transportation...
, Skabo Jernbanevognfabrikk and Norsk Elektrisk & Brown Boveri (NEBB). The diesel series was assembled by Strømmen, while Skabo assembled the electric version. NEBB delivered the motors for the units.
During construction, which occurred during World War II, there were several modifications, delays and accidents during construction to avoid the trains being finished before the war ended; this was to avoid the finished trains to be able to assist the German occupation forces. The first three units were finished in 1945, and delivery was completed the following year. The class was originally numbered 106, but NSB changed the numbering system in 1956, and the class was renumbered to 66. The units consisted of three cars, given the lettering BFM, B and BS. They were numbered 66.01–04, 66.31–34 and 66.61–64, respectively; this numbering system dates from 1970.
Specifications
The trains had aluminum bodies, that were painted in the unusual colors of blue and yellow. Total weight for three cars was 102.2 tonne, of which the cars respectively weighed 46.7 tonne (BFM), 28 tonne (B) and 27.5 tonne (BS). Total length was 66.1 m (216.9 ft). The first car was the only one equipped with motors; the four motors had a total power output of 474 hp. This allowed a maximum speed of 120 km/h (74.6 mph), and it was the first train in Norway able to run at this speed. The trains were painted beige (upper half) and deep blue (lower half), an until then unused color scheme in NSB. Only the Class 88 had a similar livery.Seating was carried for 170 passengers - 46, 70 and 54 respectively for the cars. The motor car had a saloon section with ten seats; however, this was converted to conventional seating in 1956. It also had a 15 m² (161.5 sq ft) cargo section. The center and end cars each had two sections, and the latter had a 13 m² (139.9 sq ft) cargo area. However, 66.64 instead had a restaurant with 23 seats. This was for when the trains were planned to be used on the Dovre Line. However, the line was not electrified until after the class had been removed from service.
Operation
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
, Sweden, as the Gothenburg Express. This was accomplished in 5 hours and 5 minutes. The high speed prohibited standing, and all passengers were required to purchase a seat reservation for . Three units were in operation at any given time, while the fourth was at service or in reserve. This proved to be too optimistic—during the 1950s, there were several periods were the trains were taken out of service due to lack of maintenance. During 1954, Saturday trains were operated as double units.
On 9 June 1947, the class was also taken into use from Oslo West Station
Oslo Vestbanestasjon
Oslo West Station or Oslo V, is a former railway station located in Vika in Oslo, Norway. It was the terminus of the Drammen Line between 1872 and 1980, until the Oslo Tunnel opened. The station remained in use until 1989, when all traffic was moved to the new Oslo Central Station...
(Oslo V) on the Vestfold Line, and along the Sørland Line to Kongsberg
Kongsberg Station
Kongsberg Station is a railway station located in downtown Kongsberg in Buskerud, Norway, on the Sørland Line. The station is served by express trains to Kristiansand and is the terminus of the local trains from Oslo and Eidsvoll.-History:...
. From the 1 June 1949, after the Sørland Line was electrified to Kristiansand
Kristiansand Station
Kristiansand Station is a railway station located in downtown Kristiansand in Vest-Agder, Norway on the Sørland Line. The station is served by regional trains to Oslo and Stavanger...
, these services were shifted to the Sørland Express. On 15 November 1950, one unit was involved in the Hjuksebø train disaster
Hjuksebø train disaster
The Hjuksebø train disaster was a rail accident on the railway Sørlandsbanen on 15 November 1950 between the stations of Hjuksebø and Holtsås in the Sauherad municipality in Telemark, Norway. With fourteen deaths resulting from the crash, this was Norway's worst railway accident in peacetime until...
, and the end car needed to be fully rebuilt. From 1 December 1956, when the whole Sørland Line to Stavanger
Stavanger Station
Stavanger Station is a railway station located in downtown Stavanger in Rogaland, Norway and the terminus of the Sørland Line. The station is served by regional trains to Kristiansand and the Jæren Commuter Rail.-History:...
was electrified, the service was extended and rebranded the Stavanger Express. To free up sufficient stock, the Østfold Express was discontinued on 14 November 1956. The Sørland Express operated each day, while the Stavanger Express only operated three times a week. However, the Stavanger Express did not prove a success, featuring low passenger numbers, and the last train ran on 24 August 1958. The trains remained in service on the Sørland Express until 27 May 1967.
During the 1960s, the new El 13
NSB El 13
NSB El 13 is a Norwegian electric locomotive which was used by Norges Statsbaner for both passenger and freight trains.The locomotive is a heavier and upgraded version of the NSB El 11 which was popular among its crew but unsuitable for journeys in heavy snow on lines such as Bergensbanen. Like...
locomotives were delivered, and locomotive-hauled express trains replaced the multiple units. From 28 May 1967, Class 66 was moved to serve the Vestfold Line. It operated in services to Skien
Skien Station
Skien is a railway station located about one kilometer from downtown Skien. The station serves as terminus for the regional trains on Vestfoldbanen from Oslo via Vestfold and for the local trains to Notodden on Bratsbergbanen....
until 3 June 1973, after which it only served to Larvik
Larvik Station
Larvik Station is a railway station on Vestfoldbanen in Larvik, Norway. The station is served with InterCity Express trains operated by Norges Statsbaner. The station opened as part of Vestfoldbanen in 1881.-External links:*...
. During the summer of 1975, they could also be seen operating Oslo V – Nelaug
Nelaug Station
Nelaug Station is a railway station located at Nelaug in Åmli, Norway, north of the Nelaug Lake. The station functions as a meeting station of Sørland Line and Arendal Line, that latter which the station functions as terminal station for...
, and during the fall of 1976 on Oslo V – Drammen
Drammen Station
Drammen is a railway station located in downtown Drammen in Buskerud, Norway. The station is the terminus of both the Randsfjord Line, the Drammen Line and the Vestfold Line...
. The units were taken out of service on 21 May 1977.
A single motor car, 66.01, has been preserved by the Norwegian Railway Museum, and is located at Elverum Station
Elverum Station
Elverum Station is a railway station located at Vestad, on the west side of Glomma of Elverum, Norway. The station is on the Røros Line, in addition to being the terminus of the Solør Line.-History:...
.
Incidents
On 15 November 1950, the Hjuksebø train disasterHjuksebø train disaster
The Hjuksebø train disaster was a rail accident on the railway Sørlandsbanen on 15 November 1950 between the stations of Hjuksebø and Holtsås in the Sauherad municipality in Telemark, Norway. With fourteen deaths resulting from the crash, this was Norway's worst railway accident in peacetime until...
occurred, when a Class 66 train on route from Kristiansand to Oslo collided with freight cars that were running uncontrolled along the track between Hjuksebø
Hjuksebø Station
Hjuksebø Station is a former railway station on the Sørland Line and the Bratsberg Line, located at Hjuksebø in Sauherad, Norway.-References:...
and Holtås. The accident is among the most disastrous in Norwegian history, killing twelve people.
On 26 March 1957, motor car 66.03 and center car 18821 were damaged in a fire at Kristiansand. Both were retired due to the large damages. On 8 June 1969, a unit derailed at between Eidanger
Eidanger Station
Eidanger Station is a disused railway station in Porsgrunn, Norway on Bratsbergbanen. The station is the terminal station of both Bratsbergbanen and Brevikbanen, as well as being on Vestfoldbanen.-History:...
and Oklungen
Oklungen Station
Oklungen Station is a railway station on Vestfoldbanen in the village of Oklungen in Porsgrunn, Norway. The station is served with InterCity Express trains operated by Norges Statsbaner. The station opened as part of Vestfoldbanen in 1882.-External links:...
, but was restored. Motor car 66.02 was exposed to a fire on 4 June 1975, and again on 28 December 1976. After the latter incident, the car was retired.