NSB El 3
Encyclopedia
NSB El 3 was an electric locomotive
used by Norges Statsbaner (NSB) to transport iron ore on Ofotbanen. Five twin-locomotive sets were in service from 1925 to 1967.
, was electrified in 1915 but Norway kept using steam locomotive
s until the Norwegian electrification in 1923. As Norwegian traction the El 3 was chosen along with five triple-engine El 4
units. Eight El 3 were built with delivery on August 9, 1925, two more on October 19, 1929. The El 3 and El 4 had about the same characteristics and used for the same purpose and ordered simultaneously; choosing two models like this is atypical for railway companies because of higher maintenance costs.
By 1922 SJ had placed an order on the new Of-locomotives, yet NSB chose to base the El 3 on the older Oe. Build by ASEA, they were equipped with quill drive
and regenerative braking
; the latter only caused problems thou, excessively increasing the current that caused damage. They only served on the Norwegian lines until 1949, after which they were where put into through trains to Kiruna
. In 1950 LKAB
decided to increase the mine output, requiring trains now to haul 3,100 tonnes. In 1953-54 the locomotives were rebuilt to three triple-engine sets and supplemented with eight El 12
. When LKAB chose to increase train weights more in the late 1960s, NSB responded with the order of the El 15
. All El 3 and El 4 units were taken out of service with the delivery in 1967, none being preserved.
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
used by Norges Statsbaner (NSB) to transport iron ore on Ofotbanen. Five twin-locomotive sets were in service from 1925 to 1967.
History
The Swedish part of the ore line, MalmbananMalmbanan
The Iron Ore Line is a long railway line between Riksgränsen and Boden in Norrbotten County, Sweden. The line contains two branches, from Kiruna to Svappavaara and from Gällivare to Koskullskulle. The term is often colloquially used to also include the Ofoten Line, from Riksgränsen to Narvik in...
, was electrified in 1915 but Norway kept using steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
s until the Norwegian electrification in 1923. As Norwegian traction the El 3 was chosen along with five triple-engine El 4
NSB El 4
NSB El 4 was an electric locomotive used by Norges Statsbaner to transport iron ore on Ofotbanen. NSB had a total of five triple-locomotive sets.-History:...
units. Eight El 3 were built with delivery on August 9, 1925, two more on October 19, 1929. The El 3 and El 4 had about the same characteristics and used for the same purpose and ordered simultaneously; choosing two models like this is atypical for railway companies because of higher maintenance costs.
By 1922 SJ had placed an order on the new Of-locomotives, yet NSB chose to base the El 3 on the older Oe. Build by ASEA, they were equipped with quill drive
Quill drive
A quill drive is a mechanism that allows a drive shaft to shift its position relative to its driving shaft. It consists of a hollow driving shaft with a driven shaft inside it...
and regenerative braking
Regenerative brake
A regenerative brake is an energy recovery mechanism which slows a vehicle or object down by converting its kinetic energy into another form, which can be either used immediately or stored until needed...
; the latter only caused problems thou, excessively increasing the current that caused damage. They only served on the Norwegian lines until 1949, after which they were where put into through trains to Kiruna
Kiruna
Kiruna is the northernmost city in Sweden, situated in Lapland province, with 18,154 inhabitants in 2005. It is the seat of Kiruna Municipality Kiruna (Northern Sami: Giron, Finnish: Kiiruna) is the northernmost city in Sweden, situated in Lapland province, with 18,154 inhabitants in 2005. It is...
. In 1950 LKAB
LKAB
LKAB is a Swedish mining company. The company mines iron ore at Kiruna and at Malmberget in northern Sweden. The company was established in 1890, and has been 100% state-owned since the 1950s...
decided to increase the mine output, requiring trains now to haul 3,100 tonnes. In 1953-54 the locomotives were rebuilt to three triple-engine sets and supplemented with eight El 12
NSB El 12
NSB El 12 was an electric locomotive used by Norges Statsbaner to haul iron ore trains on Ofotbanen between 1957 and 1990. The locomotives were based on the Swedish Dm that was used with success on the connecting Malmbanan. The eight units were always operated in pairs or in triples and were...
. When LKAB chose to increase train weights more in the late 1960s, NSB responded with the order of the El 15
NSB El 15
NSB El 15 is a class of electric locomotives which are now operated by the Swedish company Hector Rail as Class 161 locomotives. The locomotives were originally built for the Norwegian State Railways in 1967 to replace the NSB El 3 and NSB El 4 engines on Ofotbanen...
. All El 3 and El 4 units were taken out of service with the delivery in 1967, none being preserved.