NSB El 4

NSB El 4
Power type	Electric
Builder	NEBB/Thune/Hamar
Build date	1925-1929
UIC classification	1'C+C1'
Length	19.6 m (triple)
Locomotive weight	134.5 tonnes
Top speed	60 km/h
Power output	2,088 kW
Career	Norges Statsbaner
Number in class	5 (triple sections)
Number	4 2033 – 4 2034 4 2044 – 4 2046
First run	1925

NSB El 4 was an electric locomotive used by Norges Statsbaner (the Norwegian State Railways, NSB) to transport iron ore on Ofotbanen. NSB had a total of five triple-locomotive sets.

History

In 1923 Ofotbanen and Malmbanan 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.

External links

• Media related to NSB El 4 at Wikimedia Commons
• Jernbane.net page on El 4 with pictures (Norwegian)