NSB El 18
The El 18 is an electric locomotive of the Norwegian State Railways NSB.
History
After an international tender by the Norwegian State Railways ( NSB) was able to receive an order for 22 new universal locomotives in Norway in September 1994, a consortium of the Swiss Locomotive and Machine Works (SLM ), the ABB traffic systems AG in Zurich and ABB Strømmens Værksted. SLM and ABB had already developed with the 460 series SBB Re a modern and successful locomotive, which aroused interest outside of Switzerland.
Thus, the SBB locomotives 460 055 and 460 066 were for half a year to Norway. They were classified into freight trains, and so dragged through Germany. In Norway they received on both fronts ever a snowplow and sided regular services both freight and passenger trains. In view of the driver shortage during the sporting events in Lillehammer one was happy with the two additional locomotives. The 460 055 was provided with the name of Lillehammer and their use since the 460 066 is called in Norway Finse. The ABB traffic systems AG had the Re 460 series tested with the air chamber on their suitability cold - in Norway, it can get cold up to -50 ° C.
Construction
The El 18 has a slightly lower performance than the Re 460 series, but additional equipment for operation in Arctic conditions, such as may occur in Norway. The electrical part substantially corresponding to the BLS 465 Re
Special
The locomotive is decorated for an external power supply to the heating system locomotive on the local network base of 400 V at 50 Hz. Therefore, a parking position with a lowered bar is possible.
As a comfort device, the locomotives have air-conditioned cab of a refrigerator and a stove for making coffee.
As a special feature worth mentioning is the hunting rifle that is on all Norwegian locomotives in a lockable cabinet to the case of a wild accident (especially with moose ) to be able to redeem the affected injured animal.
Area of application
Although it is built as a universal locomotive, it is mainly used in the high passenger train service. It is to be found above all in front of long-distance trains with conventional rolling stock. On the routes Oslo - Kristiansand - Stavanger ( Sørlandsbanen ), Oslo - Bergen ( mountain railway ) and Oslo - Trondheim ( Dovrebahn ) 73 has been slightly displaced some of these features through the use of multiple units of the NSB type. However, the El 18 is indispensable before the night trains. In addition, in the rush hour trains on the routes Oslo - Halden ( Østfoldbanen ) and covered Oslo Skien ( Vestfoldbanen ).
Accidents
Locomotives of the El 18 Series were already implicated in several serious accidents. Thus, in the El 18 in 2253 and 2261 had to be completely replaced, depending a cab.