View source for NSB El 3

{{unreferenced|date=March 2015}}
{{expand Norwegian|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox locomotive
| name=NSB El 3
| powertype=Electric
| image=File:Narvik jernbanestasjon - no-nb digifoto 20151009 00193 NB MIT FNR 05199 (crop to loco).jpg
| operator=[[Norwegian State Railways (1883–1996)|Norwegian State Railways]]
| numinclass=10
| builder=[[Thune (company)|Thune]]<br>[[Hamar Jernstøberi]]<br>[[Siemens]]<br>[[AEG (German company)|AEG]]
| builddate=1925 and 1929
| firstrundate=1925
| fleetnumbers=3&ensp;2025 – 3&ensp;2032<br>3&ensp;2047 – 3&ensp;2048
| length={{convert|21.1|m|ftin|frac=8|abbr=on}} (double)
| electricsystem = [[15 kV 16.7 Hz]] [[Overhead line|Catenary]]
| collectionmethod = [[Pantograph (rail)|Pantograph]]
| locoweight={{convert|138.3|t|lk=on|disp=br()}}
| uicclass=[[(1′C)+(C1′)]]
| maxspeed={{convert|60|km/h|abbr=on}}
| gauge = {{track gauge|sg|allk=on}}
}}

'''NSB El 3''' was an [[electric locomotive]] used by the [[Norwegian State Railways (1883–1996)|Norwegian State Railways]] (NSB) to transport [[iron ore]] on the [[Ofoten Line]]. Five twin-locomotive sets were in service from 1925 to 1967.

== History ==

The Swedish part of the ore line, the [[Iron Ore Line]], 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 [[NSB El 4|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 [[SJ Of|Of]]-locomotives, yet NSB chose to base the El 3 on the older [[SJ Oe|Oe]]. Build by [[Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget|ASEA]], they were equipped with [[quill drive]] and [[regenerative brake|regenerative braking]]; the latter only caused problems though, 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 {{convert|3,100|t|0}}. In 1953-54 the locomotives were rebuilt to three triple-engine sets and supplemented with eight [[NSB El 12|El 12]]. When LKAB chose to increase train weights more in the late 1960s, NSB responded with the order of the [[NSB El 15|El 15]]. All El 3 and El 4 units were taken out of service with the delivery in 1967, none being preserved.

== External links ==
* [https://jernbane.net/bo/subpage.php?s=3&t=3 Jernbane.net page on El 3 with pictures] {{in lang|no}}


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{{NSB stock}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:NSB El 03}}

[[Category:15 kV AC locomotives]]
[[Category:Norwegian State Railways (1883–1996) locomotives|El 03]]
[[Category:Siemens locomotives]]
[[Category:AEG locomotives]]
[[Category:Thune locomotives]]
[[Category:Ofoten Line]]
[[Category:Electric locomotives of Norway]]
[[Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1925]]
[[Category:(1′C)+(C1′) locomotives]]