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NSB El 4 was a class ofelectric locomotive used by theNorwegian State Railways (NSB) to transportiron ore on theOfoten Line. NSB had a total of five triple-locomotive sets.
In 1923, Ofoten Line and the SwedishIron Ore Line were electrified and NSB had to acquire electric locomotives to haul the trains. NSB chose to order five double-engineEl 3 units and five triple-engine El 4 units for the purpose. The El 4 were built atNEBB,Thune andHamar Jernstøberi.
AfterWorld War II, the production of iron ore inKiruna andMalmberget increased dramatically and the train length was increased, with the consequence that each train needed more propulsion. NSB chose to order eight newEl 12 locomotives at the same time it combined the ten El 3 locomotives to make three triple-engine sets with one reserve.
When theEl 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. One engine, 4.2046, is buried under gravel and soil below the railway nearKatterat, where it ended up at a derailment in 1959. Heavy rainfall had caused flooding that damaged the line in Sørddalen. 4.2046 was hauling an inspection train when theembankment that carried the track failed and the engine tipped over. Usable parts were stripped from the engine before it was buried when the embankment was rebuilt.[1][2]
