NSB Di 8

NSB Di 8
CargoNet Di 8.709 at Marienborg in Trondheim, Norway
Power type	Diesel
Builder	Siemens Schienenfahrzeugtechnik[1]
Build date	1996–1997[2]
Total produced	20[1][2]
UIC classification	Bo′Bo′[2]
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)[1]
Length	17.4 m (57 ft 1 in)[2]
Width	3.0 m (9 ft 10 in)[1]
Height	4.385 m (14 ft 4.6 in)[1]
Locomotive weight	82 t[2]
Fuel capacity	3,500 l (770 imp gal; 920 US gal)[1]
Engine type	Caterpillar 3516 DITA[1][2]
Top speed	120 km/h (75 mph)[2]
Power output	1,570 kW (2,110 hp)[1][2]
Career	Norges Statsbaner 1997-2002 CargoNet 2002-
Number	Di 8.701 to Di 8.720

The NSB Di 8 is a class of diesel electric locomotives used by Norwegian railway company CargoNet for freight use.

20 engines were built between 1996 and 1997 at the Maschinenbau Kiel (MaK) plant in Kiel whilst it was part of Siemens Schienenfahrzeugtechnik

Background and details

In the 1990s the Norwegian State Railway had a need for light to medium power freight locomotives; at first the company hired DE 6400 type locomotives (see NS Class 6400) of the type used by the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS). This led to an order of twenty similar locomotives, with features similar to the NS Class 6400 and the MaK DE 1002.^[1] including the single slightly off centre cab.

The locomotives were about 3 m (9 ft 10 in) longer than their predecessors, and were powered by a more powerful Caterpillar Inc. engine (about 300 to 400 kW more powerful). Additionally the electrical transmission system was now sourced from Siemens (the locomotive factory's ultimate owner) rather than an ABB system as had been used previously. The Siemens electrical system utilised gate turn-off thyristor (GTO) semiconductor technology to supply the traction motors, while the auxiliary electrical equipment was powered by a insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) inverter.^[1]

In 2002 the locomotives passed to CargoNet^[1] after the split of Norges Statsbaner (NSB) into passenger and freight companies.

The locomotives have had reliability problems and were at one time offered for sale, but no buyers were found.^[2] The locomotives can operate in pairs, and the driving conditions are said to be good.^[3]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k} MaK - Di 8 für die NSB, loks-aus-kiel.de
2. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i} NSB Diesellokomotiv type Di 8, jernbane.net
3. ^ Norsk Lokomotivmannsforbund - Nye diessellokomotivier lokmann.no