NSB Class 69

NSB Class 69 (Norwegian: NSB type 69) is an electric multiple unit used by Norwegian State Railways for a variety of commuter trains on the Norwegian railway system, as well as a few medium distance and branch line trains. It is the most common type of trainset in Norway, although the newer NSB Class 72 has also been introduced. All the trains were built by Strømmen.

NSB Class 69
Old (right) and new liveries at Kongsvinger
In service1971 – 2019
ManufacturerStrømmen
Refurbished2005 (G-series)
Number built85 units
Formation2 or 3 cars
Capacity189 seats (A-series)
282–306 (3 car 2-series)
180–204 (3 car B-series)
301 (C-series)
300–303 (D-series)
178 (E-series)
270 (G-series)
Operator(s)Norwegian State Railways
NSB Gjøvikbanen (G-series)
Line(s) servedDrammen Line
Gjøvik Line
Østfold Line
Hoved Line
Voss Line
Specifications
Car lengthEnd cars:
24.85 m (81 ft 6.3 in) (A, B, C)
25.06 m (82 ft 2.6 in) (D, E, G)
Centre cars:
24.25 m (79 ft 6.7 in) (B)
27 m (88 ft 7.0 in) (C, D, E, G)
Maximum speed130 km/h (81 mph)
WeightMotor car: 53.9 t (53.0 long tons; 59.4 short tons) (A-series)
54 t (B-series)
53.5 t (52.7 long tons; 59.0 short tons) (C-series)
60.5 t (59.5 long tons; 66.7 short tons) (D-series)
64 t (63 long tons; 71 short tons) (E-series)
Centre cars:
28.8 t (28.3 long tons; 31.7 short tons) (B-series)
35 t (34 long tons; 39 short tons) (C-, D-series)
38 t (37 long tons; 42 short tons) (E-series)
Steering cars:
29 t (29 long tons; 32 short tons) (A-, C-series)
28.5 t (28.0 long tons; 31.4 short tons) (B-series)
35.5 t (34.9 long tons; 39.1 short tons) (D-series)
37 t (36 long tons; 41 short tons) (E-series)
Power output1,632 hp (1,217 kW)
Electric system(s)15 kV  16.7 Hz AC Catenary
Current collection methodPantograph
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)

History

During the 1960s NSB realized that they would need a new generation of electric multiple units for local traffic. Both the Class 65, 67 and 68 had for thirty years been built with slight modifications, and NSB needed both new and more modern trains for their operations. Among the inspiration was the successful X1 units used in Sweden. NSB decided on a number of rationalizations, first of all a new interior so that two new cars could hold the same capacity as three units from the older models. Secondly NSB wanted quicker trains, and increased the maximum speed from 70 to 130 km/h (81 mph). This increase in speed was sufficient to reduce the number of trains for a given frequency by a third. For instance on the line from Oslo East Station to Ski this allowed NSB to reduce the number of operative car from nine to four. The 69-set was also given new thyristor motors with 1,200 kW, a lot more than the old units.

BM69078 (D-series) with the new design at Lørenskog Station

The first units were delivered on 1 November 1970, and the first series fifteen units (A-series) was put into service from Oslo Ø to Lillestrøm and Ski. The B-series was delivered a few years later, and used for longer lines, soon followed by more C-series units. The D-series was delivered in the 1980s and custom made for longer distances. The last series was delivered in 1993 as part of the stock for the 1994 Winter Olympics. All the original units consisted of twin-car sets, but from 1987 NSB ordered additional middle cars, to make three-car units. This allowed somewhat more flexibility, and NSB kept the A- and B-series as twin-cars so they could combine trains to make any number of cars needed between two and nine. The second two batches of D-series trains delivered in 1990 and 1993 were delivered with three cars.

Not until 1982 were the 69-units put into service outside the Oslo area. At first they were tried out on Flåm Line, then in 1984 on the Bergen Commuter Rail. From 1991 they were also used on the Stavanger Commuter Rail.

The E- and G-series are rebuilt sets, with higher comfort levels, the former in 1994 for Sørlandet Line between Kristiansand and Stavanger, the latter on Gjøvik Line in 2005.

On 14 December 1999 NSB introduced wrap advertising for Freia Melkesjokolade on three of the trains, but chose to discontinue outside advertisements after a while.[1]

In July 2018, it was decided, due to their age and expenses for their upkeep, that all remaining class 69 trains would be retired from service by May 2019. Two will be operated by Go-Ahead Norge from December 2019.[2]

Lines served

The BM69 trainsets are in use between Arendal-Nelaug, Kongsberg–Eidsvoll, Spikkestad–Moss, Drammen–Dal, (Drammen)–Asker–Lillestrøm, (Skøyen)–Oslo S–Gjøvik, Skøyen–Ski, Skøyen–Mysen, and Skøyen–Årnes.

Versions
NSB Gjøvikbanen G-unit at Nittedal Station
Interior of B70 825-832.

The BM69 comes in six series:

  • The BM69A was the original BM69, built between 1970 and 1971. They consist of two carriages. 15 of these train sets were built and 4 remain in service.
  • The BM69B is the second series, built in 1974. Most of the 17 BM69B sets built consist of two carriages, but two of them had a middle carriage added. Some of the B-series trains were rebuilt with a large cargo hold, making them suitable for somewhat longer journeys such as Bergen–Myrdal where skis and bicycles are often brought along. The B-series has only one door on each side of the carriage, rather than two. This allows for extra seating, although it slows the embarkment and disembarkment.
  • The BM69C series was built in 1975. They consist of three carriages. The 14 train sets operate commuter trains like the BM69D series.
  • The BM69D series were built between 1983 and 1990. They are distinguishable from the BM69C series by the redesigned ends of the train. 39 of these trains were built and 35 remain in service as of 2005.
  • The BM69E series are redesigned BM69D trains for use on somewhat longer stretches, for instance, the usual five abreast seating is replaced with four abreast seating. They have been used on the Gjøvik Line and Jæren Line, Bergen and Voss.
  • The BM69G series are another version of redesigned BM69D train sets. They are equipped with several amenities such as food and drink vending machines and more comfortable seating including a first class section. The nine G-series trains were rebuilt in Denmark and operate on the Gjøvik Line.

Specifications
NSB 69.018 at Myrdal Station in 1986
  • Weight: 53.5-64 tons
  • Power: 1632 hp
  • Axle configuration
    • Bo'Bo'+2'2' (2 cars)
    • Bo'Bo'+2'2'+2'2' (3 cars)
  • Maximum speed: 130 km/h

Accidents
  • On 20 June 1986, 69.054 burnt up at Lodalen.
  • On 26 October 1988, 69.668 collided with El 16.2205 and was later demolished.
  • On 16 April 1990, two 69-sets collided at Lysaker, and 69.009 and 69.628 were taken out of service.
  • In 1991 and 1992, 69.014 and 69.019, respectively, burnt up.
  • After the Nordstrand accident in 1993, 69.068 was retired.[1]

Others taken out of service

No.01, 02(ERTMS test train), 04, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 30, 31, 32, 41

gollark: The buttons on my melon vending machines no longer work because I can't set them as rightclickable.
gollark: A lot of claim-related permissions were removed a while ago. I don't know why.
gollark: Well, actually I think those mostly just died to people getting bored of development.
gollark: Which is why nobody's stock markets work either.
gollark: Nobody wants to do the boring parts of companies, like hiring people, turning up to work for an identical amount of time every day to do random stuff, and accounting.

References
  1. Aspenberg, Nils Carl (2001). Elektrolok i Norge (in Norwegian). Oslo: Baneforlaget. ISBN 82-91448-42-6.
  2. Go-Ahead Wins Tender Modern Railways issue 843 December 2018 page 80
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