Locomotives on Malmbanan

Swedish MTAB now has 26 (18 + 8) of these heavyweight Octeon platform locomotives of Bombardier. In Sweden its type is simply IORE, synonymous for Iron Ore, which the locomotives haul from the mines to the harbors of Norway and Sweden.


  A Special Theme Page for the IORE Locomotives...


Technical details for MTAB class IORE
-> Type: IORE, Octeon platform, some magazines quoted this originally as Traxx H (heavy9 product line, which is unprecise.
-> Builder: Bombardier transportation
-> Operator: MTAB (Malmtrafik i Kiruna AB)   
-> Usage: heavy iron transport in the Swedens north on Malmbanan
     
-> Production dates:  2000 - 2004, 2010 - 2011 
-> Numbers built: 26 half units, 4 in order for the 2013 - 2014  
      the locomotives are run in pairs, so that there is a cab to both directions
      The pairs are random units after the first larger service
     
-> Seen: LKAB ore transportation in the Swedens north
-> Energy Source: electricity, 15kV 16,66 Hz AC
-> Power output: 10800 kW for double unit (14684 Hp) 
-> Track motors: BTV asynchronous (BT for Bombardier Transportation) 
-> Tractive Effort: 1200 kN ! 1400 kN in boost mode in case of stalls
-> Braking on traction motors (dynamic braking): available, effect unknown

-> Wheel arrangement: Co'Co-Co'Co'   
-> Wheel diameter: 1250 mm as new
-> Maximum operational speed: 80 km/h (50 mph) 
   
-> Length: 45,80 m  (2 x 22,9m)
-> Width: 2,95 m
-> Height: 4,46 m (to lowered pantograph)
-> Weight: 360 metric tons
-> Max. axelweight: 30 metric tons  
   
-> Train control systems: ATCS for Sweden and Norway  
-> Multiple operations capacity with: with type, normally seen in pairs 
-> Couplers: SA3     
-> Train weight: up top 8000 tons / double unit
     
-> Specials:
     The locomotives are named after landmarks in the North: 
       101 - (produced year 2000) Polcirceln (Polar circle) 
       102 - (2000) Malmberget ("Ore Hill") (mining site at Gällivare)
       103 - (2002-2005) Luleå (City in the Swedens north)
       104 - Gällivare (One of the mining sites)
       105 - Narvik (Norwegian iron ore port city)
       106 - Kiruna (The main source of Swedish iron ore)
       107 - Svappavaara
       108 - Torneträsk
       109 - Abisko  
       110 - Björkliden
       111 - Katterat
       112 - Vassijaure
       113 - Bergfors
       114 - Rautas
       115 - Stenbacken
       116 - Stordalen
       117 - Boden
       118 - (2002-2005) Murjek
       119 - (2010-2011) Koskullskulle
       120 - Kaisepakte
       121 - Rombak
       122 - Råtsi
       123 - Riksgränsen
       124 - Kaitum
       125 - Sjisjka
       126 - (2010-2011) Sandskär
       127 - (2013)
       124 - (2013)
       125 - (2013-2014)
       126 - (2013-2014)

Many units are still in "lighter" traffic after decades of active work these monsters haul iron ore from the mines of Kiruna in Sweden to ships on the Norwegian coast.


  A Special Theme Page for the Dm3 Locomotives...

Technical details for MTAB class Dm3
(3 locomotives connected together)
-> Type: Dm3
-> Builder: ASEA
-> Operator: MTAB (Malmtrafik AB)
-> Usage: heavy iron transport in the Swedens north

-> Production dates: 1953 - 1971
-> Numbers built: 76 end modules and 19 middle modules
-> Numbers in use: around 14 3 unit locomotives in use

-> Seen: LKAB ore transportation in the Swedens north
-> Energy Source: electricity, 15kV 16,66 Hz AC
-> Power output: 7200 kW (9790 Hp), 6 x 1200 KW
-> Electric Motors: ASEA KJD 137

-> Transmission: jackshaft (look left)
-> Tractive Effort: 940 kN !
-> Braking effort on traction motors (dynamic braking): na

-> Wheel arrangement: 1'D+D+D'1
-> Wheel diameter: 1540 mm as new
-> Maximum operational speed: 75 km/h (47 mph)

-> Length: 35,25 m
-> Weight: 273 metric tons (,000 lb)
-> Max. axelweight: 20 metric tons

-> Train control systems: for Sweden
-> Multiple operations capacity with: within type
-> Couplers: SA3
-> Train weight: up top 5000 tons / double unit

-> Specials: The locomotives are named after mineshafts
1201-1231-1202 Kunigunda
1205-1235-1206 Sigrid

The class Re of the Green Cargo is used mostly for the most demanding heavy transportation in the Sweden's north hauling steel trains as double units.

Technical details for Green Cargo class Re (Traxx F140 AC2)
(2 power systems, 4 powered axles, 1 first of the type)   
-> Type: Traxx 2 , Traxx F140 AC2
-> Builder: Bombardier  
-> Operator: Green Cargo  
-> Usage: general purpose freight locomotive 

-> Production dates: 2010, current production model 
-> Numbers built for the operator: 16  

-> Seen: Heavy steel trains and other freight for the operator GC
-> Energy Source: electricity, 25 kV 50 Hz and 15kV 16,66 Hz AC
-> Power output: 5600 kW (7614 Hp), 4 x 1400 KW
-> Track motors: BT 1061064251 
-> Tractive Effort: 300 kN 
-> Braking effort on traction motors (regenerative braking): not known  

-> Wheel arrangement: Bo'Bo'   
-> Wheel diameter: 1250 mm
-> Maximum operational speed: 140 km/h (87 mph) 

-> Length: 18,90 m 
-> Weight: 84 metric tons (,000 lb)
-> Max. axelweight: 21,25 metric tons  

-> Train control systems: for Sweden
-> Multiple operations capacity with: 241, RCS 185, Re, El19 (all Traxx locos)
-> Couplers: Hook and chain    

-> Specials:
- All locos wear the latest Burlington Northern inspired colors

The class Rc is synonymous to the railroading in Sweden. A multipurpose electric locomotive, these come in several subclasses of different development periods.

Picture here show one of the variants seen in the north: the Veolia colored Rc6. There are a handfull of these stationed at the Luleå depot and these run the passenger trains on the Malmbanans demanding winter conditions. Pictures by John McKey.

- - - Click any picture on the left to see a larger version of it! - - -

Technical details for SSRT class Rc6
-> Type: Rc6      
-> Usage: multipurpose electric locomotive  
-> Builder: Asea AB in Sweden    
-> Production dates:  1982 - 1986 (for Rc5s converted to Rc6 in 1992 -1995), 1985 - 1988 for Rc6
-> Numbers built: 60 + 40, road numbers 1323 - 1882, 1383 - 1422 (original Rc6s)   
     
-> Users: SJ, SSRT (Swedish State Railways Trains (train owner)) 
-> Seen: Sweden and Norway 
     
-> Energy Source: electricity, 15kV 16,66 Hz AC  
-> Engine: ASEA LJM 450   
-> Power output: 3600 kW (4x900kw) (4895 Hp) 
-> Transmission:  
-> Tractive Effort: 250 kN (starting power) 
-> Braking effort on traction motors (dynamic braking): not available  
-> Wheel arrangement: Bo'Bo'   
-> Wheel diameter as new: 1300 mm
     
-> Maximum operational speed where possible: 160 km/h (100 mph), 2 of the Rc6s were temporarily equipped for operations for 180 km/h but later returned to Rc6 series.  

-> Length: 15,52 m 

-> Weight: 78 metric tons (,000 lb)