NS Class 1300
| Company type | Electric locomotive |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railway transport |
| Predecessor | SNCF Class CC 7100 (design basis) |
| Founded | 1952 |
| Headquarters | Netherlands |
| Products | Electric locomotives |
| Parent | Nederlandse Spoorwegen |
The Class 1300 electric locomotives operated by Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) were active in the Netherlands from 1952 until 2000. Manufactured by Alsthom alongside the NS Class 1100, their design was derived from the SNCF Class CC 7100, but featured a larger six-axle Co′Co′ wheel arrangement.
Service commenced in 1952 with unit 1301, coinciding with the electrification of the Zwolle-Groningen route. In 1953, unit 1303 was destroyed beyond repair in an accident; Alsthom substituted it with a locomotive initially built for SNCF, assigned number 1311, which incorporated parts salvaged from the wrecked unit.
In 1956, units 1312 through 1316 were delivered painted in Berlin blue, while earlier locomotives had their original turquoise paint replaced with Berlin blue during 1955. A comprehensive refurbishment in the 1980s saw all units repainted in yellow adorned with prominent NS logos and assigned names reflecting Dutch cities, including:
- 1301 Dieren
- 1302 Woerden
- ...
- 1316 Geldermalsen
The entire Class 1300 series was withdrawn from regular service by the year 2000. Units 1302, 1304, 1312, and 1315 were preserved post-retirement. Unit 1304 experienced a brief reactivation in 2015 under private operator HSL Logistik, but encountered mechanical failure early in 2016. Following repairs completed in late 2018, it has been utilized by the Fairtrains foundation to raise funds for restoration efforts. Plans are underway to refurbish unit 1315 to return it to operational condition.
Unit 1312 is currently exhibited as an operational display at the Railway Museum (Netherlands), whereas unit 1302 is maintained as a source of spare parts.