Nieuwsbrief

The following is a compilation of the early life history of the class, compiled largely from information taken from Today’s Railways, before it became prohibitively expensive here in the Netherlands. Obviously much has happened since then which I have not recorded so if any other members can add further information to the list I am sure the editor will be pleased to hear from you.

Built: - 1987- 1994 by MaK (Maschinenbau Kiel GmbH, Kiel, Germany)
Engine: - 12 cylinder MTU 12V396 TC 13 of 1180 kW at 1800 rpm
Transmission: - 4 x three phase BBC traction motors, maximum Tractive Effort: - 290 kN
Weight in full working order: - 80 tonnes, length over Buffers: - 14.40 m
Train heating: - none, driving Wheel Dia: - 1000 mm, max. Speed: - 120 km/h

Livery Details: - Corporate NS livery of grey and yellow, applied on all locos as delivered up to 6510, NS Cargo/RaiLion Benelux of Raspberry red 6511 onwards.
The intended use of “Energielocomotieven” was on services between Utrecht and Hilversum and between Arnhem and Winterswijk, with Plan W coaches, following tests in 1992. An ordinary 6400 loco would lead the train and the “Energieloc” would provide heating and lighting from the rear.

By early 1993 there was concern publicly about the quality of the entire class due to overheating of the compressor, the vibration loose of components and excessive damage to the buffer beams in minor collisions.

Before August ‘93 it was reported that NSB (Norwegian State Railways) was to borrow a locomotive for a period of 1½ years in order to evaluate the type. No. 6443 was the first sent to Norway followed by No. 6462. It was later confirmed that 5 more locos were to be leased; No's 6434, 6439, 6441, 6454 and 6457 being sent in August and September ‘93. In spite of the serious accident involving No. 6454 at Nordstrand, near Oslo, NSB were reported as negotiating for the lease of another 3 locos by February ‘94 and by November ‘94 NSB negotiations continued to extend the hire of the nine locos presently in Norway till the end odd ‘95. Meanwhile, successful trials in May ‘94 using 4 x 6400 locos for 4800-ton ore trains were confirmed as a permanent feature from 25/9/94.

A celebration was arranged for the delivery of the last 6400 on 19/1/95, with a special train from the NS Railway Museum to Stroe with No. 6520 at the head and 6401 at the other. An 'energieloc' will be included to provide power for the coaches.

By April ‘95 control systems in several locos were improved to allow for sustained slow speed running in the hump yard at Kijfhoek. No 6414 was the first and if successful then 6411 to 6413 may also be modified.

On repatriation from Norway, Nos. 6453 to 6520 will go to Zwolle and Nos. 6401 to 6452 will go to Feijenoord in 1997.
As from 1st January ‘99, all 6400/6500 locos will be transferred to NS Cargo.
3 unidentified 6400’s were in collision on 1/6/01 with Loco No. 524 of the Eisenbahn und Häfen at Oberhausen, resulting in the cancellation of the weekly coal trains for a short period.

Notes
b fitted with Belgian ATP for working into Belgium
d fitted with German ATP (Indusi) for working into Germany
No.          Name: -   date named             named after: -
6401        Mijndert 11/5/88                    Pon, Directeur, PON, Leusden.
6402        Marinus 2/8/88                      Ulenreef, Rayonchef, Ep Noord, Groningen.
History: - hauled a special passenger train to the exhibition of rolling stock between Rotterdam CS and Vlaardingen during Easter 1996
6403        Gijs         12/12/88                 Gischler, Directeur, DSM, Geleen.
History: - was the first loco to be fitted as a trial with radio control gear during the summer of 1992. The equipment was removed and fitted in No. 6413.
6404        Johan       20/3/89                    IJspaard, Pres. Directeur, Starintex, Hoofddorp.
6405        Jan           31/3/89                    Weijers, Directeur Spoorzaken, Starintex, Hoofddorp.
6406        Tonnie     7/4/89                      Schrandt, Ass. Chef Transport, Ep Amsterdam.
6407        Henk       28/4/89                    Hoffstaetter, Chef Tractie en Materieel, Ep Rotterdam.
6408        Gerard     31/5/89                    de Groot, Stafmedewerker, Ep 54, Utrecht.
6409        Herman   30/6/89                    Hermsen, Adjunct-Directeur, Cehave, Veghel.
History: - depart to Norway on 13/12/94, to replace No. 6437, damaged in accident. It was the last loco to return on 2/12/96. On return to Tilburg it was found to have been damaged in an undisclosed accident in Norway.
6410        Toon       27/9/89                    van Amsterdam, machinist, Ep, Den Haag.
6411        Olivier     10/10/89                 van Royen, Raad van Bestuur, KNHS, IJmuiden.
6412        Hans        18/10/89                 Hentzen, Directeur, Fa. Hentzen, Rotterdam.
History: - fitted with radio control gear during the summer of 1992.
6413        Foeke      15/12/89                 Kuiper, Dir., Havenondermemersverenging SVZ, Rotter       dam.
History: - R/C gear fitted?
6414        Sander     6/12/89                    den Breejen, machinist, Ep, Rotterdam Goederen.
History: - R/C gear fitted? By April ‘95 the loco had received the WABCO equipment from No. 2352 for work at the Kijfhoek hump yard.
6415        Rens        14/12/89                 Haanstra, hoofd alg. zaken I en E, Utrecht.
History: - fitted with radio control gear during the summer of 1992.
6416        Arie         9/2/90                      Kweekel, voorman verlading, AKZO, Botlek.
History: - to Tilburg on 21/8/92 to be modified to supply E.T.H. and lighting for coaching stock (Energielocomotief) with No. 6473. Moved to Heerlen on 28/9/92 for testing on coaching stock, mobile testing took place on 16th and 17th September ‘92 between Heerlen and Maastricht with 12 coaches hauled by an electric loco while the 6400’s provided heating and lighting. Returned to Tilburg on 18/9/92 and returned to regular traffic on 21-22/9/92.
6417        Bob         4/10/90                    Walzel, general manager, Dow Chemical, Terneuzen.
6418        John        5/11/90                    Jonker, Directeur, Jonker, Veendam.
6419        Willem     21/6/90                    Wischmann, lid Ondernemingsraad, NS, Utrecht.
6420        Horst       5/12/90                    Schacht, Directeur, Internatio-Müller, Rotterdam.
6421        Sebe         28/9/90                    Meenken, technisch medewerker, Mw 3 Wm, Utrecht.
6422        Wim        22/9/89                    van Iperenburg, technisch medewerker, Mw 3 Gl, Utrecht.
6423        Chris       27/11/90                 Ofringa, Directeur, Combined Terminals, Amsterdam.
6424        Dirk         21/12/90                 Slikker, medewerker, Rayon Amersfoort, Goederen.
History: - collided with NS No. 1315 at Kijfhoek on 10/5/92 resulting in major damage to 6424. Sent to Wilton’s Feijenoord Shipyard to be straightened after the accident.
6425        Jan-Adrianus 1/8/90                van der Horst, proefritmachinist, Mw, Tilburg.
6426        Antonius 1/8/90                      van Kuijk, proefritmachinist, Mw, Tilburg.
6427
6428
6429
History: - collided on 19/5/95 with two sets of stock being shunted at Utrecht CS
6430
History: - collided head on with No. 6442 near Moerdijk in late ‘97. On return to traffic the loco will be in the new livery.
6431
6432        Hendrikus 31/1/92                  H.M.J. Schepers, Ass Procesmgr, Rijdende dienst Vervoer te Utrecht.
History: - used to test brake block material on test runs between Meppel and Zwolle in the summer of 1992.
6433        Han         26/3/92                    Ir. H. van der Made, projectontwikkellingsleider
6434        Henk       6/5/92                      H.C.J. van der Linden, Directeur, VTG Benelux BV
History: - shipped to Norway 31/8/93

6437        Arie         26/6/92                    A.J. Hoogendam, Assistent Rayonmanager Vervoer, Den     Haag.
History: - shipped to Norway on 8/1/94 to take the place of the wrecked No. 6494. Severe damaged to side and cab in accident caused by run-away wagons in ‘95 and is expected to return to Tilburg at the end of January ‘96.
6438    Henk           4/9/92                      Ir. H. Molenaar, voormalig Hoofddirecteur van het Gemeentelijk Havenbedrijf in Rotterdam.
6439        Geert       1/10/92                    G.E. Tip, chef de bureau vervoer in Eindhoven.
History: - shipped to Norway 31/8/93
6440        Jaap         9/9/92                      J. Hogewoning, machinist te Groningen.
6441    Joyce          16/12/92                 Mevr. J.R.M. Bosman-Kater, voormalig Directeur Stichting Havenbelangen Rotterdam-Europoort in Rotterdam.
History: - shipped to Norway 1/9/93
6442
History: - collided with 6430 head-on somewhere near Moerdijk in late ‘97 and suffered severe damage to the frame which made the loco look like an angry cat. Received red ‘cargo’ livery on return to traffic.
6443
History: - the first loco loaned to NSB, to evaluate the class before August ‘93 prior to leasing five others.
6444        Eeltje       27/11/92                 H. Oldenburger, Regio-goederendiestleider, Rotterdam          Goederen.
History: - collided with No. 6465 and No. 6493 on 7/5/95, all requiring attention at Tilburg.
6445        Wijbo      17/12/92                 W.L. Landstra, Procesmanager Vervoer, Haarlem.
History: - used to test brake block material on test runs between Meppel and Zwolle during the summer of 1992.
6446        Jo
6447        Maurits
6448        Rein
History: - fitted with recording apparatus during the summer of 1992 to establish the cause of serious engine seizure problems.
6449
6450        Hanja       by February ’94
6451        Daan
6452        Rein         by November ‘93
6453        Frans
6454        Wim
History: - shipped to Norway 1/9/93. On 3/10/93 the loco was involved in a serious accident in Nordstrand station near Oslo. The driver stopped the 5 km past Nordstrand station because of a burning smell, possibly due to binding brakes. The loco then started to run away downhill towards Nordstrand where it collided at high speed with the following passenger train which was stationary in the platform, 5 people were killed and several seriously injured. Experts from MaK, NS and NSB tried to discover why the driver could not stop the loco. All 6400’s were taken out of service. By February the loco was cleared technically of the accident. The loco went into service with the stopcocks on the brake cylinders CLOSED, making braking impossible, the burning smell was caused by the partially binding parking brake. After retraining the drivers and after the stopcocks had received clearer markings, the locos returned to service in December ’93. The loco may be returned to Holland for rebuilding. It was later announced that the loco would be rebuilt by November ‘94 and will return to service in NS/Cargo red livery. 19/11/95 returned to traffic at Zwolle in new red livery.
6455        Klass-Abel
6456        Hendrik
6457
History: - shipped to Norway 1/9/93
6458        Harry      by May ‘94
6459
History: - used on brake block material on test runs between Zwolle and Meppel.
6460        Leo          by November ‘93
6461        arrival: 5/12/1991                    entered service: -12/3/1992
6462        arrival: 27/12/1991                  entered service: - 5/3/1992
Olga         by May ‘94
History: - spent 3 days early in ‘93 attached to the Mw Test coach to see if the locos can                 be used as hump shunters.
6463        arrival: 31/12/1991                  entered service: - 6/3/1992
Theo        by May ‘94
6464        arrival: 6/2/1992                      entered service: - 10/3/1992
Jan           by August ‘94
6465        arrival: 24/2/1992                    entered service: - 23/3/1992
Lammert by May ’94
History: - collided with No. 6444 and No. 6493 on 7/5/95, all requiring attention at Tilburg.
6466        arrival: 12/3/1992                    entered service: - 3/4/1992
6467        arrival: 10/4/1992                    entered service: - 29/4/1992
6468        arrival: 6/5/1992                      entered service: - 30/6/1992
6469        arrival: 16/4/1992                    entered service: - 4/6/1992
6470        arrival: 15/4/1992                    entered service: - 24/6/1992
6471        arrival: 3/6/1992      trial run: - 15/6/92   entered service: - 1/7/92
6472        arrival: 21/6/1992    trial run: - 30/6/92 entered service: - 21/7/92
6473        arrival: 8/7/92          trial run: -   / /92     entered service: - 7/8 /92
History: - to Tilburg on 21/8/92 to be modified to supply E.T.H. and lighting for coaching stock (Energielocomotief) with No. 6461. Moved to Heerlen on 28/9/92 for testing on coaching stock and mobile testing took place on 16th and 17th September ‘92 between Heerlen and Maastricht with 12 coaches hauled by an electric loco while the 6400’s provided heating and lighting. Returned to Tilburg on 18/9/92 and returned to regular traffic on 21-22/9/92.
6474        arrival: 17/7/92        trial run: -   / /92     entered service: - 21/8/92
6475        arrival: 29/7/92        trial run: -   / /92     entered service: - 16/9/92
6476        arrival: 10/8/92        trial run: -   / /92     entered service: - 25/9/92
6477        arrival: 24/8/92        trial run: -   / /92     entered service: - 13/10/92
6478        arrival: 14/9/92        trial run: -   / /92     entered service: - 28/10/92
6479        arrival: 28/9/92        trial run: -   / /92     entered service: - 30/10/92
6480        arrival: 13/10/92                                      entered service: - 6/11/92
6481        arrival: 4/11/92                                        entered service: - 4/11/92
Lies         by February ‘94
6482        arrival: 26/11/92                                      entered service: - before May ‘93
6483        arrival: 21/12/92                                      entered service: - before May ‘93
6484        arrival: 6/1/93
6485        arrival: 25/1/93                                        entered service: - before May ‘93
6486        arrival: 8/2/93                                          entered service: - before May ‘93
6487        arrival: 1/3/93                                          entered service: - before May ‘93
6488        arrival: 15/3/93                                        entered service: - before August ‘93
Gerard     by August ‘95
6489        arrival: 21/4/93                                        entered service: - before August ‘93
6490        arrival: 26/4/93                                        entered service: - before November ’93
6491        arrival: 25/5/93                                        entered service: - before November ‘93
History: - collided with No. 6499 at Amsterdam, Westhaven on 28/3/91. The Indusi equipment was transferred to No. 6495. It was noted that this loco could not be equipped with radio remote control as it often began to move spontaneously. Research into this problem was long and arduous and the loco was sent to the Siemens Test Centre at Wegberg, just across the German border, along with No. 6494, no solution had been found by Dec. ‘97
6492        arrival: - 2/6/93
History: - Departed for Norway on 14/7/93, arrived Oslo on 17/7/93 and travelled to Hammer on 20/7/93 for driver instruction. Arrived in Stavanger in early August for 1½ years shunting duties. Returned on 14/10/96. The loco had gone to Norway straight from the manufacturers and was based in Stavanger for 3 years. On return it was found to have travelled several thousand miles with a warped frame due to collision damage which was hidden from inspection by NSB.
6493        arrival: 21/6/93
Joke         by November ‘93
History: - collided with No. 6465 and No. 6444 on 7/5/95, all requiring attention at Tilburg.
6494 d     arrival: -16/7/93
History:-It was noted that this loco could not be equipped with radio remote control as it often began to move spontaneously. Research into this problem was long and arduous and the loco was sent to the Siemens Test Centre at Wegberg, just across the German border, along with No. 6491, no solution had been found by Dec. ‘97
6495 d     arrival: 9/8/93
History: - received Indusi equipment from No. 6499 following its accident
6496 d     arrival: 30/8/93
6497 d     arrival: 22/9/93
History: - collided with No. 6520 and No. 6516 on 21/9/00 and was sent to RailNed, Tilburg for repair.
6498 d     arrival: 14/10/93                      entered service: - / /92
6499 d     arrival: 22/10/93
History: - collided with No. 6491 at Amsterdam, Westhaven on 28/3/91. Indusi equipment removed and transferred to No. 6495
6500 d     arrival: 11/11/93
6501        arrival: 17/12/93                      entered service: - 7/1/94
Edo          by August ‘95
History: - collided with Tram RET 701 at the road crossing 2e Rosestraat in Utrecht before December ’96. The tram came off worst!
6502        arrival: 20/12/93                      entered service: - 25/1/94
6503        arrival: 17/1/94                        entered service: - 17/1/94
6504        arrival: 10/2/94                        entered service: - 10/2/94
6505        arrival: 1/3/94                          entered service: - 1/3/94
History: - to be fitted with Belgian ATP in late 2001
6506        arrival: 21/3/94                        entered service: - 13/4/94
6507        arrival: 1/4/94                          entered service: -20/4/94
History: - to be fitted with Belgian ATP in late 2001
6508        arrival: 9/5/94                          entered service: -27/5/94
History: - to be fitted with Belgian ATP in late 2001
6509        arrival: 12/5/94
History: - to be fitted with Belgian ATP in late 2001
6510        arrival: 30/5/94
History: - it was announced before August ’94 that this loco would be the last painted in the corporate NS grey and yellow livery.
6511        arrival: 24/6/94                        entered service: -? /8/94
History: - It was announced that this loco would be the first painted in the new NS/Cargo red.
6512 b     arrival: 15/7/94                        entered service: - 16/8/94
Peter
History: - observed in Rotterdam CS on 1/10/94 in the new NS/Cargo red livery with a white diagonal stripe on the bonnet end.
6513 b     arrival: 1/8/94                          entered service: - 2/9/94
6514 b                                                     entered service: - 4/10/94
6515 b     arrival: 11/9/94                        entered service: - 23/9/94
6516 b                                                     entered service: - 26/10/94
Wouter
6517 b     arrival: 31/10/94                      entered service: - 30/11/94
6518 b     arrival: 14/11/94                      entered service: - 30/11/94
6519 b     arrival: 9/12/94                        entered service: - 27/12/94
History: - with No. 6520 to Tilburg to have Belgian ATP fitted and as from 1st September 1997 they will travel forward to Antwerp.
6520 b     arrival: 27/12/94                      entered service: - 31/1/95
History: - with No. 6519 to Tilburg to have Belgian ATP fitted and as from 1st September 1997 they will travel forward to Antwerp.

Loco 6455 on a bridge on he Leeuwarden-Stiens line which has subsequently closed. February 8th 1993. Photo by Henk Hartsuiker

Since the beginning of September 4 Class 6400 have been given a Railpro outfit. The locos concerned are 6401, 6402, 6403 and 6504. According to one report the locos have not been rented out to Railpro but have been given this livery to underscore the level of co-operation between railion and Railion. Railpro is the organisation that takes care of the rail-infrastructure in The Netherlands.

Loco 6402 is seen here at Amersfoort on 18-9-2006. Photo by Henk Hartsuiker