The Mb, later G12 class of Halmstad–Nässjö Järnväg (HNJ), known after nationalization in 1945 as the E9 class of the Swedish State Railways (SJ), was a type of steam locomotive built primarily for freight traffic. They were the basis for the nearly identical SJ E10 class.

HNJ Mb
G12 no:43 leaving Halmstad Station in 1931
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder NOHAB Build date 1931–1936
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-8-0  • UIC 2′D h3 Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Leading dia. 900 mm (2 ft 11 in) Driver dia. 1,400 mm (4 ft 7 in) Length 18,000 mm (59 ft 1 in) Loco weight 73.5 tonnes (72.3 long tons; 81.0 short tons) Total weight 111.5 tonnes (109.7 long tons; 122.9 short tons) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 5.0 tonnes (4.9 long tons; 5.5 short tons) Water cap. 15.0 m3 (3,300 imp gal; 4,000 US gal) Cylinders Three
Performance figures Maximum speed 70 km/h (43 mph) Tractive effort 12.1 Mp (119 kN; 27,000 lbf)
Career Operators Halmstad–Nässjö Järnväg Statens Järnvägar Number in class 6 Disposition Scrapped
References:[1]

History

Three Mb class three-cylinder 4-8-0 locomotives were built by NOHAB for HNJ in 1931, based on an older type, the 2-8-0 M class built in Germany in 1922.[1][2] HNJ changed their type designations the year after, and the Mb class became the G12 class, where G meant that they were intended for freight trains (Swedish: godståg).[2] Three more G12 class locomotives were built in 1936.[1]

Despite their designation the locomotives were also used in passenger trains.[3] They remained on the HNJ network after nationalization in 1945, but were also used on the line between Alvesta and Borås.[1] SJ referred to the type as the E9 class.[3] They were in service until 1959, and were then placed in reserve.[1] They were scrapped between 1974 and 1976, and none have been preserved.[2]

In the 1940s the Swedish State Railways (SJ) saw a need for modern steam locomotives for freight traffic on the Inland Line and in southern Norrland.[3] NOHAB built ten E10 class locomotives in 1947 from the same blueprints, but with some modifications.[1] The E10 class locomotives were in use until the 1960s.[3]

References