BLS the line with electric giants.
Five generations of electrical power on BLS.
Photo.BLS
The BLS has in the beginning hosted some of the most powerful engines during its history from the beginning to present. Here is a short presentation of some of the remarkable classes of different generations of motive of power.
Ce4/6
Photo and scan by Johan de Reuver
The 17 engines of Ce4/4 class, numbered 301-317 were orginally built as Ce4/6 featuring short hoods and pilotaxles in their front ends.
The first 14 were ordered with loading on drivers of 12,5 tons and for use as a multipurpose engines a top speed of 65 km/h and they ere deliverd in 1920. The mechanical parts were delivered by SLM and the engines were constructed MFO, while the electrical parts by MFO and the final constuction was made by BBC. The engines were followed by three additionals in 1924. These three were given a top speed of 75 km/h and and improved brakes, were classified as Be4/6.s. During their long servise years they were modified since 1944, in appearance they lost one of the pantographs and the apparatures in their roofs were modified. Later the overhangs on the ends ofd the roofs were cut greatly changing the profile of these engines.
In 1954 the engines 308-317 were rebuilt to Ce4/4.s the small hoods in the ends and the pilot wheels were removed and a large plows were mounted to the pilots. The engines were used for branchline and switching duties. The unrebuilt engines 301-308 were removed from roster in 1969-1972 and the first of the rebuilds no 317 was retired in 1968, while the rest of the engines served in to the 1980.es.