page_title: NSB Class 66
section_title: Operation
hierarchical_section_title: NSB Class 66 / Operation
caption_attribution_description: English: Norges Statsbaner type 66 express train at Oslo Østbanestasjon, Norway.
context_page_description: NSB Class 66 was a three-car electric train used by the Norwegian State Railways for express trains on the Østfold Line to Halden and Gothenburg, and the Sørlandet Line to Kristiansand and Stavanger. The four multiple units were built by Skabo Jernbanevognfabrikk, with motors from Norsk Elektrisk & Brown Boveri, and delivered in 1945–46. They were originally named Class 106, but this was changed in 1956. The trains received the numbering BFM 66.01–04, B 66.31–34 and BS 66.61–64.
  The class was the electric counterpart of diesel Class 88. With a power output of 474 kW, it was the first train capable of 120 kilometers per hour in Norway. One of the Class 66 trains was involved in the Hjuksebø train disaster in 1950. Since 1967, the trains served on the Vestfold Line. The Class 66 was retired from service in 1977. BFM 66.01 has been preserved by the Norwegian Railway Museum.
context_section_description: Class 66 was put into service on the Østfold Line on 23 June 1946. It reduced travel time to Halden to 1 hour and 53 minutes, and was branded as the Østfold Express. From 16 February to 8 September 1946, it also had three weekly services that continued to Gothenburg, Sweden, as the Gothenburg Express. This was accomplished in 5 hours and 5 minutes. The high speed prohibited standing, and all passengers were required to purchase a seat reservation for 4 kr. Three units were in operation at any given time, while the fourth was at service or in reserve. This proved to be too optimistic—during the 1950s, there were several periods were the trains were taken out of service due to lack of maintenance. During 1954, Saturday trains were operated as double units.
  On 9 June 1947, the class was also taken into use from Oslo West Station (Oslo V) on the Vestfold Line, and along the Sørlandet Line to Kongsberg. From the 1 June 1949, after the Sørlandet Line was electrified to Kristiansand, these services were shifted to the Sørlandet Express. On 15 November 1950, one unit was involved in the Hjuksebø train disaster, and the end car needed to be fully rebuilt. From 1 December 1956, when the whole Sørlandet Line to Stavanger was electrified, the service was extended and rebranded the Stavanger Express. To free up sufficient stock, the Østfold Express was discontinued on 14 November 1956. The Sørlandet Express operated each day, while the Stavanger Express only operated three times a week. However, the Stavanger Express did not prove a success, featuring low passenger numbers, and the last train ran on 24 August 1958. The trains remained in service on the Sørlandet Express until 27 May 1967. 
  During the 1960s, the new El 13 locomotives were delivered, and locomotive-hauled express trains replaced the multiple units. From 28 May 1967, Class 66 was moved to serve the Vestfold Line. It operated in services to Skien until 3 June 1973, after which it only served to Larvik. During the summer of 1975, they could also be seen operating Oslo V – Nelaug, and during the fall of 1976 on Oslo V – Drammen. The units were taken out of service on 21 May 1977. A single motor car, 66.01, has been preserved by the Norwegian Railway Museum, who has stationed it at Elverum Station.
caption: Class 66 from the front
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