Norte 6000 (Renfe 260): series of Spanish electric locomotives

ALCO Norte 6001—6006 (RENFE 260—001-006)

Norte series 6001—6006 (series 260 in Renfe) is a series of Spanish electric locomotives manufactured by American Locomotive Company (Alco) and General Electric. In 1924, six more were built by Sociedad Española de Construcción Naval and Baldwin Locomotive Works and numbered 6101 to 6106 (series 261). All were rated at 1,620 HP and had a Co’Co’ axle arrangement (2 bogies with 3 driving axles each, one engine per axle).

History

After World War I, the demand for coal from the Asturian basins increased rapidly. To solve the problem of congestion on the León—Gijón line caused by the mountain pass of Pajares, Compañía del Norte electrified the railway network. Twelve electric locomotives were purchased to operate this difficult section, six of which were entirely American-made and were of the 6001–6006 series.

These locomotives operated on 3,000-volt direct current, achieving 1,620 horsepower and a speed of 36 km/h, which was almost twice the capabilities of steam locomotives. They also had a number of other advantages, such as better traction.

The design of the locomotives was very simple, which was typical for American locomotives of the time, as evidenced by the wooden windows and doors. They were used until the 1950s, until they were replaced by more powerful RENFE 7000 series locomotives.