B 1108
Steam locomotive B 1108 was built by Motala Verkstad in 1911 and was part of a series of 96 locomotives. This model of locomotive was intended for use in heavy express trains and fast freight trains.
With its grandiose appearance – rearward leaning cylinders, wind splitter cab and pointed smokebox – it was a stylish, fast and popular locomotive model. They are two-cylinder locomotives and run on three drive axles. The driving wheels are high to be able to travel at what were considered high speeds at that time.
The B-series of locomotive was in service for a long time. B 1108 was decommissioned in the 1950s. It was designated an emergency locomotive for use in a crisis situation and parked for quite some time in Sandträsk, north of Boden. It was retrieved by the Swedish Railway Museum in 2008, and the boiler was renovated a few years later. The locomotive is equipped with a 3-axle tender, enabling it to be turned on 15-metre turntables.
Explanation of terms
B 1108 is a locomotive type designation (also known as a letter series designation) that breaks down as follows:
- B = Tender steam locomotive for heavy express trains and fast freight trains.
- A three in the name means that the locomotive has three drive axles.
- 1108 is the locomotive’s unique identifier number.
Manufactured
Motala Verkstad, 1911
Maximum permitted speed
Maximum permitted speed: 90 km/h forwards and 40 km/h rearwards
Weight
104 tonnes
Length
17.6 metres (C-tender)
Tractive effort
9.6 tonnes of traction power, which generates approx. 1,180 hp