NS Class 1100

The NS Class 1100 was a class of electric locomotives operated by Nederlandse Spoorwegen in the Netherlands, built by Alsthom to an original design of the French BB 8100. They operated all services, freight and passenger, and were the main locomotive of NS until the arrival of the Class 1600. After an accident at Westervoort in 1978 the surviving 58 locomotives were rebuilt slightly to improve driver safety, with a crash-absorbing nose ahead of the cab inspired by the French Nez Cassé design. The locomotives were unpopular with drivers: the buffers are attached to the bogie rather than the main body, giving a very nervous bouncy ride, the cabin was designed for French drivers in 1950 and was hard on anyone taller than 1.70 metres, and the cooling fans produced a loud roar, so that until 1980 drivers were paid a special bonus. In 1991 some were withdrawn with the arrival of DD-AR double-deck coaching stock and the Class 1700, and the class has been out of service since 1999.