Dm3 Locomotives of MTAB

The Dm3 has become one of the icons for the Malmbana railway. The type has hauled heavy iron ore and supply trains on Malmbana lines for decades and was withdrawn from the traffic no sooner than in 2012. Still, you can find some of the locomotives scattered around the Malmbana, either parked in case a need might rise to use them or waiting for museum use.

The Dm3 is an exceptional electric locomotive in many respects. It is extremely strong for its time with 940 kilonewtons (211'320 lbf) pulling power. The power is transmitted from the three module Dm loco to the huge wheels driven by jackshaft drive. This makes the machine also very interesting to see when it passes you. So the Dm3 locomotive is loved by railfans, but not just fans but professionals too!

Some units are still kept in running order in reserve after decades of active work. You might see these in Kiruna itself or Luleå.

Technical details for MTAB class Dm3
(3 Dm locomotives connected together)
-> Type: Dm3
-> Builder: ASEA
-> Operator: MTAB (Malmtrafik AB) owned by LKAB mining company
-> Usage: heavy iron transport in the Sweden's north

-> Production dates: 1953 - 1971
-> Numbers built: 76 end modules and 19 middle modules
-> Numbers in use: none (source LKAB)

-> Seen: LKAB ore transportation in the Swedens north
-> Energy Source: overhead electricity, AC 15kV 16,7 Hz
-> Power output: 7200 kW (9790 Hp), 6 x 1200 KW
-> Electric Motors: ASEA KJD 137

-> Transmission: jackshaft (look at the picture on the left)
-> Tractive Effort: 940 kN !
-> Braking effort on traction motors (dynamic braking): na

-> Wheel arrangement: 1'D+D+D'1
-> Wheel diameter: 1540 mm as new
-> Maximum operational speed: 75 km/h (47 mph)

-> Length: 35,25 m
-> Weight: 273 metric tons (602'000 lbs)
-> Max. axelweight: 20 metric tons

-> Train control systems: for Sweden
-> Multiple operations capacity with: within type
-> Couplers: SA3
-> Train weight: up top 5000 tons / double unit

-> Specials: The locomotives are named after mineshafts
-- Dm3 1201-1231-1202 "Kunigunda"
-- Dm3 1205-1235-1206 "Sigrid"
-- Dm3 1207-1232-1208 "Sofia"
-- Dm3 1211-1236-1212 "Konsuln"
-- Dm3 1215-1245-1216 "Josefina"
///

To be added.

MTAB Dm3 "Sigrid" unit 1206-1235-1205 waiting for assignments at the Luleå depot, northern Sweden.

Picture by John McKey.

Dm3 Sigrid 1206-1235-1205 parked at Kiruna carage side during the Malmbanan upgrade in 2009.

Picture by Ilkka Siissalo.

MTAB Dm3 unit 1215-1245-1216 (Josefina) seen at work with filled iron ore cars climbing the hill aross the wilderness in Abisco, northern Sweden.

Picture by Nick Slocombe.

Dennewitz seen next to the MTAB depot in Kiruna, northern Sweden.

Picture by Ilkka Siissalo.

Another picture of the Dennewitz at the Kiruna depot area.

Picture by Ilkka Siissalo.

The Dm3 unit 1227-1243-1228 Kapten (the Captain) was busy starting empties uphill from Luleå to the northern mines.

Pictures by John McKey.

The Dm3 1229-1244-1230 Principal (Rektorn) is seen here behind the Dennewitz in the foreground.

Picture by Ilkka Siissalo.