Piko 97509 Expert NS 1008 Electric Locomotive III (~AC-Sound) HO Gauge

Expert NS 1008 Electric Locomotive III (~AC-Sound) 1:87 scale model produced by Piko. This model is ready-to-run straight out of the box and would make a excellent addition to any model railway collection. Features: AC Sound Model Best suited to Epoch III Model Railways This model mainly operates in Netherlands This model is decorated in NS company markings This model is best suited to 358mm radius curves Details The NS Class 1000 holds an iconic place in Dutch railway history as the first standard electric locomotive operated by the Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS). Introduced in 1948 in the early years of Dutch mainline electrification, the Class 1000 was developed to handle both passenger and freight trains on the 1.5 kV DC network that would become the backbone of the Netherlands’ electrified rail system. A total of 75 locomotives were built in three major batches between 1948 and 1951, and they were numbered 1001–1075. The design was a collaboration between NS and Dutch industry, featuring a Bo'Bo' wheel arrangement that balanced power and dynamic stability. With a continuous power output of around 2,100 kW and a top speed of 120 km/h, the Class 1000 was versatile enough for express passenger trains as well as heavy freight workings. Early in their service life, these locomotives played a central role in post-war rebuilding and modernization of Dutch rail services. Over time they were gradually displaced from top passenger duties by more modern designs, but they continued in secondary passenger and freight roles for decades. The Class 1000 was finally withdrawn from regular service in 1985, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering Dutch electric. Several examples have been preserved and remain popular with railway heritage groups. For model railway enthusiasts, the NS Class 1000 is an excellent choice for Era III–IV Dutch electrified layouts, offering classic Dutch liveries and operational diversity on both passenger and freight duties.