The first two locomotives, Nos. 71 and 72, were delivered in 1910, and Nos. 73 to 78 followed in 1911 to 1914. 73–78 did not have a fully streamlined cab, and 75–78 also had slightly different tenders. Because of their conical shaped smokebox door, these locomotives soon got the nickname "Zeppelins".
In 1919, the operation of the NCS was taken over by the SS, with these locomotives being included in the SS numbering as 971–978. When the locomotives and rolling stock of the SS and the HSM was merged in 1921, the locomotives of this series were given the NS numbers 3601–3608. In 1925, these locomotives were rebuilt with a boiler that was practically the same as that of the series NS 3700, because of the wider Belpaire firebox the cab lost its streamlined shape. In 1935 the locomotives had brakes fitted on the bogie, and they received a fully welded tender that had the same water and coal capacity as the tender of the series NS 3900. The maximum speed could therefore be increased to 110 km/h (68 mph). The last locomotive of this series was withdrawn from service in 1953. No engine has survived into preservation.
Fleet list
Works No.
Built date
NCS number
SS number
NS number
Withdrawn
Notes
3140
1910
71
971
3601
1951
3141
1910
72
972
3602
1947
Taken during the war to Germany, after the locomotive return it was scrapped due to war damage.
3276
1911
73
973
3603
1953
Taken to Germany during the war, repaired after being returned
3277
1911
74
974
3604
1952
3404
1913
75
975
3605
1957
Taken to Germany during the war, reported missing in 1950. Scrapped in the DDR in 1957.
3405
1913
76
976
3606
1947
Taken to Germany during the war, scrapped due to war damage after being returned
3406
1914
77
977
3607
1952
Taken to Germany during the war, repaired after being returned
3413
1914
78
978
3608
1947
Taken to Germany during the war, scrapped due to war damage after being returned.
Gallery
An NS 3600 with international coaches as a D train near Oosterbeek Laag. (08-08-1939)
NS 3604 at Amsterdam CS. (1932)
NS 3601 with wagons along the platform of Amsterdam Central. (1932)
An NS 3600 behind NS 5554 with coaches under the signal gantry near Naarden-Bussum. (June 1936)
NS 3601. (Between 1910 - 1920)
NS 3607 with a sand train, presumably during the work on the railway embankment between Gouda and Oudewater. (1947)