Like the British Rail Class 50s, they were equipped with an English Electric 16 CSVT engine and produced 2700 hp.

The main generator and the traction motors were identical to those used on the BR Type 3 and Deltic locomotives.

After the electrification of the main line the locomotives were relegated to Inter Regional services in the Algarve.

They were also used on the steeply-graded Beira Alta line, but were displaced by the more powerful Série 1960 locomotives in the late 1970s.

A single example is now part of the CP Railway Museum collection and has been repainted into the original blue livery.