The locomotive had two MAN diesel engines, giving a combined power output of 1,472 kilowatts (1,974 hp) and allowing the 82.7 tonnes (81.4 long tons; 91.2 short tons) vehicle to reach a maximum speed of 100 km/h (62 mph).

It first served on the Bergen Line, although the locomotive was plagued with technical faults causing it to be out of service for shorter and longer periods.

The Di 1 was the first class of diesel locomotives ordered by the Norwegian State Railways.

During 1952 the locomotive started being used on the Dovre Line, and it was official transferred to Trondheim District on 20 October.

[3] The units remained the most powerful diesel locomotives used by NSB until the delivery of the Di 4 in the 1980s.

The locomotive was retired on 24 July 1959,[4] and sold to Brødrene London as scrap, and has thus not been preserved.