NSB El 16 is an electric locomotive which is used on the Norwegian railway system by CargoNet to haul freight trains.

In the 1970s NSB was faced with a challenge on the steep and wintry Bergen Line and the El 14 was not adequate for the task.

The Swedish Rc4 locomotives were tested on the Northeast Corridor with success and NSB also chose to try the units on the Bergen Line.

The engines were used throughout the electrified rail network, both passenger and freight trains, with the exception of the northern section of the Gjøvik Line and the Sørland Line west of Kristiansand, due to too weak power supply systems.

Retirement from passenger service started with the fissioning of Norwegian State Railways.