SNCF's BB 25500 class are part of a series of electric locomotives built by Alsthom. They are the dual system version of the BB 17000 (AC) and BB 8500 (DC) locomotives (17000+8500=25500). They are fitted with monomotor bogies with two different gear ratios. This allows them to have either increased tractive effort for freight, or a higher top speed. This makes them suitable for both freight and passenger trains.[3]

Class BB 15500
SNCF BB 25563 at Geneva in 1976
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderAlsthom
Build date1964–1976
Total produced194
Specifications
Configuration:
 • UICB′B′
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge
Driver dia.1,100 mm (3 ft 7 in)
Length
  • 25501–25544: 14.7 m (48 ft 3 in)
  • 25545–25587: 14.94 m (49 ft 0 in)
  • 25588–25694: 15.57 m (51 ft 1 in)
Loco weight
  • 25501–25544: 79 t (174,000 lb)
  • 25545–25555: 80 t (180,000 lb)
  • 25556–25694: 77 t (170,000 lb)
Electric system/s
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Traction motors2×TAB 660B1 monomotors
Performance figures
Maximum speed100 or 140 km/h (62 or 87 mph)
Power output2,940 kW (3,940 hp)
Tractive effort330 kN (74,200 lbf) or
197 kN (44,300 lbf)
Career
OperatorsSNCF TER/Transilien
ClassBB 25500
Number in classTER: 102[1]
Transilien: 8[2]
LocaleTER: Bourgogne, Bretagne, Franche-Comté, PACA, Rhône-Alpes;
Transilien:Paris Montparnasse - Dreux/Mantes la Jolie
First run4 June 1964
Last run13 January 2021
525630 pushes a push-pull train at Lyon Vaise in 2008

They were built in three distinct batches leading to detail differences. They remain in use as mixed traffic locomotives, mostly with TER and Transilien.

Romania edit

Ten locomotives (25517, 25518, 25523, 25524, 25528, 25536, 25570, 25572, 25576 and 25581) have been exported to Romania. They work with former SNCF Rio carriages for Regiotrans.[4]

Unfortunately, 25536 caught fire on 5 December 2017 at Cața station whilst hauling a freight train.

Services worked are:

The locomotives have been renumbered by adding 400,000 to their SNCF numbers.

References edit

  1. ^ Marco van Uden. "SNCF TER electric locomotives". Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  2. ^ Marco van Uden. "SNCF Île de France electric locomotives". Retrieved 3 February 2008.
  3. ^ Haydock, David; Fox, Peter (1999). European Handbook No. 4 French Railways Locomotives & Multiple Units (Third ed.). Sheffield, UK: Platform 5 Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-872524-87-7.
  4. ^ "Locomotive electrice BB 25500 si rame RIB/RIO" (in Romanian). Retrieved 1 March 2011.