The
Discreet Charm of French ElectricsThe
Discreet Charm of French ElectricsSNCF, the French national railway, is known for advanced applications of railborne propulsion, but a surprising amount of the company's equipment in daily use dates from before the end of the steam era. Retirement of older electrics has seemed to occur at a glacial pace; for example, at least three classes of prewar, DC-powered machines (some with spoked wheels yet!) managed to last well into the '90's, albeit in terminal shunting service.
Although many of these locomotive types would never win a beauty contest, we have come to a grudging affection for their sturdy, boxy lines, and the impeccable maintenance afforded by SNCF's shop forces. Since 1995, however, the older machines have begun to disappear at a greater rate, due to the increasing use of TGV-type stock for long-distance trains, the gradual change in Paris-area commuter operations from terminal to run-through services, and the adoption of multi-current locomotives to break down the Chinese wall between northern (generally 25KVAC) and southern (mostly 1500VDC) lines.
If you are looking for more pix of these and other SNCF types, steer your browser toward our Gare du Nord page, and of course to the huge picture collection of the European Railway Server.
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Among the large BB16500 class, dozens of these homely (and noisy) machines have been working out of Gare de l'Est since the 1960's, in both suburban and shunting services. Major changes will occur in the next year, however, as terminal operations are converted to run-throughs using new double-decker 'Eole' stock. March 1998 (BB16575.JPG; 81Kb). |
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Beloved in France, and soon for retirement, are the last of the BB12000-series AC-current 'Crocodiles', dating from the late '50's and currently based in the eastern town of Lens. The lucky '013 is drifting through the yard at Le Bourget-Echanges. Feb. 1994 (BB12013.JPG; 72Kb). |
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Since the late '60's, most new locomotives have been bi-current types, helping to reduce the need for locomotive changes on through freight services. A prime example is this BB22200 series machine passing Le Bourget-Echanges on 15 Feb. 94 (BB22XXX.JPG; 79Kb). |
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Numerous classes of 'Rapide'-type B-B's continue to hold down secondary freight and passenger services, with the 25150 series set up for dual-current operation. This one is rejoining the Grande Ceinture freight bypass around Paris as it gets under way from Le Bourget-Echanges on 22 March 1996 (BB25153.JPG; 97Kb). |
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Contemporary (mid-'60s) to the above locomotive, and also capable of dual -current operation, BB25500-class locos are commonly-seen on freights in the Paris area. In this shot, the 25520 swings off the Laon-Paris main at Le Bourget to join the Grande Ceinture. 05 Feb. 1994 (BB25520.JPG; 78Kb) |
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Built in the mid-thirties for the MIDI, BB4200-series DC boxcabs lasted into the '90's in terminal shunting services, as seen here at Paris' Gare d'Austerlitz. May 1994 (BB_4211.JPG; 84Kb). |
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In DC territory, portholed BB8200-series electrics (some recently renumbered into the 80000's) can often be seen operating between Gare de Lyon and the huge yard at Villeneuve Saint-Georges. Here, the 8235 is about to return to the coach yard with a string of Italian stock just in from Milan. 20 August 1994 (BB_8235.JPG; 78Kb). |
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Dating from the mid-50's, the imposing CC7100's are some of the highest-mileage units on SNCF, with some having racked up more than 9 million km (5.6 million miles). On a quiet Sunday morning in August 1998, the 7129 is caught running light on its way toward Paris, as it passes through Villeneuve Saint-Georges. (CC7129.JPG; 80Kb). |
