SNCF Class BB 9200

The SNCF Class BB 9200 1500 V DC electric locomotives were built by Schneider-Jeumont/CEM between 1958-1964. 92 of them were built, the last being withdrawn in 2014.

SNCF BB 9200
SNCF BB 9218 in the original livery at Pau in 1986
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderCreusot-Loire, Jeumont-Schneider and Compagnie Électro-Mécanique
Build date1957–1964
Total produced92
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICBo′Bo′
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Wheel diameter1,250 mm (4 ft 1 1⁄4 in)
Wheelbase9.200 m (30 ft 2 1⁄4 in)
 • Bogie3.200 m (10 ft 6 in)
Length16.200 m (53 ft 1 3⁄4 in)
Width2.980 m (9 ft 9 3⁄8 in)
Height4.191 m (13 ft 9 in)
Loco weight82.8 tonnes (81.5 long tons; 91.3 short tons)
Electric system/s1500 V DC
Current pickup(s)Pantograph, type G1, 2 off
Traction motorsGLM 931 B, 1500 volt, force ventilated, 4 off
Performance figures
Maximum speed200 km/h (124 mph)
Power output:
​
 • Continuous3,850 kW (5,160 hp)
Career
OperatorsSNCF
NumbersBB 9201 – BB 9292
Retired2003–2015

History

These locomotives are products of the Jacquemin product family, offspring of the prototype BB 9004, and named after the engineer who designed their bogies.

The locomotives were designed for a maximum speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) and were the first such engines in France. In the late sixties, a small group of locomotives was converted for 200 km/h (120 mph) operation, hauling prestige TEE trains like the Capitole - these locomotives were called the BB 9200 Capitole. These types were later superseded by the CC 6500 locomotives. Some of these locomotives have been covered more than 10 million kilometers (6.2 million miles) since they entered service.

Service

The regular services of the BB 9200 locomotivess were inter-regional trains between Paris Montparnasse and Le Mans, between Paris Austerlitz and Tours and between Paris Gare de Lyon, Dijon and Lyon. Some were in service on freight trains. Phasing out of the class was completed by 2014.[1]

BB 9200 Capitole
BB Rouge in Mulhouse

The BB 9200 Capitole was a variant of the SNCF Class BB 9200 locomotive specially constructed for operating high speed trains running at speeds greater than 160 km/h or 99 mph). Due to the special colour scheme they were also called the BB rouge. They also sported Capitole front plates and single-arm pantographs; the rest of the class had diamond pantographs. From 1967 to 1970 the SNCF started the high speed service with the Capitole between Paris and Toulouse. This route included some sections with a speed of more than 200 km/h (120 mph).

  • BB 9291 and 9292 : locomotive variants constructed for 250 km/h (160 mph).
  • BB 9278, 9281, 9282 and 9288 : locomotive variants, that were conversions of standard members of the class, and limited to 200 km/h (120 mph).

Models of the BB 9200 rouges with their Capitol plates were produced by Märklin and Roco.

References
  1. van Uden, Marc. "SNCF withsrawn locos and shunters". Railfan Europe. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
  • Cuny, Vincent (September 2007). "Le Capitole c'est pas Japon". Correspondences Ferroviares (in French) (34): 50–59.
  • Porcher, Thierry (March–April 2007). "Il y a 40 ans - La Révolution Rouge du CAPITOLE". Objectif Rail (in French) (20): 38–45.
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