NS Class 1600

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The NS Class 1600 is a type of B-B electric locomotive built by Alsthom between 1980 and 1983 based on the SNCF Class BB 7200, and in use by the Dutch Railways since 1981.

The Class 1600 was ordered in 1978, after several types of locomotives were tested in the 1970s. One of those was the SNCF BB 7200, on which the 1600 is based. The 58 locomotives were delivered between 1981 and 1983. As a result of their appearance, the old Class 1000 and Class 1500 units were taken out of service.

Thanks to the electronic power control, these locomotives were not only the most economical but also the most powerful locomotives that Dutch Railways had.

[edit] Renumbering from 1600 to 1800

When in 1999 the cargo section became a separate company (Railion), the locomotives that moved over to Railion kept their old number. The locomotives that stayed with Dutch Railways had their numbers raised by 200, thus keeping their number but now in the 1800 series.

The later Class 1700 are equal to the 1600/1800, only the Class 1700 has a quicker way to couple (so they can quickly couple on the DD-AR double-decker trains), which is missing on the 1600/1800 (which have never been used for these trains).