SNCF Class BB 36000

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


SNCF BB 36000
SNCF BB 36000
SNCF BB 436055, At Bois-Plan, near Chambéry, April 2006.
Power type Electric
Builder Alstom
Build date 1996-2002
Total production 40
UIC classification Bo'Bo'
AAR wheel arr. B-B
Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in)
Length 19.1 m
Width 2.59 m
Height 4.3 m
Weight on drivers 11 t
Total weight 88 t
Electric system(s) 1500V DC
3000V DC
25kV 50Hz AC
Engine type 4×Alstom FXA 4559 with GTO powerpacks
Top speed 120 km/h (before 2001 and theoretical: 220 km/h)
Power output 5,600 kW
Locomotive brakes  
Train brakes  
Safety systems Crocodile, KVB, TBL.
Career SNCF-FRET
Number in class 40
Number(s) 36001-36030 & 36051-36060
Nicknames Astride
Disposition in service
WikiProject Trains
{{Infobox Locomotive Auto}}

The SNCF Class BB 36000 electric locomotives were built by GEC-Alsthom (from 1998: Alstom) between 1996 and 2001. Initially only to be a tri-current version of BB 26000 locomotives, it was further developed and became eventually a completely new locomotive type. They mostly operate on French-Belgian freight corridors such as Calais-Montzen and Lille Délivrance-Antwerpen Noord.

SNCB/NMBS's class 13 and CFL's class 3000 locomotives were derived from the BB 36000.

[edit] History

Originally BB 36000 locomotives were an extension of the BB 26000 order, with the last 30 locomotives being equipped for service into Italy. In 1993 the order was modified: not only the locomotives were to be tri-current, but they would also be redeveloped and become a totally new locomotive type. At first SNCF hesitated to modify the order as the synchronous technology from BB 26000 locomotives was very reliable, but Alstom persuaded SNCF to change the order so that it would get new asynchronous traction motors with GTO powerpacks. This would also enable Alstom to receive export orders of locomotives with this technology.

Asynchronous traction was already used successfully for 2 decades in Germany, but not in France as realising multi-voltage locomotives with this technology was a problem due to the high weight of the semiconductors. In the mid-90s the technology was finally advanced enough to develop multi-voltage locomotives. Based on the experiences made with testbed locomotive BB 10003, Alstom engineers further refined the technology so it was ready to be used in new locomotives.

BB 36000 were also slated for use in the canceled Nightstar cross-channel services.

With the Nightstar project frozen in 1997 and shelved in 1999, the locomotives were displaced to FRET, the freight branch of SNCF.


[edit] Career

[edit] References

  • Génération triphasé: BB 26000, 36000, 27000, 37000. In: Rail Passion Hors-Serie : "Locomotives d'aujourd'hui: BB 26000, 36000, 27000 et 37000". July 2004. Éditions La Vie Du Rail, ISSN 1261-3665, p. 6-29.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: