SNCB Class AM50

NMBS/SNCB Classical twin EMUs (also referred by their construction year - AM50 for "Automotrice 1950" up to AM79 for the last units from 1979) are electric multiple unit trains operated by the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB). They are the standard train for internal workings under the Belgian standard 3000 Volts DC overhead lines.

Classical EMUs were originally painted in dark green, with small yellow stripes surrounding the front lights. As those were considered insufficiently visible, the front door was also painted in yellow and the stripes were enlarged.

A subset of 22 EMUs was build with stainless steel body instead of (regular) carbon steel. This remains a one shot trial as the next generations were equipped with carbon steel bodies.

Another subset of 6 EMUs were specifically adapted for airport service, with more space between seats and a huge luggage compartment. Although they were operated by SNCB staff, access was restricted to Belgian airlines travellers with a dedicated platform at Brussels Central Station. A blue painting scheme was also chosen to identify those EMUs.

In 1984, SNCB introduces a new transportation plan based on fixed-interval timetables (and the closure of most secondary passenger lines) called 'Plan IC-IR". A new painting scheme, based on a burgundy red color with a large white line surrounding the entire coaches or EMUs below the windows.

In 1999, classical EMUs build in the seventies would be involved in a refurbishing program which includes comfort upgrade (interior replacement, sound system, closed circuit toilets...) and repainting in the light gray delivery with blue and red lines under the windows. Few units were still in the older green delivery when refurbished. The last 40 to be refurbished units received extra features (LED information displays, multi services compartments for bicycles or standing passengers) for suburban "CityRail" service

In 2013, a hundred non-refurbished units were scrapped, after many of the Desiro Mainline Class AM 08 entered into revenue service.

Technical specifications

Those EMUs are driven by four 185 kW 1500 Volts DC motors. Units build before 1970 were driven by a Jeumont-Heidmann camshaft controller. After 1970, Thyristor drive were used instead.

Class	Image	Top speed	Number	Fleet numbers	Built	Withdrawn	Notes
AM39		130 km/h (81 mph)	8	001-008	1939	19??
AM46			1	009	1946	1978
AM50			25	010-034	1950	1995
AM51			1	050
AM53			15	035-049
AM54			78	050-128	1955	1995
AM55			38	502-539	1955
AM56			22	129-130
AM62			60	151-210
AM63			40	211-250
AM65			20	251-270
AM66		140 km/h (87 mph)	40	601-640
AM70JH			24	641-664	1970
AM70TH			12	665-676	1970
AM70 Airport			6	595-600	1970
AM73			30	677-706
AM74			25	707-730
AM78			26	731-759
AM79			26	757-782

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  3 different painting schemes at Ottignies station.

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  2nd class interiors of a refurbished unit.

See also

• Belgian EMUs

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