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SNCF Class BB 20005

SNCF BB20005
Type and origin
Power typeElectric
BuilderAlsthom & MTE
Build date1961 (rebuilt from BB16028)
Specifications
Configuration:
 • UICBo-Bo
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in)
Length16.68 m (54 ft 9 in)
Width2.988 m (9 ft 9.6 in)
Height4.298 m (14 ft 1.2 in)
Loco weight84 short tons (75 long tons; 76 t)
Electric system/sCatenary
1.5 kV DC
25 kV AC
Current pickup(s)Pantograph
Traction motorstwo TO-136B 1.5 kV DC traction motors
Safety systemsCrocodile
Performance figures
Maximum speed160 km/h (99 mph)
Power output3,890 kW (5,220 hp) under 25 kV
3,290 kW (4,410 hp) under 1.5 kV
Career
OperatorsSNCF
Number in class1
First run1961
Dispositionreinstated to BB16028

The SNCF class BB 20005 locomotive was a prototype locomotive of the BB25150/BB25200 series, transformed from the damaged BB16028 in 1961. After the end of its test period in 1975 it was reinstated with its original equipment under its original number BB16028.

History

After successful tests with BB20004, prototype of BB25500 locomotives, another new series of dual-voltage locomotives was ordered by SNCF: the BB25150 and BB25200 series. These had a higher power than their predecessors, and in order to test the new parts and technology it was decided to rebuild a BB16000 locomotive into dual-voltage.

BB20005 differed from previous prototypes in the way that it had a both complete AC and DC equipment, previous locomotives only having a complete AC equipment and a small DC equipment, limiting their power under 1.5 kV.With a full AC and DC equipment, BB20005 developed nearly 85% of its power under 1.5 kV, which was a great achievement at that time, knowing that only 2 years before BB20004 developed only 45% of its power under 1.5 kV.

The prototype helped to develop the bogies of the 2 'BB Jacquemin [fr]' series: the BB25150 series which had bogies for 130 km/h (81 mph) and were lower geared (to pull heavier freight trains) and the BB25200 series which had bogies for 160 km/h (99 mph) and were higher geared (for lighter passenger trains and to operate in push-pull mode).

References