SNCF Class BB 300

SNCF Class BB 300
306 at Lille Flandres in 1984.
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder Siemens/Alsthom Build date 1938–1939 Total produced 24
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo′Bo′  • Commonwealth Bo-Bo Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Wheel diameter 1,350 mm (53 in) Length: ​  • Over body 12.930 m (42 ft 5.1 in) Loco weight 80 t (79 long tons; 88 short tons) Electric system/s 1500 V dc Current pickup(s) Pantograph
Performance figures Maximum speed 105 km/h (65 mph) as built 75 km/h (47 mph) rebuilt Power output: ​  • Continuous 1,240 kW (1,660 hp) as built 1,060 kW (1,420 hp) rebuilt
Career Operators SNCF Nederlandse Spoorwegen Class BB 300 Number in class 24 Numbers E 241–E 264 BB 301–BB 324, omitting BB 318 Retired 1997

The SNCF Class BB 300 was a class of 24 electric locomotives built between 1938 and 1939. Originally ordered by the Paris–Orleans/Midi railway as a development of the Midi Class E4700 for fast services from Paris to Bordeaux and Toulouse. As delivered they were numbered E 241–E 264. Under the 1950 renumbering scheme they became BB 301–BB 324. E 258 was destroyed in 1944 so never became BB 318.[1] In 1949, 11 locomotives were leased to Nederlandse Spoorwegen, returning to SNCF in 1951.[2]

Between 1977 and 1987, the class was rebuilt as shunters with the top speed reduced to 75 km/h (47 mph). The class was withdrawn in 1997 after nearly 60 years in service.[2]

References

1. Garvin, Brian; Fox, Peter; Appleby, Chris (1986). SNCF/French National Railways. Sheffield: Platform Five. p. 9. ISBN 0-906579-62-7.
2. van Uden, Marco. "SNCF withdrawn electric locomotives". Railfan Europe. Retrieved 18 February 2021.