SNCF Class BB 26000
Encyclopedia
The SNCF BB 26000 locomotives are a class of dual voltage, four axle B'B' electric locomotives capable of a top speed of 200 km/h built by GEC Alsthom between 1988 and 1998 for SNCF
. The locomotives are also commonly known as the Sybics.From Synchronous Bicurrent, referring to synchronous motor drive, and dual voltage operation (french: Synchrone Bicourant)
coaches at 200 km/h on a 0.25% gradient, and to haul a 2050t freight train at 80 km/h on a 0.88% gradient.
The locomotives are a two cabin design with the body built out of steel, two pantographs are fitted; one for 1500V operation, the other for 25kV operation. A 25kV AC supply is stepped down and rectified to 1500V, a 1500V supply feeds the power electronics directly. Each of the three elements of the thyristor bridge basedThe back EMF (ie electrical generator effect) of the synchronous motor provides a reversed electric potential forcing the commutation of the thyristor
three phase inverter circuit
s are connected in parallel, with the two three phase supplies per motor being series connected. For speeds below 15 km/h (9.3 mph) one supply voltage reducing chopper
circuit (French:hacheur) per motor bogie is used to assist control. The power electronics of the two motor bogies are connected in parallel, and are evaporatively cooled by boiling Freon 113.
The bogies are a monomoteur design,Monomoteur (english: mono-motor or single motor) - a single (2.8MW) electric motor is mounted in the bogie and drives both axles with helical spring primarily suspension.
The traction motors are three phase synchronous type (as used in the contemporary TGV Atlantique) but with two three phase stator windings offset by 30 degrees.A "double star" (french: double étoile) type with 12 pole elements was used for the BB 26000 locomotives, whereas the single three phase motors used in the TGV Atlantique had only 6 stator poles set 60 degrees apart Drive from the traction motors to wheel is via a floating ring vibration isolation element (French:anneau dansant) and hollow shaft drive.
Mono-motor bogies were chosen based on the good performance in the SNCF BB 22200
, SNCF BB 15000
and SNCF BB 7200
classes. A synchronous motor was chosen over a commutated motor or an asynchronous motor due to the reduced mass, simplicity of equipment, and price.
Two locomotives SNCF BB 20011 and 20012
were used to develop and test the dual voltage traction system, microprocessor control systems and auxiliary motors, BB 20012 was used to develop and test the pneumatic and electrical braking system.
The Paris based industrial design group MBD Design contributed to the design of the locomotive.
(Asytrit).
The class have been used in most regions of France.
In June 2000 26084 was involved in an accident caused by sabotage near Chasse-sur-Rhône
, and is no longer in service. As of 2009 the remaining 233 machines are still in operation in France.
, Jouef
and Trix
, and by Piko
in HO and N scales.
Fleet list
SNCF
The SNCF , is France's national state-owned railway company. SNCF operates the country's national rail services, including the TGV, France's high-speed rail network...
. The locomotives are also commonly known as the Sybics.From Synchronous Bicurrent, referring to synchronous motor drive, and dual voltage operation (french: Synchrone Bicourant)
Design and development
The class were built to fulfil both freight and passenger roles; the specifications included the ability to haul 16 CorailCorail
Corail is a French word which means coral.It may also refer to:*Corail, Grand'Anse, municipality in southwestern Haiti*Corail Arrondissement, arrondissement in southwestern Haiti*Corail , SNCF service train...
coaches at 200 km/h on a 0.25% gradient, and to haul a 2050t freight train at 80 km/h on a 0.88% gradient.
The locomotives are a two cabin design with the body built out of steel, two pantographs are fitted; one for 1500V operation, the other for 25kV operation. A 25kV AC supply is stepped down and rectified to 1500V, a 1500V supply feeds the power electronics directly. Each of the three elements of the thyristor bridge basedThe back EMF (ie electrical generator effect) of the synchronous motor provides a reversed electric potential forcing the commutation of the thyristor
Thyristor
A thyristor is a solid-state semiconductor device with four layers of alternating N and P-type material. They act as bistable switches, conducting when their gate receives a current trigger, and continue to conduct while they are forward biased .Some sources define silicon controlled rectifiers and...
three phase inverter circuit
Inverter (electrical)
An inverter is an electrical device that converts direct current to alternating current ; the converted AC can be at any required voltage and frequency with the use of appropriate transformers, switching, and control circuits....
s are connected in parallel, with the two three phase supplies per motor being series connected. For speeds below 15 km/h (9.3 mph) one supply voltage reducing chopper
Chopper (electronics)
A chopper circuit is used to refer to numerous types of electronic switching devices and circuits. The term has become somewhat ill-defined, and as a result is much less used nowadays than it was perhaps 30 or more years ago....
circuit (French:hacheur) per motor bogie is used to assist control. The power electronics of the two motor bogies are connected in parallel, and are evaporatively cooled by boiling Freon 113.
The bogies are a monomoteur design,Monomoteur (english: mono-motor or single motor) - a single (2.8MW) electric motor is mounted in the bogie and drives both axles with helical spring primarily suspension.
The traction motors are three phase synchronous type (as used in the contemporary TGV Atlantique) but with two three phase stator windings offset by 30 degrees.A "double star" (french: double étoile) type with 12 pole elements was used for the BB 26000 locomotives, whereas the single three phase motors used in the TGV Atlantique had only 6 stator poles set 60 degrees apart Drive from the traction motors to wheel is via a floating ring vibration isolation element (French:anneau dansant) and hollow shaft drive.
Mono-motor bogies were chosen based on the good performance in the SNCF BB 22200
SNCF Class BB 22200
The BB 22200 is a class of electric locomotives in service with the French railways SNCF, built by Alsthom between 1976-1986. They are a dual voltage version of the BB 7200 and BB 15000 classesThe designation "22000" is in fact the sum of 7200 and 15000.From 1994 nine BB 22200 units were used for...
, SNCF BB 15000
SNCF Class BB 15000
The SNCF class BB 15000 is a class of 25kV 50Hz electric locomotives built by Alsthom and MTE between 1971 and 1978. Initially 65 locomotives strong, the series was widely used on the whole French 25kV network before losing services to TGV trains when the LGV Est went into service in...
and SNCF BB 7200
SNCF Class BB 7200
The SNCF Class BB 7200 is a class of 1.5 kV DC electric locomotives. They are part of the "Nez Cassé" family of locomotives, this being the DC version. Class BB 15000 is the AC version while the Class BB 22200 is a dual-voltage version. They are numbered to show that the DC and AC class make...
classes. A synchronous motor was chosen over a commutated motor or an asynchronous motor due to the reduced mass, simplicity of equipment, and price.
Two locomotives SNCF BB 20011 and 20012
SNCF Class BB 20011
The SNCF BB 20011 and SNCF BB 20012 were electric locomotives used for testing, built by Alsthom between 1985 and 1986. The two locomotives were the synchronous dual-voltage prototypes for Class BB 26000....
were used to develop and test the dual voltage traction system, microprocessor control systems and auxiliary motors, BB 20012 was used to develop and test the pneumatic and electrical braking system.
The Paris based industrial design group MBD Design contributed to the design of the locomotive.
History and operations
264 of the class were ordered by SNCF, only 234 were built, the last 30 of the order were instead built as a new triple voltage design capable of also operating on 3kV DC; these used asynchronous electric motors and became the SNCF Class BB 36000SNCF Class BB 36000
The SNCF Class BB 36000 locomotives are a class of triple voltage 4 axle Bo'Bo' electric locomotives built by GEC-Alsthom between 1996 and 2001 for SNCF. Initially only to be a tri-voltage version of BB 26000 locomotives, it was further developed and became eventually a completely new locomotive...
(Asytrit).
The class have been used in most regions of France.
In June 2000 26084 was involved in an accident caused by sabotage near Chasse-sur-Rhône
Chasse-sur-Rhône
Chasse-sur-Rhône is a commune in the Isère department in south-eastern France.-See also:*Communes of the Isère department...
, and is no longer in service. As of 2009 the remaining 233 machines are still in operation in France.
Liveries
The locomotives were originally delivered in an orange and grey livery. Other liveries carried include the Fret SNCF green livery, the red and grey multiservice and TER Alsace liveries and the purple and silver En voyage livery.Miniature models
The locomotives have been reproduced as models in HO scale by MarklinMärklin
Gebr. Märklin & Cie. GmbH or Märklin is a German toy company. The company was founded in 1859 and is based at Göppingen in Baden-Wurttemberg. Although it originally specialised in doll house accessories, today it is best known for model railways and technical toys...
, Jouef
Jouef
Jouef was a French manufacturer that specialized in model trains and other vehicles. Jouef is one of the world's most famous hobby brands, perhaps only slightly less well-known than Schuco, Marklin, Lines Brothers or Lionel..-History:...
and Trix
Trix
Trix may refer to:* Trix , a breakfast cereal* Trix , the German company that produced Trix construction and model train sets* Trix , originally produced in Germany and later in the UK...
, and by Piko
Piko
PIKO is one of the largest and best-known model train brands in Europe and also enjoys a wide following in the United States and other parts of the world...
in HO and N scales.
External links
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