SNCF Class BB 8500
Encyclopedia
The SNCF Class BB 8500 class are part of a series of electric locomotive
s built by Alsthom for SNCF
. They are the direct current
version of the 25kV alternating current
SNCF BB 17000
and dual system SNCF BB 25500
.
The locomotives are fitted with monomotor bogie
s with two different gear ratios. This allows them to increase their tractive effort in exchange for a reduction their top speed. This makes them suitable for both freight
and passenger trains. They acquired the nickname Danseuses (dancers) due to their tendency to sway from side to side at speed. This tendency lead to them being blacked at a number of depots.
They were built a three distinct batches leading to detail differences. They remain in use as mixed traffic locomotives, mostly with TER and but with some remaining for special duties. 30 locomotives, dedicated to empty stock moves, have been reclassified as BB 88500. Likewise in 2001, 20 of the class were dedicated for workings on the Ligne de la Maurienne. They were classified BB 8700 for this period.
Electric locomotive
An electric locomotive is a locomotive powered by electricity from overhead lines, a third rail or an on-board energy storage device...
s built by Alsthom for SNCF
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...
. They are the direct current
Direct current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
version of the 25kV alternating current
Alternating current
In alternating current the movement of electric charge periodically reverses direction. In direct current , the flow of electric charge is only in one direction....
SNCF BB 17000
SNCF Class BB 17000
The SNCF Class BB 17000 B-B AC electric locomotives built between 1965 and 1968. It performs suburban duties on railway lines around Paris, notably VB2N carriages. They are monophase locomotives and have the nickname "danseuses" or "dancers"...
and dual system SNCF BB 25500
SNCF Class BB 25500
SNCF's BB 25500 class are part of a series of electric locomotives built by Alstom. They are the dual system version of the BB 17000 and BB 8500 locomotives . They are fitted with monomotor bogies with two different gear ratios. This allows them to have increased tractive effort in exchange for a...
.
The locomotives are fitted with monomotor bogie
Bogie
A bogie is a wheeled wagon or trolley. In mechanics terms, a bogie is a chassis or framework carrying wheels, attached to a vehicle. It can be fixed in place, as on a cargo truck, mounted on a swivel, as on a railway carriage/car or locomotive, or sprung as in the suspension of a caterpillar...
s with two different gear ratios. This allows them to increase their tractive effort in exchange for a reduction their top speed. This makes them suitable for both freight
Freight train
A freight train or goods train is a group of freight cars or goods wagons hauled by one or more locomotives on a railway, ultimately transporting cargo between two points as part of the logistics chain...
and passenger trains. They acquired the nickname Danseuses (dancers) due to their tendency to sway from side to side at speed. This tendency lead to them being blacked at a number of depots.
They were built a three distinct batches leading to detail differences. They remain in use as mixed traffic locomotives, mostly with TER and but with some remaining for special duties. 30 locomotives, dedicated to empty stock moves, have been reclassified as BB 88500. Likewise in 2001, 20 of the class were dedicated for workings on the Ligne de la Maurienne. They were classified BB 8700 for this period.