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hide options panelClass 13 (SNCB)
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-13
The SNCB Class 13 Bo-Bo electric was introduced in 1997. It is closely related to the SNCF BB36000 and capable of working from 3000V DC, 25kV AC and 1500V DC systems. SNCB have 60 and CFL 20, used on passenger and freight traffic in the two countries and also freights into France.
BB67000, BB67200, BB67300, BB67400 Class
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-13
The BB67000 mixed traffic diesel-electric was introduced in 1963. Many are still used for infrastructure work as BB67200. BB67300 was a more powerful version but all are now withdrawn. BB67400 was more powerful still and some remain in service on passenger, freight and infra duties.
BMMUs
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-13
BMMUs are bi-mode units capable of running as EMUs on electrified lines and using another power source elsewhere, usually diesel but batteries or hydrogen fuel cells are also possible. SNCF has a fleet of Bombardier AGC and Alstom Regiolis bi-mode units for regional and InterCities services.
BB27000, 27300, BB37000 Class
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-13
These classes of Bo-Bo electric loco are all versions of the Alstom Prima design, introduced from 2002. The 27000 is the basic 1500V DC, 25kV AC 5600hp freight loco. The 27300 is similar but equipped for passenger work and the 37000 is a triple voltage version of the 27000, equipped to run into Germany.
Z7300, Z7500, Z9500, Z9600, Z11500 Class
1 photo
updated : 2022-09-13
These EMUs are all versions of the Z2 2-car EMU introduced in 1980. The Z7300 and Z7500 are 1500V DC only, Z11500 are 25kV AC only and Z9500 and Z9600 are capable of running on both systems. Many units have now been withdrawn although over half the Z11500 are still in traffic.
B81500, B82500, X76500, Z26500 Class
3 photos
updated : 2022-09-13
These 4 classes are bi-mode, diesel and electric versions of Bombardier's AGC design of 3 or 4-car articulated multiple unit, introduced in 2004. The electric and bi-mode versions are sometimes known as ZGC and BGC respectively. SNCF operates over 700 of the units on regional passenger services.
Class 185, 186, 187
2 photos
updated : 2022-09-13
Classes 185, 186 and 187 are the German classifications for Bombardier TRAXX electric locos, most of which are equipped to operate off German 15kV AC and French 25kV AC. Locos used by DB Cargo and other freight operators regularly work in France and SNCF's subsidiary Akiem has some on its books.
171-2 Paris - Belfort
6 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
The Paris - Belfort line was one of the few places in Europe where you could still see big diesels on fast passenger trains in 2013 but you had to be patient as there were very long gaps between workings. The CC72100 diesels didn't last much longer and the last loco hauled passengers ran in early 2017.
Loco Hauled Passengers
30 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
SNCF still operates all but a few passenger services in France and has been replacing loco hauled trains with new EMUs, DMUs or bi-mode units. There is still some loco haulage but it has declined over the past few years and most of the services shown here are now worked by units or no longer run.
CC72000, CC72100 Class
4 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
The Class CC72000 C-C diesel-electrics were introduced in 1967 and rated at 3550hp. They saw use on express passenger trains on various routes. From 2002, 30 locos were re-engined to reduce emissions and renumbered as Class CC72100. Most CC72000 were withdrawn by 2010, CC72100 by 2017.
Diesels
5 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
The classic SNCF main line diesel designs of the 1960s and 1970s are rapidly disappearing as DMUs oust them from passenger work and more modern locos take over their freight duties. Classes CC72100 and BB67400 locos are represented here but there aren't many pictures.
Electrics
37 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
SNCF's electric locos have lost a lot of work in recent years. EMUs now handle most passenger trains, while Fret SNCF's traffic has declined. There were still a wide variety of classes at work in the early years of the 21st Century but the majority of classes pictured here have either gone or are on their way out.
BB26000 Class
15 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
The Class BB26000 locos were SNCF's first design with a 3 phase drive, known as Sybics (synchronous bicourant). A total of 234 Sybics were built in 1988-98. They are capable of working on both 25kV AC and 1500V DC systems and can be found all over the SNCF system on passenger or freight duties.
103 Strasbourg - Sarrebourg
16 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
The Strasbourg - Sarrebourg line is a reasonably busy double-track railway, electrified at 25kV AC. It crosses the Vosges via the Saverne Gap, the narrow twisting valley of the River Zorn that provides a relatively easy route through the mountains for the railway and the parallel Rhine - Marne Canal.
Freight
12 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
It's no secret that most freight operators avoid sending their trains through France whenever possible and Fret SNCF doesn't seem capable of retaining traffic, let alone attracting more to rail. Although there are some independent operators, there isn't a vast amount of freight to photograph on most lines.
EMUs
6 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
EMUs cover a wide range of duties in France from local passengers on rural lines through suburban work around big cities to TGVs speeding across the country at up to 350km/h. TGVs and other EMUs have replaced most electric loco hauled trains on domestic and international services.
TGVs
3 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
TGVs are high speed electric multiple units, designed to run on purpose built high speed lines but also capable of running on the conventional network. All have 25kV AC/1500V DC capability and some have been equipped for 15kV AC in Germany and Switzerland or 3000V DC in Belgium and Italy.
545 Narbonne - Cerbere
27 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
This line runs along the Cote Vermielle (or Vermillion Coast), squeezed between the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean Sea, just north of the Spanish border, and is electrified at 1500V DC. There are numerous excellent photo positions but loco hauled trains were few and far between during my 2008 and 2011 visits.
BB7200 Class
10 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
The BB7200s are the 1500V DC only version of the SNCF's standard mixed traffic Bo-Bo electric locomotive of the 1970s. The locos are rated at 5400hp and a total of 240 were built in 1976-85. They are still in widespread use on DC lines across the country although more than half have been withdrawn.
BB15000 Class
3 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
BB15000s are the 25kV AC only version of SNCF's standard mixed-traffic electric locomotive of the 1970s. The class was introduced in 1971, with 65 entering service by 1978. They were initially concentrated on the lines from Paris Est but are now more widespread across the AC system in northern France.
BB9300 Class
5 photos
updated : 2020-12-17
The 40 Class BB9300 were modernised versions of the BB9200, SNCF's standard 1500V DC mixed-traffic B-B locomotive of the late 1950s. The last BB9300s could be found working regional passengers from Toulouse and Bordeaux and were coming towards the end of their lives by 2008.
Although France is Britain's nearest neighbour, French railways haven't featured on many of my trips. Infrequent trains, erratic timetables and the total foreignness of the place made visits hard work in a way that other European countries weren't. A great shame as many of the locos were superb.
These pictures were taken on visits to the superbly scenic but lightly trafficked main line along the Mediterranean coast, north of the Spanish border, on the trunk route through the Saverne Gap west of Strasbourg and on the long cross-country Paris - Belfort route, before DMUs took over long distance passenger traffic from the CC72100 diesels . All the photos were taken on trips since 2008.
