SNCF BB 9003-9004
The SNCF BB 9003 and BB 9004 are French direct current electric locomotives with two trucks each having two driving axles. Built at the same time as SNCF BB 9001-9002, these four units were used to evaluate locomotives with total adhesion in the course of normal operation. They also served as prototypes that helped define the mechanical and electrical characteristics of future locomotives to be ordered in greater quantities. The Jaquemin trucks were later used in BB 9200-9300-9700, 12000-13000, 16000-16100, 20100, 25100-25150-25200 series locomotives, the body design (with common aesthetics) would be used in BB 9200-9300-9700, 9400, 16000-16100, 20100, 25100-25150-25200, 30000 series locomotives and traction equipment (JH servomotors) would be used in the BB 9200-9300-9700 series.
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Design and operation history
BB 9003 was the first French locomotive to be remote-controlled from the exterior of its train. BB 9004 broke a rail speed record of 331 km / h on 29 March 1955 on the Landes line between Facture and Morcenx, France,[1] a day after SNCF 7107 did not exceed the actual speed of 325 km / h,[2] but the railway gave the speed record of 331 km / h to the credit of the both machines in order to protect the commercial interests of the manufacturers.[3] The event was widely broadcast in France and in other countries; an American television news crew sent an airplane to overfly the attempt and they were certain the train would derail before reaching 330 km/h. In fact, the airplane had trouble keeping up with the train. SNCF engineers were delighted at the performance; this attempt represented a beginning into the study of using electricity as the means of propulsion for high speed rail.[4]
When leaving the factory, BB 9001 and 9002 wore a two-color livery (dark bluish green and light bluish green) with aluminum stripes down the centerline, similar to the 2D2 9100s released shortly before them. 9001 and 9002 were later repainted in a uniform dark bluish green paint scheme.[5]
BB 9004 ran for only 21 years, being used in revenue service until 1973. After withdrawal from service, it was stored in Hausbergen (near Strasbourg). The unit was sent to the Arles workshops to be restored in 1979 and was donated to the Cite du Train in 1981. In 2005, BB 9004 was run one final time on the Landes line in a special train along with CC 7107 as part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the world speed record. [6]
Preservation
BB 9004 is preserved at Cite du Train, in a livery similar to one worn on the record winning run 1955. It is made with the body from BB 9003 (the 9004’s body being in too poor condition to be saved), using internal components from 9004.
References
- "Untitled". Chemins de Fer (in French). No. 191. March–April 1955.
- Loïc Fieux (February–March 2005). "331 km/h : le mythe est-il réalité ?". Correspondances ferroviaires (in French). No. 17. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- Raymond Legrand-Lane (March–April 1995). "40 ans après l'exploit... les souvenirs d'un témoin". Voies ferrées (in French). No. 88.
- #UneNuitAuMusée, Facebook Live depuis la Cité du Train #Mulhouse [#A night at the museum, Facebook Live from the Cite du Train #Mulhouse] (facebook live recording) (in French). Mulhouse: Cite du Train. 16 May 2020. Event occurs at 0:33:35. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
- "Sur l'évolution des couleurs des locomotives électriques construites depuis 1945". Loco-Revue (in French). No. 302. January 1970.
- "#CeJourLà #record". Cite du Train instagram (in French). 29 March 1955. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.