CP Class 1200
| Company type | Diesel-electric locomotive |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Predecessor | Design based on SNCF locomotives |
| Founded | 1961–1964 |
Area served | Portugal |
| Products | Diesel-electric multipurpose locomotives |
| Owner | Comboios de Portugal (CP) |
The Série 1200 represents a series of diesel-electric multipurpose locomotives utilized by Comboios de Portugal (CP). A total of twenty-five units were manufactured between 1961 and 1964 through a collaboration between Brissonneau & Lotz and Sorefame, drawing on a design initially developed for the French national railway, SNCF.
Technical equipment
Equipped with an MGO-V-12AHSR V12 engine producing , these locomotives employ a direct current generator to power four traction motors. They are capable of reaching speeds up to .
History
Initially delivered in a blue paint scheme, the Série 1200 locomotives were subsequently repainted to CP's characteristic orange livery. Since their introduction in the early 1960s, this class has proven to be a dependable asset for Portuguese Railways, fulfilling various operational roles.
Operations
The Class 1200 was deployed on passenger and commuter services in regions such as the Algarve, the vicinity of Porto, and north of Beja. With the arrival of more powerful diesel locomotives and diesel multiple units, these units transitioned primarily to freight and shunting tasks.
In 2007, several withdrawn locomotives were sold to Argentina as part of a rolling stock transaction worth 27 million euros.