Nez Cassé
| Industry | Locomotive manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | France |
| Products | Locomotives |
The Nez Cassé locomotive family consists of both electric and diesel units, primarily engineered for rapid passenger transport on the French SNCF network. Manufactured by Alsthom, these locomotives were created to operate across diverse electrification systems as well as on routes without electrification, serving extensively from the 1960s through to the early 21st century. Notable models include the BB 7200/7600 and CC 6500 series running on 1.5 kV DC, the BB15000 class designed for 25 kV 50 Hz AC, the dual-voltage BB 22200 (combining 7200 and 15000 capabilities) and CC 21000 (both supporting 1.5 kV DC and 25 kV AC), along with the diesel-powered CC 72000/72100.
Originating from the 1964 quadruple-voltage CC 40100, developed by designer Paul Arzens for international Trans Europ Express service, this series inherited its characteristic "Nez Cassé" ("broken nose") moniker from the CC 40100’s sharply angled front nose and windshield design. Later versions incorporated reinforced crash protection by extending the nose structure while preserving the recognizable front-end styling.
The earliest SNCF variants introduced in 1969—the robust CC 6500 operating on 1.5kV DC and the dual-voltage CC 21000—utilized a Co'Co' wheel configuration to accommodate their heavier mass. The distinct BBB 8000 model built for Korail in 1972 employed a Bo'Bo'Bo' bogie setup tailored to Korean track specifications concerning load distribution and curvature. Subsequent SNCF locomotives such as the BB 7200, BB 15000, and BB 22200 were lighter in weight, featured Bo'Bo' bogies, and offered more economical procurement costs, entering service between 1971 and 1976.
List of Nez Cassé locomotives
Presented below is an overview of locomotives worldwide constructed in this design style.
| Class | Country | Operator(s) | Build Date(s) | Wheel Arrangement (UIC) | Wheel Arrangement (AAR) | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SNCF Class BB 7200 | France | SNCF | 1976-1985 | Bo'Bo' | B-B | |
| SNCF Class BB 15000 | France | SNCF | 1971-1978 | Bo'Bo' | B-B | |
| SNCF Class BB 22200 Class 22 (II) |
|
SNCF | 1976-1986 | Bo'Bo' | B-B | |
| SNCF Class CC 6500 | France | SNCF | 1969-1975 | Co'Co' | C-C | |
| SNCF Class CC 21000 | France | SNCF | 1995-1996 | Co'Co' | C-C | |
| SNCF Class CC 72000 | France | SNCF | 1967-1974 | Co'Co' | C-C | |
| SNCF Class CC 40100 | France | SNCF | 1964, 1969-1970 | Co'Co' | C-C | |
| SNCB Class 18 (Alsthom) | Belgium | NMBS/SNCB | 1973-1974 | Co'Co' | C-C | |
| Amtrak X996 | United States | Amtrak | 1977 | Co'Co' | C-C | |
| CP Class 2600 | Portugal | Comboios de Portugal | 1974-1975 | Bo'Bo' | B-B | |
| CP Class 2620 | Portugal | Comboios de Portugal | 1987-1989 | Bo'Bo' | B-B | |
| CP Class 1900 | Portugal | Comboios de Portugal | 1981 | Co'Co' | C-C | |
| CP Class 1930 | Portugal | Comboios de Portugal | 1981-1982 | Co'Co' | C-C | |
| NS Class 1600 | Netherlands | 1981-1983 | Bo'Bo' | B-B | ||
| NS Class 1700 | Netherlands | Nederlandse Spoorwegen | 1990-1994 | Bo'Bo' | B-B | |
| NS 1800 Class | Netherlands | Nederlandse Spoorwegen | 1981-1983 | Bo'Bo' | B-B | |
| SŽ series 363 | Slovenia | Slovenian Railways | 1975-1977 | Co'Co' | C-C | |
| Korail Class 8000 | South Korea | Korail | 1972-1990 | Bo-Bo-Bo | B'B'B' | |
| ONCF Class DF100 | Morocco | ONCF | >N/A | Co'Co' | C-C | |
| ONCF Class DF115 | Morocco | ONCF | N/A | Co'Co' | C-C | |
| ONCF Class E1300 | Morocco | ONCF | N/A | Bo'Bo' | B-B | |
| ONCF Class E1350 | Morocco | ONCF | N/A | Bo'Bo' | B-B | |
| FEPASA 2200 | Brazil | Ferrovia Paulista S/A Ferrovia Paulista | N/A | Bo'Bo' | B-B |
Locomotives with Comparable Styling
The following table presents locomotives featuring a comparable "broken nose" aesthetic but are not officially classified within the "Nez Cassé" series.
| Model | Nation | Operator(s) | Production Years | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR13 | Finland | VR Group | 1962–1965 | |
| 2TE116 | Russia (and several former Soviet states) | Russian Railways (alongside other ex-Soviet rail operators) | Not specified | |
| 2TE10M | Russia (including some ex-Soviet countries) | Russian Railways (plus other ex-Soviet railways) | From 1981 onward | |
| 2TE10MK | Kazakhstan | KTZ | 1981 | |
| 2TE10V | Russia (and likely some former Soviet nations) | Russian Railways (and probably other ex-Soviet rail companies) | 1975–1981 | |
| 2TE10G | Russia (and probably some ex-Soviet countries) | Russian Railways (and likely other ex-Soviet railways) | 1988 | |
| 2TE10S | Russia (likely including some former Soviet nations) | Russian Railways (probably other ex-Soviet rail operators) | 1988 | |
| 2TE10U | Russia (likely with some ex-Soviet countries) | Russian Railways (probably other ex-Soviet rail companies) | From 1989 onward | |
| 2TE10UT | Russia (likely including some former Soviet states) | Russian Railways (probably other ex-Soviet operators) | 1989–1997 |
Additional Operators
The Nederlandse Spoorwegen operates the NS Class 1600 and NS Class 1700, derivatives of the BB 7200, which continue to run on the Dutch network powered by 1.5 kV DC. Similarly, the Belgian Class 18, equivalent to the CC 40100, was in service from 1973 until 1999.
In Morocco, the ONCF utilizes diesel locomotives modeled after the CC 72000 (designated ONCF DF 100) and electric units comparable to the CC 6500 (ONCF E 900) and BB 7200 (ONCF E 1300/1350), all operating under a 3 kV DC system. Portugal's CP Class 1900 and CP Class 1930, produced by Sorefame in 1981, are licensed adaptations of the CC 72000, while the electric CP Class 2600 corresponds to the BB22200 design. South Korea's Korail Class 8000 modifies this concept for use with a 25 kV AC supply and features a Bo-Bo-Bo wheel configuration. The Slovenian Railways' SŽ series 363 is a 3 kV DC variant of the CC 6500, sharing transmission characteristics with ONCF’s E900.
In Brazil, during the mid-1980s, FEPASA commissioned eighty FEPASA 2200 series electric locomotives (Alsthom EC-386) intended for metre and Irish gauge tracks. These units were assembled locally by EMAQ using French knock-down kits; however, only two were completed due to EMAQ’s insolvency and FEPASA’s financial difficulties. These locomotives remained in service until FEPASA’s privatization in the late 1990s, after which successor firms discontinued further electrification projects.
One CC 21000 locomotive, numbered CC 21003, was briefly leased to U.S. Amtrak in 1977 as X996 for evaluation runs on the Northeast Corridor.