SNCF Class BB 10003
| Company type | Prototype locomotive |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railway transport |
| Predecessor | BB 7003 |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Fate | Converted back to SNCF BB 15007 in 1998 |
| Products | Electric locomotive with asynchronous induction traction motors |
| Parent | SNCF |
The SNCF BB 10003 served as a prototype electric locomotive, transformed from a previous model to advance the technology of asynchronous induction traction motors.
History
Originally converted in 1982 from the experimental BB 7003, the BB 10003 was utilized to evaluate the application of asynchronous induction motors within locomotives. At the same time, another prototype, the BB 10004, which focused on synchronous motor technology, demonstrated superior performance with the technology available at that time. This included benefits such as reduced weight and more straightforward regenerative braking, which subsequently influenced the design of the SNCF BB 26000 series.
During the period of 1986 to 1987, BB 10003 was employed in experiments investigating the feasibility of diesel-electric locomotives equipped with asynchronous traction motors. This testing involved coupling with a remotorised CC 72000 unit functioning as an electrical generator.
In 1990 and 1991, the locomotive contributed to trials for the TGV-TMST system, operating under both 750 V and 3000 V electrical supplies. Eventually, in 1998, it was reverted to a conventional class configuration as SNCF BB 15007.
Legacy
The advancements achieved with asynchronous motors during these trials did not surpass those of synchronous motor technology at that time. It was only after the introduction of GTO transistor devices that mass production of locomotives utilizing asynchronous induction motors began in France. Notable examples include the Eurostar TGV launched in 1992 and later the BB 36000 Astride introduced in 1996.