SNCF Class BB 66000
| Company type | Diesel-electric locomotive class |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1960–1968 |
| Products | Diesel-electric locomotives |
| Owner | SNCF |
The SNCF Class BB 66000 consists of 318 centre-cab diesel-electric locomotives constructed for SNCF by a collaboration of manufacturers including CAFL, CEM, Alsthom, Fives-Lille, and SACM between 1960 and 1968.
Description
These locomotives, numbered from BB 66001 to BB 66318, have a length of and a weight of . Equipped with an MGO V16BSHR diesel engine delivering , they can achieve a top speed of . Primarily intended for shunting and short-distance trip workings, these versatile locomotives lacked train heating systems and frequently operated with boiler vans during passenger operations. Following the transition to electric train heating, their usage shifted predominantly towards freight duties.
The initial batch of 80 units was originally designated 040 DG 1 through 040 DG 81 under SNCF’s earlier numbering system.
Incidents
- BB 66010 was retired after a head-on collision on October 15, 1981, involving BB 67622.
- BB 66132 was withdrawn from service subsequent to a collision with BB 66126 at Trappes on September 29, 1973.
- BB 66247 was taken out of operation following a fire incident on January 12, 1988, at St Denis-Jargeau.
Rebuilds
In the early 1960s, eleven locomotives were fitted with more powerful engines and reclassified as Class BB 66600. Between 1985 and 1989, thirty-four units underwent regearing modifications to enhance tractive effort and were redesignated as Class BB 66700. Starting in 2004, about ninety-one locomotives were equipped with new MTU engines and reclassified as BB 69200.
Preservation
A total of nine locomotives have been preserved:
- BB 66001: displayed at Cité du train, Mulhouse
- BB 66014: located in Clermont-Ferrand
- BB 66019: housed at the Écomusée du haut-pays et des transports, Breil-sur-Roya
- BB 66099: part of the Train du pays Cathare et du Fenouillèdes collection
- BB 66105: preserved by Train du pays Cathare et du Fenouillèdes
- BB 66110: maintained by Meccoli
- BB 66130: included in the Train du pays Cathare et du Fenouillèdes fleet
- BB 66252: exhibited at the Chemin de fer touristique du Vermandois
- BB 66304: preserved in Toulouse