SNCF Class CC 7100
| Industry | Railway rolling stock manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1928 |
| Headquarters | France |
The CC 7100 series represents a collection of electric locomotives manufactured by Alstom for SNCF. The initial prototype, designated 'CC 7000' (units 7001 and 7002), was introduced in 1949. This was succeeded by the production batch, numbered CC 7101 through CC 7158, constructed between 1952 and 1955. Notably, two locomotives from this series set global rail speed milestones: CC 7121 reached on 21 February 1954, and on 28–29 March 1955, CC 7107 attained .
History
The CC 7100 locomotives marked SNCF’s inaugural venture into high-speed traction featuring fully motorized axles mounted on powered bogies, contrasting with the earlier rigid frame designs. Their original maximum velocity was .
Contemporaneous with the 2D2 9100 class, which operated express services for the PLM, the CC 7100 demonstrated superior performance attributed to its bogie configuration. As a result, only about one-third of the planned 2D2 units were constructed, with preference given to the CC 7100 series.
Speed records
During the 1950s, SNCF adapted select CC 7100 locomotives for experimental high-speed runs, producing critical insights that contributed to the development of faster services such as the 1967 Mistral and ultimately the TGV.
On 21 February 1954, CC 7121 established a rail speed record of , operating between Dijon and Beaune. Subsequently, in March 1955, both CC 7107 and BB 9004 achieved speeds of during separate test runs along the route from Bordeaux to Dax, Landes. The CC 7107 pulled a streamlined three-car consist designed to minimize aerodynamic resistance.
These speed records remained unchallenged for over half a century until they were eclipsed in 2006 by ÖBB No 1216 050, a Siemens Taurus locomotive, which attained on Germany’s Nuremberg–Ingolstadt high-speed railway.
Later years
In the early 1980s, the class underwent significant modernization ("GRG"), which involved removing their original side skirts and updating windscreens and lighting to conform with standard SNCF specifications. During this period, they replaced the aging 2D2 9100 units in their final passenger service roles.
Certain locomotives were fitted with third rail collection shoes for operations on the Chambéry-Modane line until these were phased out in 1976.
Despite their pioneering high-speed credentials, CC 7100 locomotives were eventually reassigned primarily to freight service as newer models like the SNCF Class BB 9200 assumed passenger transport duties.
Withdrawal and preservation
By the year 2001, only five locomotives from this class remained active. The introduction of dual-voltage freight units such as the SNCF Class BB 27000 led to their complete withdrawal from routine operations.
In recognition of their historical significance, CC 7107 along with fellow record-holder BB 9004 was transported to Germany in 2006 to observe ÖBB No 1216 050’s record-setting performance.
Preserved locomotives
- CC 7002: preserved at Ambérieu
- CC 7102: located in Chambéry
- CC 7106: housed at Ambérieu
- CC 7107: exhibited at the Cité du train museum in Mulhouse
- CC 7121: preserved in Nîmes
- CC 7140: displayed at Breil-sur-Roya