SNCF Class BB 8500

Infobox Locomotive Auto
name = Class BB 8500
powertype = Electric

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imagesize = 250
caption = SNCF BB 8629 at Matabiau Station, Toulouse (2006-07-05)
builder = Alsthom
serialnumber =
buildmodel =
builddate = 1964-1974
totalproduction = 146
whytetype =
aarwheels =
uicclass = B'B'
gauge = RailGauge|sg
leadingsize =
driversize = 1100 mm
trailingsize =
wheelbase =
length = 14.70 m (8501-8536) 14.94 m (8537-8587) 15.57 m (8588-8646)
width =
height =
framesize =
weightondrivers =
weight = 78 t (8501-8536) 79 t (8537-8587) 80 t (8588-8646)
locotenderweight =
fueltype =
fuelc

tenderc

consumption =
watercons =
electricsystem = 1.5 kV DC
collectionmethod = pant
primemover =
enginetype =
aspiration =
displacement =
transmission = 2×660 TAB A1 (8501-8536) or 2×TAB 660B1 (8537-8646) monomotors
topspeed = 100 or 140 km/h
poweroutput = 2,610 kW (8501-8536) 2,940 kW (8537-8646)
tractiveeffort = 323 kN or 197 kN
factorofadhesion =
locobrakes =
trainbrakes =
nicknames = "Danseuses" (Dancers)|Locomotive Service History Auto
railroad = SNCF VFE
railroadclass = BB 8500
numinclass = 2cite web |url=http://www.railfaneurope.net/list/france/france_sncf_vfe.html |title=SNCF VFE electric locomotives |accessdate=2008-01-29 |author=Marco van Uden]
roadnumber =
officialname =
nicknames =
locale = Tournay-Capvern
deliverydate =
firstrundate =
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retiredate =
restoredate =
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currentowner =
disposition = BankerLocomotive Service History Auto
railroad = SNCF TER


imagesize = 250
caption = SNCF BB 88529 at Paris-Gare de Lyon 2005-12-24
railroadclass = BB 8500 & BB88500
numinclass = 43cite web |url=http://www.railfaneurope.net/list/france/france_sncf_ter.html |title=SNCF TER electric locomotives |accessdate=2008-01-29 |author=Marco van Uden] & 5
roadnumber =
officialname =
nicknames =
locale = TER Bourgogne, Midi-Pyrénées, Languedoc & Rhône-Alpes. ECS at Paris-Gare de Lyon, Paris-Gare d'Austerlitz & Lyon
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disposition = Locomotive Service History Auto
railroad = SNCF Transilien


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caption =
railroadclass = BB 8500 & BB88500
numinclass = 4cite web |url=http://www.railfaneurope.net/list/france/france_sncf_idf.html |title=SNCF Île de France electric locomotives |accessdate=2008-01-29 |author=Marco van Uden]
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disposition = to be passed to TERLocomotive Service History Auto
railroad = SNCF Infra


imagesize =
caption =
railroadclass = BB 8500
numinclass = 2cite web |url=http://www.railfaneurope.net/list/france/france_sncf_dpt.html |title=SNCF Departmental electric locomotives |accessdate=2008-01-29 |author=Marco van Uden]
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disposition = to be passed to TER

SNCF's BB 8500 class are part of a series of electric locomotives built by Alsthom. They are the DC version of the AC BB 17000 and dual system BB 25500. The are fitted with monomotor bogies with two different gear ratios. This allows them to increase their tractive effort in exchange for a reduction their top speed. This makes them suitable for both freight and passenger trains. They acquired the nick name "Danseuses" due to their tendency to sway from side to side at speed. This tendency lead to them being "blacked" at a number of depots.cite book
last = Haydock | first = David | coauthors = Fox, Peter | title = European Handbook No. 4 French Railways Locomotives & Multiple Units | origyear = 1999 | edition = Third Edition | publisher = Platform 5 Publishing Ltd. | location = Sheffield, UK | isbn = 1 872524 87 7]

They were built a three distinct batches leading to detail differences. They remain in use as mixed traffic locomotives, mostly with TER and but with some remaining for special duties. 30 locomotives, dedicated to empty stock moves, have been reclassified as BB 88500. Likewise in 2001, 20 of the class were dedicated for workings on the Ligne de la Maurienne. They were classified BB 8700 for this period.

References