The SNCF BB 75000 (also known as the SNCF BB 475000) are 4 axle, Bo′Bo′, diesel electric locomotives ordered in 2000 by SNCF for freight operations to renew its aging fleet.
The locomotives are also classified as Prima DE30BAC
They are similar in appearance to the SNCF Class BB 27000, but are in fact the result of a collaboration between Alstom and Siemens. The internal electrical components are similar to those found in the Siemens EuroRunner made for ÖBB; the Rh 2016, and the bodyshell, bogies and other equipment being of the Prima type made by Alstom.
The initial order was for 400 machines to be delivered from 2007 onwards with an option for a further 100 additional machines. The order is valued at 1 billion euros.
Development
Background
The order for the BB 75000 resulted from a long and arduous project of renewal of diesel freight locomotives, which began in 2000, and spans a period of seven years from the announcement of the tender to the delivery of the new BB 75000s.
SNCF had a requirement for new diesel locomotives for two reasons: The current diesel fleet is very old and expensive in terms of operation and maintenance. The changes in European pollution and emission regulations as well as noise regulations make it necessary for the organisation to renew its fleet.
Tenders
The first document released by SNCF relating to this order was published in November 2000. It refers to delivery of 124 diesel powered freight locomotives and invites manufacturers to submit tenders. With a delivery date between 2003 and 2006 it set out a requirement for two types of locomotives: 55 Single cab locomotives with an average power of 1200 to 1800 kW (with performances comparable to those of BB 66000 and BB 67000) suitable for medium distance routes. 69 High-power devices with two cabs for long-distance trains. These locomotives would be expected to replace CC 72000 and would need between 2250 and 3200 kW of power. However the project did not receive sufficient funding for the cost of the expensive high powered Co'Co' locomotives that would fulfil the second role and as a result the project was cancelled.
A few months after the cancellation of the first tender, a second was launched. It is based on the idea of a single multipurpose engine of medium power (1800 kW) similar to designs already available. These units would be used in multiple when necessary to provide a lower cost alternative to the expense of designing a high powered 6 axle from scratch. New tenders were to be delivered by November 2001 and technical meetings with potential manufacturers held during the spring of 2002.
In November 2002, Alstom and Siemens formed a winning consortium (with Alstom taking the lead role) and the project was finalized with SNCF in 2003. The contract was signed on 27 February 2004, and was substantially different from the original specifications published in 2000— not 124 but 400 new machines (all of medium power), which will reduce the average age of the locomotive freight fleet to 15 – 20 years.
The design used already proven components; traction components similar to those in the Siemens built OBB Rh 2016 and the structural design from the Alstom Prima 427000 series of locomotives.
The purchase contract was signed on 25 March 2004 inside the Station of Villeneuve-Saint-Georges, in the presence of the Presidents of the SNCF, Alstom, and Siemens for the purchase of 400 locomotives with a possible further 100.
For the occasion, BB 437,002 was disguised to resemble an as yet unbuilt BB 475,001.
Testing and approval
The first locomotives came off the assembly line at Alstom in Belfort in spring 2006. The BB 75001 and 75002 were sent to Test- and Validationcenter Wegberg-Wildenrath in Germany in March 2006 for testing by the manufacturer until May 2007. They then returned to Belfort in early June for a final tests before being delivered to the railway in September or October 2007.
BB 75003 and 75004 carried out tests on the national network in June 2006 for the BB 75003. Torque and mechanical tests in took place in Vitry-sur-Seine, then journeying to the French Riviera in July 2006 to test dynamic behavior, noise and vibration.
In late October 2006 the exact configurations for the main build of locomotives was issued.