Passing through Paris by train recently gave me the opportunity to take a few photos at both Gare de Bercy and Gare du Nord and interestingly all three variants of basically the same locomotive type were seen.
The SNCF electric locomotive classes BB 7200, BB 15000 and BB 22200 are known as “Nez Cassés” (Broken noses) due to their cab styling by French industrial designer Paul Arzens who claimed the design had been inspired by the form of a “sprinter on the starting block”.
First up was class BB 7200 507246R wearing the colourful “en voyage…” livery at Gare de Bercy. 240 examples of this class were built between 1976-1985 and they are the 1500V DC member of the family. This particular locomotive is equipped for push-pull working as indicated by the “R” (Réversible) suffix to the number and was due to work a service to Dijon Ville.
On arrival at Gare du Nord class BB 15000 215016 was waiting at the buffer stops. Wearing the “Multiservices” livery, 215016 is one of a class of 65 built between 1971-1978 that collect traction current from 25kV AC catenary.
Also at the buffer stops were class BB 22200 422208 (wearing the dull “Beton” (concrete grey) livery and 522274 (wearing the even duller plain grey “Ghost” livery). 205 of this class were built between 1976-1986 and they are the dual-voltage (1500V DC/25kV AC) member of the family. The 22200 class number is in fact the sum of 7200 (1500V DC locos) and 15000 (25kV AC locos).
Class BB 22200 locos can still be found at work all over France and are regularly in charge of the trains I catch between Cosne-Cours-sur-Loire and Paris. During the mid-nineties they even made it as far as the UK, handling freight trains through the Channel Tunnel before British Rail’s class 92 electric locos were available.
Postscript: While I was writing this post I passed through Paris again and managed to photograph a couple more liveries…
At Gare de l’Est BB 15000 115003 wears the TEE-Arzens livery (pictured with “en voyage…” adorned classmate 115063) while Gare de Bercy produced uniquely-liveried (as far as I am aware) class BB 7200 507321R, carrying the Bourgogne regional livery of grey with red and yellow ends.
