SNCF BB 9003-9004

The BB 9003 and BB 9004 are two French direct current electric locomotives with two bogies of two driving axles, delivered to the SNCF respectively in 1952 and 1954.
Built at the same time as the BB 9001 and 9002 , these four machines are intended to test the behavior of locomotives with total 
adhesion in operation and to define the mechanical and electrical characteristics of series machines for high-speed traffic. BB 9003 and 9004 are built in particular to test the integration of a new type of motor bogie, designed by André Jacquemin. The BB 9004 set a world rail speed record ( 331 km/h ) on the 29th of March, 1955.
Like many other prototypes, their career was quite short since they were deregistered in January 1973 but a locomotive called "BB 9004", actually rebuilt from the two prototypes, is on display at the Cité du train.
== Genesis of the prototypes ==
From the end of the Second World War, the SNCF and its DETE (division for electric traction studies) sought to diversify the fleet of speed locomotives, mainly composed until then of 2D2 type machines by testing machines with total adherence. , where all axles are driven. It thus orders, from various manufacturers, prototypes of the CC type (two bogies of three axles), BBB (three bogies of two axles) or BB (two bogies of two axles). Among the latter are the Swiss-built BB 9001-9002.
It is within this framework that the engineer André Jacquemin is working on the adaptation, to a motor vehicle, of the "Pennsylvania" type bogie used on passenger cars, and which is characterized by a suspension with two levels of springs. His research resulted in the development of a twin-engine bogie whose connection with the body is no longer ensured by a pivot, but by traction bars which provide better flexibility and whose large wheelbase reduces the risk of wheelie.
The order for two prototypes exploiting the principle of Jacquemin bogies was placed with the firm Material de Traction Electrique (MTE), no doubt the 24th of April, 1950.
== Description ==
The body, 16.20  m long, consists of a frame supporting the two end cabins, the side faces and the roof. These last elements can be entirely dismantled by panels, to facilitate maintenance  . These two locomotives are the last of the SNCF built with portholes (including on the doors of the cabins) allowing to light the engine compartment. The construction of the mechanical part of the locomotives (chassis, bodies and bogies) is entrusted to the Société des Forges et Ateliers du Creusot.
The electrical equipment (rheostat and electrically controlled contactors) is supplied by Jeumont-Heidmann for the two locomotives; it derives from that used on the CC 6001 . The engine, however, is different. The BB 9003 is equipped with four Oerlikon engines giving the machine a continuous power of 3,180 kW, while the BB 9004 receives four Schneider-Westinghouse engines for a continuous power of 2,980 kW.
The shape of the body, including the particular profiling of the ends and the decoration are due to Paul Arzens. When they left the factory, the BB 9003 and 9004 adopted a two-tone livery (dark green and reseda green) with chromed metal mustaches, like the 2D2 9100 released shortly before. They are later repainted in a uniform light bluish green.
== Operational history ==
BB 9003 was built and delivered in 1952 and was the first French locomotive to be remote-controlled from the exterior of its train. BB 9004 was built and delivered in 1954 and later broke a rail speed record of 331 km / h on the 29th of March 1955 on the Landes line between Facture and Morcenx, France, a day after SNCF 7107 did not exceed the actual speed of 325 km / h, but the railway gave the speed record of 331 km / h to the credit of the both machines in order to protect the commercial interests of the manufacturers. The event was widely broadcast in France and in other countries; an American television news crew sent an airplane to overfly the attempt and they were certain the train would derail before reaching 330 km/h. In fact, the airplane had trouble keeping up with the train. SNCF engineers were delighted at the performance; this attempt represented a beginning into the study of using electricity as the means of propulsion for high speed rail.
When leaving the factory, BB 9001 and 9002 wore a two-color livery (dark bluish green and light bluish green) with aluminum stripes down the centerline, similar to the 2D2 9100s released shortly before them. 9001 and 9002 were later repainted in a uniform dark bluish green paint scheme.
BB 9004 ran for only 21 years, being used in revenue service until 1973. After withdrawal from service, it was stored in Hausbergen (near Strasbourg). The unit was sent to the Arles workshops to be restored in 1979 and was donated to the Cite du Train in 1981. In 2005, BB 9004 was run one final time on the Landes line in a special train along with CC 7107 as part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the world speed record.
== Design ==
Both BB 9003 and BB 9004 where electric locomotives using a Bo-Bo wheel configuration (meaning two trucks each with two powered axles). Alongside this both had twin pantographs and were powered by 1.5 kV DC overhead wires.
They differed slightly from one another however, as BB 9003 used four Swiss-built Oerlikon 6F330 traction motors while BB 9004 used four French-built Jeumont-Schneider SW 4326 traction motors. BB 9003 was also lighter at 80 tonnes versus the 83 tonnes of BB 9004. BB 9003 was also more powerful then BB 9004 at 4,260 horsepower versus 4,000 horsepower.
Their Jaquemin-designed trucks were later used in BB 9200-9300-9700, 12000–13000, 16000–16100, 20100, 25100-25150-25200 series locomotives, the body design (with common aesthetics) would be used in BB 9200-9300-9700, 9400, 16000–16100, 20100, 25100-25150-25200, 30000 series locomotives and traction equipment (JH servomotors) would be used in the BB 9200-9300-9700 series.
== Career ==
=== Sales Department ===
The BB 9003 was delivered to the SNCF on December 8, 1952 and the BB 9004 the 22nd of May, 1954— BB 9001 and 9002 are delivered in the meantime. After a trial period, the BB 9003 is engaged on the Paris-Lyon rapids at the same time as the 2D2 9100; it is joined by 9004 on this service.
From the 3rd of March, 1955 the two prototypes are withdrawn from commercial service in preparation for the world speed record. This interlude ends in December of the same year. The locomotives then return to the Paris — Dijon — Lyon axis, but their movements are more irregular. Competition from the BB 9200 delivered frommay 1957, 9003-9004 are transferred to the Montrouge depot in December 1958. They then circulate on the Paris - Le Mans artery. However, the continuation of the electrification of the line to Rennes, but in single-phase alternating current, requires the use of dual-current machines and the BB 25200 which drive out the 9003-9004.
The two prototypes then resumed their journey south-east, integrating the Villeneuve depot in 1965. They appeared at the head of the express towards Dijon or Laroche-Migennes but, like many prototypes, their reliability became uncertain. Transferred for the last time in 1969, this time to the Avignon depot, they only tow freight trains and even inter-yard shuttles until 1972, the year of their withdrawal from service, before their effective cancellation on January 24, 1973.
== Records ==
The March 26, 1955, the BB 9004 won the rail speed record with 276  km/h on the Landes line between Facture and Morcenx at the head of a train of three DEV cars , the last of which ends in an aerodynamic bulb. the March 29, 1955, it broke its own record with 331  km/h at the same place, one day after the CC 7107 which probably did not exceed the real speed of 320 or 325 km/h, even if the exact data now seem unverifiable. The SNCF, however, carries the same speed record of 331 km/h to the credit of the two machines due to the imperfection of the means of recording the real speeds, the weather, the technical problems of supplying the line and above all in order to to spare the commercial interests of manufacturers.
If the BB 9004 undoubtedly reaches a higher speed than the CC 7107, a deformation of the track is observed in the deceleration zone after its passage, which did not occur with the 7107. The cause is attributed to lateral instability of the bogies, pushed to the maximum of their possibilities. The locomotive, which had undergone some modifications for this record, such as modified gear ratios, did not however suffer from this episode even if its pantographs, adapted to capture a voltage current of 1,800  V and an intensity of 4000  A , were destroyed like those of 7107.
The two machines are exhibited in Saint-Lazare station during the month of April 1955 after their speed record and then begin a promotional tour in France and Europe.
The BB 9003 is the April 19, 1955, the first remote-controlled locomotive from outside its train.
== Descendants ==
These machines were the prototypes of many BB locomotives with:
* Use of the so-called "  Jacquemin  " bogie: BB 9200 - 9300 - 9700 , 12000 - 13000 , 16000 - 16100 , 20100 , 25100 - 25150 - 25200 series .
* The resumption of the body frame design (with common aesthetics): BB 9200 - 9300 - 9700 , 9400 , 16000 - 16100 , 20100 , 25100 - 25150 - 25200 , 30000 series.
* The recovery of the traction equipment (JH servomotor): BB 9200 - 9300 - 9700 series.
== Preservation ==
The two prototypes are parked for several years in Arles. Restored in Arles from July 1979, the BB 9004 is kept at the Cité du train in Mulhouse , in a presentation identical to that of the 1955 record . It is in fact the body and the chassis of the BB 9003 , the 9004 being too degraded to be renovated, but the mechanical part of the BB 9004 , its bogies and its driving consoles have been preserved and incorporated into the body. of the 9003. The "new" BB 9004 is not preserved in working order; only its static presentation is possible.
== Modeling ==
The BB 9003 was reproduced in HO in 1954 by Jouef , then after the 1955 record it was transformed into 9004. Later, the BB 9004 was reproduced by PMP (bronze) then Keyser (white metal kit), Lemaco and finally by Roco and in O by Lemaco and Eiffel.
== In Popular Culture ==
* BB 9004 makes an appearance in the Gate Keepers animated series.
* Etienne from Thomas & Friends is based on this electric locomotive.
== Gallery ==
File:1280px-Locomotive BB9004-14.jpg|Bogie Jacquemin of the BB 9004.
File:1280px-BB9004 record plate -BB9004 Bo-Bo 1950s electric loco - World Speed Record Holder (50097162686).jpg|Plate affixed to BB 9004.
File:1280px-Locomotive BB9004-11.jpg|Pantograph modified from BB 9004.
File:BB-9004 Mulhouse FRA 002.JPG|The BB 9004 (reconditioned) in Mulhouse in 2006.
File:SNCF BB 9004.jpg|The BB 9004 (reconditioned) in Morcenx in 2005.
File:Jouef sudex.jpg|Jouef's BB 9003 in 1954.
File:Füherstand BB 9004.jpg|The driving stand of BB 9004
File:BB 9004 Grand Palais 03.jpg|The builders plate of BB 9004 along with the record plaque
File:1280px-BB 9004 Grand Palais 02.jpg|BB 9004 on display at the Grand Palais in Paris in December 2007
Category:France
Category:Electric trainsets
Category:Electric locomotives
Category:European Railways
Category:Preserved locomotives
Category:Standard gauge locomotives
Category:Locomotives
Category:4 foot 8 1⁄2 inch gauge
Category:Built in 1952
Category:Built in 1954
Category:Passenger locomotives
Category:B-B locomotives
Category:Restored locomotives