8481 - the SNCF electric 2-D-2 No:5516
Prototype information:
| The
E 500 locomotives, known as 'Pig Noses' were regarded as the most
reliable, robust and powerful of the 2D2 classes. Their reliability by far
exceeded that of the 2D2 5000 class of the Sud of which only one example
lasted thirty years. Derived from the prototypes E 501 and 502, they were
introduced to the Paris-South-West depot in 1933 from where they could be
seen at the head of the express trains on the PO network. They worked to
Vierzon, Tours and even reached Brive, a few units being assigned to the
Limoges depot. With the advance of electrification, they were re-deployed
to Toulouse, Nimes and even Marseilles. Having proven reliable, they gave
birth to the 2D2 5538 and 5546 classes respectively called 'Pregnant
Women' and 'Waterman' because of their characteristic nose. After the
second world war, the 2D2 9100's were introduced adopting the same
configuration tested on the E 500's.
They were destined to be the last locos of this type, the CC7100 having the much better performance after the multiple world speed records of the 1950's. After their renumbering in the 2D2 5500 series, they were all transferred to Toulouse depot until 1960. With the arrival of modern locos such as the BB9200's, they were relegated to freight and parcel trains. The arrival of the BB8500's but more especially when the BB9300's transferred to Toulouse brought about the beginning of the end of the class in 1977. From then on the CC6500's and BB7200's were allocated to the prestigious passenger trains on the Paris-Limoges-Toulouse line and the 2D2 5500 class gradually disappeared during 1980. Shortly before their withdrawal, they had a new lease of life hauling special trains and in particular at the time of the fiftieth anniversary of the electrification of the line connecting Paris in Vierzon. The 2D2 5519 and 5525 hauled their last trains on December 31 1980. Only 5518 and 5525 remain, the first being preserved by the railway museum at Mulhouse and the second by a railway association. They finished their career in Toulouse and recorded the highest mileage for SNCF of 7,090,000 kilometres on 31st December 1973 |
| Number built: | 34 |
Preserved example 5525 (unknown) |
| Operating area : | South West Region | |
|
Number range: |
5503 - 5537 | |
| Maximum speed: | 130 km/h (80 mile/h) | |
|
Power: |
3600 HP | |
| Operating voltages | 1500v DC | |
|
Weight |
141 t | |
| Length | 17.8 m. | |
| Date entered service: | 1933 to 1935 | |
| Withdrawn | 1977 to 1980 | |
| Builder | BBC, CEM, Fives-Lille |
