The gradual raising of the line speed on the non-electrified lines of SNCF resulted in the need for a powerful and fast locomotive, suitable for hauling both freight and passenger trains. Thus the CC72000's were born, regarded as the most powerful diesel locomotive on the SNCF. Similar in appearance to the BB67300 and 67400 classes, they were equipped with a 16 cylinder power unit and bogies similar to those of the CC6500. A speed control device allowed low speed running up to 85 km/h in goods mode. Whereas the first twenty units could reach speeds of up to 140 km/h,  later ones could attain 160 km/h.

The CC72000's begin their long career based on Vénissieux, Rennes and Chalindrey depots where they hauled the most important trains previously hauled by the BB67000 and A1A A1A 68000 locos which were powerful. The introduction of the CC72000's gradually displaced them to freight haulage only The CC72000's ran throughout France resulting in a considerable decrease in running times in particular on Paris-Nantes, Paris-Basle or Lyon Grenoble services. Equipped with the electro-pneumatic brake, they were capable of hauling the Corail coaches introduced from 1975 and were an integral part of the improvement to services on the non-electrified lines.

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CC72018 at Dijon on 10 June 1998

(Ray Stanmore)

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