SNCF Class BB 7200 SNCF Class BB 7200 The SNCF Class BB 7200 is a 1.5 kV DC electric locomotive operated by the SNCF in France. It is the DC version of the 'Nez Cassé' family of locomotives. SNCF Class BB 15000 is the AC version while the Class BB 22200 is a dual-voltage version. They are numbered to show that the DC and AC class numbers add up to the dual-voltage locomotive class number (7200 + 15000 = 22200). Another relative is the NS Class 1600 operated in the Netherlands, a DC locomotive based on the BB 7200. 7209, 7210, 7308 and 7348
SNCF Class BB 15000 with the BB7200 and BB22200 series and have even a great deal in common with cabs of other SNCF locomotives of the 1960s. This class was also the first to introduce the VI ("Vitesse Imposée") cruise control system which is now standard on all SNCF locomotives delivered after 1971. The electrical part consists of a single pantograph (type AM18U) which collects 25 kV from the catenary. Power is passed through a transformer which lowers the tension to about 1500 V AC and a bridge rectifier controlled by thyristors rectify it into DC, which is then fed into the traction motors.