New EMUs rapidly replacing French classic Nez Cassé electrics

THE classic French loco design with an angular front nose – known in French as the Nez Cassé or ‘broken nose’ is rapidly disappearing, as new EMUs replace loco hauled trains on both longer distance regional services and commuter routes serving Paris.

In many cases, loco hauled trains formed of classic SNCF ‘Corail’ coaches are being replaced by the Bombardier designed (now Alstom made) ‘Omneo’ largely double-deck EMU design.

Only a few of the once 65-strong Class BB15000 25kV AC locos (built 1971-78) remain in use; a handful from Paris St Lazare where new ‘Omneo Premium’ EMUs and even TGVs drafted in temporarily have replaced most loco hauled trains from Paris to Le Havre and Cherbourg. A small fleet of BB15000 locos is also still used with push-pull stock for peak hour services between Paris Nord and Amiens although withdrawal in 2022 is likely.

Withdrawal

The more numerous, once 240-strong, 1.5kV DC Class BB7200, built by MTE and Alstom between 1976 and 1985, is now much reduced and is rapidly losing passenger work. Large numbers of services between Paris Austerlitz and Tours/Orleans have been converted to EMU operation in 2020-2021 with a fleet of 32 new Class Z56700 ‘Omneo’ EMUs replacing them; all loco hauled work on the route is expected to be replaced by December 2022. Large numbers of Class Z57000 ‘Omneo’ EMUs have already begun operating from Paris Gare de Lyon, replacing older EMUs, and from Paris Montparnasse replacing Class BB7600 locos, which were converted from Class BB7200 in 2012-13 for use with refurbished VB 2N double-deck push-pull coaches, mainly on the route to Rambouillet. The new Class Z57000 EMUs will also replace much more modern Alstom ‘Prima’ BB27300 locomotives operating VB 2N double-deck push-pull sets from Paris Montparnasse from later in 2021.

Delivery

More ‘Omneo’ EMUs are on order that will replace much of the current widespread use of BB7200 and dual voltage (1.5kV DC/ 25kV AC) Class BB22200 (built 1976-86) working regional trains to destinations east and south of Lyon. The first of 29 new ‘Omneo’ EMUs are expected ‘in 2021’. Regional TER trains on the Lyon-Dijon-Paris route, currently hauled by BB7200 locomotives, will be operated by a fleet of 16 new ‘Regiolis’ EMUs by late 2022. Class 22200 work from Paris Nord to Maubeuge and Saint Quentin will end in 2022-2023 when a fleet of 19 new ‘Omneo’ EMUs replaces loco hauled trains.

KEITH FENDER The small Class BB7600 of 14 locos carry a special ‘Île de France’ livery. The first locomotive was withdrawn earlier this year and all but one of the other locos is scheduled for withdrawal by December, replaced by new double deck Z57000 ‘Omneo’ EMUs. Last of the Class, No. 807614 (originally BB 7337) is seen at Versailles Chantiers on June 30, 2017.

KEITH FENDER A rare view inside Paris Le Landy depot near Paris Nord station, with BB15000 25kV AC locos Nos. 515049 and 515058, in different liveries, plus on the right No. 122339, one of the more modern Class BB22200s, all waiting to work evening peak services on January 3, 2019. New ‘Omneo’ EMUs will replace all the remaining loco hauled trains from Paris Nord from 2022 onwards.