:en:SNCF Class CC 7100

{{Infobox locomotive

|name = Class CC 7100

|powertype = Electric

|image = SNCF CC 7102 Pk42 Le Mee sur Seine.jpg

|caption = SNCF CC 7102 at Le Mee sur Seine

|builder = Alstom

|serialnumber =

|buildmodel =

|builddate = 1952–1955

|totalproduction = 58

|uicclass = Co′Co′

|gauge = {{track gauge|sg}}

|driverdiameter = {{convert|1250|mm|in|2|abbr=on}}

|wheelbase =

|length = {{convert|18.922|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

|width = {{convert|2.968|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|url=http://uxtobirza.free.fr/trains/voir_loco.php?Classe=CC%207100 |title=CC 7100 |publisher=Uxtobirza.free.fr |date= |accessdate=2022-04-20}}

|height = {{convert|4.218|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}

|weightondrivers =

|locoweight = {{convert|107|t|abbr=on}}

|electricsystem = 1.5 kV DC Catenary

|collectionmethod = Pantograph

|transmission = Electric

|maxspeed = {{convert|140|km/h|mph|0|abbr=on}}

|poweroutput = {{convert|3490|kW|hp|abbr=on}}

|tractiveeffort = {{convert|260|kN|lbf|abbr=on}}

|factorofadhesion =

|operator = SNCF

|operatorclass = CC 7100

|numinclass =

|fleetnumbers =

|officialname =

|nicknames =

|locale =

|deliverydate =

|firstrundate =

|lastrundate =

|retiredate = 1985–2001

|restoredate =

|scrapdate =

|currentowner =

|disposition = 5 Preserved

}}

SNCF's CC 7100 class are part of a series of electric locomotives built by Alstom. The prototype 'CC 7000' (7001 & 7002) were built in 1949 and the production series locomotives CC 7101-CC 7158 followed during 1952–1955. Two of the class are notable for setting world rail speed records: CC 7121 reaching {{convert|243|km/h|mi/h|sigfig=3}} on 21 February 1954, and CC 7107 reaching {{convert|331|km/h|mi/h|sigfig=3}} on 28/29 March 1955.{{cite web |url=http://www.joueftrains.com/8445.htm |title=SNCF co-co electric CC 7107 |publisher=Jouef Trains |accessdate=2009-04-18}}

History

File:SNCF CC 7001.jpg

The CC 7100 class were the first SNCF high-speed locomotives in which all the axles were motorized, i.e. with powered bogies rather a rigid frame. As delivered their top speed was {{convert|150|km/h|mi/h|sigfig=3}}.

The CC 7100 were contemporaries of the 2D2 9100 for express passenger service on the PLM. From the outset it was apparent that bogie locomotives represented the future and so only a third of the anticipated 2D2s were built, in favour of the CC 7100.{{sfnp|Modern Locomotives|2000|loc= Class 9100 2-Do-2 |pages=98–99}}{{sfnp|Modern Locomotives|2000|loc=Class CC7100 Co-Co| pages=108–109 }}

=Speed records=

During the 1950s, SNCF's experimental investigations into high-speed rail saw some CC 7100 class locomotives specially-modified for operation at speeds far higher than their regular service speed. These experiments provided valuable test data for the SNCF to develop increasingly more rapid regular services, including the {{convert|200|km/h|mi/h|sigfig=3}} Mistral of 1967, and ultimately the TGV.

CC 7121 broke the rail speed record when it achieved {{convert|243|km/h|mi/h|sigfig=3}} on the PLM mainline between Dijon and Beaune on 21 February 1954.

Preparations for further high-speed tests proceeded, and in March 1955 CC 7107 and Bo-Bo locomotive BB 9004 both attained {{convert|331|km/h|mi/h|sigfig=3}} on separate high-speed runs between Bordeaux and Dax, Landes. CC 7107 hauled a three car train with streamlining modifications to reduce aerodynamic drag.

Although the rail speed record has since 1990 been repeatedly broken by high-speed trainsets such as the French TGV and the German InterCityExperimental trains, BB 9004 and CC 7107 retained the locomotive speed record for over 50 years until it was broken on 2 September 2006 by a Siemens Taurus locomotive, ÖBB No 1216 050, which attained {{convert|357|km/h|mi/h|sigfig=3}} hauling a single dynamometer car on the Nuremberg–Ingolstadt high-speed railway in Germany.{{cite web |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/taurus-puts-1955-french-speed-record-holders-in-the-shade.html |title=Railway Gazette: Taurus puts 1955 French speed record holders in the shade|publisher=Railway Gazette |date=2006-10-01 |accessdate=2015-01-16}}

=Later years=

The locos were all given a "GRG" (major refurbishment) in the early 1980s to remove the original "skirts", and to replace the original windscreens and head/tail lamps clusters with "standard SNCF" arrangement. They replaced the 2D2 9100 in their last passenger service.

Certain class members were fitted with third rail pick up shoes to work Chambéry-Modane services. The shoes were removed in 1976.{{cite web

|url=http://www.railfaneurope.net/list/france/france_sncf_del.html

|title=SNCF withdrawn electric locomotives

|accessdate=2008-01-27

|author=Marco van Uden

|archive-date=2013-01-25

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125092126/http://www.railfaneurope.net/list/france/france_sncf_del.html

|url-status=dead

}}

Despite their high-speed credentials, the CC 7100 class was relegated to freight haulage duties as more modern electric locomotives, commencing with the BB 9200 class, replaced them on passenger services.

=Withdrawal and preservation=

Image:CC 7107.JPG

By 2001, the class was reduced to just five operating examples. The introduction of the BB 27000 class dual voltage freight locomotives led to the final withdrawal of these last locomotives from regular service.

Together with fellow record holder BB 9004, CC 7107 was towed to Germany in 2006 to be present for No 1216 050's record breaking run.