SNCF Class BB 66000

The SNCF Class BB 66000 is a class of 318 centre cab diesel locomotives built for SNCF by a consortium of CAFL, CEM, Alsthom, Fives-Lille and SACM between 1960 and 1968. Numbered BB 66001 to BB 66318, the locomotives were 14.898 metres long and weighed 66 to 67 tonnes. Each was powered by an MGO V16BSHR diesel engine developing 1,030 kilowatts, giving a maximum speed of 120 kilometres per hour. They were intended for shunting and trip working, and although designed as mixed traffic locomotives they had no provision for train heating and could be seen working with boiler vans on passenger services. With the general introduction of electric train heating they were relegated to freight work. Under the original SNCF numbering scheme the first 80 locomotives were numbered 040 DG 1 to 040 DG 81.