The BB 63000 is a diesel-powered centre cab freight shunting locomotive used by French rail operator SNCF. First introduced in 1953, various batches, with increasingly more powerful engines, were built up till 1964. Along with its successors, classes BB 63400 and BB 63500, together totalling over 800 locomotives, it could be found all over France.[1]
Construction
The first batch of 72 locomotives, numbered BB 63001–BB 63072, were powered by Sulzer 6LDA22B engines developing 440kW (590hp). The second batch of 36 locomotives, BB 63073–BB 63108, received the 6LDA22C also rated at 440kW (590hp). The third batch was introduced in 1959[2] and consisted of 20 locomotives, BB 63109–BB 63128, had the same engine but uprated to 535kW (717hp). The next 87 locomotives, BB 63129–BB 63195, had the 6LDA22D, rated at 535kW (717hp). The final batch of 55 locomotives, BB 63196–BB 63250, was introduced in 1962[2] fitted with the 6LDA22E of 550kW (740hp). The locomotives were 14.68m (48.2ft) long and weighed 64–69t (63–68 long tons; 71–76 short tons).[1]
