SNCF BB 12000, Electric locomotive on display in Nouvion-sur-Meuse, France.
The SNCF BB 12000 is an electric locomotive measuring approximately 50 feet (15 meters) in length and weighing around 84 to 86 tons (76 to 78 metric tons) with four traction motors.
Introduced in 1954 and manufactured until 1961, a total of 148 units were built by companies including Schneider-Westinghouse, Alsthom, and Schneider-Jeumont for the French railway network.
This locomotive represents France's industrial recovery after World War II and the nationwide shift from steam to electric power on the railway system during the 1950s.
The locomotive is permanently displayed in front of the town hall in Nouvion-sur-Meuse and can be viewed from the street at any time during daylight hours.
Two units were temporarily sent to Romania in 1963 for trial operations, participating in the first electric train tests between Brașov and Predeal with government officials present.
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