BB 1-80

SNCF BB 1-80 locomotives, emblematic of French railway electrification, marked a crucial milestone in the history of rail transport. Built between 1924 and 1926 for the Paris-Orléans network, they were among France's first 1500 V DC electric machines. With their compact design and connecting rod transmission, they embodied a significant technological advance inherited from the first Midi electric locomotives.

Renowned for their reliability, these locomotives were first used for passenger and freight services on newly electrified lines. A significant part of their career was spent in the Maurienne region, where they operated in double traction to tackle the steep Alpine slopes, notably on the line between Chambéry and Modane. Affectionately nicknamed "biquettes" by railwaymen because of the characteristic noise of their connecting rods, they were particularly appreciated for their robustness.

In 1938, when the SNCF was created, they were incorporated into the national fleet under the registrations BB 1 to BB 80. After decades of service, they were gradually withdrawn in the 1960s. Today, some of them are preserved in museums or by associations, testifying to their historical importance and their pioneering role in French railway electrification.