BB 300

The SNCF's BB 300 electric locomotives, the first "BB" type machines in France, represent a milestone in railway history. Built in the 1920s for the PO-Midi network, they were designed to run on lines electrified with 1,500 volts direct current, notably in south-west France. With their two-axle, two-bogie configuration (hence the name "BB"), they offered good maneuverability and tractive effort for light passenger and freight trains. These compact, robust locomotives were equipped with DC traction motors, an innovative concept at the time. Although they were quickly surpassed by more modern series such as the BB 900, they marked the nascent electrification of France's main lines. Their simple, functional design made them recognizable among the first generations of electric locomotives. Today, they remain a symbol of the early days of electrification in France.