2D2 5500

The 2D2 5500 electric locomotives, put into service in the 1930s, embody the elegance and power of French 1500 V DC electrification. Designed by Alsthom for the Paris-Orléans network, they were specifically developed for the main lines, notably those linking Paris to Tours and Bordeaux. Their 2D2 axle arrangement gave them great stability at high speeds and excellent traction capacity.

Featuring high-performance engines and Art Deco styling, they were also renowned for their reliability and relative silence. For several decades, they provided prestigious services, such as the rapids and expresses of the South-West region. Their comfort and power made them very popular with both crews and passengers.

With the arrival of modern locomotives like the BB 9200 in the 1950s, the 2D2 5500s were gradually relegated to less demanding services before being retired in the 1970s. Today, they remain an icon of early French railway electrification, with several examples preserved in museums or by associations.