1ABBA1, 1CC1, 2CC2

The 1ABBA1, 1CC1 and 2CC2 locomotives played a crucial role in the electrification of the Maurienne line, one of the most demanding in the French rail network. Designed in the 1920s and 1930s to meet the challenges of electric traction on steep gradients and long tunnels, these locomotives operated on the innovative but complex 3000 V three-phase current technology.

The 1ABBA1, with its articulated layout and twin bogies, marked the start of this experiment. The 1CC1, equipped with a more powerful motor and improved grip, soon followed. Finally, the 2CC2 locomotives, famous for their imposing design and performance, represented the pinnacle of this series. These machines hauled both international passenger trains and heavy freight convoys, often in double traction to overcome the Alpine ramps.

Despite their technical success, their operation required a specific infrastructure, which led to their gradual withdrawal in favor of 1500 V direct current from the 1950s onwards. Today, these locomotives remain a symbol of the ingenuity and adaptability of the railways in the face of Alpine challenges.