The BB 26000, designed as a universal locomotive, is capable of hauling a 750-ton passenger train at 200 km/h on a gradient of 2 mm/m or a 2000-ton freight train on a gradient of 8 mm/m under the two types of current available in France. The BB 26000 represents a renewal of the SNCF's electric locomotive fleet, both technically through the use of synchronous motors instead of series DC motors, and aesthetically with a more aerodynamic body than that of the previous generation of locomotives known as "broken noses" (CC 6500 and BB 7200/15000/22200). The locomotives, built between 1988 and 1998 in 234 units, are known as BB 26000 or SYBIC (acronym for Synchronous Bicourant) with a power output of 5600 kW, and can quickly be deployed for the traction of passenger trains at a speed of 200 km/h on the TER200 lines in Alsace (Strasbourg-Mulhouse-Basel) and InterLoire (Orléans-Tours-Nantes), as well as on the axes Paris-Orléans-Limoges-Toulouse and Paris-Cherbourg. The SYBICs are also used for the traction of freight trains between the northeast and southeast, allowing the SNCF to retire older electric locomotive classes (CC 7100, BB 8100, BB 9400, BB 12000, BB 13000, CC 14000, and CC 14100). All BB 26000 locomotives were originally painted in a two-tone gray livery with an orange stripe on the front and top of the body. BB 26172 in "Carmillon" livery is part of the collection at the Cité du Train museum in Mulhouse. From BB 26188 onwards, the SYBICs received a third front light in accordance with European regulations to avoid confusion with road vehicles. The "Cap" logo introduced in 1995 is always located on the right side. BB 26212 was put into service on October 17, 1996.