Belgium: Class 25
Also known as: Type 125
Railway companies: SNCB NMBS - Belgium National Railway Company
1960
Class 25 locomotives were part of a 1950s generation of Belgian electric locomotives, originally introduced as Type 125. This series was developed alongside other types such as Type 122 (later Class 22), Type 123 (Class 23), and Type 140 (later Class 25.5), forming a fleet of 155 locomotives built between 1953 and 1961. Class 25 was primarily intended for passenger services and featured technological advancements like wheelslip detection and an improved starting system, which differentiated it from its sibling, Class 23.
The Class 25 locomotives were equipped with roof cabling, which was later retrofitted onto Class 22 and Class 23 as they underwent upgrades. Originally built to run at 140 km/h, the Class 25 units were ideal for express passenger trains across Belgium. However, early attempts to re-gear some units for higher speeds (creating the Type 140) led to reduced tractive effort, prompting a return to their original configuration.
In the early 1970s, a sub-series of Class 25 locomotives was modified to become Class 25.5, fitted with dual voltage equipment to allow cross-border operations into the Netherlands. These locomotives also received additional upgrades, such as a third headlight and Dutch signaling equipment. The Class 25.5 units were used on Benelux services between Brussels and Amsterdam, operating in push-pull mode with I4 coaches to improve efficiency at terminal stations.
The Class 25.5 was the first SNCB locomotive class to be adapted for push-pull operations, later inspiring modifications to standard Class 25 units for use on peak-hour services. These locomotives worked with specially transformed M2BD driving trailers that were designed specifically for use with Class 25 units.
The Class 25 locomotives were gradually phased out of service, with the Class 25.5 units retiring in 2009 and the remaining Class 25 units following in 2012. One unit, 2551, has been preserved by the PFT-TSP railway preservation group.
The Class 25 locomotives were equipped with roof cabling, which was later retrofitted onto Class 22 and Class 23 as they underwent upgrades. Originally built to run at 140 km/h, the Class 25 units were ideal for express passenger trains across Belgium. However, early attempts to re-gear some units for higher speeds (creating the Type 140) led to reduced tractive effort, prompting a return to their original configuration.
In the early 1970s, a sub-series of Class 25 locomotives was modified to become Class 25.5, fitted with dual voltage equipment to allow cross-border operations into the Netherlands. These locomotives also received additional upgrades, such as a third headlight and Dutch signaling equipment. The Class 25.5 units were used on Benelux services between Brussels and Amsterdam, operating in push-pull mode with I4 coaches to improve efficiency at terminal stations.
The Class 25.5 was the first SNCB locomotive class to be adapted for push-pull operations, later inspiring modifications to standard Class 25 units for use on peak-hour services. These locomotives worked with specially transformed M2BD driving trailers that were designed specifically for use with Class 25 units.
The Class 25 locomotives were gradually phased out of service, with the Class 25.5 units retiring in 2009 and the remaining Class 25 units following in 2012. One unit, 2551, has been preserved by the PFT-TSP railway preservation group.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_Railways_Class_25
Latest update on the 8th of September 2024 at 20:17
Contributor(s): Tudor C.
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