SNCB Class 13

SNCB series 13 Tractis
NMBS/SNCB Class 13 loco 1356 at Ostend station, 25 May 2006.
Type and origin Power type Electric Builder Alstom (Charleroi/Belfort) Bombardier Transportation (BN, Bruges) Build date 1997–2001 Total produced 60
Specifications Configuration: ​  • UIC Bo′Bo′ Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) Driver dia. 1,160 to 1,090 mm (46 to 43 in) (new/worn) Wheelbase 3.000 m (9 ft 10.1 in) (bogie) 10.400 m (34 ft 1.4 in) (between bogie centres) Length 19.11 m (62 ft 8 in) Width 3.026 m (9 ft 11 in) Height 4.275 m (14 ft 0 in) Loco weight 90 t Electric system/s 25kV AC, 3kV DC, 1.5kV DC Current pickup(s) Pantograph Loco brake Electro-pneumatic / rheostatic / electro-regenerative Safety systems KVB (SNCF), TBL2 (SNCB)
Performance figures Maximum speed 200 km/h (124 mph) Power output 5,200 kW (7,000 hp) under 25kV AC or 3kV DC 2,100 kW (2,800 hp) under 1.5kV DC Tractive effort 288 kN (65,000 lbf) (starting)
Career Operators SNCB/NMBS Numbers 1301–1360
Sources: except where noted

The SNCB class 13 are a type of mixed use 200 km/h multivoltage electric locomotive of type Tractis designed by Alstom in the late 1990s for the Belgian and Luxembourgish railways (CFL class 3000).

The locomotives operate push-pull trains with coaches of type I11, as well as freight trains.

At the beginning of the 1990s SNCB had a requirement to renew its mainline locomotive fleet: it required fast high power passenger locomotives for intercity trains on lines between Ostend, Brussels, Liege and Eupen, as well as needing replacements for SNCB diesel locomotive classes 52, 53 and 54 which dated to the 1950s and were used on freight trains for the steel industry on the Maas-Athus line and into Luxembourg. These requirements led to the decision to acquire a universal locomotive design. The design specifications included a minimum top speed of 200 kilometres per hour (120 mph) and capability to operate under 3kV DC and 25kV AC electrification.

Luxembourg state rail company CFL also had a locomotive fleet dating from the 1950/60s, including electric CFL 3600s and GM-EMD diesel engined locomotives CFL 1800. The company also planned to electrify its entire network, the majority at 25kV AC, as well as 3kV DC. In December 1992 CFL reached an agreement to jointly procure locomotives with SNCB, with SNCB leading the procurement process.

The procurement specifications were published in March 1993, accepted bidders were listed in September 1993, with bids received in February 1994. On 22 December 1995 SNCB and CFL made a joint order with ACEC-Transport (subsidiary of GEC-Alstom) for 80 units; Alstom's offer was costed at 140.5million Belgian francs per locomotive; SNCB and CFL ordered 60 (SNCB 13) and 20 (CFL 3000) units respectively of identically specified locomotives, with deliveries beginning in 1998. At the same time as the class 13 order SNCB ordered 21 control cars of type I11 for use with the locomotives on passenger services.