Electric locomotive BB 16019 REE

Extremely detailed locomotive. The roofline, including pantographs, is remarkable. Under the bogies, the Jacquemin transmission with shaft drive is shown, as well as the lower traction bars. I’m less enthusiastic about the cab faces, which I find overloaded with details (in particular the headlight clamps, the thickness of the cab trims and the electrical jumpers). The air ducts are not very straight. The removable buffer beams are slightly slanted, which makes their joint with the body visible.

A parts bag is provided, including two additional buffer beams, one with full details, the other with these details shortened (including the electric cable, which is not very understandable). There are also some spare parts (a windscreen wiper, an antenna, a lower traction support), and photo-etched plates (manufacturer and registration). Indeed, originally, these markings are simply stamped, and not very readable (see photo). The etched plates are fortunately in an aluminium-coloured metal, and not yellowish, as one could fear.

Mechanically, the left wheel of each end wheel set is bandaged. The flanges are 0.825 mm high. The back-to-back wheel distance of 14.2 mm is not compliant with the NEM (14.5 ± 0.1). Caution: when replacing a wheel set, it is very difficult to replace the current pickup strips, due to the presence of the Jacquemin transmission. What makes it worse is that the metal area is very narrow due to a plastic wheel cover, even on the inside. On my machine, one bogie did not take power on one side because of this.

The pantographs are held in the folded position by a small, discreet hook under the bow. Photo. These pantographs are very fine and detailed, including the bow bars and horns. One remarkable detail: the articulation of the upper rod is made on the lower rod, as in reality, not on the main leg as it is always the case on competing productions. One single regrettable defect remains: the central attachment, which I have already removed on the photo opposite.

See:

• Loco-Revue Forum.
• gamos81.altervista.org for the reference list of issued BB 16000 models.

From 1975 the BB 16000s received reinforced buffer beams for automatic couplers (never fitted), and from about 1985 intercom sockets above the windscreen, as well as steps and handrails on the cab sides.

The 16019 was put into service in December 1958 at La Chapelle. Successive depots: Strasbourg (3-73), La Chapelle (01-76) and Achères (6-96). It was written off in March 2010.

See the Loco-Revue Forum on the 16000 in general (several photos of different eras).