Belgian Railways Classical twin EMUs

Last updated
NMBS/SNCB Classical twin EMUs
AM 174 Liege Guillemins.jpg
NMBS/SNCB EMU AM 174 in Liège Guillemins Station
Klassiek motorstel 2e klasse.jpg
2nd class original interior
In service1939–present
Manufacturer La Brugeoise et Nivelles / ACEC
Constructed1939–1979
Number built497 (not in service at the same time)
FormationEMC-EMS
Capacity118 to 185,
depending on series
Operator(s) NMBS/SNCB
Specifications
Train length44.4 m (145 ft 8 in) to
46.575 m (152 ft 9+58 in),
depending on series
Width2.781 m (9 ft 1 in) to
3.000 m (9 ft 10 in),
depending on series
Height3.767 m (12 ft 4 in) to
4.400 m (14 ft 5 in),
depending on series
DoorsAM39: Sliding doors
Rest: Pneumatic folding doors 4 per side
(excl. baggage door)
Maximum speed130 km/h (81 mph)<b→r/> 140 km/h (87 mph) AM46 + AM66 and up
Weight98.5 t (96.94 long tons; 108.58 short tons) to
117 t (115.15 long tons; 128.97 short tons),
depending on series
Power output620 to 840  kW (830 to 1,130  hp),
depending on series
Electric system(s) 3000 V DC
1500 V DC (Netherlands)
Catenary
Current collector(s) Pantograph
UIC classification (A1)(1A) + (A1)(1A)
Safety system(s) TBL1+ (units 642 and up)
Coupling system Henricot semi automatic coupler
Multiple working Within class (all series are interoperable) and with AM75
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

NMBS/SNCB Classical twin EMUs (also referred by their construction year - AM50 for "Automotrice 1950" up to AM79 for the last units from 1979) (or MS50 to MS79 for the Dutch-language equivalent "Motorstel") are electric multiple unit trains operated by the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB). They were the standard equipment for local trains under the Belgian standard 3000 Volts DC overhead lines, until gradually replaced by the Class 08 Desiro Mainline EMU's starting from the early 21st century.

Contents

Classical EMUs were originally painted in dark green, with small yellow stripes surrounding the front lights. As those were considered insufficiently visible, the front door was also painted in yellow and the stripes were enlarged.

A subset of 22 EMUs was built with stainless steel body instead of (regular) carbon steel. This remains a one shot trial as the next generations were built with carbon steel bodies.

Another subset of 6 EMUs were specifically adapted for airport service, with more space between seats and a huge luggage compartment. Although they were operated by railways staff, access was restricted to Belgian airlines travellers with a dedicated platform at Brussels Central Station. A blue paint scheme was also chosen to identify those EMUs.

In 1984, the Belgian Railways introduced a new transportation plan based on fixed-interval timetables (and the closure of many secondary passenger lines) called "Plan IC-IR." A new paint scheme was applied, based on a burgundy red color with a large white line surrounding the entire coaches or EMUs below the windows.

In 1999, classical EMUs built in the seventies were extensively refurbished, the program included comfort upgrade (interior replacement, sound system, closed circuit toilets) and repainting in the light gray livery with blue and red lines under the windows. Few units were still in the older green delivery when refurbished. The last 40 to be refurbished units received extra features (LED information displays, multi-service compartments for bicycles or standing passengers) for suburban "CityRail" service.

In 2013, a hundred non-refurbished units were scrapped, after many of the Desiro Mainline Class 08 entered into revenue service.[ citation needed ]

Technical specifications

These EMUs are driven by four 185 kW 1500 Volts DC motors. Units built before 1970 were driven by a Jeumont-Heidmann camshaft controller. After 1970, Thyristor drive were used instead. [1] [2]

ClassImageFleet numbersNumberTop speedPower outputLengthMass/Weight (in tons)CapacityWithdrawnNotes
MS39001-0088130 km/h (81 mph)840 kW43.04 m (141 ft 2 in)101  t (99.4 long tons ; 111.3 short tons )143

30 1st
113 2nd

1978High-platform only units
MS460091140 km/h (87 mph)830 kW43.3 m (142 ft 1 in)110  t (108.3 long tons ; 121.3 short tons )164

24 1st
140 2nd

1978Prototype and pseudo-highspeedunit capable of reaching 140 km/h. High-platform only unit
MS50 AM50 Brussel Noord 1990 16078365960 73b3c22f5b o.jpg 010-03425130 km/h (81 mph)620 kW44.4 m (145 ft 8 in)117  t (115.2 long tons ; 129.0 short tons )170

32 1st
138 2nd

1995Almost identical to MS53. High Platform Units
MS51501
Later 050
145.78 m (150 ft 2 in)98.5  t (96.9 long tons ; 108.6 short tons )161

42 1st
119 2nd

1978Later renumbered to 050, the original 050 was renumbered 062. High-platform only unit
MS53035-0491544.4 m (145 ft 8 in)116  t (114.2 long tons ; 127.9 short tons )170

32 1st
138 2nd

1995Almost identical to MS50. High-platform only units
MS54 EMU 104 Jemeppe-sur-Sambre.jpg 050-1287945.28 m (148 ft 7 in)106  t (104.3 long tons ; 116.8 short tons )185

31 1st
154 2nd

1995050 was renumbered to 062 after the first 062 caught fire. 15 units were converted to mail-trains in 1988. 106 was used as a testtrain for TBL in 2004
MS55 Ale054 Belga Binario Torino Dora GTT.jpg 502-5393845.68 m (149 ft 10 in)105  t (103.3 long tons ; 115.7 short tons )181

45 1st
136 2nd

1995
MS56 Herentals juni 1981 18.jpg 129-1502245.28 m (148 ft 7 in)102  t (100.4 long tons ; 112.4 short tons )185

31 1st 154 2nd

2000Stainless steel body, units were not painted
MS62

MS63
MS65

SNCB EMU203 R01.jpg 151-210
211-250
251-270
60
40
20
735 kW46.57 m (152 ft 9 in)101  t (99.4 long tons ; 111.3 short tons )180

28 1st
152 2nd

2013151 was renumbered to 050 in the 90's due to test with asynchronous motors.
MS66
MS70JH
MS70TH
SNCB EMU634 R01.jpg 601-640
641-664
665-676
40
24
12
140 km/h (87 mph)770 kW46.61 m (152 ft 11 in)N/AFrom 665 on units were equipped with thyristors. In 2006–2008 all MS70TH sets, except 672, were refurbished to MSCR
MS70 Airport AM70 Sabena.jpg 801-806
Later 595-600
6121  t (119.1 long tons ; 133.4 short tons )118

32 1st
86 2nd

2013Specially built for services to Brussels Airport-Zaventem, with extra luggage space.
MS73
MS74
MS78
MS79
SNCB EMU697 R01.jpg 677-706
707-730
731-756
757-782
30
24
26
26
107  t (105.3 long tons ; 117.9 short tons )178

28 1st
150 2nd

N/AIn 2006-2008 677 to 683 and 707 to 730, except 709 and 716, were refurbished to MSCR
MSCR
'CityRail'
SNCB EMU984 R04.jpg 960-99940Modernised MS70TH, MS73 and MS74

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References

  1. "Trains d'Europe : Chemins de fer belges (SNCB)". trains-europe.fr. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  2. "Petit coup d'œil sur nos automotrices - Rixke Rail's Archives". rixke.tassignon.be. Retrieved 2020-04-17.