French State Railway BB 16000 and BB 16100

The BB 16000 was introduced in 1958 with the aim to accelerate passenger trains of up to 800 tonnes from 120 to 160 km/h. By 1963, MTE had built 62 locomotives for service under 25 kV AC. They were part of the BB Jacquemin family derived from the BB 12000, which had two traction motors per bogie and quill drive. These locomotives delivered 4,130 kW and were used for top-tier express trains. From the late seventies, some of their services were taken over by the BB 15000. Between 1991 and 1993, 15 were rebuilt to the BB 16100 by adding push-pull controls. These were mainly used for suburban service around Paris. Others still hauled express trains in the north. Withdrawals were between 2006 and 2012.