The series 1600 was developed for the NS after they had borrowed a BB 7200 from the SNCF for evaluation purposes. Like its French prototype, it had four axles, could operate under 1.5 kV DC and featured the “Nez cassé” design. The continuous output of the Dutch locomotive had been increased by 500 kW to 4,540 kW, with a maximum of 5.100 for one hour. Designed for 200 km/h, they were approved for 180 km/h, but also used in freight service. Between 1981 and 1983, 58 locomotives were built by Alstom and MTE.

On February 29, 1989, No. 1607 set a world record for the longest passenger train with 60 coaches. 81 locomotives of the improved series 1700 were built starting in 1991. Part of the series 1600 came to Railion in 1999. The others which were in passenger service in the NS were now renumbered to 1800 and were withdrawn by 2015. The Railion locomotives later came to DB Cargo Nederland and received a new traffic red livery in 2012. The last ones of these were withdrawn in 2020. Today, a number are still in service with some private operators.