Prototype information

Vossloh G 2000-3 BB for SNCF Fret Benelux The class G 2000 BB diesel hydraulic locomotive is viewed at Vossloh Locomotives GmbH (formerly MaK) in Kiel as the most powerful unit of its kind. It was presented in its original version for the first time in September of 2000 at the Innotrans Exhibition in Berlin, Germany.

The first thing to strike the observer was the narrow superstructure with side catwalks and the asymmetrical cabs at the ends. Both ends seen in the direction of travel showed the cab at the front of the locomotive stretching to the left across the complete width of the locomotive. To the right the cab ended even with the narrow superstructure. Next to it, at both ends was a switching step that was marvelously suited for operations with radio remote control. With it, switching work occurring at the end of a run could be done with no problem and without a second locomotive. Special features of the G 2000 BB are a fully developed building block design principle, the selection of high quality components, as well as a high level of reliability and availability. In addition to the original version, the G 2000 BB was also built in two variations between 2003 and 2010 with a cab across the entire width of the locomotive. This enabled a considerably more spacious cab with two seats and equally good sight down the track.

The first units as the G 2000-2 BB (engineer's desk positioned on the left) went to different private transportation firms in Italy, the G 2000-3 BB variant (engineer's desk positioned on the right) to France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Even the Belgian State Railroad (SNCB) has several units on its roster as leased locomotives. At its introduction to the market, the G 2000 set new standards for diesel road engines regarding design, functionality, and life cycle costs (LCC). It has an output of up to 2,700 kilowatts / 3,621 horsepower, a maximum speed of 120 km/h / 75 mph, 5,000 liters / 1,321 gallons tank capacity, and a service weight of 87 to 90 metric tons. This unit can be used almost everywhere. Even one of the freight service divisions of the SNCF – Fret Benelux – leased two brand new G 2000-3 BB units from the leasing firm ACT (Angel Trains Cargo) in April of 2007 with the road numbers 1615 and 1616. They ran in freight train service between the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. The lease contract ended in 2011 and new lessees were initially EPF (Europorte France) and starting in 2015/16 finally the GTF SAS in Barbizon.