Dutch 1700 Class electric locomotives

1757 seen in Roosendaal. (Geoff Churchman)

The Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS) Class 1700 electrics were a development of the previous Class 1600 ordered in 1978. If it looks like the SNCF Class BB 7200, it is because the 1600 was based on it. The Class 1700 have updated and extended electronics, a newer safety system (ATB phase 4 vs ATB phase 3 in the 1600 series) and a different braking system. The locomotives are fitted with monomotor bogies.

An automatic coupler is fitted on the 1701-1728 subseries and are used with NS DD-AR double-decker coaches in a push-pull setup. The couplers, from BSI (Bergische Stahl Industrie, Germany), allow a mechanical, pneumatic and electrical connection between two DD-AR sets. From the remaining 1729-1781 series, many are adapted for use in push-pull sets with coaches from the rebuild ICRm series with a driver's cab.

Builder: Alstom
Years built: 1990-1994
Number built: 81 (one scrapped following a fire in 2000)
Road numbers: 1701-1781
Axle arrangement: B-B
Voltage: 1.5 kV DC
Length: 17.480 metres (57 ft 4.2 in)
Weight: 83 tonnes
Traction motors: 2×Alstom TAB 674 C4
Maximum speed: 180 km/h
Power output: 4,400 kW (5,900 hp)
Tractive effort: 294 kN (66,000 lb)