Belgian Railways Classical twin EMUs

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.

NMBS/SNCB Classical twin EMUs
NMBS/SNCB EMU AM 174 in Liège Guillemins Station
2nd class original interior
In service1939–present
ManufacturerLa 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 systemHenricot semi automatic coupler
Multiple workingWithin class (all series are interoperable) and with AM75
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in) standard gauge

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.

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]

Class Image Fleet numbers Number Top speed Power output Length Mass/Weight (in tons) Capacity Withdrawn Notes
MS39 001-008 8 130 km/h (81 mph) 840 kW 43.04 m (141 ft 2 in) 101 t (99.4 long tons; 111.3 short tons) 143

30 1st
113 2nd

1978 High-platform only units
MS46 009 1 140 km/h (87 mph) 830 kW 43.3 m (142 ft 1 in) 110 t (108.3 long tons; 121.3 short tons) 164

24 1st
140 2nd

1978 Prototype and pseudo-highspeedunit capable of reaching 140 km/h. High-platform only unit
MS50 010-034 25 130 km/h (81 mph) 620 kW 44.4 m (145 ft 8 in) 117 t (115.2 long tons; 129.0 short tons) 170

32 1st
138 2nd

1995 Almost identical to MS53. High Platform Units
MS51 501
Later 050
1 45.78 m (150 ft 2 in) 98.5 t (96.9 long tons; 108.6 short tons) 161

42 1st
119 2nd

1978 Later renumbered to 050, the original 050 was renumbered 062. High-platform only unit
MS53 035-049 15 44.4 m (145 ft 8 in) 116 t (114.2 long tons; 127.9 short tons) 170

32 1st
138 2nd

1995 Almost identical to MS50. High-platform only units
MS54 050-128 79 45.28 m (148 ft 7 in) 106 t (104.3 long tons; 116.8 short tons) 185

31 1st
154 2nd

1995 050 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 502-539 38 45.68 m (149 ft 10 in) 105 t (103.3 long tons; 115.7 short tons) 181

45 1st
136 2nd

1995
MS56 129-150 22 45.28 m (148 ft 7 in) 102 t (100.4 long tons; 112.4 short tons) 185

31 1st 154 2nd

2000 Stainless steel body, units were not painted
MS62

MS63
MS65

151-210
211-250
251-270
60
40
20
735 kW 46.57 m (152 ft 9 in) 101 t (99.4 long tons; 111.3 short tons) 180

28 1st
152 2nd

2013 151 was renumbered to 050 in the 90's due to test with asynchronous motors.
MS66
MS70JH
MS70TH
601-640
641-664
665-676
40
24
12
140 km/h (87 mph) 770 kW 46.61 m (152 ft 11 in) N/A From 665 on units were equipped with thyristors. In 2006–2008 all MS70TH sets, except 672, were refurbished to MSCR
MS70 Airport 801-806
Later 595-600
6 121 t (119.1 long tons; 133.4 short tons) 118

32 1st
86 2nd

2013 Specially built for services to Brussels Airport-Zaventem, with extra luggage space.
MS73
MS74
MS78
MS79
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/A In 2006-2008 677 to 683 and 707 to 730, except 709 and 716, were refurbished to MSCR
MSCR
'CityRail'
960-999 40 Modernised MS70TH, MS73 and MS74

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.
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