The CC 40100 was a series of ten heavy four-system express locomotives built for the SNCF between 1964 and 1969. They were capable of all common AC and DC systems in Europe, but were mostly only used for service between Paris and Belgium. Externally they featured the “Nez cassé” by Paul Arzens. Six type 18 locomotives of the Belgian State Railways were virtually identical to the CC 40100.
Like other French locomotives, the three axles on each bogie were powered by a single traction motor with two gear ratios which could be switched while stationary. Here, these were actually double motors which were located in a common casing. Depending on the gear, they could haul 900 tonnes with 160 km/h (99 mph) or 200 tonnes with 240 km/h (149 mph). Their service ended in 1996 with the introduction of the TGV Thalys.
