Belgian Railways Class 35
| NMBS/SNCB series 35 | |
|---|---|
 Unit 12 on a special fan trip in 1990. | |
| In service | 1935–1962; 1967–1988 |
| Manufacturer | first 12 cars , next 12 cars |
| Built at | Société anonyme la Métallurgique: Nivelles, Ateliers de la Dyle: Louvain |
| Constructed | 1935 |
| Refurbished | 1967 |
| Number built | 12 |
| Number preserved | 2 |
| Number scrapped | 10 |
| Fleet numbers | 228.001 to 228.012 - A1 to A12 |
| Capacity | second and third class compartments |
| Operator(s) | NMBS/SNCB |
| Line(s) served | Brussels and Antwerp |
| Specifications | |
| Train length | 91.05 m (298 ft 9 in) |
| Width | 2.97 m (9 ft 9 in) |
| Height | 3.88 m (12 ft 9 in) |
| Doors | 6 per side and per car |
| Maximum speed | 120 km/h (75 mph) |
| Weight | 242 t (238.18 long tons; 266.76 short tons) |
| Traction system | Electric - |
| Power output | 968 kW (1,298 hp) |
| Electric system(s) | 3000 V DC |
| Current collection method | Pantograph |
| UIC classification | Bo'Bo' + 2'2' + 2'2' + Bo'Bo' [1] |
| Coupling system | Henricot semi automatic coupler |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
NMBS/SNCB Class AM35 (Automotrice 35 French for Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) – 1935 [after their year of construction]) were electric multiple unit trains operated by the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB). First used in service on May 5, 1935 (a century to the day after the founding of the Belgian Railways) along the first electric line between Brussels and Antwerp.[2]
Twelve Electric Multiple Units consisting of four carriages set ran at 120 kilometres per hour between the two cities.[2]
Technical Details[]
The EMUs consisted of two motorized cars at the ends and two infill trailers. Two manufacturers were selected for the power cars: 12 were built by the Société Anonyme la Métallurgique (Nivelles) and fitted with ACEC electrical equipment, the other 12 were assembled by the Ateliers de la Dyle (Leuven) and equipped by SEM (Société d'Électricité et de Mécanique).[3]
The units were delivered in “blue and beige livery, fluid lines and detailed finishing” and proved quite popular with the travelling public. They featured an interior design by Belgian architect and designer Henry van de Velde, who was then artistic advisor for the Belgian National Railways.[2] After World War Two, they were repainted in two tones of green, with large yellow visibility bands added shortly thereafter.
In 1939, 16 additional trailers were built in order to increase capacity during peak hours, creating 8 six-car sets. These new unpowered carriages were uncoupled and parked aside during low ridership hours.
History[]
The units were designed within the framework of the Universal Exhibition in Brussels in 1935, designed to be a chic and modern way to link Brussels and Antwerp. They were the first electric units of the SNCB.[4] The AM35 coaches were withdrawn from passenger service between 1959 and 1962 due to the heavy wear and tear they inflicted on the rails, several power cars were refurbished into mail trains for the Belgian postal service in 1967–1968. These mail trains were subsequently withdrawn in 1988.
Preservation[]
A four car set was kept by the SNCB in working order ; the leading car was later put on display at Train World[2] and postal unit 002 is in private hands.
Most of the trailers were rebuilt into service vehicles (measuring coaches, cinema car and track worker accommodation). The cinema coach is preserved in Maldegem and some mobile track worker “camp cars” are still used.
Front car preserved at Train World, behind 12.004.
Third class interior.
Preserved trailer during restoration.
Four trailers housing track workers in Vilvorde.
References[]
- ^ "AM 35". railpasson.org (in French). Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Discover Train World in 3D". Train World. 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ Vandenberghen, J. (1996). Historique de la traction électrique en Belgique. Tome 2 : 1935 - 1939 (in French). Brussels: SNCB éditions. pp. 519–548.
- ^ Train World -gids - guide Quentin Debbaudt (in French). Train World Youtube channel. May 26, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
External links[]
- SNCB multiple units