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Belgian Railways Classical twin EMUs
Electric multiple unit trains From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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NMBS/SNCB Classical twin EMUs (also referred by their construction year - AM39 for "Automotrice 1939" up to AM79 for the last units from 1979; or MS39 to MS79 for the Dutch-language equivalent "Motorstel") were 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 they gradually replaced by the Class 08 Desiro Mainline EMU's starting from the early 21st century.
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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, built in 1970, 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 travellers holding valid SABENA airline tickets with a dedicated platform provided at Brussels Central Station. A blue paint scheme was also chosen to identify those EMUs. These units were retired in 2013.
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" (predecessor of the Brussels S Train) services.
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Withdrawal
The first withdrawals of the classical EMUs took place at the end of the 1970s.
In 2013, a hundred non-refurbished units were scrapped, after many of the Desiro Mainline Class 08 entered into revenue service.[citation needed]
The last unit was retired in a farewell run held on 14 December 2014. Unit 660, which was part of the farewell run, will be preserved at Train World in Schaerbeek.[1]
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Technical specifications
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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.[2][3]
Three different painting schemes at Ottignies station.
Second class interiors of a refurbished unit.
Drivers cab of an unrefurbished unit.
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