WelcomeToCatcliffeDemon

Belgian loco design at its best!

CONTINUING OUR SURVEY of the finest in Belgian design, we present the SNCB/NMBS Class 26. Built at roughly the same time as British Rail’s Class 86, they provide an interesting contrast. While BR/English Electric went for boringly attractive, the fashionable stylists at builder La Brugeoise et Nivelles (BN) clearly attempted to pack so much character into the appearance of the 3,000V dc machines that you almost want to congratulate them, even though they failed so horribly. This pair, Nos. 2623 & 2620, were recorded at Antwerpen-Berchem on April 20th, 2009.

Not being schooled in the liveries of the Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Belges, this looks all the world to me like a scene out of the late-1970s. It was actually photographed on April 30th, 2009, and shows SNCB/NMBS Class 20 3,000V dc electric No. 2001 - which should probably be considered more as a large collection of grilles than an actual locomotive - departing Brussel-Midi/Bruxelles-Zuid station, Belgium, with a eastbound passenger service.