| SNCF BB 9400 | |
| Powertype: | Electric |
| Builddate: | 1967–1969 |
| Totalproduction: | 135 |
| Uicclass: | Bo′Bo′ |
| Electricsystem: | 1500 V DC |
| Collectionmethod: | Pantograph |
| Fleetnumbers: | 9401–9535 |
| Nicknames: | Vespa |
The SNCF Class BB 9400 was a class of Bo'Bo' electric locomotives of SNCF. they were used to haul L’Aquilon, a high-speed passenger train between Paris, Dijon and Lyon-Perrache.[1] The locomotives were given the nickname "Vespa", as they were very lightweight.[2] They were one of a series of locomotives referred to as "BB Jacquemin", as they used bogies designed by engineer André Jacquemin. The locomotive itself was designed by noted French railway designer Paul Arzens.[3] In later years they hauled passenger trains on the difficult Béziers–Neussargues line.[4]
The locomotive series was built between 1967 and 1969, numbered 9401 to 9535. These fell into two groups; the original group was limited to, with units BB 9531 to 9535 capable of . These units operated under a 1,500 V DC catenary, with a power of . The locomotives are long and weigh . They were fitted for multiple unit and push–pull working. Some were modified in the 1980s to work in freight service and reclassified as BB 9600, with sound-proofed cabins and a unified control stand for the operator. The class was withdrawn from service by 1994, with one example, BB 9411, preserved on display at the Gare de Nîmes.[5]