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The Märklin Model of BB22402TU 'Saint die des Vosges'

An out of sequence classification for an electric locomotive in Britain, it was actually applied by BR to the SNCF BB22200 locomotives, nine of which (22379/380/399-405) were allocated to work Channel Tunnel freight trains from 1994 to 1995, until the BR Class 92 became available.

Built by Alstom between 1976 and 1986, these dual current (1,500V dc and 25kV ac) 5,850hp locomotives are the familiar B-B 'Nez Cassés' or 'Broken Nose' locomotives. They only have two traction motors, each driving it's own four wheel bogie, hence B-B and often known as monomoteurs.

One of my pictures of BB22387 at Gare du Nord in 2013

After a bit of research, I found that Märklin did a version of the BB22200 in tunnel livery, No.BB22402TU, ref. code 83320. This locomotive is named in the French way after towns and carries a replica cast plaque on the bodyside, the name being 'Saint die des Vosges'. The model is HO scale, but I think I'll have to accept that. The model itself is up Märklins usual high standard with a cast chassis block and a die cast body.

More of a problem is that Märklin use a unique 20 V ac 'three rail' system. Power is supplied via a centre strip of stud contacts picked up by a 'ski' under the non-driven bogie. Power is returned through both wheels, meaning the wheelsets are not insulated and will short on a conventional 2 rail dc system. So not really a true 3 rail system like Trix or Hornby-Dublo. Being a more modern product, it is equipped with Märklins own digital system called 'Delta' and has a decoder onboard. The motor is an ac motor with a field coil (ESU do replacement magnets for dc conversion). So my problem is in changing the magnet and isolating the wheels on the axles. Further research is needed, but one simple option would be just to re-motor with a Black Beetle unit.