Class 270 (later reclassified as Class 70) locomotives were the first diesel shunters used by

NMBS/SNCB french: Société nationale des chemins de fer belgesgerman: Nationale Gesellschaft der Belgischen Eisenbahnen , type = Statutory corporation , industry = Rail Transport , foundation = 1926 , founder = Government o ...

. Three were initially ordered as prototypes of diesel-electric traction. Three

diesel-hydraulic A diesel locomotive is a type of railway locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine. Several types of diesel locomotives have been developed, differing mainly in the means by which mechanical power is conveyed to the driving wheels ...

Class 271 locomotives were also ordered for comparison. One loco, 7005, has been preserved by PFT at Saint Ghislain; the others were scrapped after being replaced by class 77s.

History

Built by Belgian locomotive manufacturers Baume & Marpent, the 6 class 270 locomotives were initially allocated to Ronet depot, near Namur. Their electric transmission was produced by ACEC, under licence from Westinghouse. During 1992, 7004 acquired a Cockerill diesel engine to replace its original

Anglo Belgian Corporation The Anglo Belgian Corporation (ABC) is a Belgian manufacturer of medium speed diesel engines, primarily for the marine market, as well as stationary and locomotive markets. History 1912-1939 On 26 October 1912 the Anglo Belgian corporation was fo ...

unit. After Ronet, during 1961 they were moved on to

Antwerp Antwerp (; nl, Antwerpen ; french: Anvers ; es, Amberes) is the largest city in Belgium by area at and the capital of Antwerp Province in the Flemish Region. With a population of 520,504,

to perform trip workings to and from places such as Boom, Mechelen, Mol and

Turnhout Turnhout () is a Belgium, Belgian Municipalities in Belgium, municipality and city located in the Flemish Region, Flemish Provinces of Belgium, province of Antwerp (province), Antwerp. The municipality comprises only the city of Turnhout proper. ...

. When, at the start of 1971,

adopted their current numbering system they became Class 70.

References

{{NMBS/SNCB locos Bo′Bo′ locomotives National Railway Company of Belgium locomotives Railway locomotives introduced in 1954 Standard gauge locomotives of Belgium Diesel-electric locomotives of Belgium