SNCB Class 21

SNCB Class 21 is part of the large 1980s family of 144 electric locomotives. The family was made up of Classes 11 (12), 12 (12), 21 (60) and 27 (60). Classes 11, 12 and 21 were nearly twice as powerful as Classes 22, 23 and 25 while Class 27 was more than twice as powerful as the 1950s locomotives. This family was heavily influenced by the Class 20 from the mid-1970s. The 1980s locomotives were very reliable because of the trial and error development of their predecessor. This family came into service with M4 and M5 coaching stock and the AM 80 and AM 86 series of EMUs. This generation was a major modernization of the SNCB even if the older M2 coaching stock remained active for more than a decade before being replaced. These four sister classes are visually identical except for a few minor details. Class 11's bordeaux and yellow livery is specific to the Benelux service which they powered for most of their service lives.

Class 21 locomotives, although lower in power than the Class 27s, work interchangeably with them for the most part. They haul both passenger and freight trains. They are frequently seen pushing or pulling trains made of M4 and M5 coaching stock around the system.

In May 1989, locomotive 2109 was repainted in turquoise to haul a matched set of wagons for the Technorame train. This train was sponsored by the regional government of Wallonie and traveled around French-speaking Belgium displaying various high-tech items to the public for several months. At the end of this contract it re-entered regular service on both freight and passenger trains while still wearing its special colors. This continued for at least two months before it was repainted in the normal colors for the class.

During 1993 locomotive 2130 was converted for use as a test bed for the development of the future Class 13. It was renumbered into Class 19 as 1901 for the testing program and was the only member of the class. It also gained triphase traction motors and a transformer that let it work under both 3000 volts DC and 25000 volts, 50 Hz AC plus French safety equipment and operated into Lille Flandres station in France a number of times while in regular service. By 2001 the testing was complete and it was restored to standard with its original number of 2130.

Locomotive 2119 was involved in the severe collision at Buizingen, just north of Hal on Line 96. This took place on 15 February 2010 in the morning. The driver of AM62 EMU 214 passed a red signal and collided with 2119's train. As 2119 was pushing its train it was not damaged. The driver of 2119's train was killed in the M4 driving trailer while the driver of 214 survived. 17 others also died and 150 were injured to varying degrees. EMU 214 and the driving trailer were both destroyed in the accident. The accident was partly due to low voltage at the signal, which wasn't fully lit, and the lack of automatic train protection in the rail vehicles.

Withdrawals started in early 2014 as SNCB decided that it had a surplus of electric locomotives after the Class 18 and Class 19 were delivered from Siemens. Most Class 21 locomotives from 2101 to 2130 were withdrawn by the December 2014 timetable change. The rest will be retained until further notice. Most of 2101 to 2130 have been stripped for spares and had asbestos removed before scrapping. Classes 21 and 27 share many interchangeable parts. A major SNCB worry has been the traction motor blowers for Class 27. The company that made them in the 1980s is no longer in business so the Class 21s will serve as a spares bank to keep the Class 27s, which are more powerful, in service.