The SNCF Class Y 8000 is a class of diesel shunter

Diesel locomotive

A diesel locomotive is a type of railroad locomotive in which the prime mover is a diesel engine, a reciprocating engine operating on the Diesel cycle as invented by Dr. Rudolf Diesel...

 built between 1977 and 1990.

History and design

The locomotives were developed by SNCF for shunting duties. Initial construction was by Locotracteurs Gaston Moyse

Locotracteurs Gaston Moyse

Locotracteurs Gaston Moyse was a French manufacturer of diesel shunting locomotives. Founded in 1922 by Gaston Moyse, the company closed in the late 1970s....

 until that company ceased business, then by Fauvet Girel.

Y 8000 machines were used to replace older shunting engines, as well as trip work on minor lines.

The locomotives were 2 axle machines with both axles powered by a Poyaud (SSCM) diesel engine via a Voith

Voith

The Voith GmbH, which is headquartered in Germany, is a family-run corporation in the mechanical engineering sector with worldwide operations....

 hydraulic transmission. Locomotives were later re-engined (1997) with lower emission RVI engines; when re-engined locomotives received the green SNCF Fret livery.

The locomotives also are certified for use in Italy, limited to shunting work: Y 8120 has been operated by SNCF subsidiary CapTrain Italia.

After 1989 production shifted to a mechanically identical Y 8400

SNCF Class Y 8400

This class of small shunters has 150 members. They were delivered by Arbel Fauvet Rail in the early 1990s and seem to have been spread across France. They have the 0-4-0 wheel arrangement, 200 kW diesel engines and hydraulic transmission.-External links:...

type, which incorporated a radio control system for shunting.

External links

• Fleet list (SNCF):