Belgian Railways Classical twin EMUs

Electric multiple unit trains

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NMBS/SNCB Classical twin EMUs
NMBS/SNCB EMU AM 174 in Liège Guillemins Station
2nd class original interior
In service	1939–2024
Manufacturer	La Brugeoise et Nivelles, ACEC, Ateliers Germain, Usines Ragheno
Built at	Braine-le-Comte, Bruges, Charleroi, Mechelen
Constructed	1939–1980
Refurbished	1999–2008
Scrapped	1978–2024
Number built	497 (not in service at the same time)
Number in service	0
Formation	EMC-EMS
Capacity	118 to 185, depending on series
Operators	NMBS/SNCB
Specifications
Train length	44.4 m (145 ft 8 in) to 46.575 m (152 ft 9+5⁄8 in), depending on series
Width	2.781 m (9 ft 1 in) to 3.000 m (9 ft 10 in), depending on series
Height	3.767 m (12 ft 4 in) to 4.400 m (14 ft 5 in), depending on series
Doors	AM39: Sliding doors Rest: Pneumatic folding doors 4 per side (excl. baggage door)
Maximum speed	130 km/h (81 mph)<b→r/> 140 km/h (87 mph) AM46 + AM66 and up
Weight	98.5 t (96.94 long tons; 108.58 short tons) to 117 t (115.15 long tons; 128.97 short tons), depending on series
Power output	620 to 840 kW (830 to 1,130 hp), depending on series
Electric system(s)	3000 V DC 1500 V DC (Netherlands) Catenary
Current collector(s)	Pantograph
UIC classification	(A1)(1A) + (A1)(1A)
Safety system(s)	TBL1+ (units 642 and up)
Coupling system	Henricot semi automatic coupler
Multiple working	Within class (all series are interoperable) and with AM75
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

NMBS/SNCB Classical twin EMUs (also referred by their construction year - AM39 for "Automotrice 1939" up to AM79 for the last units from 1979; or MS39 to MS79 for the Dutch-language equivalent "Motorstel") were electric multiple unit trains operated by the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB). They were the standard equipment for local trains under the Belgian standard 3000 Volts DC overhead lines, until they gradually replaced by the Class 08 Desiro Mainline EMU's starting from the early 21st century.

Classical EMUs were originally painted in dark green, with small yellow stripes surrounding the front lights. As those were considered insufficiently visible, the front door was also painted in yellow and the stripes were enlarged.

A subset of 22 EMUs was built with stainless steel body instead of (regular) carbon steel. This remains a one shot trial as the next generations were built with carbon steel bodies.

Another subset of 6 EMUs, built in 1970, were specifically adapted for airport service, with more space between seats and a huge luggage compartment. Although they were operated by railways staff, access was restricted to travellers holding valid SABENA airline tickets with a dedicated platform provided at Brussels Central Station. A blue paint scheme was also chosen to identify those EMUs. These units were retired in 2013.

In 1984, the Belgian Railways introduced a new transportation plan based on fixed-interval timetables (and the closure of many secondary passenger lines) called "Plan IC-IR." A new paint scheme was applied, based on a burgundy red color with a large white line surrounding the entire coaches or EMUs below the windows.

In 1999, classical EMUs built in the seventies were extensively refurbished, the program included comfort upgrade (interior replacement, sound system, closed circuit toilets) and repainting in the light gray livery with blue and red lines under the windows. Few units were still in the older green delivery when refurbished. The last 40 to be refurbished units received extra features (LED information displays, multi-service compartments for bicycles or standing passengers) for suburban "CityRail" (predecessor of the Brussels S Train) services.

Withdrawal

The first withdrawals of the classical EMUs took place at the end of the 1970s.

In 2013, a hundred non-refurbished units were scrapped, after many of the Desiro Mainline Class 08 entered into revenue service.

The last unit was retired in a farewell run held on 14 December 2014. Unit 660, which was part of the farewell run, will be preserved at Train World in Schaerbeek.

Technical specifications

These EMUs are driven by four 185 kW 1500 Volts DC motors. Units built before 1970 were driven by a Jeumont-Heidmann [fr] camshaft controller. After 1970, Thyristor drive were used instead.

Class	Fleet numbers	Number	Top speed	Power output	Length	Mass/Weight (in tons)	Capacity	Withdrawn	Notes
MS39	001-008	8	130 km/h (81 mph)	840 kW	43.04 m (141 ft 2 in)	101 t (99.4 long tons; 111.3 short tons)	143 30 1st 113 2nd	1978	High-platform only units
MS46	009	1	140 km/h (87 mph)	830 kW	43.3 m (142 ft 1 in)	110 t (108.3 long tons; 121.3 short tons)	164 24 1st 140 2nd	1978	Prototype and pseudo-highspeedunit capable of reaching 140 km/h. High-platform only unit
MS50	010-034	25	130 km/h (81 mph)	620 kW	44.4 m (145 ft 8 in)	117 t (115.2 long tons; 129.0 short tons)	170 32 1st 138 2nd	1995	Almost identical to MS53. High Platform Units
MS51	501 Later 050	1			45.78 m (150 ft 2 in)	98.5 t (96.9 long tons; 108.6 short tons)	161 42 1st 119 2nd	1978	Later renumbered to 050, the original 050 was renumbered 062. High-platform only unit
MS53	035-049	15			44.4 m (145 ft 8 in)	116 t (114.2 long tons; 127.9 short tons)	170 32 1st 138 2nd	1995	Almost identical to MS50. High-platform only units
MS54	050-128	79			45.28 m (148 ft 7 in)	106 t (104.3 long tons; 116.8 short tons)	185 31 1st 154 2nd	1995	050 was renumbered to 062 after the first 062 caught fire. 15 units were converted to mail trains for Belgian Post in 1988. 106 was used as a test train for TBL in 2004
MS55	502-539	38			45.68 m (149 ft 10 in)	105 t (103.3 long tons; 115.7 short tons)	181 45 1st 136 2nd	1995
MS56	129-150	22			45.28 m (148 ft 7 in)	102 t (100.4 long tons; 112.4 short tons)	185 31 1st 154 2nd	2000	Stainless steel body, units were not painted
MS62 MS63 MS65	151-210 211-250 251-270	60 40 20		735 kW	46.57 m (152 ft 9 in)	101 t (99.4 long tons; 111.3 short tons)	180 28 1st 152 2nd	2013	151 was renumbered to 050 in the 90's due to test with asynchronous motors.
MS66 MS70JH MS70TH	601-640 641-664 665-676	40 24 12	140 km/h (87 mph)	770 kW	46.61 m (152 ft 11 in)	101 t (99.4 long tons; 111.3 short tons)	180 28 1st 152 2nd	2024	From 665 on units were equipped with thyristors. In 2006–2008 all MS70TH sets, except 672, were refurbished to MSCR
MS70 Airport	801-806 Later 595-600	6				121 t (119.1 long tons; 133.4 short tons)	118 32 1st 86 2nd	2013	Specially built for services to Brussels Airport-Zaventem, with extra luggage space.
MS73 MS74 MS78 MS79	677-706 707-730 731-756 757-782	30 24 26 26				107 t (105.3 long tons; 117.9 short tons)	178 28 1st 150 2nd	2024	In 2006-2008 677 to 683 and 707 to 730, except 709 and 716, were refurbished to MSCR
MSCR 'CityRail'	960-999	40	Modernised MS70TH, MS73 and MS74. Retired in 2024.