BB 22278RC + Rame VR2N

 

I have a previous post about the engine, but I didn't include any photos or videos. This is fixed now with this post.

 

Prototypical train formation

First, some videos and pictures:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/182992690@N03/51279186369/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/182992690@N03/49773479487/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/182992690@N03/51877246636/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulg40100/52158999985/

Miniature models

As usual, this is a unique creation. Some pictures of the engine:

With the VR2N cars from Vitrains, we have the prototypical formation:

 

And now my video!

VR2N Nord Pas-de-Calais

Vitrains released VR2N sets specific to the more recent Nord Pas-de-Calais TER service:

Vitrains 1034

Vitrains 1105

Prior to those 2 recent livery, there was one based on the original orange and white livery, but with specific markings. There were actually two with a subtle difference.

"Région Nord.Pas-de-Calais" TCR

TCR stands for "Transport Collectif Régional" - it is before TER and unique to Nord Pas-de-Calais.

And here's the link for the picture below.

https://www.archives.sncf.com

Here are two pictures, but there are both slightly incorrect, because there is a "." between Nord and Pas-de-Calais, but there should be a "-" for Pas-de-Calais, not a "."

https://www.instagram.com/p/CxPu6Q3oWpE/?img_index=2

"Région Nord.Pas-de-Calais" non TCR

The non TCR version came after once TCR was converted into TER (I need to find more info on this). Besides the TCR marking not being there, there are TER logo above the doors and on the doors.

And here's the link for the picture below.

https://www.archives.sncf.com

http://transportrail.canalblog.com/pages/transport-ferroviaire-regional--2----1973-1995/36400229.html

https://www.flickr.com/photos/trains-en-voyage/52075750511/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voiture_de_banlieue_%C3%A0_2_niveaux

VO2N, VR2N, VB2N, or V2N?

It's not easy to differentiate between all the versions: 

• VO2N - Omnibus
• VR2N - Regional
• VB2N - Banlieue
• V2N

Depending on the era, the Nord Pas-de-Calais region got VO2N and VR2N. The table below helps as well as the main article.

Source: http://tcdurable.canalblog.com/pages/voitures-de-banlieue-et-de-grande-banlieue-a-2-niveaux/32035476.html

Digitization of BB 16671 from Vitrains - part 1

 

The BB 16500 was everywhere around Lille at the time.

Prototypical engine

Here are a couple of pictures of the real engine pulling VO2N, RRR, or RIO:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/58977065@N06/33119363361/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jobiwannn/6593256109/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/58977065@N06/32437399683/

Model locomotive

Here the model made by Vitrains with reference 2177 with the "casquette" logo:

Opening the engine seemed straight-forward:

But it was actually very challenging; I tried my usual thing to separate the body from the chassis, but nothing moved:

I eventually found a few pointers online:

• https://www.rmweb.co.uk/forums/topic/67206-vitrains-bb-16500-question/
• https://www.forum-train.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7364

So I need to force a little starting on one end:

Digitization

There's no room near the PCB and according to the manual, the decoder and speaker must go under the chassis:

I'm using the sound project from ESU website:

I loaded the sound project on a blank ESU decoder ref 58420:

Unfortunately, just like that, the decoder is too long!!

I decided to carve the plastic and it seemed to be okay:

I did some very quick testing and it looked okay, but more work is required ...