<p><b>A French loco in American disguise</b></p>

<p>SNCF locomotive CC 21003 was shipped to the United States in 1976 for
testing on Amtrak's Northeast Corridor.  At the time, Amtrak was shopping
for a new high speed electric locomotive and evaluated this locomotive as
well as a Swedish Rc4.  Due to suspension problems on 21003's 3-axle
bogies, the Alsthom-built locomotive lost the bid.  The Swedish Rc4 was
built under license in the USA and became the familiar AEM-7 used by
Amtrak today.</p>

<p>The X996, as CC 21003 was known in America, was shipped back to France
after a year of testing, and returned to service under its original
identity, alongside its three other sisters from the 21000 series.  (The
CC 21000 is a bivoltage version of the CC 6500, and looks almost
identical)</p>

<p>This photo, taken in early 1977, shows X996 at Amtrak's Penn Coach
Yard in Philadelphia.  Behind it is a Conrail test car, and test director
Edward Lombardi is waving from the cab.  According to Lombardi, who is now
Manager of Performance and Tests for Amtrak, the following modifications
were made by Alsthom:
<ul>
<li>A new main transformer, for the 11kV 25Hz supply
<li>Modified control systems and thyristor firing logic in order to
operate under 25Hz instead of 50Hz
<li>New AC motors in the cooling oil pumps and blowers
<li>Amtrak pantographs (the originals didn't reach high enough)
<li>American headlights, bells, couplers, pilots
<li>American cab signal and speed control system
<li>Amtrak livery to replace the original Arzens livery
<li>English labelling and operating manual
</ul>
</p>

<p>Photo courtesy of Ed Lombardi (Amtrak); Scan by Clem Tillier
(ctillier@leland.stanford.edu)</p>