HJ2428 SNCF, CC 6511, silver with "Mistral" logo, period IV

SNCF's first CC 6500s

The CC 6500s are the latest 1.5 kV machines designed without power electronics. They are suitable for towing passenger trains at 200 km / h and freight trains at 100 km / h.

They take the original shape of the “broken noses” created by Paul Arzens for the CC 40100, with inclined windshields.

They receive a so-called "Grand Confort" livery based on red and metal gray underlined by an orange band, except for the 21 "Maurienne" locomotives (CC 6539 to 6559) in green livery and fitted with rubbers for the 3rd rail . From 1970, these locomotives, with a power of 5,900 kW, were used for the prestigious "Capitole", "Aquitaine" and "Mistral" trains until the entry into service of the TGV Sud-Est and TGV Atlantique trains. After this prosperous period, followed a decline towards freight train services and regional TER trains before being reformed between 2003 and 2007.