Belgian Railways Classical twin EMUs

NMBS/SNCB AM50 (to AM79)
NMBS/SNCB AM50 (to AM79)
	SNCB EMU AM 174 in Liège Guillemins Station
	2nd class original interior
In service	1950–present
Manufacturer	La Brugeoise et Nivelles / ACEC
Constructed	1950–1979
Formation	EMC-EMS
Capacity	32F, 138S
Operators	NMBS/SNCB
Specifications
Car length	22.20 m (72 ft 10 in)
Maximum speed	130 km/h (81 mph)
Weight	117 t (257,900 lb)
Traction system	Electric - 3000 Volts DC
Coupling system	Henricot semi automatic coupler
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

NMBS/SNCB Classical twin EMUs (also referred by their construction year - AM50 for "Automotrice 1950" up to AM79 for the last units from 1979) are electric multiple unit trains operated by the National Railway Company of Belgium (NMBS/SNCB). They are the standard train for internal workings under the Belgian standard 3000 Volts DC overhead lines.

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 equipped with carbon steel bodies.

Another subset of 6 EMUs were specifically adapted for airport service, with more space between seats and a huge luggage compartment. Although they were operated by SNCB staff, access was restricted to Belgian airlines travellers with a dedicated platform at Brussels Central Station. A blue painting scheme was also chosen to identify those EMUs.

In 1984, SNCB introduced a new transportation plan based on fixed-interval timetables (and the closure of most 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 involved in a refurbishing program which 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" service.

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

Technical specifications

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

Class	Image	Top speed	Number	Fleet numbers	Built	Withdrawn
AM39		130 km/h (81 mph)	8	001-008	1939	1977
AM46			1	009	1946	1978
AM50			25	010-034	1950	1995
AM51			1	050
AM53			15	035-049
AM54	File:EMU 104 Gembloux.jpg		78	050-128	1955	1995
AM55			38	502-539	1955
AM56			22	129-150
AM62			60	151-210
AM63			40	211-250
AM65			20	251-270
AM66		140 km/h (87 mph)	40	601-640
AM70JH			24	641-664	1970
AM70TH			12	665-676	1970
AM70 Airport			6	595-600	1970
AM73			30	677-706
AM74			25	707-730
AM78			26	731-759
AM79			26	757-782