The Vossloh G1206 is a B'B' diesel hydraulic freight locomotive built in Kiel and used by several European railway operators including a SNCF specific variant the BB 461000 series.

[7][8][9][10] In the 1990s the de-monopolisation and liberalisation of the railways of member states of the European Union meant that private companies could access formerly state-owned track.

[4][11] The cab is situated approximately above one of the bogies, with doors opening onto walkways on both sides along the rest of the locomotive; the external design is functional, with flat steels and right angles predominating.

They were numbered 401 to 404, number 403 can be seen here in action in its green and yellow livery:[12] Six units were built with the speed transmission for the Banverket (Swedish Rail Administration) for delivery to Borlänge[4][13] In addition to modifications for cold weather operation the running gear has steering rods[citation needed][clarification needed] fitted enabling a higher top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph).

The introduction of the Caterpillar engine led to a slight change in external appearance - previously the fore and aft sections had been practically identical in height, but to accommodate the Caterpillar engine the 'fore' (longer) section was raised slightly.

The two-speed hydraulic transmission from Voith (L54r zseU2) was used again - giving a top speed of 60 or 100 km/h (37 or 62 mph) depending on gear.