[2] The locomotives had 3-axle monomotor bogies with each set of 3 axles coupled by gears.

Speed regulation was by rheostats and series-parallel control.

The motors had double armatures so there were four "demi-motors" which allowed three motor groupings: full series, series-parallel and full parallel.

The second batch of CC 6500 locomotives were equipped with third-rail electrical pickups for use on the steeply-graded Maurienne line in the Alps, which were removed when the line was converted to overhead catenary supplies.

Most are named after French towns, except CC 6572, which was named to commemorate the World War II railway workers resistance group, Résistance-Fer.