Eisspeedway

SNCF 240P

SNCF 4-240A
#4703, the third 4-240A, during the PO days.
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
DesignerAndré Chapelon
Specifications
Configuration:
 • Whyte4-8-0
 • UIC2′D h4v
Driver dia.1,900 mm (74.80 in)
Length20.79 m (68 ft 3 in)
Axle load20 t (19.7 long tons; 22.0 short tons)
Adhesive weight80.5 t (79.2 long tons; 88.7 short tons)
Loco weight136.5 t (134.3 long tons; 150.5 short tons)
Tender cap.12 t (11.8 long tons; 13.2 short tons) coal
34,000 L (7,500 imp gal; 9,000 US gal)
Firebox:
 • Grate area3.75 m2 (40.4 sq ft)
Boiler pressure2.00 MPa (290 psi)
Heating surface213 m2 (2,290 sq ft)
Superheater:
 • Heating area68 m2 (730 sq ft)
High-pressure cylinder420 mm × 650 mm (16.535 in × 25.591 in)
Low-pressure cylinder650 mm × 690 mm (25.591 in × 27.165 in)
Performance figures
Power output4,000 hp (3.0 MW)
Tractive effort260.40 kN (58,540 lbf) "starting" mode, 207.61 kN (46,670 lbf) normal compound mode

The SNCF 4-240A class and SNCF 5-240P class was a group of 37 (12 + 25) 4-8-0 steam locomotives designed by André Chapelon, and regarded by some, as one of his best designs.

They started life as Chemin de Fer de Paris à Orléans (Paris-Orleans Railway) 4500 class 4-6-2s before being rebuilt. The new boiler with the long, narrow Belpaire firebox came from the Nord "Super Pacifics". With all the pipes, domes, and pumps, these were double-chimneyed, husky looking locomotives of very different appearance than the Pacifics.

Use

A later SNCF 5-240P. These had the larger bogie tenders and longer smoke deflectors.

4-240A

SNCF south-west.

These 12 4-8-0s were created to tackle the 1:100 gradients of the Brive to Montauban division of the line from Paris to Toulouse, steeper than those to Bordeaux. The intention was to provide one-third more adhesive weight than the 4500s. On level ground, they could manage 28 coaches at 53 mph (85 km/h).

5-240P

SNCF south-east.

These 25 4-8-0s were created by 1940 to tackle the 1:125 gradient of the Les Laumes to Dijon division of the line from Paris to Lyon. Used in passenger and fast freight services between Paris and Lyon. Withdrawn by 1950 with the electrification of the Paris - Dijon section. These later locomotives had mechanical stokers and bogie tenders.

References

  • Hollingsworth, Brian; Arthur F. Cook (1996) [1987]. The Great Book of Trains. Salamander Books Ltd. ISBN 0-517-18462-1.
  • Hollingsworth, Brian (2000). The Illustrated Dictionary of Trains of the World. London: Salamander Books Ltd. pp. 118–121. ISBN 1-84065-177-6.
  • "Chapelon's 4 8 0 P, 2 12 0 A 1, 4 8 4 A 1, 2 8 2 E 113". www.chapelon.net. Retrieved 2009-04-19.