Ardennes / Est / Paris-Strasbourg 2-4-0 Locomotives in France


Class Details by Steve Llanso of Sweat House Media

Class 1 (Locobase 7578)

Data from a site that reproduces cigarette card pictures and adds dimension and area data -- [link], last accessed 14 June 2006.

Five of the cards in the series of 25 show the same conversion, which took 2-2-2s delivered in 1847 -- see Locobase 605 -- and rebuilt them as these four-coupleds in the late 1860s and early 1870s. The captions say that #3 La Ville de Colmar, #13 La Ville de Thionville, and #17 La Ville de Faulquemont were constructed by la Societe L' Expansion of Mulhouse while #65 La Ville de Montmirail and #76 La Ville de Claye were originally built by Cail.

The accompanying photographs vividly convey the untidiness -- or stubborn utilitarianism -- of many French locomotive designs of the era.


Class 1/Serie 3 (Locobase 11302)

Data from August Perdonnet et Camille Polonceau, Nouveau Portefeuille de L'Ingenieur des Chemins de Fer, Tome Second (Paris: Librairie Scientifique, Industrielle et Agricole, 1866), pp. 525. Works numbers were 267-284 in 1857, 367-374 in 1858, 420-424 in 1859, 480-489 in 1860, 572-581 in 1860, and 632-640 in 1862.

A near-contemporaneous photograph shows the typically cluttered boiler, outside cylinders under the smokebox, tall stack, regulator with prominent outside steam pipe, tall dome, tall cyindrical smokebox, piping, levers, large spoked leading wheels in rigid boxes.

Four of the class were rebuilt as 2-4-2s.


Class 30 (Locobase 6878)

Data from Titre Exposition universelle internationale de 1878 a Paris. Rapports du jury internationale..Volume Groupe VI - Classe 64. Rapport sur le materiel des chemins de fer. p. 50 (cnum.cnam.fr/CGI/fpage.cgi?8XAE277-11.1/54/100/312/0/0 (accessed 1 September 2005).

This exhibit was a locomotive from the class of Super Cramptons (or coupled Cramptons) that followed the 501s (see Locobase 610). The boiler is bigger, as is the grate and as such anticipate the 1884 batch shown in Locobase 611. The jury report noted that the leading truck had centering devices based on the d'Orleans inclined-plane design that allowed a lateral displacement of 10 mm.


Class 501 (Locobase 610)

Data from Gustav Reder (Michael Reynolds, trans), The World of Steam Locomotives (New York: Putnam, 1974); and Maurice Demoulin, Traite Pratique de la Machine Locomotive (Paris: Libraire Polytechnique, Baudry et Cie, 1898), pp. 67-68.

Known as "Super Cramptons" or "Coupled Cramptons," these 11 engines --501-510-- extended the Crampton idea to 2 axles. They had a flat-crowned Belpaire firebox and a large steam dome, ahead of which was the box for the throttle (regulator). These high-drivered engines were used on the Orient Express.


Class 511 (Locobase 11257)

Data from Gustav Reder (Michael Reynolds, trans), The World of Steam Locomotives (New York: Putnam, 1974); and Maurice Demoulin, Traite Pratique de la Machine Locomotive (Paris: Libraire Polytechnique, Baudry et Cie, 1898), pp. 73-74.

After the 501s had established the "Super Crampton" (2 coupled axles) on the Est -- see Locobase 610 --, the railway produced this set of 32 beginning in 1882. They were fitted with a smaller boiler containing fewer tubes, but had a larger Belpaire firebox that rode over the rear coupled axle. Most had the 2.1-m diameter axle shown in the specs, but the first retained the taller 2.3-m drivers fitted to the 501s.


Class 543 (Locobase 611)

Data from Gustav Reder (Michael Reynolds, trans), The World of Steam Locomotives (New York: Putnam, 1974); and Maurice Demoulin, Traite Pratique de la Machine Locomotive (Paris: Libraire Polytechnique, Baudry et Cie, 1898), pp. 74.

A later series of Coupled Cramptons --543-562-- built for the Est. These engines were built with driver diameters of 81.7" for general passenger express use or 72" for mixed passenger/freight work. With the 72" drivers, tractive effort climbed to 12,465 lb, making these engines among the most powerful 2-4-0s ever built.

Compared to the 501-511s (Locobase 610), these engines had larger boilers and grates, a slightly shorter piston stroke, and a higher tractive effort. Locobase suspects that the direct heating surface was close to that of the "512" exhibited at Paris in 1878 and described in Locobase 6878; that engine's firebox heating surface was 8.5 sq m or 91.5 sq ft.


Class Type 21/91 (Locobase 7579)

Data from "Locomotives", Type 21, Usines du Creusot-Schneider et Cie (Creusot: A Temporal, 1875), n.a.; and website (link no longer active) showing reproductions of cigarette cards accompanied by dimension and area data -- [link], last accessed 14 June 2006. Works numbers were 81-90 in 1852. (Starting with Soleil for engine 91, the class was named for all known members of the solar system. (Neptune and Uranus remained undetected) as well as Vesta and Junon.) .

Probably one of the earliest 2-4-0s to be built as such in France. The short wheelbase meant the firebox hung down behind the rearmost axle. Schneider placed the Type 21s in the mixed-traffic category.

The class's railway ID changed just two years afterdelivery when the CF de PS joined the Est.

The last of the batch had retired by the beginnng of World War I.


Class unknown (Locobase 15563)

Data from SACM diagram Nr. 27 from Societe Alsacienne de Constructions Mecaniques from locomotive book supplied by Dany Machi up at [link] as

Diagrammes des machines SACM construites a GRAFENSTADEN (October 2007).

Tube diameter is the interior measurement. Locobase compared the data in the diagram with other Est 2-4-0s and estimated the date.


Class unknown (Locobase 15564)

Data from SACM diagram Nr. 29 from Societe Alsacienne de Constructions Mecaniques from locomotive book supplied by Dany Machi up at [link] as

Diagrammes des machines SACM construites a GRAFENSTADEN (October 2007).

Tube diameter is the interior measurement. This design appears to be the tank-engine equivalent of the tender locomotive shown in Locobase 15563. Locobase compared the data in the diagram with other Est 2-4-0s and estimated the date.


Class unknown (Locobase 11277)

Data from Maurice Demoulin, Traite Pratique de la Machine Locomotive (Paris: Libraire Polytechnique, Baudry et Cie, 1898), p. 143.

Locobase 6048 describes the Ouest's Biciclettes, a design sufficiently attractive to other railways that they procured very similar counterparts. L'Est's version was a bit smaller in the boiler and grate, but had larger cylinders and smaller drivers. The proportions still fell within reasonable bounds, however, and the increased tractive effort must have been welcome on the short-haul, frequent-stop service for which it was ideal.

The class, which was originally intended for the Vincennes and beyond extensions, arrived over a period of 12 years.

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class11/Serie 330501511
Locobase ID7578 11302 6878 610 11257
RailroadEstArdennes (Est)EstEstEst
CountryFranceFranceFranceFranceFrance
Whyte2-4-02-4-02-4-02-4-02-4-0
Number in Class5059101132
Road Numbers1-25, 54-781-59/362-420512501-510511-542
GaugeStdStdStdStdStd
Number Built59101132
BuilderEpernaySchneider-CreusotEpernayEpernayEpernay
Year18691857187818781882
Valve GearStephensonGooch
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) 6.19 / 1.8911.06 / 3.37 8.20 / 2.50 8.20 / 2.50
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)11.14 / 3.4011.06 / 3.3717.55 / 5.3517.55 / 5.3517.55 / 5.35
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.561 0.47 0.47
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)18,960 / 860032,871 / 14,910
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)55,116 / 25,00059,525 / 27,00063,206 / 28,67063,934 / 29,000
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)63,131 / 28,63655,116 / 25,00084,851 / 38,48892,241 / 41,84092,859 / 42,120
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)52,801 / 23,95063,052 / 28,60063,052 / 28,600
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)137,652 / 62,438155,293 / 70,440155,911 / 70,720
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)2640 / 102640 / 102640 / 10
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT) 2.80 / 3
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)46 / 2350 / 2553 / 26.5053 / 26.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)67.70 / 172066.10 / 168090.60 / 230090.90 / 231082.70 / 2100
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)116 / 800116 / 800130.50 / 900149.40 / 1030140.70 / 970
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)14.96" x 22.05" / 380x56016.54" x 22.05" / 420x56017.72" x 25.2" / 450x64017.32" x 25" / 440x63517.13" x 24.02" / 435x610
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)7187 / 3259.978998 / 4081.439688 / 4394.4110,477 / 4752.2910,193 / 4623.47
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 6.13 6.14 6.03 6.27
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)206 - 1.929" / 49
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)13.68 / 4.1711.48 / 3.50
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)81.99 / 7.6272.95 / 6.7891.46 / 8.50
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)11.08 / 1.0312.05 / 1.1225.72 / 2.3918.61 / 1.7325.72 / 2.39
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)827 / 76.901083 / 100.661285 / 119.431076 / 1001007 / 93.61
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)827 / 76.901083 / 100.661285 / 119.431076 / 1001007 / 93.61
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume184.36197.50178.65157.83157.17
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation12851398335627803619
Same as above plus superheater percentage12851398335627803619
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area9511846211,936
Power L1360933744773
Power MT269.92353.55

Principal Dimensions by Steve Llanso of Middle Run Media
Class543Type 21/91unknownunknownunknown
Locobase ID611 7579 15563 15564 11277
RailroadEstParis-Strasbourg (Est)EstEstEst
CountryFranceFranceFranceFranceFrance
Whyte2-4-02-4-02-4-02-4-0T2-4-0T
Number in Class2010
Road Numbers543-56291-100
GaugeStdStdStdStdStd
Number Built2010
BuilderEpernaySchneider-CreusotSACMSACM
Year1884185218751867
Valve GearStephensonStephensonStephensonStephenson
Locomotive Length and Weight
Driver Wheelbase (ft / m) 8.20 / 2.50 5.74 / 1.75 5.77 / 1.76 5.38 / 1.64
Engine Wheelbase (ft / m)17.55 / 5.3511.68 / 3.5611.55 / 3.5211.15 / 3.40
Ratio of driving wheelbase to overall engine wheelbase 0.47 0.49 0.50 0.48
Overall Wheelbase (engine & tender) (ft / m)32.54 / 9.9211.15 / 3.40
Axle Loading (Maximum Weight per Axle) (lbs / kg)
Weight on Drivers (lbs / kg)63,802 / 28,94055,556 / 25,20055,931 / 25,370
Engine Weight (lbs / kg)94,358 / 42,80055,556 / 25,20068,343 / 31,00079,807 / 36,20080,821 / 36,660
Tender Loaded Weight (lbs / kg)63,052 / 28,60046,958 / 21,300
Total Engine and Tender Weight (lbs / kg)157,410 / 71,400115,301 / 52,300
Tender Water Capacity (gals / ML)3432 / 132033 / 7.70792 / 3832 / 3.15
Tender Fuel Capacity (oil/coal) (gals/tons / Liters/MT) 3.30 / 3 1.70 / 2 1.10 / 1
Minimum weight of rail (calculated) (lb/yd / kg/m)53 / 26.5046 / 2347 / 23.50
Geometry Relating to Tractive Effort
Driver Diameter (in / mm)82.70 / 210066.10 / 168066.50 / 169061 / 155061.40 / 1560
Boiler Pressure (psi / kPa)149.40 / 103098.60 / 680120.40 / 830120.40 / 830127.60 / 880
High Pressure Cylinders (dia x stroke) (in / mm)17.32" x 24.02" / 440x61016.54" x 19.69" / 420x50015.75" x 22.05" / 400x56016.54" x 22.05" / 420x56017.32" x 22.05" / 440x560
Tractive Effort (lbs / kg)11,065 / 5019.016830 / 3098.048418 / 3818.3510,120 / 4590.3611,684 / 5299.78
Factor of Adhesion (Weight on Drivers/Tractive Effort) 5.77 8.13 4.79
Heating Ability
Tubes (number - dia) (in / mm)143 - 1.85" / 47157 - 1.732" / 44135 - 1.752" / 44.5
Flues (number - dia) (in / mm)
Flue/Tube length (ft / m)13.45 / 4.1013.32 / 4.0613.45 / 4.1013.45 / 4.10
Firebox Area (sq ft / m2)65.34 / 6.0772.66 / 6.7564.05 / 5.95
Grate Area (sq ft / m2)25.82 / 2.4011.63 / 1.0812.38 / 1.1510.66 / 0.9910.65 / 0.99
Evaporative Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1242 / 115.46948 / 88.031041 / 96.75895 / 83.15932 / 86.59
Superheating Surface (sq ft / m2)
Combined Heating Surface (sq ft / m2)1242 / 115.46948 / 88.031041 / 96.75895 / 83.15932 / 86.59
Evaporative Heating Surface/Cylinder Volume189.62193.60209.37163.22155.00
Computations Relating to Power Output (More Information)
Robert LeMassena's Power Computation38581147149112831359
Same as above plus superheater percentage38581147149112831359
Same as above but substitute firebox area for grate area644387487712
Power L1282837692713
Power MT224.45

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