SNCF 4-8-2 Locomotives in France

Class 241P (Locobase 1064)

Some data from [], later [], last accessed 25 August 2019. See also Perfected data from the memoirs of Gabriel Bonnin ([] -- August 2002) which were close to Gustav Reder (Michael Reynolds, trans), The World of Steam Locomotives (New York: Putnam, 1974); and H. le Fleming in Ransome-Wallis (1959), but added the firebox area.

See also [] (visited 15 September 2003-link no longer active, but see [], last accessed 25 August 2019) for full description of this class.

SNCF calculation of tractive effort yielded 45,084 lb (200.5 kN). Based on the PLM 4-8-2 originally delivered in 1930; see Locobase 6071. The basic data is very close to Chapelon's epic 4-8-4, and these engines served for years on the lines south of Lyons, then from Avignon. HP cylinders inside drove the third axle through a 2.2-m (7.22') rod, LP cylinders outside used a 3.3-m (10.83') main rod to drive the second axle.

HP piston valves measured 240 mm (9.45") in diameter and had a travel of 160 mm (6.3"); LP valves had a 360-mm (14.17") diameter with 210 mm (8.27") of travel. The intermediate reservoir that took the HP exhaust and prepared it for entry in the LP cylinders encompassed a volume of 738 litres (25.7 cubic feet). They also used the Houlet superheater, preferring its annular elements. (See Locobase 1053 for Locobase's description of this alternative to the Schmidt design.).

Boiler capacity was measured at 20 to 22 tons of superheated steam per hour while consuming 2,500 kg (2.75 short tons) of coal.

They were rated on the level at 120 km/h (75 mph) pulling a 750-ton train. Up a 0.44% grade pulling 800 tons, the 241P could reach 80 km/h (50 mph). Trains of 500 tons could be hauled up a 2.1% slope at 25 km/h (15.5 mph). According to Martyn Bane, however, "The frames of these locomotives were not really strong enough to absorb the power the locomotives could produce, but axle loading restrictions precluded making them any stronger. The inadequate frames flexed too much making the locomotives susceptible to hot axle boxes."