FRENCH COMPOUND LOCOMOTIVES' HOMEPAGE
Locomotives of "La compagnie du Nord"
"SUPERPACIFICs", three quite different versions built from 1923 to 1931, total of 90 engines.
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First series, 3.1201 to 3.1240. 1923-24. 3.1201 to 3.1223 were fitted with ordinary "flat" slides valves on the L.P. cylinders, the later batch using piston valves. So, earliers models were of course far better for performances and efficiency, explanation here if necessary. |
Second series #3.1243, 3.1241 to 3.1248, 1930. 3.1243, will be 2 - 231 C 43 for the S.N.C.F. |
Here 3.1242, will become 2 - 231 C 42 for the S.N.C.F. |
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Last series, 3.1251 to
3.1290, 1930-31. Impressive look but lack of power and
low efficiency, they were designed by Marc de Caso, who
was very hostile to Chapelon method. |
2 - 231 C 62 in Paris
la Chapelle, 1959. |
Just to verify that it was a stupid idea, two de Caso's SuperPacific were built with a single expansion engine, # 3.1249 & 50, SNCF 2 - 231C49 et 50. Caprotti poppet valves at first then Cossart piston calves on 3.1250, Dabeg poppet valves for 3.1249. Poor efficiency compared to compound versions, fuel consumption +30%. Photo Félix Fénino. |
PACIFICS Chapelon
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| #3.1178, ex-P.O. locomotive modified by the P.O. workshops of Tours in 1934 for the Nord. Photo Félix Fénino. | #3.1121 then S.N.C.F. 2 - 231 E 39, first unit of the batch of brand new Pacific Chapelon built by the Cie. Fives-Lille in 1936-37. |
4.1200 Tank locomotives for suburbs service
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| 4.1200 series, then 141 TC for the S.N.C.F.: 2 8 2 tank S.E. engines designed by Marc de Caso in 1932, featuring a very efficient dynamic balancing system of the valve gear, used later by Chapelon on the 160 A 1. | The last units were also the last steam locomotives hauling trains starting from Paris, being withdrawn in 1970. | They used a unique distribution system called Cossart's pistons - valves system. |
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