SNCF 232.U.1

SNCF 232.U.1
SNCF 232.U.1 in the Cité du Train museum in 2009
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques (start) Corpet-Louvet (finish) Serial number C-L: 1908 Build date May 1949 Total produced 1
Specifications Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Leading dia. 970 mm (3 ft 2+1⁄4 in) Driver dia. 2,000 mm (6 ft 6+3⁄4 in) Trailing dia. 970 mm (3 ft 2+1⁄4 in) Length Loco: 15,705 mm (51 ft 6+1⁄4 in) Loco+tender: 25.63 m (84 ft 1 in) Adhesive weight 69 tonnes (68 long tons; 76 short tons) Loco weight 129 tonnes (127 long tons; 142 short tons) Tender weight 84.4 tonnes (83.1 long tons; 93.0 short tons) Total weight 215.4 tonnes (212.0 long tons; 237.4 short tons) Tender type SNCF 36.B Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 11.5 tonnes (11.3 long tons; 12.7 short tons) Water cap. 36,000 litres (7,900 imp gal; 9,500 US gal) Firebox: ​  • Grate area 5.175 m2 (55.70 sq ft) Boiler pressure 20 kg/cm2 (1.96 MPa; 284 psi) Heating surface 195.0 m2 (2,099 sq ft) Superheater: ​  • Type Houlet, 33-element  • Heating area 87.4 m2 (941 sq ft) Cylinders Four (compound) High-pressure cylinder 446 mm × 700 mm (17+1⁄2 in × 27+1⁄2 in) Low-pressure cylinder 680 mm × 700 mm (26+3⁄4 in × 27+1⁄2 in)
Performance figures Maximum speed 140 km/h (87 mph) Power output 2,430 kW (3,260 hp)
Career Operators SNCF Class 232.U Nicknames La Divine (Divine) Delivered May 1949 Retired October 1961 Restored 1973–1976 Current owner Cité du Train Disposition Museum display

SNCF 232.U.1 is a French steam locomotive of the Hudson type.

It was built as part of a new locomotive program designed for the Chemins de Fer du Nord that was delayed by the outbreak of the Second World War. Its particular design distinguishes it in the small series of delivered machines, which makes it a unique model. Delivered in 1949, it was retired from service in 1961. It has since been restored and is now preserved at the Cité du Train in Mulhouse, where it is fired up every 20–30 minutes in a display showing how connecting rods work to propel the locomotive.

History

The locomotive was first built as part of an order with the Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques in 1935. Construction was delayed by the war and wouldn't continue until 1949 when the unit was completed by Corpet-Louvet, incorporating a number of upgrades. This particular locomotive worked the Paris-Lille mainline from 1949 to 1961.

Designed under the supervision of Marc de Caso, the locomotive incorporated the latest technology available at the time, including four sets of piston valves driven by outside mounted Walschaerts valve gear, roller bearings on the axles, simplified controls and a mechanical stoker. While highly effective, the SNCF was focusing on electrification at the time; 232.U.1 would be the only example built. It worked the Paris-Lille line with seven other locomotives from the classes 232.S and 232.R. 232.U.1 would be the last mainline steam locomotive built in France.

References

• Constant, Olivier. Encyclopédie du matérial moteur SNCF, Tome 2: Les locomotive à vapeur depuis 1938 (in French). Betschdorf: Editions Publitrains eurl. ISSN 1267-5008.
• Davies, John (November 2003). Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français Locomotive List 1938–1975. Woodbridge, Queensland: Dr. John Davies. p. 31. ISBN 0-9585541-2-9.