European Railroad Discussion > SNCF 141R's in Normandie, 1969

In 1969, the SNCF still used the 141R "Liberation Mikes" on passenger trains in Normandie, France. Shown is a train of dark green pre-WW2 steel coaches with a couple of wooden baggage "fourgons" behind a 2-8-2 at Ponte-des-Bricques, France.

A Lima built 141R is shown on the turntable at Boulogne, France

In 1969, there was still "Wagon Lits" sleeping car service from London to Paris via a railcar ferry. Three "Wagon-Lits' non air conditioned sleepers are visible on this train behind a 141R near Pont-des-Bricques in France. The crossing was manually controlled from an adjacent crossing tower. Note the diamond shaped semaphore signal behind the train.

Wonderful photos! About this time the French offered to return one of these locomotives to the U.S. As I recall it was to be a donation a responsible party, and the only requirement was that transportation costs had to be provided by whatever group received the locomotive. Unfortunately, not enough interest could be generated and the donation never took place, which is really unfortunate.

Thanks for posting,
Jack

eminence_grise Wrote:
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> In 1969, there was still "Wagon Lits" sleeping car
> service from London to Paris via a railcar ferry.
> Three "Wagon-Lits' non air conditioned sleepers
> are visible on this train behind a 141R near
> Pont-des-Bricques in France.
Great pictures. I'm not sure those Wagon Lits are the same that ran across the channel to London until 1980, they were significantly smaller than continental rolling stock to fit to the UK's more restrictive loading gauge. They look like ordinary non-ferry sleepers.

An SNCF 141R receives valve gear attention at Boulogne, France in 1969

What a wonderful set of pictures - just so evocative of the scene that I too remember from my teens!

Very many thanks, Paul

africansteam Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wonderful photos! About this time the French
> offered to return one of these locomotives to the
> U.S. As I recall it was to be a donation a
> responsible party, and the only requirement was
> that transportation costs had to be provided by
> whatever group received the locomotive.
> Unfortunately, not enough interest could be
> generated and the donation never took place, which
> is really unfortunate.
>
> Thanks for posting,
> Jack
I recall seeing a flyer on this around 1969 I think it was offered to a group in San Diego which later became the Campo railroad museum

141R 1199 is the engine that was considered for the San Diego repatriation. It is alive and well, beautifully restored and maintained by hard-working volunteers, operating great mainline excursions. We rode behind this engine in 2007 Orleans-Loche-Orleans (a joint fundraiser for 141R 1199 (based in Nantes, website: http://r2nantes.free.fr/index-en.htm) and 141R 840 (based in Orleans, website: http://www.141r840.com/fr/index.php). Highly recommended to anyone lucky enough to visit France!
- Doug Debs

Info from http://www.ruralrail-france.com/mainlinesteam2.html:

Locomotives cleared for main line operation at this time (Jan 2009)
231 G 558 (4-6-2 express passenger, based at Sotteville [the big SNCF railroad shops next to Rouen])
141 R 1199 (2-8-2 mixed-traffic heavy passenger / freight, built by Baldwin Locomotive 1947, same design as shown in photo above)
141 R 840 (2-8-2 mixed-traffic heavy passenger / freight, same design as shown in photo above)
141 R 420 (2-8-2 mixed-traffic heavy passenger / freight, same design as shown in photo above)
241 P 17 (4-8-2, impressive 4-cylinder compound express passenger, built after WW2)
141 TB 407 (2-8-2T)
141 R 1126 (2-8-2 mixed-traffic heavy passenger / freight, same design as shown in photo above)
141 TD 740 (2-8-2T)
140 C 231 (2-8-0)

Locomotives out of action at end 2008, for repair, reconstruction
140 C 314
231 K 8
230 G 353
141 TB 424
140 C 38 (to steam in 2009 ?)

You were dead right about a 141R for an American Museum. The French liked the R's and called them "Les Braves Americains." Your posting got me digging. The engine in question was 141R1199 Built by Baldwin C/N 73048 7/1947. Being an oil burner it would have been ideal power for a tourist line? It was withdrawn as late as 1971 and as you stated sadly funds were not forthcoming to ship her Stateside. The engine still exists near the town of Rennes in France as far as I'm aware. I was lucky to see quite a few of these machines doubleheaded and working flat out on freights. They not only looked good they certainly left you in no doubt as to what was coming! Marvellous!