141-R AND OMNIBUS PASSENGER TRAINS

Auteur : Clive Lamming

The 141-Rs pulled the SNCF omnibus trains composed of "three-legs"! With their three-beat music, punctuated by their three axles running over the crossings and squeaking horribly on bends, these carriages were the worst of the French "Trente Glorieuses"...

The trains were by no means an outstanding success in terms of comfort, smooth running and silence. But they loyally and steadily provided the services expected of them, running countless long-distance omnibus trains with commuters, and keeping many secondary lines alive. The commuters slept on the dark green leatherette benches at dawn, and in the evening they slept there again, smelling of tobacco smoke. No, really, this was neither the Orient-Express nor the Train Bleu.

The 3rd class version of the "three legs". Note the presence of toilets, something that has disappeared from today's SNCF commuter trains.© IXO Collections SAS - Tous droits réservés. Crédits photo © Collection Trainsconsultant-Lamming

THE CHASSIS REMAINS, WHILE THE BODY DOES NOT

These 3-axle chassis, built between 1906 and 1911 for the short types and between 1910 and 1926 for the longer types, had already served a considerable time as wooden-bodied coaches when, just after the Second World War, the SNCF decided to reuse them as metal-bodied coaches. The well-constructed metal chassis was virtually indestructible, and during the difficult times of the 1950s, when the railways were under attack, the SNCF was not the only railway company in using cost-effective solutions to provide rolling stock with a "modern" appearance. By contrast, the chassis still carried its age, and the comfort of the suspension and the smoothness of its running, dating back a long time, were noticeable.

The two provisions of the central door of the "three legs" . It is either central, or offset when required by the presence of larger 1st class compartments. © IXO Collections SAS - Tous droits réservés. Crédits photo © Collection Trainsconsultant-Lamming

Interior of a PLM 3rd class " three-legged " carriage from 1910. A little dark, but not without comfort. © IXO Collections SAS - Tous droits réservés. Crédits photo © Collection Trainsconsultant-Lamming

DISPOSE OF NOTHING OR AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE

Under the direction of engineer Louis Bruhat, this project, which took place in the 1950s, was a major operation in terms to the number of carriages involved. Two prototypes were produced in 1951 by the Villeneuve-St-Georges workshops, with a full metal body, including the roof, mounted on an unaltered chassis, with a central door at each side (pneumatically controlled by a button available to passengers) and a toilet compartment in the centre of the carriage.

After a satisfactory trial period, 1,392 carriages were converted between 1953 and 1961, the result of eight years of uninterrupted work. While some carriages retained their austere wooden benches (third class), others were given upholstered seats with a dark green leatherette that was cold in winter and sticky in summer! Nicknamed "three-legs" by the railwaymen, these carriages were used on omnibuses throughout France in conjunction with the 141-R, diesel or electric traction, as well as on mixed freight-passenger trains. However, they eventually disappeared from service in the 1970s because of the negative impact they had on SNCF's image.

The combined 3rd class-van version of the "three legs". Very useful at each end of a train to comply with safety standards. © IXO Collections SAS - Tous droits réservés. Crédits photo © Collection Trainsconsultant-Lamming

A 1910 PLM "trois pattes" in 1st class. As the compartments are larger, there are only six compartments, not including the central WC. © IXO Collections SAS - Tous droits réservés. Crédits photo © Collection Trainsconsultant-Lamming

ELSEWHERE, AT THE SAME TIME

THE MYSTERIOUS BELGIAN TYPE 12 STREAMLINED LOCOMOTIVE

The magnificent and astonishing Belgian Type 12 locomotive appears to be from the wrong century! Fast and of the "Atlantic" type, it pulls short trains in a striking green and gold livery.

THE BELGIAN TYPE 12

The 12 series was put into service in 1939 by the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Belges (SNCB) to pull fast trains between Brussels and Ostend. Belgium always had an interest in implementing high-speed trains. A crossroads of Europe and home to the capital of Europe, Belgium has always been very sensitive to its role in providing international rail services, and has always made a point of ensuring that these trains are not slowed down or hindered.

TYPE 12: A RETURN TO INNER MOVEMENT

This model does not seem to have cylinders, but they are housed between the frame longitudinal beams at the front, just above the bogie. This arrangement prevents the creation of parasitic movements due to the back-and-forth movement of pistons and connecting rods. The speed of 140 km/h was usually reached in service to realise this average. This locomotive is undoubtedly the very last series of the 'Atlantic' type to have been built in Europe and worldwide, and one of them, 12003, is being kept at the Leuven depot.

AN ERA

The 230-K-249 locomotive, refurbished for the occasion, tows the heavy Paris-Strasbourg rubber-tyred train, which is ‘stuck’ to the track. © IXO Collections SAS - Tous droits réservés. Crédits photo © Collection Trainsconsultant-Lamming