As early as 1925, the Paris-Orléans ordered two electric 2-D-2 express locomotives with 4,000 hp each which were numbered E 501 and E 502. Each of the four driving axles had one sprung traction motor that transmitted its power via a Buchli drive on one side of the locomotive. They operated under 1,500 Volts DC and had a rheostatic brake. They had a top speed of 130 km/h that was later increased to 140 km/h.

Series production of 35 locomotives only started in 1933. A second batch of eight built in 1937 and 1938 had a different nose design and was dubbed “Femme enceinte” (pregnant woman). The last batch of five delivered in 1942 and 1943 had yet another design and was called “Waterman”. In 1950 their performance was surpassed by the 2D2 9100, but they were only retired between 1978 and 1980.