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French Northern Railway No. 3.1201 to 3.1290 “Super Pacific”
French State Railway 231 C and D
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France | 1923
90 produced
SNCF 231 C 61 (third batch) in Caudry on an old postcard
SNCF 231 C 61 (third batch) in Caudry on an old postcard

The name “Super Pacific” describes a total of 90 Pacific locomotives built for the French Nord between 1923 and 1931. They were a direct development of the 3.1151 to 3.1170 series, also being four-cylinder compounds with deep and narrow Belpaire fireboxes and Walschaerts valve gear. The main differences were a driver diameter of 1,900 instead of 2,045 mm, tubes which were one metre longer and a larger superheater. They delivered an output of around 2,800 hp

The first batch consisted of 40 locomotives which were delivered between 1923 and 1925 and were numbered 3.1201 to 3.1240. They could haul trains heavier than 600 tonnes at 120 km/h and the first ones got tenders which had been sourced from German locomotives which had come as war reparations. Later locomotives of the batch got larger tenders with a water capacity of 34 instead of 31 cubic metres. In the thirties, these locomotives were fitted with ACFI feed water heaters, smoke deflectors and Lemaître blast pipes

A second batch of only eight locomotives was delivered in 1930 and numbered 3.1241 to 3.1248. They could be recognized by a second steam dome and had an ACFI feed water heater from the start. Their tenders now had a capacity of 37 cubic metres. A third batch of 40 was delivered in 1930 and 1931 and was numbered 3.1251 to 3.1290. The main difference were the piston valves which were better suited for high-speed operation.

Already in 1929, two prototypes with the numbers 3.1249 and 3.1250 had been delivered. The first one had Caprotti valve gear and the second one had Dabeg valve gear. As early as in 1932, both were rebuilt to simple expansion with Cossard valve gear. This was also no success and so both were scrapped in 1946.

When the SNCF was founded in 1938, the standard locomotives became 231 C 1 to 88 and the two prototypes became 231 D 1 and 2. After World War II, more powerful express locomotives like the 231 E Pacifics designed by Chapelon took over the most important trains on the northern territory. So most 231 C were used in commuter service after World War II, while others were withdrawn. The last ones were gone by 1962 and today, only 3.1200 (ex 231 C 78 and 3.1280) is preserved.

Variant3.1201-3.12403.1241-3.12483.1251-3.1290
General
Built1923-192519301930-1931
ManufacturerANF Blanc-Misseron, SFCMSFCM
Axle config4-6-2 (Pacific) 
Gauge4 ft 8 1/2 in (Standard gauge)
Dimensions and Weights
Length loco41 ft 1 5/16 in
Wheelbase34 ft 2 1/4 in
Rigid wheelbase13 ft 2 1/4 in
Service weight218,698 lbs221,344 lbs221,564 lbs
Adhesive weight124,120 lbs125,884 lbs125,222 lbs
Water capacity8,982 us gal9,774 us gal
Fuel capacity19,842 lbs (coal)
Boiler
Grate area38.1 sq ft
Firebox area169 sq ft
Tube heating area2,029 sq ft
Evaporative heating area2,198 sq ft
Superheater area686.7 sq ft
Total heating area2,884.7 sq ft
Variant3.1201-3.12403.1241-3.12483.1251-3.1290
Power Plant
Driver diameter74.8 in
Boiler pressure247 psi
Expansion typecompound
Cylindersfour, HP: 17 5/16 x 26 in
and LP: 24 7/16 x 27 3/16 in
Power
Power sourcesteam
Indicated power2,761 hp (2,059 kW)
Top speed81 mph
Starting effort29,491 lbf
with start valve35,389 lbf
Calculated Values
Optimal speed60 mph
steam locomotive
express
De Glehn compound
last changed: 01/2025
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