Steam Locomotives - France: Illustrated History Books & Guides
Explore the best illustrated books on the history, models and evolution of steam locomotives of the PLM, Orléans, Midi, Nord, Est, Ouest, SNCF and other railway companies in France.
The name Andre Chapelon will be known to everyone with an interest in the development of the steam locomotive. Put simply he was a genius, head and shoulders above all others in the field of steam locomotive design. This is not to belittle the skills and capabilities of men like Churchward, Stanier, Gresley and Bulleid. Indeed the latter acknowledged the influence of Chapelon on his work.
In his native France, Chapelon transformed the steam locomotives of various French railways from often mediocre machines into high performers surpassing the capabilities of similar machines used in other European countries at the time. He was responsible for both rebuilds as well as new designs. His work was disrupted by World War II, but his importance was reasserted in 1946 with his superb 4-8-4 No 242 A 1 capable of producing a continuous output of 5,500hp, a remarkable achievement.
Colonel Roger's book on Andre Chapelon, originally published in 1972, has been difficult to obtain for many years. It remains the best and most detailed biography of the man and his work. It is both a readable and accessible guide to the life and achievements of a man whom few would disagree was the foremost steam locomotive engineer the world has ever seen.
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Author:
H.C.B. Rogers
Details:
200 pages, 7.9 x 5.1 x 0.91 in (20 x 13 x 2.3 cm), paperback
Chapelon... A name that shines on the roll of honour of steam locomotives. These machines, the most famous in France, are the result of the transformation of Pacific-type locomotives that belonged to the Paris-Orléans company (P.O.). For the Compagnie du chemin de fer du Nord and the Calais depot, they were the undisputed stars of the glorious era of steam, from the immediate post-war period to the end of the 1960s.
The Chapelons or the quintessence of steam thanks to their performance: speed, resistance, reliability, coal savings, aesthetics, prestige... The flagship of the Calais depot (now defunct), a true national pride, these powerful locomotives pulled the famous luxury train La Flèche d'Or, made up of Pullman cars. At the depot, each machine in this prestigious series was assigned to a single team: the mechanic and the driver, designated as permanent employees. This book is also a tribute to these "lords of the rail" who served them valiantly and for whom being a permanent employee at the P.O." was the culmination of a rolling career...
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Author:
Jean Filliette, Philippe Feunteun
Details:
143 pages, 10.8 x 9.1 in (27.5 x 23 cm), paperback
This book brings together the countless series of steam locomotives that belonged to the State company, which merged with the West company in 1909, from their beginnings to their extinction under the reign of the Western region of the SNCF. Among the series reviewed, several of them had a truncated life and disappeared with nationalization. Some, like the Mountain or the Mikado, were proud figures in the service of passenger and freight traffic.
In addition to the battalion of 220s, Atlantics and Ten Wheels, which had fallen from express traffic, there is a panel of machines that are without glory but which also deserve an ode. To offer a complete panorama, we will return to the Pacifics, Consolidations and the galaxy of tender machines, some of which were actively used in the Parisian suburbs.
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Author:
Bernard Collardey
Details:
160 pages, 11.8 x 8.5 x 0.59 in (30 x 21.5 x 1.5 cm), paperback
Les machines-tenders de route et de manoeuvres régionales
In this book, the author traces the lives and careers of legendary machines: regional tender locomotives, dealing in a particularly exhaustive manner with road and shunting tender machines. The author provides a general overview and begins with a summary description of the various series, their typologies and characteristics on each of the major French networks. He traces their early years from their origin to the birth of the SNCF.
The tender locomotives acquired by the former companies primarily provided passenger services, but various categories were also put into service for mixed traffic on rough lines. Others were reserved for freight traffic only, not forgetting those that distinguished themselves by hauling express trains in various regions.
Product details
Author:
Bernard Collardey
Details:
183 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 in (29.5 x 21 cm), paperback
Illustrations:
extensively illustrated
Language:
French
Publisher:
La Vie du Rail (F, 2013)
ISBN:
9782918758709
Les machines-tenders de route et de manoeuvres régionales
This volume is dedicated to the formidable collection of photographs by Jacques-Henri Renaud between 1948 and 1962. These 283 black and white photographs were taken, this time, on the Eastern Region of the SNCF at the time of steam. The photographer had a particular attraction to the Alsace-Lorraine network with its atypical lines and locomotives. The charm of these lines on the antennas and verges, the great diversity of trains and landscapes traveled are perfectly highlighted in this album which gives pride of place to images, captioned by experts in the field.
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Author:
Jacques-Henri Renaud
Details:
160 pages, 12.8 x 9.7 x 0.63 in (32.5 x 24.5 x 1.6 cm), paperback
Immerse yourself in the world of steam through a selection of the most beautiful images taken from the photographic collections of La Vie du Rail. The particularity of the book is to be printed on postcard paper. Each photo, printed full-bleed on a 18 X 24 cm format, is detachable.
A short caption specifies the context of the shot and allows you to send by post or collect for yourself these snapshots of the great era of steam, taken for the most part between 1950 and 1960. This compilation of 100 images focuses on all aspects of railway life: locomotives, railway workers at work, landscapes, depots, stations and passengers evolving in a beautiful atmosphere of black and white plumes.
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Details:
100 pages, 7.1 x 5.1 x 0.51 in (18 x 13 x 1.3 cm), paperback
Locomotives (1904-1930) - Tome III - Les Photographies Fleury
A third illustrated volume was needed for Evelyne and Jean-Pierre Rigouard to reveal the thousand and one secrets of the astonishing collection of the photographer Fleury on the railway. The locomotives are from another age: the "prehistory" of French railways parades before our eyes to the wild rhythm of the connecting rods and pistons, in the exhausts and the volutes of steam.
We also pay tribute to these men, lords of the railway, who knew how to lead their horses to the right destination. Today, only a few memories remain... Thanks to the authors for refreshing our memories!
Product details
Author:
Evelyne Rigouard, Jean-Pierre Rigouard
Details:
160 pages, 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.35 in (23 x 16 x 0.9 cm), paperback
Illustrations:
many b&w photos
Language:
French
Publisher:
Editions Alan Sutton (F, 2009)
ISBN:
9782849109335
Locomotives (1904-1930) - Tome III - Les Photographies Fleury
This book traces the life and career of the 250 Mikado État locomotives, starting from the P.O. 5801/2 prototypes. After an in-depth technical study, abundantly illustrated with photos, drawings, curves, etc. concerning not only the series, but also the transformed machines, the author describes the career at the SNCF of each machine from 1938 to its decommissioning: depots, maintenance workshops, mileage, etc.
A chapter is devoted to the last survivor, the 141 C 100, examined in minute detail throughout its career. The 12 Mikado built for Morocco are not forgotten and an appendix is devoted to the model reproduction of this important series. Finally, these locomotives are placed in their context thanks to appendices dealing briefly with all the western depots and their closure to steam, giving the complete list of all types of Mikado State by depot. A small glossary completes this set. An essential book for all those interested in the great series of French steam locomotives.
Product details
Author:
Guy Defrance
Details:
192 pages, 12 x 8.7 x 0.67 in (30.5 x 22 x 1.7 cm), paperback
In 1914, the PLM put into service "Mikado" locomotives to provide 1300-tonne freight trains as well as courier convoys at a speed of 90 km/h... A second batch, built in the USA because of the war, was delivered between 1917 and 1919. Finally, from 1921 to 1932, 680 other locomotives were built and distributed in the company's large depots. Modified and modernized, they earned their letters of nobility by becoming the 141 E and F at the SNCF, while inspiring the 141 P series. The last ones would not disappear until 1969.
This richly illustrated book retraces the history, construction and operation of these famous steam locomotives.
Product details
Author:
Bernard Collardey, André Rasserie
Details:
200 pages, 11.6 x 8.25 in (29.5 x 21 cm), hardback
Born in 1892, Henri Vial was one of the first generations of railway enthusiasts. He preferred the network serving his region: the East. He tirelessly photographed its steam trains, from the 1910s to the immediate post-war period, with a talent that set him apart from many others.
He also enriched his collection with photographs taken by those who shared his passion, including Pol Gillet and Albert Henri. Thanks to heirs who were aware of the exceptional heritage that this collection represents, a selection of the most beautiful and rarest photographs is now published in volume 9 of "Images de trains". A real hidden treasure that is coming back to light.
Product details
Author:
Henri Vial
Details:
160 pages, 13 x 9.8 x 0.71 in (33 x 25 x 1.8 cm), paperback
Locomotives (1904-1930) - Tome I - Les Photographies Fleury
First illustrated volume on railways from 1904-1930, with photographs from the astonishing collection of photographer Fleury.
Specialists, railway enthusiasts, simple amateurs, your gaze will not remain indifferent in front of these metal monsters which have disappeared forever.
Product details
Author:
Jean-Pierre Rigouard
Details:
128 pages, 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.28 in (23 x 16 x 0.7 cm), paperback
Illustrations:
many b&w photos
Language:
French
Publisher:
Editions Alan Sutton (F, 2005)
ISBN:
9782842538859
Locomotives (1904-1930) - Tome I - Les Photographies Fleury
Locomotives (1904-1930) - Tome II - Les Photographies Fleury
The collection of photographs by photographer Fernand Fleury on steam locomotives is so rich that Jean-Pierre Rigouard has dedicated a second and magnificent album to it. Crampton, Forquenot, Engerth, Atlantic, Mikado, Ten Wheel, Mountain and other Pacifics were the French and foreign machines at the head of our trains for more than 144 years!
From simple patache to international luxury trains, these beautiful "locos" always left behind an impression of power and majesty...
Product details
Author:
Jean-Pierre Rigouard
Details:
128 pages, 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.28 in (23 x 16 x 0.7 cm), paperback
Illustrations:
many b&w photos
Language:
French
Publisher:
Editions Alan Sutton (F, 2005)
ISBN:
9782849102251
Locomotives (1904-1930) - Tome II - Les Photographies Fleury
The smoky world of steam locomotives, these "warm-blooded beasts" that Jacques Lacarrière spoke of, invaded Bernard Bathiat's childhood dreams. At the end of the 1950s, everything stopped. The black faces of the railway, railway workers, drivers and mechanics, no longer "knit" the magnificent Pacifics of the Compagnie du Nord or the Paris-Orléans...
So all that remains is the memory and the photos yellowed by time. How beautiful these machines are! Bernard Bathiat is a work of memory. Beyond a gallery of unpublished portraits of locomotives and tenders, throughout the pages, we follow the men, their daily work, their strange jargon.
Nostalgia is good and fortunately there are enthusiasts like Bernard Bathiat or these associations that restore old locomotives so that the flame of the "human beast", this infernal couple of man and machine, never goes out.
Product details
Author:
Bernard Bathiat
Details:
96 pages, 9.1 x 6.3 x 0.24 in (23 x 16 x 0.6 cm), paperback
Jean-Michel Stievenard | French | hardback | 200 p. | 2023
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