Locomotives and multiple-units - France: books - overviews

French Traction

With its size, France is home to a huge number of locomotives. The country can basically be split in two, with the northern half running on AC traction, and the southern half on DC traction. A vast number of locomotives are dual-powered, and so can run all over the country.

Locomotives can be found on passenger workings, but are mostly dedicated to freight. Main operator SNCF runs most, if not all, the services within France. The number of locomotive-hauled passenger services is dwindling, but both diesel and electric locomotives can still be found.
The main diesel-hauled passenger workings are in the hands of Class 67 or Class 72 locomotives, while electric-hauled passenger workings are in the hands of Class 17, 22, 25, 26 or Class 27 locomotives. A large number of passenger workings are to be found in the Paris area, with the Class 17 an endangered species.

On the freight side, there are a large number of different traction types in use, from the Class 7200 in the south to vast numbers of Class 26, 27 and 37 electric locomotives, which can be found all over the country. There are quite a few different classes of diesel locomotives running for use on non-electrified lines, including Class 60, 63, 66, 69 and 75.

In French Traction, Andrew Cole explores all this variety and more in a collection of detailed images and captions, which capture many of the thousands of locomotives in France today - from the humble shunter to the modern freight locomotive.

Product details

French Railways : Locomotives and Multiple Units (6th Edition)

The complete guide to all locomotives and multiple units working on the railways of France. It includes:
- A brief historical background to the railways of France.
- Detailed fleet lists of all locomotives & multiple units in service with national operator, SNCF.
- Suburban trains operated by Paris-area transport authority, RATP.
- The fleets of private train operators and track maintenance companies.
- Narrow-gauge lines operated by SNCF and independent narrow-gauge lines.
- Former SNCF locomotives now in industrial service.
- A general overview of the organisation and structure of French Railways.
- Information about tickets and rail passes.
- Detailed maps of the French railway network.
- An explanation of the SNCF numbering system and the European Vehicle Numbering scheme.
- Livery information.
- Depot allocations.
- Technical data for every class of locomotive and multiple unit.
- Full lists of steam, diesel and electric locomotives and multiple units in preservation.
- Information about museums and museum lines with contact details, line lengths and brief summaries of the number of exhibits usually present at each location.
- Over 80 colour illustrations.
- An extensive list of locomotive and multiple unit builders
- A list of common railway-themed terms in French and English

This book has been compiled and updated by the former editor of Today's Railways Europe, David Haydock. A resident of France, David has spent many years reporting on rolling stock matters and is widely regarded as a leading authority on the subject. It is the most comprehensive guide to rolling stock operating in France.

Product details

French Railways A-Z

The railways of France present a uniquely interesting picture, consisting as they once did of two entirely separate but overlapping systems: the standard-gauge network of the great railway companies and the mostly metre-gauge network of the local rural railways.

This book attempts to provide a comprehensive picture of this fascinating diversity. Featuring a variety of locations throughout France, subjects covered include the seven pre-nationalisation railway companies; locomotives of all types, including both the successful and the spectacular failures; freight and passenger trains; the great railway engineers; famous lines, such as the Vivarais, as well as the not so famous; tourist railways; some of the great engineering marvels, such as the Viaduc du Garabit; accidents and disasters; railways in wartime; and even railways which were built but never saw a train.

Using the author's own photographs as well as historic postcard views, this book will appeal to anyone with an interest in railways.

Product details

Le matériel moteur SNCF 2016

Intended for specialists, a reference work that lists, in the form of files, the SNCF engine fleet as of June 30, 2016. More than 110 series of engines are detailed and presented with full-page photos, dimensioned diagrams and complete technical information.

Throughout the chapters, the reader will find the history of the "Mat Mot", the inventory of SNCF equipment acquired since 1938, the evolution of the numbering (including the European one), the translation of the underbody markings, but also the history of traction modes, diesel engines, the TER fleet, the history of the SNCF logo, the liveries of the engines by activity or even the SNCF heritage.
Also updated, the catalog of pantographs, special engines and the fleet of certain subsidiaries, including Akiem, included in this work.

Product details

Les chemins de fer industriels

At the end of the 19th century, the development of railways marked a turning point in the Industrial Revolution. In a booming France, the railway accompanied industry and profoundly affected the regions on the economic, social, political and environmental levels.
Its development contributed to the country's energy wealth and punctuated the life of entire geographical areas. These lines, mainly operated by mining companies, metallurgical groups or by large factories, were connected at one or more points to the general interest network operated by the large companies.

This book restores the memory of the railway's contribution to the Industrial Revolution, a forgotten story. It traces a true national panorama from 1840 to the present day. A new subject combining history, technology and geography.

Product details

Loks der französischen Staatsbahn SNCF - seit 1938 (Typenkompass)

Not least thanks to the high-speed train TGV, which is now a daily visitor in the main stations of Frankfurt, Munich, Mannheim and Stuttgart, the vehicles of the French state railway "Société nationale des chemins de fer français" (SNCF) are enjoying growing interest among German railway enthusiasts.
This Typenkompass describes in detail all of the SNCF's locomotives and railcars since its foundation on January 1, 1938, up to the present day.

Each type is presented with a photo, a historical description and technical data.

Product details