Diesel Locomotives - France: Books - History and Types

La grande encyclopédie des locomotives francaises (Tome 1) - Les locomotives et locotracteurs diesel

The first album of this veritable encyclopedia is devoted to the 94 types of diesel locomotives, locomotors and locotractors running or having run on the French national network. It lists all SNCF equipment, that of private or foreign companies operating in France, as well as exported versions.

Each type of machine is the subject of a descriptive sheet, written by José Banaudo with a presentation of the series and a table of characteristics, illustrated by at least one photo, a diagram and elevation drawings of all known variants.

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Les locomotives diesel de ligne de la première génération

This book traces in detail the beginnings of French diesel line traction, at a time when American influence was not negligible. The following machines are studied in this work:
- mixed locomotives P.L.M. and Syndicat des Ceintures
- 262 AD1 and 262 BD1 of the P.L.M.
- rail monsters of 225 tons and 4000 horsepower 040 DF1, 040 GA1 of the S.N.C.F.
- as well as the series 060 DA (CC-65500) and 060 DB (CC-65000).

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Les premiers diesels de forte puissance de la SNCF: A1A-A1A 68000/500, BB 69000 et CC 70000

In 1958, as the electrification program for high-traffic lines was coming to an end, the French SNCF began modernizing the network, with diesel traction replacing steam traction. Electrification was then seen as reserved for very high-traffic lines.

This book traces the career of the first power diesels of the SNCF, among which the reader will be able to find the A1A-A1A 68000/500 which had a difficult start. However, these diesels, despite their shortcomings, will remain those which paved the way for the modernization of non-electrified radials from Paris.
The three authors of this book offer through this series without ancestry or descendants the testimonial value of an era when diesel traction was still finding its way.

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Locotracteurs et draisines

Railway rolling stock is not only made up of locomotives, railcars, wagons and cars... All rail enthusiasts know this and the rail enthusiast Bernard Bathiat draws up a small inventory here.
Originally, wagons were shunted by hand or by horsepower. Then there was the use of specialized steam locomotives, which quickly became too restrictive, and the railway companies opted for more flexible equipment. Thus were born the gasoline engine shunters, then Diesel.

These self-propelled machines were then used for many other applications. For example, they were powerful snowplows. For track maintenance, draisines were used, initially powered by human arms or pedals. Later, they were equipped with their own motors.
Whether you are an amateur or a fervent connoisseur, everyone will find valuable information in this collection on the locotractors and draisines of the French railway companies.

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