Description
Transformed by André Chapelon into Europe’s most powerful locomotive from a disgraceful Etat 4-8-2, the 242A1 remained the only 4-8-4 in France. A 3-cylinder compound incorporating much American detailing, it proved itself conclusively in trials, so it was scrapped! The SNCF didn’t want steam to put up performances superior to electric traction of the time, so 242A1, a world heritage object, was cut up. Sad.
