File:140C.231.jpg

English: SNCF Class 140C 2-8-0 No.140C.231 (ex-Etat No.140.231) in SNCF lined green livery at the AJECTA Festival raising steam inside Longueville Depot, 6 May 2023.

No.140C.231 was built by the North British Locomotive Co (No.21376) in 1916 and is one of 340 such locomotives built in 1913-20. The design originated with the CF de l’Etat in 1913, 70 being built that year by French builders for the Etat’s heavy freight requirements. On the outbreak of WWI, the Etat ordered 200 more from British builders which delivered them in 1916-17 (although 6 were lost at sea), No.14C.231 (as No.140.231) being one of these. Finally, the French Army wanted such locos for the haulage of heavy artillery pieces and the ALVF ordered 70 from British builders which were delivered in 1916-20. With the end of the war, the Etat took over these 70 but in 1924 sold half to the Est and half to the PLM.

On the formation of the SNCF in 1938 the Etat and Est locos became Class 140C whilst the PLM locos were 140K. In 1940 No.140C.231 was requisitioned by the Germans and sent to Germany, being returned to the SNCF in 1945. After WWII, the SNCF concentrated all the class on the Est region as 140C’s.

The 140C’s were uncomplicated, robust engines which resulted in them surviving until the end of steam on the SNCF (with the 141R’s). A 140C hauled the last French steam service in commercial service in September 1975 on the CFTA’s Reseau Franche-Comte. No.140C.231 was transferred to the CFTA in 1971 but, despite having had a general overhaul in 1970, was put into store and withdrawn in 1972.