4-6-2 "Chapelon Pacific" 3.# 1192 of the Nord (Compagnie des Chemins de fer du Nord), built 1936 by Blanc-Misseron. At the end of the 1920s, engineer André Chapelon began optimizing steam locomotives for the Compagnie du chemin de fer de Paris à Orléans (P.O.). The outstanding performance of prototype 3356 persuaded NORD to purchase 22 Pacifics rebuilt in this way and add them to its fleet as NORD 3.1171-3.1192. These locomotives were so convincing that NORD had further similar locomotives rebuilt in place of the "Super Pacifics" procured from 1930 onwards: 3.1193-3.1198 at Blanc-Misseron,
3.1111-3.1120 at CAFL and
3.1121-3.1130 at Fives-Lille.
The locomotives were excellent high-speed performers and pulled well-known trains such as the Flèche d'Or. The NORD 3.1174 set the speed record for all French steam locomotives in 1935. With a trailer load of 400 t, it was 174 km/h fast. The 3.1192 of the Nord became the 231 E # 22 of the SNCF in 1938. The last 231 E were withdrawn in 1967.
Pictures of French high speed conquest... With all kind of locomotives, trains and infrastructures that participated to improve rail speed and makes the best world records.
