The SNCF 4-240A class and SNCF 5-240P class was a group of thirty-seven 4-8-0 steam locomotives designed by André Chapelon.
The engines started life as Chemin de Fer de Paris àOrléans (Paris-Orleans Railway) 4500 class 4-6-2s before being rebuilt. The first of the conversions took place in 1932. The new boiler with the long, narrow Belpaire firebox came from the Nord "Super Pacifics". With all the pipes, domes, and pumps, these were double-chimneyed, husky looking locomotives of very different appearance than the Pacifics.
By using superheated steam and compounding, these locomotives achieved remarkably high thermal efficiencies, in some cases as high as 12.8%.
SNCF south-west.
These twelve 4-8-0s were created to tackle the 1 in 100 gradients of the Brive to Montauban division of the line from Paris to Toulouse. For their time, these were extremely powerful locomotives, capable of maintaining at . The 240.As were also highly versatile, being used to haul both passenger and freight trains.
SNCF south-east.
These twentyâÂÂfive 4âÂÂ8âÂÂ0 locomotives were built by 1940 and were used for passenger and fast freight services on the Laroche-Dijon-Paris line. They featured larger lowâÂÂpressure cylinders than the preceding 240.As, along with the addition of mechanical stokers. All were withdrawn by 1950 when the route was electrified.