SNCF: Steam Loco Numbering

Marklin has produced several mini-club steam locomotives for SNCF including an “Export Models” and regular production locos: 8108 (Serie 231 – “Nostalgie Istanbul-Orient Express), 88063 (Serie 232 TC – Export Model for France 2003), 88833 (Serie 150 Y – One Time Series 1998), and 88956 (Serie 130 TB).

In 1937 the SNCF was formed thus nationalizing several private rail companies: Est (East) – CF de I’Est, Nord (North) – CF du Nord, Ouest (West) – CF d’Etat, Sud Ouest (South West) – PO-Midi, and Sud Est (South East) – CF PLM. Numbering steam locos of the SNCF follows wheel arrangements followed by class letters and finally road numbers. Wheel arrangements/ axle groupings were interpreted as follows: 4-6-2 was numbered 231. And with tank locos a ‘T’ followed the axle arrangement.

Marklin releases SNCF locos rather infrequently and two of these examples predate the current 5 pole motor, but they can be easily upgraded to 5 pole with appropriate motor type.