J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "French Steam Passenger Express" Signed lower right. Original Oil on Paper.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting was originally published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands First Day Cover for the 55c French 4-6-6 Hudson stamp issued August 23,1996.

The Class 232.U1 was constructed by Corpet-Louvet for Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer Francais (SNCF) and was a one-of-a-kind steam passenger locomotive. It featured a compound engine with four cylinders instead of the conventional two. The Class 232.U1 differed from other locomotives with compound engines in that the locomotive started out from a complete stop with all four cylinders working under the same steam pressure. Once the train was under way, the steam pressure switched over to a compound engine. In this arrangement, steam is used twice, first passing through the two High-pressure cylinders then through the two low-pressure cylinders. Cruising at speeds over 75 mph, the Class through ran north from Paris to Aulnoye and Lille on trains bound to and from Brussels, Belgium. Constructed in 1949, the Class 232.U1 was the last and most technologically advanced express passenger locomotive built in France.

Image Size: 10 x 13.25 in.
Overall Size: 13.5 x 17.75 in.
Unframed.
(B15386)

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