SNCF X 5500
| SNCF X 5500 | |
|---|---|
| Numbering: | X 5010, 5011 (prototypes) X 5501 to X 5551 |
| Number: | 51 + 2 prototypes |
| Manufacturer: | Renault |
| Year of construction (s): | 1948-1951 |
| Retirement: | 1977 |
| Axis formula : | 1A2 |
| Gauge : | 1435 mm ( standard gauge ) |
| Length: | 16,040 mm |
| Height: | 4081 mm |
| Width: | 3150 mm |
| Service mass: | 17.5 t |
| Top speed: | 90 km / h |
| Traction power: | Renault 110 kW Saurer 117 kW |
| Wheel diameter: | 750 mm |
| Motor type: | diesel |
| Motor type: | Renault 561 (X 5501-5526) Saurer BXDS (from X 5527) |
| Rated speed: | 1500 rpm |
| Power transmission: | mechanically |
| Brake: | Compressed air |
| Seats: | 63 |
| Standing room: | 17th |
The X 5500 was a four-axle, diesel-powered internal combustion engine operated by the French state railway SNCF . Due to its one-sided, elevated driver's position in two respects, it is one of the most distinctive French railcars. With the multiple units of the X 5800 series , it forms the design of the Autorails unifiés 150 ch (150 HP unitary multiple units), also known as “Mobylettes” or “U150” .
History and description
After the end of the Second World War , the SNCF had a very inhomogeneous park of diesel multiple units, which consisted of small types that were still delivered to the predecessor companies. In addition, numerous vehicles fell victim to the acts of war. The first post-war series X 5600 , the plans of which had been drawn up at the time of the German occupation of France , was only suitable for traffic on lightly frequented branch lines .
The Division d'études autorails (DEA) therefore developed the concept of a light four-axle railcar, using diesel engines from truck manufacture for cost reasons . The engines of the first series (road numbers X 5501 to X 5526) came from the manufacturer Renault itself, they had an output of 110 kW. All other vehicles were equipped with 117 kW engines from the Swiss company Saurer .
The first drafts for these railcars, which were intended for use on branch lines throughout the country, were sketched as early as March 1944. Exactly three years later, the first prototype left the Renault factory.
Like the X 5600 and the X 3800 ("Picasso"), the Mobylette only had a raised operator's platform, which was located twice asymmetrically above the engine compartment at one end of the vehicle. From there, the vehicle could be steered in both directions. Behind the engine compartment was the luggage compartment, which was followed by the 63-seat passenger compartment. The subsequent installation of a toilet meant that three seats were later eliminated.
The railcars were painted red below the ribbon of windows and cream-colored above, with the cream-colored surface in the front area drawn down in a V-shape to the buffer beam. They were designed for operation with a sidecar of various types. It was remarkable that its four axles were not stored in bogies . The drive axle was located under the transverse engine, which was addressed via a mechanical four-speed gearbox with a turning device. Right in front of it was a running axle, the wheels of which had the same diameter. The two non-motorized axles were arranged accordingly at the other end of the vehicle. This resulted in the unusual wheel arrangement 1A2. The minimum axle base was chosen to ensure that the axles can be moved sideways.
Use and whereabouts
Thanks to their powerful engines and low fuel consumption , the railcars delivered between 1948 and 1951 fulfilled the expectations placed on them. With the X 5800 , a follow-up series with 55 vehicles was created in 1953/54, which differed only slightly from the X 5500 - mainly due to the exterior sliding instead of the folding doors at the entrance to the passenger compartment.
In 1977 the last Mobylettes were parked. The railcars X 5506 and X 5509 have been preserved at the Chemin de fer de la vallée de l'Eure (CFVE) museum railway in Pacy-sur-Eure .
Web links
- Photo of the railcar X 5524 at loco-ho.com
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Autorails des années 1950. Les différents types unifiés in: Ferrovissime No. 16, p. 2 ff.