At the end of the 1950’s, the SNCF and Renault investigated the possibility of building a panoramic railcar intended to operate on scenic lines having tourist potential. The X4200 were produced had the same engine as the X2800 class powered by an 800 HP MGO engine which enabled them to operate on mountainous lines with steep gradients. The difference was that on the X4200 the diesel engine drove a generator which supplied two traction motors mounted in place of the traditional gearboxes. This series consisted of ten examples and the entire class was delivered to Nîmes depot in 1959 then to Marseilles-Blancarde. These machines operated to the south of the Massif Central in particular on the non-electrified and famous Cévenol line between Clermont-Ferrand and Nîmes. The first class accommodation had the panoramic view and the saloon was equipped with forced ventilation and tinted glass in order to reduce the temperature, given its position to the top of the diesel engine and the inability to open the windows. The two second class compartments were located at either end of the unit and were low down hence giving the passengers a good view of the scenery (and track) through both the side and the cab windows.

In order to reduce the high temperatures in the engine compartment, the units were de-rated to 600 HP which affected their performances considerably. In 1980, unit X4201 was withdrawn prematurely after only twenty one years of service. Their complex diesel-electric equipment also caused numerous problems and their unreliability meant the progressive withdrawal of the class which was extinct by 1985. Their poor life expectancy is to be compared with that of X2800 class which are still going twenty years later. It should be noted that their characteristic and aerodynamic silhouette was used again on the famous turbo-trains, the ETG and the RTG built a few years later.

Four panoramic railcars are preserved, the first was repurchased by Renault, another was acquired by the CITEV at St-Jean-du-Gard, and the other two being maintained in operating condition by l'AGRIVAP

X 4201 official photo

Author's collection

and inside the first class observation saloon

Author's collection

Somewhere in the south of France 

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