Epinal
At Epinal, in the Vosges, on 22nd July 1967 the smartly dressed 'chef de gare' crosses the tracks back to the platform after a chat with the crew of a 140C 2-8-0, which will shortly depart with a local freight. Some 340 of these locomotives were built, and they were destined for long service, with the honour of being the last steam locomotives in operation when French steam ceased in 1975. Construction had begun just before World War I, but outsourcing to Britain then took place because of the French war effort, with 215 being built by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow, 20 by Nasmyth Wilson and 35 by the Vulcan Foundry. It would be nice to think that the locomotive in the photograph was a 'Scottish' one but, as I did not keep a note of its number, I cannot be sure!
Location: Epinal
Original line: SNCF
Photographer: Robin McGregor
Contact photographer: Robin McGregor
Date: 22/07/1967
Image number: 76927
