The Compound locomotives; type 300

Satisfied with the performance of its Compound locomotives on the Vivarais lines, roughly comparable to those of Corsica, the Company had decided to improve them in order to use this new model on the latter network. To this end, it ordered a prototype from the S.A.C.M., in 1891, with characteristics more adapted to the Ile de Beauté network.

Description of locomotive type 300

Equipped with a more generously dimensioned boiler in order to increase its steaming power by increasing the number and length of the tubes, bringing the total heating surface from 46.49 m to 67.90 m2, this prototype was equipped with more generously dimensioned cylinders. The diameter of the wheels was increased to 1.01 m, enabling it to reach higher speeds.

As a result of the modification of these various elements, as well as the increase in the capacity of the water and fuel tanks, this machine was given a longer wheelbase, length and weight.

The shelter, which was semi-open, was pierced by two rectangular portholes without a visor, and the roof was supported by two side columns and a small sheet metal plate placed in the middle of the stern face.

Two side railings were attached to the front of the boiler, as well as a handrail on the upper part of the smoke box, which had a round door.

The series that equipped the Corsican network

Two main series, quite close to each other, equipped the Corsican network.

The first one, built by the Belfort workshops, registered from 302 to 308 was identical in presentation to the prototype. The second, coming from the workshops of Graffenstaden and registered from 309 to 319 and from 351 to 353, differed from it by the direct load safety valves placed either between the dome and the sandpit (series 309 to 312) or on the hearth (series 313 to 319 and 351 to 353), the more enveloping roof, the greater volume of the shelter, as well as the different shape of its number plates.

The livery of these machines was in very dark green. The water tanks and the shelter were enhanced with a black painted border. The front and rear crossbeams were painted vermilion red. Only the aft crossbeam was marked C.F.D. on the left and the engine number on the right of the centre stamp.

The manufacturer's and license plates were attached to the water tanks:

• for the 301 to 308 series:
• an oval plate bearing the machine number and the company name.
• an oval manufacturer's plate
• for series 309 to 319 and 351 to 353
• a rectangular plaque bearing the initials of the company.
• a rectangular plate bearing the machine number.
• an oval plate of the builder In addition, a rectangular plate bearing the number of the machine was fixed on the top of the smoke box door.

Delivery and Assignments of the Type 300 Locomotive

The delivery of prototype n°301

Prototype n° 301 was delivered directly to Bastia on June 4, 1892 and was tested immediately. After the heating and circulation tests on the tracks of the Bastia station, an 80 t train was towed to Ajaccio. In the ramps of 30°/°° and in curves of 100 m radius, the speed of 33 km/h could be sustained.

Considering this satisfactory performance, the Company had this machine put into regular service, first of all for the traction of slow moving heavy freight trains. The maximum towed tonnage could not exceed 100 t on a ramp of 20°/°° at 20 km/h. Subsequently, it was towed fast trains No. 21-22. The 157 km route was covered in 6 hours, at a commercial speed of 26.2 km/h. At some points the speed limit of 45 km/h was reached with a composition of 2 vans and 2 bogie cars, i.e. a load of 50 t.

The arrival of other units

After two years of service, in view of the good results obtained, the C.F.D. obtained authorization from the State to order three units of this type to ensure the service of fast and heavy goods trains. Built in 1895, the 302 to 304 arrived in February and were based in Bastia. They were used on the Ajaccio and Ghisonaccia lines.

Two additional units were supplied in 1906 and assigned to the Ajaccio depot (n° 305 and 306). In 1923, the increase in traffic requiring the commissioning of the whole park of the "300", the C.F.D. were forced to order two additional units to ensure the reserve, then non-existent. These machines were the last units delivered by the Belfort factory. They were received on 7 April 1924 and assigned to the Corte depot. They were registered 307 and 308.

For the armament of the new sections of the east coast line, the C.F.D. naturally chose "300s" and the following orders were carried out by the Graffenstaden workshops.

• 4 units in 1927 n° 309 to 312 for the section from Bastia to Ghisonaccia (reinforcement).
• 4 units in 1930 n° 313 to 316 for the section from Ghisonaccia to Solenzara.
• 3 units in 1932 n° 317 to 319 for the section from Solenzara to Porto-Vecchio
• 3 units in 1932 n° 351 to 353 for the reinforcement of the central line from Bastia to Ajaccio
• These locomotives were distributed in the following depots:
• Bastia n° 309 to 312
• Ghisonaccia n° 313 to 314
• Solenzara n° 315 to 316
• Porto-Vecchio n° 317 to 319
• Ajaccio n° 351 to 353

What happened to the 300-type units

Some units were destroyed, sabotaged by the Germans in 1943, were #301,307 and #311. #314 was isolated in Sainte-Lucie-de-Porto-Vecchio and had to be reformed. All the others were written off in 1946 and 1949.

source : MTVS 1989-1