Compound locomotives; type 320

The proposals of this builder were considered interesting by the Superior Authority and the project was accepted by Ministerial Decision of March 12, 1907. This provided for the construction of a Mallet type model with compound operation, referenced under n° 171 and comprising two groups of two driving axles with bissel at the front. This new type was named 320 by the C.F.D.

Description of locomotive type 320

Taking as a base the type 300, the S.A.C.M. had, in order to improve its performances, increased its grate surface by bringing it to 1.19m as well as the boiler stamp raised to 13 kg. The power unit had been retained, but a bissel had been added to improve its track holding. The diameter of the drive wheels had also been slightly increased. Although slightly longer than the 251, it had a lower weight: 38.5 t compared to 40 t.

Compared to the 300 series, this new model had a boiler, the axle of which had been placed 3 m above the rail instead of 1.755 m, and, as a result, the chimney was much shorter. The direct-charge relief valves had been relocated to the firebox. The larger water tanks had a capacity of 3,4001. These modifications had completely changed its external appearance and gave it an imposing silhouette.

The right-hand aft-facing shelter was comparable to that of engines 63-64. The exterior decoration was identical to that of the 251, but subsequently, as with most of the Company's engines, it was given a uniform black livery.

The inscriptions consisted of the following:

• on the water boxes of rectangular plates bearing the monogram of the company, the number of the machine, as well as that of the manufacturer.
• on the round front door of the smoke box a number plate.
• on the front and rear crossmembers painted in vermilion red, the initials C.F.D. and the yellow number placed on either side of the central stamp.

Delivery and assignment of locomotive type 320

Ordered in April 1907, the first three units, bearing numbers 321 to 323, were delivered in July and August 1908 to La Voulte-sur-Rhône They were tested between La Voulte-sur-Rhône, Le Cheylard and Saint-Agrève. On 25 August 1908, the 321 towed 801 on a 32°/°°° ramp at a speed of 27 km/h, thus fulfilling the specifications. These three machines were put into operation from 21 November 1908 for the traction of trains 24-25. The 321 was attached to the depot of La Voulte-sur-Rhône, the 322 to that of Dunières and the 323 provided the reserve at Le Cheylard.

An additional order for two units was notified to the S.A.C.M. in 1908, the expedited service having been extended to the entire network. Registered 324 and 325, they reached the Cheylard depot on 18 March 1909. Finally, as the reorganisation of passenger services on the Vivarais network no longer required the complete presence of the series, the C.F.D. took the opportunity to transfer, in addition to the 251, machines 324 and 325 to the Florac depot to equip the Lozère line on 21 May 1909. They were joined there by the 323 on September 2, 1911.

The two remaining units at Le Cheylard were detached to the Meusien Network from 12 March 1916 to 8 May 1920 for the benefit of the 10th Section of the Chemins de Fer de Campagne for the needs of the Armed Forces. The same two machines were also chosen by the Sequestre des lignes de la Provence to reinforce the deficient park of the Draguignan depot. Shipped on January 17, 1944 from La Voulte-sur-Rhône, they never reached their destination. Returning to Le Cheylard on 12 June 1945, it has so far been impossible for us to know where these machines were actually received. A few days later, the 322 was definitively assigned to the Florac depot. Only the 324, shipped from Sainte-Cécile-d'Andorge sur Draguignan on January 19, 1944, provided service on the C.P. until February 16, 1945, when it returned to Florac. In fact, except for the 321, the whole series ended up joining the Lozère line. All these machines were reformed from 1949 to 1964.

source : MTVS 1989-1