SNCF Class 241P SNCF Class 241P The SNCF 241.P is a 4-8-2 'Mountain' type express passenger steam locomotive that ran on the "Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français", (French National Railways) from 1948 until 1973. Introduced as large scale electrification of the SNCF was already underway, they were the last new class of passenger steam locomotives in France. In 1944, SNCF reviewed its predicted postwar traffic requirements and determined a requirement for a locomotive capable of hauling passenger trains of 700–800 tonnes at , and capable of climbing gradients of 1 in 125 (8‰). A prototype 4-8-2 four cylinder compound locomotive, the
SNCF stronger 25,000 hp (18,600 kW) engine, and broke the world speed record for conventional railway trains, reaching . The SNCF has a remarkable safety record. After nearly 30 years in operation, SNCF’s TGV system has only experienced one fatal accident, during trials rather than regular operations. In 2011 SNCF in partnership with Keolis, unsuccessfully bid for the InterCity West Coast franchise. In April 2017 SNCF took a 30% shareholding in a joint venture with Stagecoach Group and Virgin Group to bid for the West Coast Partnership that will operate services on the West Coast Main Line from May 2019 and