Between 1909 and 1932 the PLM owned 462 Pacific locomotives, making it the largest French user of the Pacific. In 1990 AS produced its final Pacific locomotive, a model of a Pacific employed by the PLM which eventually, in 1947, became the SNCF Pacific 231K8. This Pacific served as the “emblem” of the PLM for many years and is currently preserved and used for “fan” excursions. With its distinctive “wind cutter” cab and drivers 2 meters in diameter, the K8 had the look of an engine designed for speed.
AS stepped up the level of detail and fidelity to the prototype with their K8. The model was constructed to a true 1/43.5 scale, had an intricate running gear, refined piping, and rather fragile tender ladders and railings. The AS Pacific SNCF 231K8 was produced in four liveries: a PO grey, a NORD brown, black, and green. However, only the black and green liveries were actually used by the SNCF. AS made limited numbers of these locomotives, only ten copies of the brown K8 were made and it is very difficult to find.
The preserved ex-PLM, now SNCF 231K8
(Photo source Wikipedia)
The AS SNCF 231K8
(Photo courtesy of The Station Masters Rooms)
The AS 231K8 along with an AS 140C at the shed
(Photo courtesy of Archaic Photos)
Next: The AS 140C and 040TA Locomotives
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