The locomotive bodies were fully streamlined except for openings to provide access to the valve gear and the crankshaft. The design included inside cylinders but outside valve gear to reduce oscillation at speed.[3]
Operation
The class was designed for the fast, relatively light-weight, boat trains on the 124 km (77 mi) journey between Brussels and Ostend to be capable of speeds of 120–140 km/h (75–87 mph). They were also used on Brussels–Liège expresses. During World War II they were used on Brussels–Ostend, Lontzen/Herbesthal, and Lille trains.[4] For most of their careers, the type 12s were assigned to Schaerbeek, near Brussels.
The class was rated at a maximum speed of 140 km/h (87 mph). However, on 12 June 1939 one type 12 locomotive completed the 105 km (65 mi) from Brussels to Ostend in 57 minutes at a maximum speed of 165 km/h (103 mph).[5]
The members of the class ended their careers on the Brussels–Mons and Brussels–Tournai services and were finally withdrawn 27 September 1962. No. 12.004 had been preserved by SNCB and was brought back to running order for the 150th anniversary of railways in Belgium in 1985 but was subsequently left exposed to the elements. Since September 2015 12.004 has been in the "Train World" railway museum at Schaerbeek, so this locomotive is back home.
In fiction
François Schuiten, the Belgian comic book author, made No. 12.004 the central theme of his Graphic novelLa Douce, published in 2012.[6]
Dambly, Phil (1994). Vapeur en Belgique [Steam in Belgium]. Vol. Tome 2: De 1914 aux dernières fumées [Volume 2: From 1914 to last smoke]. Brussels: G. Blanchart & Cie. ISBN2872020136. (in French)
Delie, Max (1992). Le Journal du chemin de fer n°63 (in French). S.A. Editions H.K. pp. 20–27.
Le grand Atlas des trains et locomotives. Les trains de légende (in French). Issy-les-Moulineaux: Éditions Atlas livres [Glénat]. 2002. pp. 302–303. ISBN2-7234-4076-1.
Locomotives du monde (in French) (Del Prado éditeurs ed.). Del Prado. 2004. ISBN2-84349-175-4.