L'autorail X3898 dit "Picasso"

General characteristics of the railcar:

Builder:	- Régie Renault - Etablissements De Dietrich à Reichshoffen - Ateliers du Nord de la France
Model/Type:	X3800
Date of delivery:	1951
Road numbers:	X3898
Diesel power [kW]:	Renault 517G: 250/265 Saurer BZDS: 221 (qui équipe le X3898) Schneider: 235
Railcar power [kW]:	?
Starting tractive effort [kN]:	-
Maximum safe speed [km/h]:	120
Weight in working order [t]:	31,5
Total length [m]:	21,85

General view:

Builder plate:

Short presentation:

The 245 railcars from the series X3800 have been produced between 1950 and 1961 by the well known carmaker Renault and the "Ateliers du Nord de la France" (Workshops of northern France). They were conceived for slow train passenger service with moderate distance. The national state railways SNCF desired to adress these different points:

- the driving should be simplified. One cab should be usable for both driving directions. That's why the designers opt for a single elevated cab, allowing an excellent view.

- improve the reliability by using direct commands between cab and clutch/engine/gearbox

- allow a good accessibility to the mechanical parts

- reduce the maintenance costs by avoiding mechanical parts which could have play due to wear

Different diesel engine have been tested (Saurer, Schneider and Renault). These were driving a 4 speed gear box using a dry clutch. Both axles under the diesel engine were driven by cardan shaft and angular gear.

The railcar had a capacity of 67 passengers and 2500kg of luggages on 6,3m2. The heating used the cooling water of the diesel engine. The fuel tank capacity was 400l.

Different copies have been preserved and used by touristic railways. The X3847 is showed in section at the French Railway Museum in Mulhouse to present its power transmission.

Life at CFTR:

Last owner before salvage:	SNCF
Retirement date:	1982
Acquisition date:	1983
Current owner:	Chemin de Fer touristique du Sud des Ardennes
Restauration:	1986
Use at the CFTR:	only on demand
Retirement by the CFTR:	Sold to the Chemin de Fer à Vapeur des Trois Vallées, Marienburg, Belgique

In 1983 a member of the association wanted to buy a Picasso from the depot of Mohon near Charleville-Mézières. This depot had many of these machines in a very good state. The purchase has been completely privately financed. After it came to the association, only a repainting was necessary. But because of the considerable surface, this work was not easy to perform. This has been one of different reasons why it has been decided to resell it quite quickly. The association regrets even today to have made this decision: this kind of railcars is very appreciated from tourists.

The X3800 was never in regular use at the CFTR. It was only operated when it was booked by groups.

Pictures at CFTR:

 

External links and bibliography:

• L'Alsace, numéro de 1982
• Matériel Moteur de la SNCF, Jacques Defrance

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More technique: 

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