Rolling stock – Railcar
Built in 1983
Status: In service
- Manufacturer: CFD / SOCOFER
- Engine: 1 moteur Poyaud 6L 520 S2
- Power: 240 CV (177Kw)
- Capacity: 52
History and description
The X 242 is an evolution of the CFC's X 5000 (delivered in 1980-1981), adapted to the operating conditions of the BA line. Using tried and tested structures and components, the time spent on testing and development was reduced.
The body was built by Socofer and all components were assembled at the CFD workshops in Montmirail.
Put into service in early 1984 after brief testing (the technology was already well established in Corsica), the X 242 railcar spent its entire career in Romorantin, providing service between Luçay-le-Mâle and Salbris. Capable of 85 km/h, it was nevertheless limited to 70 km/h by the infrastructure.
Its arrival significantly improved passenger comfort and accompanied the reorganisation of the Blanc-Argent line, with the closure of the Buzançais – Luçay-le-Mâle section and better connections in Salbris under the aegis of the SNCF.
En 1991, la ligne intègre le réseau TER Centre et le X 242 adopte la livrée blanche et bleue.
Finally renovated in 2009-2010, it could have continued to run for a long time... but the arrival of the DAAT in 2015 sealed its fate.
It joined the Train du Bas-Berry fleet in 2019.