L'Est Railway Serie One 2-4-0 No. 51

Clearly I am on a French railway binge...

2-4-0 #51 of the East French Railway (L'Est), is an example one of what used to be a numerous class of Mulhouse-built 2-4-0s that operated in the later 1800s on several railways in France. Colloquially known by some as 'Medoc' 2-4-0s, and called such in Sid Meier's Railroads, (though depicted as a more modern 'swiss western' prototype with a modern cab and differing domes and details... Still haven't found the inspiration for Firaxis' model...) the 'Series one' group of locomotives were originally constructed in the late '40s and early '50s, followed by some later examples with larger front truck wheels and further modernization, classed as 'Series Three' on the East railway. These engines would have run alongside the distinctively odd-looking-but-highly-successful Crampton type locomotives in service, eventually paving the way for an upgraded 0-6-0 design, and higher speed 2-4-2s as the Cramptons were phased out.

Later era East railway paintwork, before SNCF nationalization, can be seen as black with red pinstriping on large locomotives. Thanks to one preserved Crampton locomotive #80 of the L'Est however, it is revealed that early days of the East railway had engines painted in an olive-green appearing color, with red striping and brasswork. As such, I applied the paintwork to the locomotive above, but I am in no way positive that this is the exact appearance, so some parts aside from the tender are guesswork, as I only had black and white photographs as references.

Also, the driving wheels have sixteen spokes, and because there are eight frames to this animation, wheel rotation confusingly appears to show no spokes moving at all, among the counterweights and rods. Much tedium would be necessary for a nearly invisible effect to trick the eyes into seeing movement, and at certain speeds, spoked wheels quite literally do appear to be moving slowly, not at all, or even backwards based on your eye's receptive speed, and a camera's shutter speed... Therefore I shall elect not to bother.

In any case, this one was fun, much simpler than the Nord atlantic, and 2-4-0s are underratedly awesome. Plus the Mulhouse 2-4-0s are a perfect example of 1850-60s steam that ISNT an American 4-4-0, but is similar in nature and usefulness. So there.