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SNCF small road vehicles circa late 60's - 70's ?


w124bob
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Ideally looking for images of Citroen 2 cylinder powered vans or Renault 4 van alternatives. Period is less important than actual vehicle, I've done a little Googleing and come up with just one image, whilst it's a model a real vehicle piccy would be nice.

post-13564-0-89548400-1526853603.jpg

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Ideally looking for images of Citroen 2 cylinder powered vans or Renault 4 van alternatives. Period is less important than actual vehicle, I've done a little Googleing and come up with just one image, whilst it's a model a real vehicle piccy would be nice.

attachicon.gifa_05612.jpg

 

Models made by Asphalte 87 https://www.asphalte87.com/Catalogue-Asphalte87-2018/mobile/index.html part of the REE Models stable, may be of interest.

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Ideally looking for images of Citroen 2 cylinder powered vans or Renault 4 van alternatives. Period is less important than actual vehicle, I've done a little Googleing and come up with just one image, whilst it's a model a real vehicle piccy would be nice.

attachicon.gifa_05612.jpg

 

I don't think that I have any photos of commercial vehicles of that era. But I am sure we will be able to find some with a bit of research on Google and Wikipaedia.

 

The model van in your photo looks dubious to me. If it ever existed, it would have been late 50s/early 60s rather than the era you are seeking.

 

SNCF would almost certainly have sent out something rather larger to pick up parcels. So rather than Google "Renault", it might be better to Google "Saviem" which was the truck division of Renault then. "Berliet" may be a better option than "Citroen".

 

Remember too that by your date, the SNCF fast parcels service had become SERNAM (Service National des Messageries).

 

In terms of larger vans, the Renault Estafette was fairly universal, the Citroen H (of course) and the Peugeot J7.

 

Edit: Certainly plenty of Estafettes on Google Images.

Edited by Joseph_Pestell
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Ideally looking for images of Citroen 2 cylinder powered vans or Renault 4 van alternatives. Period is less important than actual vehicle, I've done a little Googleing and come up with just one image, whilst it's a model a real vehicle piccy would be nice.

attachicon.gifa_05612.jpg

 

2CV van on Google gives plenty of pictures - although not many in original traders' liveries. Thinking back to my youth, I suspect that not many traders went to the expense of a full paint job and lettering on their vehicles.

 

By the way, what scale are you after? I have a couple of 1:43 vehicles suitable for your era.

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Scale possibly full size! There are quite a few British Rail vans doing the show scene either genuine ex BR or more likely replicas. So I fancied getting a Citroen 2CV van (or Renualt 4 van)and doing an SNCF replica ! I assumed that SNCF had a fleet of small vans just like BR and it's Bedford HA fleet used by numerous S&T C&W staff etc.

Edited by w124bob
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Scale possibly full size! There are quite a few British Rail vans doing the show scene either genuine ex BR or more likely replicas. So I fancied getting a Citroen 2CV van (or Renualt 4 van)and doing an SNCF replica ! I assumed that SNCF had a fleet of small vans just like BR and it's Bedford HA fleet used by numerous S&T C&W staff etc.

 

I think that a 4L is a more likely choice than the 2CV. And a bit cheaper to purchase as well although prices are rising. With that extra info, I will see if I can find any evidence.

 

A quick search revealed a 1:87 model by Brekina of a 4L in the same livery as the 2CV you found. To me that logo style looks a bit early to be on a 4L - but I don't rule it out completely as the SNCF Atlas from 1964 uses it.s-l225.jpg

 

Edit to add: I can't get this pic any bigger but it seems to lack the "enlevement a domicile" wording on the 2CV. Perhaps someone pointed out to Brekina that it translates as "kidnapping from home".

Edited by Joseph_Pestell
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Not sure about vans. The big Citroen H would be a better choice. For something diffeent if you can find one is the French version of the Scammell Mechanical Horse produced by FAR(not easy to Google?). They were built up till the 70s, and photos of French railway yards often show them packed in. There was a version(as there was the Scammell) of a non tractor version which could have either an open or closed body on back, and would possibly have been the best vehicle to get round some French streets.

 

Might be worth contacting 2CV City based between Halifax and Bradford, as they can virtually build a brand new 2CV, but also have other French vehicles.

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Citroen H have got a bit pricey these days.

 

Also, if Bob is doing shows at any great distance from home, the H is pretty uncomfortable (as is a 2CV). That's not meant as criticism. I love them both and am much more a Citroen than a Renault person.

 

Now we know what he wants ( a van to take to model railway exhibitions ), we can narrow down the options a bit. If he only wants to take a small layout, the 2CV and 4L both work OK but any layout boards will need to be quite short.

 

I just can't remember any SNCF Voirie vehicles. Did they shift everything by draisine? Seems unlikely. I think that they would have had a fleet of Saviem SG2s. That exists in both flatbed (camionette) and van (fourgon) formats and the latter might be ideal for layout transport. It could even be adapted to provide a bit of sleeping accommodation.

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s-l300.jpg

 

An SAI model of an SG2 fourgon in that livery again. SAI are fairly serious folk so I guess that this livery must be OK. But I don't recall seeing it and it looks far too early for an SG2 (1969).

 

To be strictly correct, this is not an SG2 at all but its Czech relative. These were produced much later (into the 2000s) and could be a better S/H purchase.

 

On Google images there is a diagram of dimensions of both the swb & lwb versions of the fourgon.

Edited by Joseph_Pestell
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As I've owned several Citroen Dyane's, an Acadiane(Dyane van) and a lone 2CV I know what to expect in terms of speed and comfort! Although a BMW R80 engine conversion would certainly enhance the speed! http://www.sparrowautomotive.co.uk/citroen2cvbmw.html

Here's a video of a 2CV van going up the Col de Parpllaion it's a 602 van retro fitted slightly older front panels.

and now a van driven in typical french style, I love it!

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I've seen crazier than that in a 2CV. That's just poor driving - especially at the RH hairpin.

 

There used to be a great 2CV autocross series. Don't know if it's still happening now that 2CVs are so collectable / expensive.

 

Love that mountain ascent although it was probably more dangerous for the bike (I have driven similar roads in South Africa in a Ford Fiesta).

 

Amazing set of abandoned buildings (barracks?) at the beginning of the film. A low-rent ski resort in the making.

 

My father bought a Dyane new in 1972. I never took to it. And nor did many others. The replacement of the 2CV, it went out of production well before its older sister.

 

I'm not sure when the 602cc motor would have first been fitted to the van. But it would be at least ten years after those panels, I think. But it's a nice combo!

Edited by Joseph_Pestell
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