J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "Spanish Renfe 2-4-2 Express Messenger" Signed lower left. Original Oil on Paper.
Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
This painting was originally published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands First Day Cover for the 55c Spanish Renfe 4-8-4 stamp issued August 23, 1996.
Only 10 Class 242s were built for Spain's Rede Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Espanoles (RENFE). Constructed by La Maquinista Terrestre y Maritima of Barcelona in 1955 to 1956, they were finished in resplendent green -- the only RENFE locomotives to wear this color. Class 242s were used on express passenger trains between Medina and Avila and on non-electrified portions of the run from Madrid to Irun at the French border. They burned oil portions rather than coal and were wide-gauge engines -- the Spanish gauge being 5 feet 6 in instead of the more customary 4 feet 8 1/2 in. Rolling on 75-inch spoked driving wheels, 242s exceeded 200 tons and were intended for climbing hills. They could run at speeds of 84 mph while carrying loads of 480 tons. Class 242s were among the last steam locomotives built in Western Europe and were the last European express locomotive class built.
Image Size: 10 x 13.25 in.
Overall Size: 13.75 x 18 in.
Unframed.
(B15329)
Condition
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