Locomotive 1199 was built at the
Baldwin Locomotive Works factory in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as part of the rebuilding of the French rail network due to damage caused during the Second World War. Arriving in France (via the
Port of Cherbourg), the unit was assigned to the depot at
Le Mans. It worked out of Le Mans from July 17, 1947 until August 25, 1971, when it was retired after having travelled 1 627 474 km. It was one of the few locomotives of the 141R type that worked out of the same depot over its service life. In 1975, the locomotive was chosen to be donated to the
San Diego Railroad Museum. The donation did not proceed and the unit was stored at
Vitré station, under the supervision of the
Association Rail 35. 1199 was moved in 1994 Restoration lasted twelve years. 141 R 1199 was returned to the rails in 2004, making trips to the western part of the country. 1199 was pulled from service in 2011 for a boiler overhaul at a cost of 191 000
Euros with support of the
Fondation du patrimoine. The locomotive is well-known in France and has been visited by thousands during heritage events in the country. ==References==