Fulgurex - 1160/1 - Railcar, Gasoline, Bugatti WR 'Présidentiel' - SNCF - XB 1003

Specific Item Information: This is analog model. The digital version, sold at the same price, has a 'd' suffixed to the stock number.

Model Information: Announced several years ago, this brass N scale model of the Bugatti railcar in WR version was finally released in 2021.

It is available in the following liveries: ETAT (single), PLM (double) and SNCF (single and double, 1938 and 1949 liveries). The WR ETAT and SNCF model is called "Presidential" because of its use by President Albert Lebrun for an official trip.

See all models on the Fulgurex website.

Features:

• power pickup on both trucks (4 axles per truck)
• only one truck is motorized, with 4 traction tyres
• reversible white headlights
• decorated and lighted interior
• dummy red tail lights
• removable grid for the engine compartment

The production was limited to 220 items only.

DCC Information: The model is available either in analog or DCC (silent) versions. The DCC decoder is an ESU LokPilot 5.0.
The railcar interior lighting is coupled with the headlights (F0).

Prototype History: This railcar was built by the Bugatti automobile company in Alsace between 1933 and 1934. It was equipped with four (4) gasoline engines, flat-8 cylinders of 12 750 cm3, with a power of 200hp each, which came from the stocks intended for the Bugatti Royale type 41, which had not sold well.

88 examples were built, in different variations:

• WR (Wagon Rapide - Fast Car) single, double or triple - four engine version
• WL (Wagon Léger - Light Car) short, elongated or over-extended - version with only two engines.

The examples were acquired by the ETAT, the PLM and the AL. They were taken over by the SNCF when it was created in 1938. They were removed from service in 1958. There is only one preserved example, visible at the Cité du Train in Mulhouse, France.

From Wikipedia (in French).

Road Name History: SNCF (Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Français; "National society of French railways" or "French National Railway Company") is France's national state-owned railway company and manages the rail traffic in France and the Principality of Monaco. SNCF operates the country's national rail services, including the TGV, France's high-speed rail network. Its functions include operation of railway services for passengers and freight, and maintenance and signalling of rail infrastructure.

SNCF employs more than 180,000 people in 120 countries around the globe. The railway network consists of about 32,000 km (20,000 mi) of route, of which 1,800 km (1,100 mi) are high-speed lines and 14,500 km (9,000 mi) electrified. About 14,000 trains are operated daily. The company has its headquarters in Saint Denis (93200), near Paris, 2 place aux Etoiles.

In 2010 SNCF was ranked 22nd in France and 214th globally on the Fortune Global 500 list.

It is the main business of the SNCF group, which in 2014 employed 245,763 people and had 27.2 billion € of sales in 120 countries.

From Wikipedia

Brand/Importer Information: Fulgurex was created in 1947 as a specialized model train shop located in Lausanne, Switzerland. They specialize in high quality brass models from scales N to 1, with focus on Swiss and French rolling stock

Historical accuracy, research for authenticity, technical precision; these distinct criteria with a zest of nostalgia for the great years of railway history, provide our inspiration and guidelines. A production scheme offering models to collectors all over the world which are objets d'art and become valuable collectors items.