Sunday Streamline #44: Northern Connection:

With all due respect to steam power nothing is more Dieselpunk than a Diesel-motor unit.

Here’s one, built by Société Franco-Belge for Compagnie des chemins de fer du Nord (Northern Railway Company) in mid-1930s. Powered by Maybach engines, and looking very similar to the famous Flying Hamburger of the German Reichsbahn, it was designated as TAR, Train automoteur rapide (Fast motor train).

Two TAR 34 three-unit trains were delivered in 1934. Each was equipped with two 410 hp engines with electric transmission, allowing top speed of 150 km/h. They were used for daylight Paris - Lille express service.

Two years later, in October 1936, nine TAR 36’s entered service. These four-unit trains were more powerful, fitted with 430 hp Maybach G056 diesels.

In 1938, after the merger of all French railways into SNCF, the trains received new designation: XF 1001-1002 (TAR 34) and XF 1101 to 1109 (TAR 36). They served on Paris - Lille and Paris - Lyon routes until 1957. Most unfortunately, all were scrapped.

Source: Wiki (FR)