The Renault TN is a range of buses produced from 1931 until 1971 for the Paris service, described by Le Monde as a symbol of a Paris era. They were built for the STCRP, the predecessor of the RATP.
Renault TN at a glance
| Maker | Renault, France |
|---|---|
| Production | 1931–1971 |
| Operator | STCRP, predecessor of the RATP |
| First model | TN4, 9.5 m long |
| Capacity | up to 50 passengers |
| Engines | four-cylinder of 58 hp, six-cylinder of 68 hp |
| Models | TN4A, TN4B, TN4C, TN4F, TN6A, TN6C, TN4H |
| Notable change | radiator moved in front of the engine |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Renault TN.
History of the Renault TN
The TN4
In 1931 the first TN model, the TN4, a bus 9.5 metres long, was introduced at the request of the Société des transports en commun de la région parisienne, the predecessor of the RATP. The TN4 introduced the radiator in front of the engine instead of behind it as on previous Renault buses. It was more powerful and carried more people than earlier Parisian transport, up to 50 passengers, and it led to the final decline of the Paris tramway, which disappeared in 1937.
Versions
The first TNs had an open platform. The TN4 came in versions with inline-four engines of 58 metric horsepower (TN4A, TN4B, TN4C and TN4F) and received some front-end restyling. In 1932 Renault added a TN with an inline-six of 68 metric horsepower, the TN6, also with an open platform; its versions, TN6A and TN6C 1 and 2, were used for suburban transport, and the TN6C 1 and 2 had a closed platform from 1936 onwards.
The TN4H
In 1935 Renault unveiled a new TN4, the TN4H, a 50-passenger bus that became the best-known member of the range and stayed in Paris service for decades.
Design and features
- Front radiator: the TN4 moved the radiator ahead of the engine, unlike earlier Renault buses.
- 50 passengers: a big increase in capacity over earlier Paris transport.
- Open then closed platforms: suburban TN6s gained closed platforms from 1936.
- Long service: the range remained in Paris use until 1971.
Renault TN versions
- TN4A, TN4B, TN4C, TN4F: four-cylinder 58 hp versions.
- TN6A, TN6C 1 and 2: six-cylinder 68 hp suburban buses.
- TN4H (1935): the 50-passenger bus of the later years.
The TN’s front-radiator design was shared with cars of the period such as the Renault Monastella, and Renault’s later Paris buses are on the Renault R312 page. More Renaults are in the Renault collection.
Video: TN4H Paris bus
Video by retardedanteater on YouTube.
Sources
- Renault TN, English Wikipedia: models, engines, capacity, service life
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