A massive Nazi steam locomotive, weighing 76 metric tons and measuring 22 meters in length, lies hidden in the heart of Paris. This engine, of the same model used to pull trains carrying deportees to death camps, has been locked away behind a small door since 1994. Its location is within Les Frigos, a complex of artists’ studios in the 13th arrondissement, just a few hundred meters from the François-Mitterrand Library.
More than just a railway engine, it represents both a piece of history and a work of art. It stands as a testament to the industrialization of death by the Third Reich and the vision of painter Jean-Michel Frouin, whose story was uncovered with the help of a dedicated train enthusiast.
Wilfried Demaret, known as BB27000 on social network X, is a highly influential railway worker in France. With around 100,000 followers, he is a go-to source for information on trains and France’s national railway company, SNCF. He has even published a book, “Plus belle la ligne!” (“Line’s Looking Good!”), drawing from his vast knowledge and experiences. As an SNCF train driver, he handles trains that are broken down, in need of repair, or require unusual transfers across France. He possesses encyclopedic knowledge of the railways and can instantly identify locomotives and their origins. However, the Ty2 locomotive took him a long time to track down.
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