the SNCF 'pregnant woman'

This 2D2 type 5500 class of the SNCF (originally a Paris-Orléans locomotive) from 1937, 1.5 kV DC, 2,888 kW continuous output, used to 1978, was known as the femme enceinte or pregnant woman for obvious reasons.  It is available as an HO scale model from Jouef.

This was one of a number of nicknames that were given by French railwaymen to different locomotives and rolling stock: other examples:

* Biquette (nanny goat) - BB 1- 80, they had the reputation of dancing like mountain goats.
* Coucou (cuckoo) - Tank locomotive assigned to manoeuvre in stations and yards.
* Dakota - Diesel locomotive (CC65500) which spent its career pulling trains on the Paris big belt (ring) had the characteristic engine sound of an aircraft of the 1940-50s. It ended its career on the LGV sites.
* Fer à repasser (clothes iron) - the single-phase AC locomotives that appeared in the 1950s on the North-East, a central cab type. Also nicknamed Crocodile.
* Lézard vert (green  lizard) - RGP (Rames à Grand Parcours) sets were put into service with a green and cream livery.

A full list with photos is on this webpage