The first electric locomotive for trial operation on the Maurienne was the 242 BE 1, which was delivered in April 1925 before the electrification of this route was completed. It was therefore initially operated on the Paris-Orléans network until it was transferred to the correct route in July. The locomotive had two two-axle powered bogies that were closely coupled to each other to transmit the tractive forces. Each axle was driven by a double motor and an Oerlikon quill drive. To improve the running characteristics and to absorb the mass, a bogie with two carrying axles was added at each end. The locomotive body was in one piece, but at each end of the locomotive, like the crocodile locomotives, there was a small front hood that was mounted on the bogies. 

After testing, it was used on passenger trains until 1934 and then on freight trains. In the meantime, the larger 262 AE had emerged as a direct derivative, since the 242 BE had proven itself in service. The latter was given the number 2BB2 3301 when it was taken over by the SNCF. It was damaged by a voltage flashover in 1961 and was initially parked. Since no repairs were made, it was scrapped some time later.