WAGON - LITS COACHES
Wagon - Lits Restaurant Car No. 2975
Country of Origin ; Italy
Builder ; Offirine Meccaniche Italiane at Reggio-Emilia, Year ; 1927
Seats ; 56 Second Class
Length ;
Dimensions ;
Bogie centres ;
Weight ; 55.2 tonnes
Train Brakes ; Air
Heating ; UIC Electric, Steam
Original Owner ; Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits et due Tourisme
Current Owner ; NVR
'Voiture Restaurant' No. 2975 was built by Offirine Meccaniche Italiane at Reggio-Emilia, Italy, in 1927 one of a class of 75 vehicles which were the standard dining cars for use in ordinary express trains.
After initial service in Italy No. 2975 was allocated to Paris Nord and in 1931 to Vienna where if s regular job was on the day trains to Basle. On the outbreak of war the vehicle was in Switzerland, where it remained in use on internal services until international running was resumed in 1949. It was then used on Basle to Milan services and during the 1950s it was regularly seen on the Scandinavia-Swiss-Italy Express between Frankfurt and Milan.
In 1963-4 No. 2975 was in Italy, working on trains between Milan and Domodossola. During this period the vehicle was fitted with a forced air extraction system with electric fans concealed behind a new ceiling. In 1965 No. 2975 was transferred to Amsterdam where it remained in use on holiday trains to Italy, the Cote D' Azure and the Spanish Border, until withdrawn from service on 31st December 1977.
In 1978 the coach was purchased, in full working order, by Peterborough-based International travel specialists, Thomas Cook, who presented it on long-term loan to the Nene Valley Railway to mark the 50th Anniversary of Thomas Cook's association with Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits et due Tourisme.
No. 2975 weighs 55.2 tonnes and seats 56 people. The fully equipped kitchen has an oil fired range and there is a coal fired heating and hot water boiler, which will heat the car if no steam is available from the locomotive.
No. 2975 is in regular use on NVR trains and is available for charter by private parties. It is believed to be the heaviest passenger vehicle in regular use anywhere in Britain.
Country of Origin ; Italy
Builder ; Offirine Meccaniche Italiane at Reggio-Emilia, Year ; 1927
Seats ; 56 Second Class
Length ;
Dimensions ;
Bogie centres ;
Weight ; 55.2 tonnes
Train Brakes ; Air
Heating ; UIC Electric, Steam
Original Owner ; Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits et due Tourisme
Current Owner ; NVR
'Voiture Restaurant' No. 2975 was built by Offirine Meccaniche Italiane at Reggio-Emilia, Italy, in 1927 one of a class of 75 vehicles which were the standard dining cars for use in ordinary express trains.
After initial service in Italy No. 2975 was allocated to Paris Nord and in 1931 to Vienna where if s regular job was on the day trains to Basle. On the outbreak of war the vehicle was in Switzerland, where it remained in use on internal services until international running was resumed in 1949. It was then used on Basle to Milan services and during the 1950s it was regularly seen on the Scandinavia-Swiss-Italy Express between Frankfurt and Milan.
In 1963-4 No. 2975 was in Italy, working on trains between Milan and Domodossola. During this period the vehicle was fitted with a forced air extraction system with electric fans concealed behind a new ceiling. In 1965 No. 2975 was transferred to Amsterdam where it remained in use on holiday trains to Italy, the Cote D' Azure and the Spanish Border, until withdrawn from service on 31st December 1977.
In 1978 the coach was purchased, in full working order, by Peterborough-based International travel specialists, Thomas Cook, who presented it on long-term loan to the Nene Valley Railway to mark the 50th Anniversary of Thomas Cook's association with Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits et due Tourisme.
No. 2975 weighs 55.2 tonnes and seats 56 people. The fully equipped kitchen has an oil fired range and there is a coal fired heating and hot water boiler, which will heat the car if no steam is available from the locomotive.
No. 2975 is in regular use on NVR trains and is available for charter by private parties. It is believed to be the heaviest passenger vehicle in regular use anywhere in Britain.
Wagon-Lits Sleeping Car No. 3916
Country of Origin ; , Belgium
Builder ; Les Ateliers Metallurgiques de Nivelles Year ; 1949
Seats ; 2x3 berths & 7x2 berths
Length ; 23.45m
Dimensions ;
Bogie centres ;
Weight ; 52 tons
Train Brakes ; Air
Heating ; UIC Electric, Steam
Original Owner ; Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits et due Tourisme
Current Owner ; NVR
Country of Origin ; , Belgium
Builder ; Les Ateliers Metallurgiques de Nivelles Year ; 1949
Seats ; 2x3 berths & 7x2 berths
Length ; 23.45m
Dimensions ;
Bogie centres ;
Weight ; 52 tons
Train Brakes ; Air
Heating ; UIC Electric, Steam
Original Owner ; Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits et due Tourisme
Current Owner ; NVR
Background History
Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL) was founded by Georges Nagelmackers during 1872 after his trip to the USA in 1867–1868 the 23 year-old Belgian was impressed by the Pullman-night trains. Upon his return home, he decided to establish a network of such trains thoughout Europe which should be luxurious and travel across borders. Based in Belgium the CIWL quickly established itself as the premier provider and operator of European railway sleepers and dining cars during the late 19th and the 20th century.
Vehicle History
Because No. 3916 was to work the 'Nord Express', which ran from Paris and Ostend to Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo, it was built with two 3-berth compartments at each end and seven 2-berth compartments in the centre. The vehicle is multi-class: one berth First Class, two berths Second Class and three berths Third Class. After 1957, No. 3916 worked from Ostend to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In 1960 it was transferred to Austria and added Italy to it's itenary. In 1964 it was moved to the Balkans and had regular turns from Munich to Athens and Ljubljana and particularly on the Brussels to Ljubljana car sleeper train. In 1975 No. 3916 joined the reserve fleet and was withdrawn on 31st December 1976.
Preservation History
No. 3916 was purchased in 1979 for use in a BBC television film which was made on the Nene Valley Railway and has since featured in several films. It is fully equipped and weighs 52 tons. In recent years it has been undergoing restoration at Wansford in the Exhibition siding by the IRPS.
Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL) was founded by Georges Nagelmackers during 1872 after his trip to the USA in 1867–1868 the 23 year-old Belgian was impressed by the Pullman-night trains. Upon his return home, he decided to establish a network of such trains thoughout Europe which should be luxurious and travel across borders. Based in Belgium the CIWL quickly established itself as the premier provider and operator of European railway sleepers and dining cars during the late 19th and the 20th century.
Vehicle History
Because No. 3916 was to work the 'Nord Express', which ran from Paris and Ostend to Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo, it was built with two 3-berth compartments at each end and seven 2-berth compartments in the centre. The vehicle is multi-class: one berth First Class, two berths Second Class and three berths Third Class. After 1957, No. 3916 worked from Ostend to Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In 1960 it was transferred to Austria and added Italy to it's itenary. In 1964 it was moved to the Balkans and had regular turns from Munich to Athens and Ljubljana and particularly on the Brussels to Ljubljana car sleeper train. In 1975 No. 3916 joined the reserve fleet and was withdrawn on 31st December 1976.
Preservation History
No. 3916 was purchased in 1979 for use in a BBC television film which was made on the Nene Valley Railway and has since featured in several films. It is fully equipped and weighs 52 tons. In recent years it has been undergoing restoration at Wansford in the Exhibition siding by the IRPS.