DSG WLBs4üe, Werkfoto Uerdingen 1950
West German "Zig Zag" type sleeping coach with single bed compartments (business class only).
Twenty of these coaches were allocated to the USATC / Frankfurt Ostbahnhof (Nrs. 20 321 to 20 340). Another twenty (Nrs. 20 301 to 20320) went to DSG (Deutsche Schlaf- und Speisewagen Gesellschaft - "German Sleeping and Dining Cars Company"). All forty coaches were built in 1949/1950, using an American concept.
Each coach consisted of twenty space-saving compartments, with the beds arranged in two levels.
Until 1956, the European coach class system was designated as follows:
1st - Luxury Class (international trains only)
2nd - Business Class
3rd - Economy Class
This arrangement was reformed with the 1956 summer timetable. The first class service was cancelled, the second class was reintroduced as first class, and similarly, the third class was rebranded as second class.
The start of the Trans Europe Express service saw the Luxury Class reintroduced, though with an extra charge on top of the first (or business) class fare.
It is also worth mentioning that the next generation of sleeping coaches was universal, with flexible compartments that could be conveniently set up with one (Single), two (Double) or three (Tourist) beds.
DSG WLBs4üe, Werkfoto Uerdingen 1950
West German "Zig Zag" type sleeping coach with single bed compartments (business class only).
Twenty of these coaches were allocated to the USATC / Frankfurt Ostbahnhof (Nrs. 20 321 to 20 340). Another twenty (Nrs. 20 301 to 20320) went to DSG (Deutsche Schlaf- und Speisewagen Gesellschaft - "German Sleeping and Dining Cars Company"). All forty coaches were built in 1949/1950, using an American concept.
Each coach consisted of twenty space-saving compartments, with the beds arranged in two levels.
Until 1956, the European coach class system was designated as follows:
1st - Luxury Class (international trains only)
2nd - Business Class
3rd - Economy Class
This arrangement was reformed with the 1956 summer timetable. The first class service was cancelled, the second class was reintroduced as first class, and similarly, the third class was rebranded as second class.
The start of the Trans Europe Express service saw the Luxury Class reintroduced, though with an extra charge on top of the first (or business) class fare.
It is also worth mentioning that the next generation of sleeping coaches was universal, with flexible compartments that could be conveniently set up with one (Single), two (Double) or three (Tourist) beds.