Product Features and Details
Prototype: INOX cars (constructed of stainless steel) for the Trans Europe Express between Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam (TEE PBA). 2 type A8tu 41 and A8tu 42 open seating cars, painted and lettered for the Belgian State Railways (SNCB/NMBS). Type A5rtu 21 dining car with galley and type A2Dx 4 generator car with a service compartment, painted and lettered for the French State Railways (SNCF). All of the cars are 1st class. Built starting in 1964. Used for the "L'Oiseau Bleu" TEE train.
Model: The cars are reproduced to scale without compromise in all of the dimensions. Minimum radius for operation is 360 mm / 14-3/16" (with sufficient clearance). The cars have underbodies specific to the various types of cars. The cars have type Y24 trucks. The cars have a special paint finish to represent the INOX surface. The 7319 current-conducting coupling or the 72020/72021 current-conducting coupler, the 73405 pickup shoe and the 73400/73401 (2 per car) lighting kit can be installed in the cars. Total length over the buffers 113 cm / 44-1/2".
Highlights:
- Full scale length.
- Precise detailing.
- Perfect INOX finish.
- Multiple color interior details.
- Complete series of cars available.
One-time series.
The L'Oiseau Bleu TEE - The Blue Bird. The name of one of the most famous TEE trains goes back to the year 1929, when the "Compagnie International des Waggons Lits" (CIWL) christened its new deluxe train from Paris via Brussels to Antwerp with the name "The Blue Bird", in the original "L'Oiseau Bleu". With a short interruption during World War II, the train took up its original route again in 1947, but this time only between Paris and Brussels. In 1957, the age of the TEE was ushered in and the famous "L'Oiseau Bleu" train connection was a core TEE route right from the beginning. Like all TEE locomotives and cars, the newest motive power and rolling stock was used here to offer passengers a swift, comfortable trip in 1st class only. For a long time the characteristic PBA design INOX cars were typical for the "L'Oiseau Bleu" and the motive power was usually either the French class CC 40100 or the Belgian class 18, which were essentially the same locomotives. With reorganization of the connection between Paris and Brussels TEE service was stopped between these two metropolitan areas and with it the prestigious name "L'Oiseau Bleu" disappeared on June 3, 1984 after 55 years.
DC wheel set per car 4 x 700580. These TEE cars have been designed to scale without compromises for clearance. These models will run on curves with a minimum radius of 360 mm / 14-3/16" or more, but a suitable spacing must be maintained between the track and catenary masts, bridge railings, or signals. The addition of the bar car and the compartment car in the 41875 set to the 41874 set brings the latter up to a prototypical train composition for the "L'Oiseau Bleu" TEE. The locomotives to go with this train are the 39401 (France) and 39402 and 39403 (Belgium) models. A similar TEE with PBA cars is offered by Trix for the DC system.
