Wagons Lits/Mitropa& Tee trains

[STEVIEBOY1]

Good morning,

I was just wondering if anything still exists of the Wagons Lits train company, I know they did have some travel agencies in the UK part of the Carlson group. I think they may have done some catering in Europe too? Like wise does Mitropa which was a German on train catering firm also still exist.

I did go on the Sud express about five years ago from southern France through to Portugal and was in a sleeper coach which I think may have been an old wagon lit as outside it was blue and gold, but all the CIWL writing had been removed. The rest oi the five coach train was a buffeT and some couchettes. Do Wagon Lits or tee coaches go anywhere else still in Europe, other than on Deluxe special charter services? Tks.

 

[317666]

There are some Wagons Lits coaches preserved at the Nene Valley Railway in Peterborough. Also, there are a few DB InterCity services which are run with a BR103 electric loco and old TEE coaches, IC2416 and IC2417 off the top of my head. I hope someone can confirm/correct that for me!

 

[maxiboy]

Also, there are a few DB InterCity services which are run with a BR103 electric loco and old TEE coaches, IC2416 and IC2417 off the top of my head. I hope someone can confirm/correct that for me!

Unfortunately, since December 2012 these services are no longer operated with the historical train set consisting of Avmz, ARmh and Bm235. It was intended to hand over the coaches to the DB museum, however the fate of the rolling stock is unknown. Really liked the train, having travelled on it on the last day of service (2 December 2012) to take some photos. Although many didn't as it was not clearly communicated that this train was intentionally formed of vintage rolling stock.

Class 103 locos can still be seen working some MUC-NUE (that's Munich<->Nuremberg in Avantix Traveller speak) Intercity services in Germany.

Mitropa as a company was absorbed into DB Fernverkehr AG about ten years ago and does not exist anymore.

 

[30907]

Wikipedia is quite informative on both companies or rather their successors. The gist seems to be - Mitropa doesn't do on-train catering any more but Newrest Wagonlit does some in Austria, France and Portugal. The surviving WL vehicles themselves are leased to sundry rail operators.

There was a (German?) forum on the net not so long back but I can't locate it.

Sadly the DB coaches mentioned are no longer in regular use (Maxiboy has beaten me to it!)

 

[maxiboy]

There was a (German?) forum on the net not so long back but I can't locate it.

Try http://www.ice-treff.de (ICE-Treff, many frequent travellers and some rail staff), or http://www.drehscheibe-foren.de/foren/index.php (Drehscheibe Foren, more of an enthusiast and train spotters place).

These services on the Munich-Nuremburg line may be hauled by a 103 loco: Mon-Fri IC 2201, IC 2206, Sat IC 2301, Sun IC 2206.

 

[30907]

Try http://www.ice-treff.de (ICE-Treff, many frequent travellers and some rail staff), or http://www.drehscheibe-foren.de/foren/index.php (Drehscheibe Foren, more of an enthusiast and train spotters place).

Sorry, my unclear posting. I was meaning a specific sleeping car forum, which I am sure I have seen but can't locate.

Failing that, Drehscheibe's Historisches Forum or Allgemeines (General/Miscellaneous) Forum might be worth a try. Once you register (Anmelden) you can post in English - several people do - and will get a reply in English, at least understandable and usually good!

 

[317666]

Unfortunately, since December 2012 these services are no longer operated with the historical train set consisting of Avmz, ARmh and Bm235. It was intended to hand over the coaches to the DB museum, however the fate of the rolling stock is unknown. Really liked the train, having travelled on it on the last day of service (2 December 2012) to take some photos. Although many didn't as it was not clearly communicated that this train was intentionally formed of vintage rolling stock.

Ah that's a shame, was hoping to go on it in a few years!

 

[SephenWorceste]

I believe Carlson sold Wagon Lits to a company called Newrest. The resulting Newrest Wagon Lits provides onboard services (mainly catering) on many European trains. The TGV and Train Hotel in particular. Not quite the same as their old trains but a modern outsourcing equivalent. The rest of Newrest is boring airline and business catering.

Best wishes, Stephen.