Blue Train" and LX10 Sleeping Cars

The Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-lits launched in December 1883 a luxury train linking Calais to the Mediterranean Sea under the name "Calais-Nice-Rome Express", a train which was split in 1887 on the one hand into "Rome-Express" via Modane, and on the other hand in "Calais-Méditerranée Express" whose name was kept until 1949. The use of the first blue metal sleeping cars from 1922, then that of the dining car and the van in 1926 on the “Calais-Méditerranée Express” train is nicknamed the “Blue Train” by travelers.

From 1929, new luxury 1st class sleeping cars with one bed per compartment, 90 of which were built (type LX sleeping cars no. 3466 to no. 3555) were used on the "Calais-Méditerranée Express" and confirmed the exceptional character of this luxury night train from the interwar period. The service resumed gradually after the Second World War. In June 1949, the section of the “Calais-Méditerranée Express” train originating in Paris was officially designated the “Train Bleu”.

To meet post-war traffic growth, the capacity of the LX sleeping cars was increased (from 1 bed to 2 beds per compartment). At the same time, to increase catering capacity, an additional bar-lounge car resulting from the transformation of a Pullman type "Côte d'Azur" car without kitchen, was added to the restaurant car in 1951 on the "Train Bleu" .

In the 1960s, sleeping cars of a more modern design (type P, U, MU and T2 sleeping cars) were gradually introduced into the composition of the "Train Bleu" and definitively replaced the type LX sleeping cars in winter. 1969. The dining car and the lounge bar disappeared in 1976. For the 1980/1981 winter service, couchette cars were added to the "Blue Train" along the entire route.

The "Blue Train" then becomes a night train among the others.

Blue Train" and LX10 Sleeping Cars

The Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-lits launched in December 1883 a luxury train linking Calais to the Mediterranean Sea under the name "Calais-Nice-Rome Express", a train which was split in 1887 on the one hand into "Rome-Express" via Modane, and on the other hand in "Calais-Méditerranée Express" whose name was kept until 1949. The use of the first blue metal sleeping cars from 1922, then that of the dining car and the van in 1926 on the “Calais-Méditerranée Express” train is nicknamed the “Blue Train” by travelers.

From 1929, new luxury 1st class sleeping cars with one bed per compartment, 90 of which were built (type LX sleeping cars no. 3466 to no. 3555) were used on the "Calais-Méditerranée Express" and confirmed the exceptional character of this luxury night train from the interwar period. The service resumed gradually after the Second World War. In June 1949, the section of the “Calais-Méditerranée Express” train originating in Paris was officially designated the “Train Bleu”.

To meet post-war traffic growth, the capacity of the LX sleeping cars was increased (from 1 bed to 2 beds per compartment). At the same time, to increase catering capacity, an additional bar-lounge car resulting from the transformation of a Pullman type "Côte d'Azur" car without kitchen, was added to the restaurant car in 1951 on the "Train Bleu" .

In the 1960s, sleeping cars of a more modern design (type P, U, MU and T2 sleeping cars) were gradually introduced into the composition of the "Train Bleu" and definitively replaced the type LX sleeping cars in winter. 1969. The dining car and the lounge bar disappeared in 1976. For the 1980/1981 winter service, couchette cars were added to the "Blue Train" along the entire route.

The "Blue Train" then becomes a night train among the others.