InterieurVU2nde_26mai2012.jpg (126134 bytes)

Intérieur d'un compartiment de voiture corail type VU de 2nde classe SNCF. 26/05/2012. Photo Christian Fincato Email : christian.fincato@sfr.fr Site Internet : http://transversaletoulousebayonne.jimdo.com/

SNCF_Corail_Nouvelle-Decoration_B11u-66seats_2.jpg (23043 bytes)

Interiors of a Refurbished 2nd-class Corail compartment-car (B11u) of SNCF-GL ("Nouvelle Décoration"), seen in Strasburg. This car belongs to very first order for Corail compartment-cars (VU-75), and features 6 seats per compartment. It originally ran as a 1st-class car (A11u). Following repeated complaints against their cramped layout, A11u cars were eventually declassified into B11u in 1983/1984. They have retained their original seats, which got 2nd-class covers, though. Upon declassification, these cars also swapped their dual-voltage inverters with those of some B10tu cars (4-voltage), so as to get clearance for international traffic. Refurbishment took place in the late-90s, under the "Nouvelle Décoration" program. Original seats have remained, but ambiance is very similar to that of Refurbished TGV PSE sets. Sadly, seat covers turn out to be very vulnerable... VU-75 B11u cars remain one of the most comfortable conventional 2nd-class accommodation offered on French Mainline services. Strasbourg-ville. 23rd December 2003. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

SNCF_Corail_Nouvelle-Decoration_B11u-66seats_3.jpg (30345 bytes)

Interiors of a Refurbished 2nd-class Corail compartment-car (B11u) of SNCF-GL ("Nouvelle Décoration"), seen in Strasburg. This car belongs to very first order for Corail compartment-cars (VU-75), and features 6 seats per compartment. It originally ran as a 1st-class car (A11u). Following repeated complaints against their cramped layout, A11u cars were eventually declassified into B11u in 1983/1984. They have retained their original seats, which got 2nd-class covers, though. Upon declassification, these cars also swapped their dual-voltage inverters with those of some B10tu cars (4-voltage), so as to get clearance for international traffic. Refurbishment took place in the late-90s, under the "Nouvelle Décoration" program. Original seats have remained, but ambiance is very similar to that of Refurbished TGV PSE sets. Sadly, seat covers turn out to be very vulnerable... VU-75 B11u cars remain one of the most comfortable conventional 2nd-class accommodation offered on French Mainline services. Strasbourg-ville. 23rd December 2003. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

SNCF_Corail_Nouvelle-Decoration_B11u_1.jpg (51022 bytes)

Refurbished 2nd-class Corail compartment-car (B11u) of SNCF-GL ("Nouvelle Décoration"), seen in Strasburg. This car belongs to the second order for Corail compartment-cars (VU-78), which was the first order for 8-seat, 2nd-class compartment-cars... Refurbishment took place in the late-90s under the "Nouvelle Décoration" program. While original seats have remained, ambiance is very close to that of TGV PSE in 2nd-class. Unfortunately, seat covers turn out to be particularly vulnerable. Strasbourg-ville. 23rd December 2003. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)

SNCF_Corail_Nouvelle-Decoration_B11u_2.jpg (45575 bytes)

Refurbished 2nd-class Corail compartment-car (B11u) of SNCF-GL ("Nouvelle Décoration"), seen in Strasburg. This car belongs to the second order for Corail compartment-cars (VU-78), which was the first order for 8-seat, 2nd-class compartment-cars... Refurbishment took place in the late-90s under the "Nouvelle Décoration" program. While original seats have remained, ambiance is very close to that of TGV PSE in 2nd-class. Unfortunately, seat covers turn out to be particularly vulnerable. Strasbourg-ville. 23rd December 2003. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)