1st/2nd-class Couchettes Corail car (AcBcux) of SNCF-GL, seen idle in Metz.

This car belongs to the very last order for Corail cars (VU-84).

Rather than offer some compartments in 1st-class on the one hand and some in 2nd-class on the other hand (as in UIC-Y Ac4Bc5x cars), this car actually has a unified layout of 10 compartments, as 2nd-class couchettes Bc10ux cars.

All compartments can be arranged with 6 or 4 couchettes (viz. in 2nd- or 1st-class accommodation), depending on demand, which ensures an appreciable operational flexibility.

Yet, following repeated complaints from 1st-class custom against the lower quality offered than on Ac9ux cars, these AcBcux are mostly marketed as 2nd-class only accommodation.

Metz-ville. 16th June 2004. P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr)