SNCF_B12u_1.jpg (52532 bytes)

"Cabine 8" Corail car (B12u) (VU-84), seen in the consist of Express 307/4319 (Paris Austerlitz-Bordeaux St Jean, via La Rochelle). It was part of a limited fleet (20 cars) introduced in 1985, offering enhanced yet budget "seating" on overnighters, with no surcharge on the 2nd-class normal fare. It would feature 12 compartments with 8 fixed sleeperettes. Such high capacity (96) arose out a cramped layout, which attracted strong criticism from grown-ups :-) In view of that, SNCF opted in 1989/1991 for open-room, sleeperettes cars (B9½tu)(ex-A10(r)tu), with only 76 seats per car. This had eventually led to the withdrawal of "Cabine 8" cars in the late-90s, and their remodelling (1999/2003) into B3t7u or A5B5tu for fast services of TER Septimanie, Lorraine and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. Bordeaux-St Jean. 1993 or 1994. Photo by Arnaud Grandclaude (Acknowledgements). Posting and comment by P.L.Guillemin (plguillemin@yahoo.fr).