History of the Compagnie des Wagons-Lits
1872
During a visit to the United States, Georges Nagelmackers discovered the night trains created by George Mortimer Pullman.
On his return to Belgium, Georges Nagelmackers started designing and manufacturing his own cars, adapted to European customs. Thus he created the first sleeping car and the first dining car in Europe. And so the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits was born.
The company will always retain its founder's daring innovation and wish to serve.
1883
The first of a legendary line, the Grand Express d'Orient or Orient Express, performed its maiden voyage. It was the first train to cross borders.
1918
The Armistice was signed in the Compagnie's car 2419. A large part of its fleet was destroyed, so the Compagnie had to rebuild its stock and restart its activity.
The new conditions in Europe no longer allowed access to Germany and Russia so new routes had to be implemented.
The Orient Express now served Milan, Venice, Trieste and passes through Yugoslavia.
1922
The teak wood cars were replaced by metal cars.
They are first decorated with the famous blue and gold livery.
The cars designed in the twenties are among the most luxurious every built; Art Deco will find here one of its richest expressions.
1931
The Compagnie fleet reaches 2268 cars traveling around Europe and the East.
That year the Compagnie's number of cars peaks; the blue trains are seen everywhere.
At the time, regular lines made it possible to travel from Paris to Cairo, Beirut, Teheran, Al Basra, Aleppo…
1945
From the end of the forties, the Compagnie envisioned access to the trains for a wider audience.
New cars started to be built, a new era commenced…
1956
The Compagnie was the first to design and roll out couchette cars on the European continent.
Trans Europ Express (TEE) trains link up the European capitals.
1967
The Compagnie became the "Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits et du Tourisme" (CIWLT).
It diversified into the tourism and hotel business sectors.
1971
The Compagnie refocused its activities on the provision of services and sold some of its cars to various railways.
In partnership with them, it developed day and night time on-board train services.
From this point, the railways took on the manufacture of the cars.
1981
The first high-speed train (TGV) was commissioned in France.
Keeping pace with the SNCF, the Compagnie innovated by offering a catering service suited to this new form of transport.
On-board service required adapting the organization to the shorter travel times and the restrictions due to the very high speeds: a new challenge for the Compagnie !
1991
The Compagnie des Wagons-Lits became a subsidiary of the Accor group.
1994
CCCC (Cross Channel Catering Company), majority subsidiary of the Compagnie des Wagons-Lits, implemented and provided a new type of services on board the Eurostar high-speed train. Since 2000, the on-board services have been provided by Momentum company.
2001
In 2001, the Compagnie des Wagons-Lits celebrated its 125th birthday and strengthened its position as a major player in train on-board services.
In January 2001, the Compagnie des Wagons-Lits gave up its railway maintenance activity refocusing on its core activity of train on-board services.
2003
The Pullman Orient Express listed "Historical Monument" was set back on the rails after considerable work to bring it up to European comfort and safety standards.