FROM March 1 German Railway put into service the first of a small fleet of Talgo couchette cars on its InterCityNight services. Some of the initial vehicles were tested in the formation of the Berlin - Bonn service during February.

The cars are laid out with a series of alcoves with pairs of seats staggered on each side of a central gangway (PP6 2.96 p6). At night the seats in each alcove convert to form a single berth, and a second berth folds down from the wall above them. Open storage lockers are provided for each passenger, and the berths are screened off by curtains.

The design concept is similar to that of traditional Pullman sleeping cars, and will be a welcome alternative for budget-conscious passengers who wish to lie down to sleep rather than use reclining seats. o

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