This is the front carriage of a three-car diesel-electric train set type 654.02 from 1936, built by Baume et Marpent. The 365 hp diesel engine could propel the train to a maximum speed of 120 km/h. The Belgian National Railway Company originally used these diesel multiple units primarily for fast intercity connections. This train was decommissioned on November 8, 1966. The carriage in question is a first-class carriage. Of the three-car set, only the carriage with the engine room and driver's cab has been preserved. The other two carriages were scrapped.
Behind the 654.02 carriage was a so-called "blokwagen" (block carriage). It was built in 1907 by the Atelier de la Dyle et Bacalan. After the vehicle was taken out of service in 1954, the SNCB converted it into a sleeper car for a work train. The block carriage thus led a second life until it was finally withdrawn from service on February 18, 1981.
A third and final vehicle is a wooden freight wagon built in 1911. This wagon, with a payload of 10 tons, was decommissioned on August 31, 1983. There are no photos of this last wagon in this series.
Obviously none of these train carriages have anything to do with the original Orient Express. The luxurious velvet finish of the front car inspired the discoverers to name it "Orient Express." At the time of my visit in 2016, these three trains were already in an advanced state of decay. Shortly after my visit they were removed.
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