Product Features and Details
Locomotive Model: Just like all Arnold steam locomotives, the 141R is meticulously crafted with an array of striking cosmetic details. These include a flawless, high-quality paint finish, crisply applied lettering, windows that are seamlessly inset, brake shoes artfully positioned between the wheels, and intricate interior features within the driver's cab. When it comes to N Gauge locomotives, Arnold consistently stands out as a top-tier choice in the market.
This particular model boasts a fully functional and finely detailed Heusinger valve gear, as well as a prototypical "daylight" gap between the boiler and chassis. The locomotives are equipped with robust motors featuring a flywheel and high-quality gears, ensuring the model's operation is both smooth and performance excellence is maintained.
Notably, this model is also outfitted with a Next18 DCC sound decoder and authentic headlights on both the locomotive and tender, with lights that synchronize seamlessly with the direction of travel.
Here are some of the standout features that make this locomotive a true gem:
- Powerful Motor with Flywheel: The locomotive is driven by a potent motor complemented by a flywheel, guaranteeing reliable and consistent performance.
- Maintenance-Free LEDs: Illumination is provided by maintenance-free LEDs, ensuring enduring and efficient lighting.
- Next18 DCC Sound Decoder: The incorporation of a Next18 DCC sound decoder enriches the model's auditory experience, bringing the locomotive to life with realistic sound effects.
- Directional Lighting: The locomotive is equipped with directional lighting, providing not only a functional purpose but also enhancing the model's realism and visual appeal.
Passenger Cars:
Elevate your senses to the zenith of opulence as you embrace the lavish 6-piece Arnold "Le Train Bleu Orient Express" set. This extraordinary collection is a symphony of luxury, featuring not one but two opulent dining cars, each meticulously equipped with a fully realized kitchen, alongside a refined service car, baggage car, and two regal sleeping cars. Every element in this ensemble pays homage to the revered VSOE during the illustrious Epoch III era.
As you step on board, you'll embark on a journey through time, back to an age when opulence knew no limits. Surrender to the allure of a bygone era and immerse yourself in the resplendent grandeur that this train evokes.
Orient Express Le Train Bleu History;
"Le Train Bleu," also known as the "Blue Train," is a legendary luxury train service that operated between Calais and the French Riviera during the early 20th century. Here's a brief history of this iconic train:
- Inception: The "Le Train Bleu" made its debut in 1886, running its initial route from Calais to the French Riviera, particularly the French Mediterranean coast. The train was operated by the French railway company, Chemins de fer de Paris à Lyon et à la Méditerranée (PLM), which was known for its opulent and stylish trains.
- Luxury and Elegance: "Le Train Bleu" was renowned for its exceptional luxury and elegance. It was the preferred mode of travel for the European elite, including royalty, celebrities, and wealthy tourists. The train was designed to provide the utmost comfort and refinement, with lavish furnishings, fine dining, and impeccable service.
- Route and Destinations: The train's primary route took passengers from Calais, a major channel port in northern France, to the glamorous destinations of the French Riviera, such as Nice, Cannes, and Monte Carlo. The train made stops at various iconic cities and resorts along the way.
- Art Deco Influence: "Le Train Bleu" was celebrated not only for its service but also for its Art Deco-inspired interior design. The carriages were adorned with intricate woodwork, elegant upholstery, and decorative details that exuded the spirit of the 1920s and 1930s.
- Famous Passengers: Over the years, "Le Train Bleu" hosted numerous notable passengers, including the likes of Coco Chanel, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Winston Churchill, who appreciated the train's luxury and style.
- Decline and End: The train's glamour began to wane as air travel became more popular and accessible. It gradually ceased to be the prominent mode of transportation to the French Riviera. The service eventually ended in the 1960s.
While "Le Train Bleu" itself no longer operates, the name and legacy live on as a symbol of the golden age of rail travel and the enduring appeal of luxury train experiences. Some modern luxury trains, inspired by the past, carry on the tradition of opulence and elegance reminiscent of "Le Train Bleu."
