Product Features and Details
The high-speed train, known as "Le Mistral" and named after the cold north-western wind that sweeps through the Rhone Valley to the Mediterranean Sea, held a significant role in connecting Paris and Marseille since its inception in 1950. In 1952, its service expanded to include Nice. Throughout its operation, "Le Mistral" consistently boasted the finest rolling stock available from the French Railways during that era.
In 1965, it was elevated to the prestigious status of a Trans Europ Express (TEE), signifying its importance in the European rail network. Four years later, the "new Mistral" was introduced, featuring the latest evolution of long-distance Inox steel coaches. These coaches were famously referred to as "Mistral 69" and came in various configurations, including compartments (A8u), open spaces (A8tu), restaurants (Vru), bars (Arux), and luggage vans/generators (A4Dtux).
The train departing from Paris was divided into two sections: one destined for Marseille and the other for Nice, totaling 14 coaches. Additional coaches were added as needed to accommodate the demand. The locomotive typically chosen for traction was the CC6500, often adorned with the prominent "MISTRAL" emblem on the front, as exemplified by the Jouef model HJ2428/S.
The TEE "Mistral" continued to serve passengers in this capacity until 1981 when the high-speed TGV was introduced on the Paris-Lyon line, marking a significant transition in the world of French rail travel.
