Arend Wagons HIJSM 4, 8 & 10

The first carriages for the train De Arend were inspired by the shape of a towing barge: low, with wooden benches and little in the way of comfort. Initially, there were two classes: ‘Diligence’ (1st class) and ‘Char à bancs’ (2nd class). During construction, however, it was decided to add an additional, cheaper class as well. This 3rd class, ‘Waggon’, had unupholstered seats and windows with no glazing or covering at all. Until 1840, all carriages were dark brown. This created problems for the ticket inspectors. In those days, many people were unable to read and could not tell which carriage was for which class. Conductors often found passengers seated in carriages of a class higher than the one for which they had paid. As a result, in 1840, 1st-class carriages were painted light green and the 2nd-class ones light yellow. The 3rd-class carriages remained brown. And in an effort to prevent misunderstandings, train tickets began to be issued in the same colour as the corresponding class. The carriages in the museum are replicas that were built for the NS at the Zwolle Workshop in 1939.