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The Rheingold - Traveling like Kings. After the catastrophe of World War I and the political upheavals in Europe, traveling began to grow again in popularity. The railroad was used almost exclusively for long distances, since it promised a fast, comfortable mode of conveyance. The sleeping and dining car firms run under private ownership dominated in long distance service. They offered an extensive palette of services up to and including the ultimate luxury. The German State Railroad Company (DRG) did not want to sit on its hands and do nothing with regard to its competition, and this new, self-confident firm was determined to underscore its presence on European rails with a deluxe train possessed of an international quality. In 1927, the German State Railroad officially disclosed the order for express train passenger cars to form long distance express trains, which were intended to represent innovation and comfort by rail. The "Who's Who" of the German car building industry participated in the building of these cars, among others, the firms Waggon und Maschinenfabrik AG, Görlitz and the Waggonfabrik Wegmann & Co. A total of 26 Rheingold parlor cars were built: 4 cars, 1st class, type SA4ü, with seating for 28 4 cars, 1st class, type SA4üK, with a galley and seating for 20 8 cars, 2nd class, type SB4ü, with seating for 43 10 cars, 2nd class, type SB4üK, with a galley and seating for 29. For their time they represented the longest German cars with a length of 23.50 meters / 77 feet 1/3/16 inches. The bodies were constructed entirely of steel and the total weight was between 50 and 52 metric tons, i.e. up to 12 metric tons more than a conventional express train passenger car. Trucks (Görlitz II heavy) were developed just for the "Rheingold" series. They had to withstand high train speeds and had a wheelbase of 3.60 meters / 11 feet 9-3/4 inches. In addition, there are also 3 baggage cars, type SPw4ü, each with a length over the buffers of 19.68 meters / 64 feet 6-13/16 inches and facilities for goods in bond and for transporting pet dogs. The extremely elegant paint scheme for these prestigious cars attracted attention and interest. Initially, the color scheme for the outer surface of the cars was a kind of plum color with the pier panels in cream, later violet / cream with the widely known golden "Rheingold" lettering. The interior space of the cars offered the highest level of luxury, in first class even individually upholstered arm chairs with high backs
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