Kato Lemke - K23218 - Passenger Train, Orient Express, Wagons Lits - Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits - 4 Car Set

Specific Item Information: Four cars "Riveria Express":
1 x Pullman 1.Cl. : 4158 DE
1 x Pullman 1.Cl. : 4149 E
1 x Sleeper LX 16 : 3537 A
1 x Sleeper LX 16 : 3487 A

Model Information: Kato boxed sets for European Prototypes come in various shapes and sizes. These may contain complete train sets with track and power pack or may be as simple as a pair of passenger coaches. Many of the sets use "bookshelf" boxes with cardboard sleeves and carefully cut foam inserts.

Road Name History: Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (English: International Sleeping-Car Company), also CIWL, Compagnie des Wagons-Lits, or just Wagons-Lits, is an international hotel and travel logistics company, particularly known for its on-train catering and sleeping car services, as well as being the historical operator of the Orient Express.

The Orient Express was a showcase of luxury and comfort at a time when travelling was still rough and dangerous. CIWL soon developed a dense network of luxury trains all over Europe, whose names are still remembered today and associated to the art of luxury travel. Such as the Blue Train ("Train Bleu"), the Golden Arrow ("Flèche d'Or"), North Express ("Étoile du Nord") and many more. CIWL became the first and most important modern multinational dedicated to transport, travel agency, hospitality with activities spreading from Europe to Asia and Africa.

Now part of the French Newrest group, Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (et des grands express européens) (English: The International Sleeping-Car (and European Great Expresses) Company) was founded by Georges Nagelmackers during 1872, in Belgium. CIWL quickly established itself as the premier provider and operator of European railway sleepers and dining cars during the late 19th and the 20th centuries.

The holding company, CIWLT, is a fully owned subsidiary of the Accor Group, the historical brands were transferred to Wagons-Lits Diffusion in 1996.

From Wikipedia

Brand/Importer Information: Wolfgang Lemke GmbH from Haan, Germany, is an importer and also a manufacturer of model articles, especially for model railways in N and H0 scales.

Starting in 1990, Lemke was the general importer for Kato's products in Germany and Europe, a position now held by Noch. Lemke is also producing, in cooperation with Kato, specific models for the German and European market under the brand name 'Kato Lemke'.