Rolling stock : Trailers to the steam tram

Already in 1885, at the time of the first steam tram, also trailers were bought. The NMVB made standard measures for them. A two-axle coach was long 5,7 meter, broad 2,4 meter and had an axle distance of 1,8 meter.

There were coaches first class (with 16 seats), coaches second class (with 24 seats), mixed coaches first and second class, mixed coaches second class with luggage compartement and luggage carriages.

The numbering of the coaches consisted of a letter followed by a number. The letter was one of the following:

• A : for stock of 1000 mm track width
• B : for stock of 1167 mm track width
• C : for stock of 1324 mm track width

The number was in series of the following meaing:

• 1-499: First class
• 500-1499 and 10500-19999: second class
• 1500-1999 and 11500-11999: mixed first and second class
• 2000-2199: mixed second class and luggage
• 2200-2999: luggage

Although there were minor differences in a type, the following main types can be distinguished:

• surbaissée
• classic
• trumeaux
• de Rechter
• paravents
• other

Type: Surbaissée

Initially, the designers were concerned that the carriages would not be stable enough. Therefore, the floor height of the carriage was set very low. It soon became clear that these concerns were unfounded. Later models were therefore fitted with a higher floor. Most of them were created of a compartement with 6 windows and 2 very small end balconies.

Length: 6,6 m, wheel base: 1,6 m

The Surbaissée type was built in the years 1885 until 1887

Number of carriages built:
Total: 95 passenger + 20 luggage = 115 carriages.
Of these, soon 36 of them were rebuilt into classic style carriages.a [ to top of page ]

Type: Classic

Shortly after the surbaissée type was built, it became clear that the concerns about its stability were unfounded. Therefore, a higher-floored type was quickly adopted. This was the Type Classique. Most of them were created of a compartement with 6 windows and 2 end balconies. Because of the former coaches the balconies prooved to be too small, this was widened somewhat.

Length: 7,2 m, wheel base: 1,8 m (later types length 7,7 m, wheel base 2,4 m

The Classic type was built in the years 1887 until 1903

Number of carriages built:
Total: 832 passenger + 406 luggage + 25 normal-gauge = 1263 carriages.
Of these, 36 were created out of the surbaissée type.