Familleureux Coaches

[jsimantov]

Hi everyone,

I would like to open a new topic on the somewhat neglected subject of the Familleureux Coaches, which have arrived in Greece in the middle '20s.
As most of us were born many decades later, I seriously doubt if there is any living memory of those coaches, which have significantly contributed to the good image of the SEK network in the 30s. Photographic material is very scarce (it's true that railway photography in pre-war days was a SERIOUS offence in Greece).

The main question now is the extent to which those coaches have survived the war; in the 50s and untill well into the 70s, a III and later II class coach type was very common: they were known under the nickname "raboté" and were entirely made of wood, including the seats. We all know that extensive rebuilding of prewar stock was carried out in the 50s, but I am wondering if these coaches were all rebuilds or if any of them existed before the war.

Any contribution will be greatly appreciated!

Iossif

[jsimantov]

Hi Everyone,

To al those who are now entering the forum for the first time this year, I wish a New Year full of Health, Success, Prosperity and Happiness!

While browsing through my old pix, I found a batch taken in May 1978 while I was traveling to Kirki mine for my diploma work (for those interested, it is now one of the most polluted sites in Europe...). The pix were taken at the Neokhorion Railway station, about 10km East of Xanthi

My initial thought was that the coaches shown were 'Spyridonos' or DR leftbehinders, actually and upon looking more carefully it appears that they both are probably among the last Familleureux coaches in their (almost) original pre-war state. Obviously, most of the under frame equipment has been removed for their transformation into utility wagons, but they are still recognisable..

OK, I have applied a tiny bit of Photo Processing (GIMP)... Mea Culpa, and my apologies to the purists

To my knowledge, these coaches have not been mentioned in any other forum up to now, and I am wondering if they are still in existence; perhaps somebody from among the Thessaloniki-based friends can shed more light!

As we know, most of the Familleureux coaches were rebuilt after the war with a new wooden body, hence their nickname 'Raboté', and were painted a somewhat blueish dark green.

Note the WC flush tank above the doors...

The ex-luggage van is also very interesting, especially the welded plate construction...

If anybody has access to blueprints of these coaches, please share them in view of a modelling project!!

Rgds to everyone from snow-covered Geneva,

Iossif

[Andreas]

Wow...a picture of the postal coach from the Familleureux Coaches!!!!! Hard to track down.

I have done extensive research on these coaches and I will put some infos here....just give me some time

Thanx Josif!

[BarbaPanagos]

Thanks Iossif! As you said it's a "neglected subject" as we have so few reference.
I'm sure your great photos are about to appear on some more fora and FB groups

...

[GAZKGK]

Wow..... Many-many thanks Iossif

From the total amount of 4 post coaches that were initially purchased (Εφπτ 1631-1634), 3 survived the war and later, two of them that were being used as luggage coaches (Δφπτ) were finally converted to utility vehicles after being given to the Track Maintenance department of Thessaloniki in April 1976... The one in the photo, I personally believe it is highly possible that it is 1634 (as 30 73 100 7 248-2) that was scrapped at Alexandroupolis, in ~2002. None of these post coaches survives nowadays, unfortunately.

Thanks again !

[christo]

ATHENS REGION 24 carriages built 1924

1933 numbers - Old numbers - LOB - Pivots - Bogie - Wheelbase - Body Length - Load - Brakes - Lights - Heating

Πφστ 5 - Πφστ. 5 - 17.64m - 12.00m - 2.50m - 14.50m - 16.46m - 2T - HVA - E - S

ABφστ 235-236 - ABφστ. 235-236 - 18.42m - 12.50m - 2.50m - 15.00m - 17.37 - 2.5T - HVA - E - S

ABφστ 246-250 - ABφστ. 246-247 and Aφστ 61-63 - 17.64m - 12.00m - 2.50m - 14.50m - 16.46m - 2.5T - HVA - E - S

ABφστ 251 - Aφστ. 70 - 17.64m - 12.00m - 2.50m - 14.50m - 16.46m - 2.5T - HVA - E - S

ABφστ 252-255 - Bφστ. 511-514 - 17.64m - 12.00m - 2.50m - 14.50m - 16.46m - 2.5T - HVA - E - S

Γφστ 771-780 - Γφστ 771-780 - 17.64m - 12.00m - 2.50m - 14.50m - 16.46m - 3.5T - HVA - E - S

Γφπτ 783 - Γφπτ 783 - 17.64m - 12.00m - 2.50m - 14.50m - 16.46m - 3.5T - HA - E - S


christo.

[christo]

THESSALONIKI REGION 25 carriages built 1925 + 4 Postal carriages built 1924

1933 numbers - Old numbers - LOB - Pivots - Bogie - Wheelbase - Body Length - Load - Brakes - Lights - Heating

ABφπτ 231-234 & 237-241 - 18.50m - 12.45m - 2.50m - 14.95m - 17.30 - 2.5T - HV - E - S

ABφπτ 242-244 - 17.10m - 11.50m - 2.50m - 14.00m - 16.00 - 2.5T - HV - E - S

ABφπτ 245 - 18.50m - 12.45m - 2.50m - 14.95m - 17.30 - 2.5T - HV - E - S

Γφπτ 784-795 - 17.60 - 12.00 - 2.50 - 14.50 - 16.50 - 3.5T - HV - E - S

Eφπ 1631-1634 - 17.64m - 12.00m - 2.50m - 14.50m - 16.46m - 4T - HV - E - S


christo.

[christo]

I have just corrected some of the previous numbers. I still don't know if there was a 781 and 782 that are missing from the series. We need our expert friends to help us built the picture. How many survived the war? How many came into OSE? Are there any out there now? Lots of questions but no answers .

christo.

[apapap]

Alexandroupoli