Sleeping car facts for kids
The sleeping car or sleeper (often wagon-lit) is a special railway car where passengers can sleep in beds. It makes long trips at night much more comfortable! George Pullman from America was famous for inventing these cars.
The very first sleeping cars were used sometimes on American railroads in the 1830s. During the day, these cars could be set up with regular seats, like a coach. Some fancy sleeping cars even have private rooms, which are fully enclosed and not shared with strangers.
Contents
What is a Sleeping Car?
A sleeping car is a train car designed for people to sleep in during long journeys, especially overnight. Instead of sitting in a regular seat, you get a bed or a bunk. This lets you arrive at your destination feeling rested and ready for your day.
History of Sleeping Cars
Early Sleepers
The idea of sleeping on a train started in the 1830s in America. These early cars were simple. They could be changed from seats during the day to beds at night. It was a new way to make train travel more comfortable for passengers.
George Pullman's Vision
George Pullman was a very important person in the history of sleeping cars. In the mid-1800s, he started building much better and more luxurious sleeping cars. His cars were known for being very comfortable and fancy. They often had beautiful wood, soft carpets, and good service. Pullman cars became very popular for long-distance travel across America.
Types of Sleeping Cars
Sleeping cars come in different styles, offering various levels of privacy and comfort.
Open Sections
Some older sleeping cars had "open sections." This meant there were beds that were not fully private. During the day, these sections looked like two seats facing each other. At night, a train attendant, often called a Pullman porter, would pull down an upper bed from the ceiling and make up the lower bed. Curtains would provide some privacy, but the area was still open to the aisle.
Private Rooms
Many modern sleeping cars offer private rooms. These rooms are fully enclosed, meaning they have solid walls and a door that locks. They are not shared with strangers. Private rooms can have different layouts:
- Roomettes: These are small rooms, usually for one person. They have a bed that folds down and a small sink.
- Bedrooms: These are larger rooms, often for two people. They might have two beds (one upper, one lower) and sometimes a private toilet or shower.
- Suites: Some trains offer very large rooms or connected rooms, like a small apartment on wheels. These can be very luxurious.
Couchette Cars
In some parts of the world, especially Europe, you might find "couchette" cars. These are a bit different from traditional sleeping cars. A couchette car has compartments with four or six bunks (simple beds). You usually share the compartment with other travelers, but it's a more affordable way to sleep on a train than a private room. You often get a pillow, sheet, and blanket.
Double-Decker Sleepers
Some modern trains use double-decker (two-story) sleeping cars. These cars can fit more passengers because they have beds on both the upper and lower levels. This is a smart way to use space and carry more people on popular routes.
Why Travel by Sleeper?
Traveling by sleeping car has many benefits:
- Comfort: You can stretch out and sleep in a real bed, which is much more comfortable than sitting upright in a regular seat all night.
- Save Time: You travel while you sleep! This means you don't lose valuable daytime hours traveling. You can go to bed in one city and wake up in another.
- Experience: For many, sleeping on a train is a unique and fun adventure. You get to see the countryside pass by as you drift off to sleep.
Sleeping Cars Around the World
Sleeping cars are used all over the globe. From long journeys across Europe to trips through the Australian outback or the vast lands of China, night trains with sleeping cars help people travel comfortably over long distances. They are a popular choice for both tourists and business travelers.
Images for kids
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The first American sleeping car, the "Chambersburg" started service on the CVRR in 1839.
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Interior of a Pullman car on the Chicago and Alton Railroad, c. 1900, configured for daytime operation
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Pullman porter making an upper berth aboard the B&O Capitol Limited bound for Chicago, c. 1944
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Open section accommodations of a Pullman car in day mode from c.1950s.
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In 1964, aging open-section Pullman cars waited in Portland, Oregon, available for "emergencies".
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NH RR's 1942 World War II advertisement "The Kid in Upper 4." This ad depicts an open section of a sleeping car.
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Pullman private compartment, c.1950s.
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Amtrak Viewliner, a single-level sleeping car
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Map of European night trains carrying sleeper and/or couchette cars, January 2020.
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A CityNightLine double-decker sleeping car
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1st class two berth sleeper Kiev to Moscow
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A Russian TVZ double-deck sleeper car
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A WLABmee 71-31 car, the standard sleeping car of the CFR, at the defunct Belgrade Main railway station
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A Caledonian Sleeper double berth in the UK.
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A double-deck conventional passenger sleeping car of China in April 2006
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Sleeping cars on The Ghan near Alice Springs in 2015.
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Sleeping cabin of a NSW TrainLink XPT in 2013.
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See also
In Spanish: Coche cama para niños
