Compagnie des Wagons-Lits: a heritage of prestige and quality

How Newrest, world leader in out-of-home catering, maintains and develops Compagnie des Wagons-Lits’ historic expertise in on-board train service.

La Compagnie des Wagons-Lits, an emblematic brand of luxury rail travel

The Compagnie des Wagons-Lits, founded in 1876 by Georges Nagelmackers, is a pioneer in the field of passenger rail transport. It has created and operated legendary trains such as the Orient-Express, the Trans-Siberian and the Train Bleu, which have left their mark on European history and culture. CWL offers its customers top-quality service, based on comfort, safety, gastronomy and elegance. Its sleeping cars, dining cars and lounge cars have become symbols of French savoir-vivre and refinement on board trains.

Newrest, a group committed to preserving and enhancing CWL’s heritage

Newrest, world leader in out-of-home catering, acquired the CWL brand in 2010, as part of its diversification and development strategy in the rail sector. Newrest’s ambition is to perpetuate and renew CWL’s ancestral know-how, offering quality services to train and night train operators in France and abroad. Newrest relies on the skills and experience of its teams, trained to CWL standards and values, to ensure on-board train service, inventory management, and rolling stock maintenance and renovation.

Newrest keeps the spirit of CWL alive throughout Europe

Newrest, aware of the environmental and social challenges of rail transport, wants to contribute to the revival and modernization of this sustainable and accessible mode of mobility. The Group is continuing its expertise in on-board catering throughout Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria, but also in Spain and throughout France, with a unique and personalized travel experience.
In Austria, in collaboration with the OBB company, Newrest guarantees the passenger experience on board night trains by offering a wide range of services. Employees welcome passengers, check tickets, sell tickets, prepare and serve all meals. (Read more here: https://media.newrest.eu/fr/actualites/expertise-des-trains-de-nuit-notre-savoir-faire-historique/) Newrest teams are also in charge of cleaning, laundry, supervising locomotive changeovers, checking train safety elements (brakes, alarms), as well as passenger safety.