UIC passenger coach types

The UIC type X, Y and Z coaches are passenger coaches for international railway services that have been standardised in certain respects by the International Union of Railways (Union internationale des chemins de fer or UIC).

The UIC type X was based on the express coaches developed after the Second World War by the Deutsche Bundesbahn (DB).

The UIC type Y was based on French proposals for an international express coach (Schnellzugwagen).

Important differences from the type X were its shorter length and greater number of seats in second class compartments.

There were two primary reasons for choosing the type Y, the first being that according to international standards it could be slightly wider and therefore more comfortable, the other equally important that this length provided for optimal usage of the available track length of the Great Belt ferries.