OPERATIONS OF THE BLUE EXPRESS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A006200160001-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 21, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 24, 2008
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: April 14, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2008/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00810A006200160001-8
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY REPORT
INFORMATION REPORT CD NO.
COUNTRY East Germany/P9!Aftdd
SUBJECT Operations of the "Blue Express"
PLACE
ACQUIRED
DATE OF
INFO.
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE
OF THE UNITED STATES. WITH IN THE MEANINS OF TITLE IS. SECTIONS 793
AND 164 . OF THE U. S. COO[. AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR REVEL-
ATION OF ITS CONTENTS TO OR RECEIPT BY AM UNAUTHORIZED PERSON
IS PROHIBITED BY LAW THE REPRODUCTION OF THIS FORM IS PROHIBITED.
*loft
DATE DISTR. 11+ April 1955
NO. OF PAGES
NO. OF ENCLS.
(LISTED BELOW)
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
and 12 January, and 16 and 18 January 1955 respectively. The previous time
schedule of the train was slightly modified. On the return journey, the
train stopped for 100 minutes at Frankfurt/Oder compared to 40 minutes on
previous journeys. The three trips proceeded according to schedule, except
for a delay of one hour, which was caused by snow drifts in Poland during
the last trip. The trails were only slightly occuried. No noteworthy
observations were made.
In December 1954, a female Soviet train conductor stated that the "Blue
Express" was to operate as far as Moscow after 5 January 1955. P_ Soviet
rcilroa.dman in Brest-Litovsk said, however, that he dial not know anything
definite about this plan. He appeared to be rather sceptical because of a
shortage of suitr-ble coaches. It was learned that only one complete train
capable of being converted from standard gauge to Soviet gauge was
available. No convertible dining car exists. On 16 January, the "Blue
Comment. The "Blue Express" is a. Soviet leave train operating between
Erankfurt'Odor and Brest-Litovsk. It is believed that the stop of this
train in Frankfurt/Oiler was extended in order to make stricter customs
controls possible.
of operating on standard and Soviet-guage systems. Such a. train probably
exists because this fact was given great wublicity 'n the Eastern Bloc press
in the f-1l of 1954. The usefulness of such trains is, however, rather limited
because travellers usually leave the coaches v-hile wheel sets are being
exchanged. They dould therefore just as well c-a.ge tre ns. The cost for
the building of railroad cars convertibel from standarto soviet-gauge
and vice versa is so prohibitive that it would only ray for freif-ht cars.
it would be necessary to build an adequate number of express train coaches
the wheel sets of which could be exchanged so as to make the train capable
Approved For Release 2008/07/24: CIA-RDP80-00810A006200160001-8
 Approved For Release 2008/07/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006200160001-8
Approved For Release 2008/07/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006200160001-8
 Approved For Release 2008/07/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006200160001-8
OOUNM
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ACQUIRED
DATE OF
INFO.
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CD NO.
DATE DISTR.
114 AW11 1655
NO.OF PAGES A/I
NO. OF ENCLS.
(USTE0 BELOW
SUPPLEMENT TO
REPORT NO.
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORf'AT1ON
1. Three round trips were made on the so-called "Blue Express" between Berlin
and Brest Litovsk. The three journeys took place between 4 and 6 January, 10
and 12 January, and 16 and 18 January 1955 respectively. The previous time
schedule of the train was slightly modified. On the return ourn3y, the
train stopped for 100 minutes at Frankfurt/Oder compared to 40 minutes on
previous journey3. The three trips proceeded according to schedule, except
for a delay of one hour, which was caused by snow drifts in Poland during
the last trip. The trams were only slightly cccuried. To noteworthy
observations were made.
2. in December 1954, a female Soviet train conductor stated that the "Blue
Express" was to operate as fa.r as :.ioscow after 5 January 1955, L Soviet
railroadman in Brest-Litovsk said, however, that he did not know anything
definite about this plan. He appeared to be rather ace-tical because of a
shortage of suit-ble coaches. It was learned that only one complete train
capable of being converted from standard gauge to Soviet gauge was
available. No convertible dining ear exists. On 16 January, the "Blue
Express" operated only as far as Brest-Litovsk.
CLASSIFIO&TI.ON
S?&-C4W9-T
Comment. The "Blue Express" is a Soviet leave train operating between 25X1
Frankfurt Oder and Brest-Litovsk. It is believed that the stop of this
train in.Frankfurt/Oiler was extended in order to make stricter ;ustoms
controls possible.
Comment. In order to have the "Blue Express" operate as far as Moscow,
it would be necessary to build an adequate number of express rain coaches 25X1
the wheel sets of which could be exchanged so as to make the train capable
of operating on standard and Soviet-gauge systems. Such a train probably
exists because this fact was given great publicity ?.n the Eastern Bloc press
in the f-11 of 1954? The usefulness of such trains is, however, rather limited
because travellers usually leave the coaches while wheel sets are being
exchanged. They could therefore just as well change trains. Th-- cost for
the building of railroad cars convertibel from standaz4 to Soviet-gauge
and vice versa is so prohibitive that it would only pay for freight cars.;
Approved For Release 2008/07/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006200160001-8
 Approved For Release 2008/07/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006200160001-8
Approved For Release 2008/07/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA006200160001-8