From 1845 onwards, the Königlich Württem-bergische Staats-Eisenbahnen (K.W.St.E.) purchased a total of 350 four-axle passenger coaches. They were regularly modified so they could be adapted to changing require-ments. In 1899, a conversion programme was initiated in which some of the coaches were fitted with new bodies and modern double windows. The four-axle 3rd class coach was designated as a C-type coach. In this modernised form, some of the old coaches were in service for over 100 years.
