Trivia: Overnight services (unofficial "sleeper" services)

[algytaylor]

Sort of related to this thread: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=155019

Are there any 'unofficial' sleeper services, ie service trains that you could use for effective overnight travel. Departing at any reasonable time (say before 1am but not strict) and arriving after 5am (again, not strict). Changing trains allowed, provided it's not an unreasonable amount of time to wait given the waiting facilities at the station.

 

[xotGD]

Sort of related to this thread: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=155019

Are there any 'unofficial' sleeper services, ie service trains that you could use for effective overnight travel. Departing at any reasonable time (say before 1am but not strict) and arriving after 5am (again, not strict). Changing trains allowed, provided it's not an unreasonable amount of time to wait given the waiting facilities at the station.

Overnight services to and from Manchester Airport.

 

[Nean]

Overnight services to and from Manchester Airport.

If you're on the ~3AM Leeds>Manchester then good luck sleeping! Last few times I've been on it it's been full, standing, and noisy!

 

[westcoaster]

Pretty much all overnight thameslink service's, you have ppl sleeping all night on them going backwards and forwards between Bedford and three bridges.

 

[Lrd]

Night Tube on Fri/Sat night. A lot of trains carry on through the night until 5am ish but some changeover earlier

 

[Spartacus]

While there's services like the above that run through the night I think it's a push to call them 'unofficial sleepers', even if you slept all the way though you'd struggle to get a decent night's kip for the two and and a half hour or so journies.

Slightly better might be the 2200 KX- Newcastle that gets in at 02:14, but it's still not a time you'd normally want to be arriving.

Trouble is that unless you're travelling the extremes the UK's just too small for most night time services to be considered sleepers as their journey's over too quick. Even the GW sleepers often have extended stops at places like Exeter and Plymouth to drag things out a bit. Even when there used to be lots they were usually dragged out due to being mail trains carrying passenger accommodation, making long stops at stations for loading and unloading. I do sometimes wonder if a SW Wales overnighter to either London or through the Midlands to Manchester via the airport or to the NE might be a winner though.

 

[heart-of-wessex]

Pretty much all overnight thameslink service's, you have ppl sleeping all night on them going backwards and forwards between Bedford and three bridges.

Used to be my sleeper when 319s were around. Arrive London Friday night, 319 to Bedford and back, RRB to London Bridge, East Croydon spin, maybe Gatwick occasionally, then back to the capitol at 5am then either out on a Railtour or a days bashing. Saved me a hotel cost and raked up some miles

 

[61653 HTAFC]

While there's services like the above that run through the night I think it's a push to call them 'unofficial sleepers', even if you slept all the way though you'd struggle to get a decent night's kip for the two and and a half hour or so journies.

Slightly better might be the 2200 KX- Newcastle that gets in at 02:14, but it's still not a time you'd normally want to be arriving.

Trouble is that unless you're travelling the extremes the UK's just too small for most night time services to be considered sleepers as their journey's over too quick. Even the GW sleepers often have extended stops at places like Exeter and Plymouth to drag things out a bit. Even when there used to be lots they were usually dragged out due to being mail trains carrying passenger accommodation, making long stops at stations for loading and unloading. I do sometimes wonder if a SW Wales overnighter to either London or through the Midlands to Manchester via the airport or to the NE might be a winner though.

In a couple of weeks I'm booked on the 2330 KGX - LDS which arrives in Leeds at around 0215. Probably not long enough to get much sleep, but as I'll have left Prague at 0610 (0710 UK time) that morning I'm sure I'll get some sleep even if I'm on the "bucking bronco" Mk4s! Still hoping I'll get a HST for that one though.

 

[class26]

In a couple of weeks I'm booked on the 2330 KGX - LDS which arrives in Leeds at around 0215. Probably not long enough to get much sleep, but as I'll have left Prague at 0610 (0710 UK time) that morning I'm sure I'll get some sleep even if I'm on the "bucking bronco" Mk4s! Still hoping I'll get a HST for that one though.

Errr 06.10 in Prague is 05.10 in UK time !

 

[Spartacus]

In a couple of weeks I'm booked on the 2330 KGX - LDS which arrives in Leeds at around 0215. Probably not long enough to get much sleep, but as I'll have left Prague at 0610 (0710 UK time) that morning I'm sure I'll get some sleep even if I'm on the "bucking bronco" Mk4s! Still hoping I'll get a HST for that one though.

I dare say you'll be in Leeds sooner than that if it goes via Adwick like usual.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Errr 06.10 in Prague is 05.10 in UK time !

Quite right- I'm so used to working it the other way round (phoning parents who are there already) that I did so without thinking! I'll definitely sleep then!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I dare say you'll be in Leeds sooner than that if it goes via Adwick like usual.

Is it a service that goes a different way regularly? Wouldn't surprise me if it is, being so late at night- but if it's diverted and doesn't go via Adwick then it must be a HST... *fingers crossed*

 

[rick pike]

Is it a service that goes a different way regularly? Wouldn't surprise me if it is, being so late at night- but if it's diverted and doesn't go via Adwick then it must be a HST... *fingers crossed*

I'm pretty sure its booked a HST and is not booked to call at Wakefield Westgate. It can run via Askern, Knottingley or Hambleton junction depending on any engineering blocks

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I'm pretty sure its booked a HST and is not booked to call at Wakefield Westgate. It can run via Askern, Knottingley or Hambleton junction depending on any engineering blocks

Ah, thanks. The positive there is a smoother ride- the negatives being new track covered under darkness (and I'll probably sleep through them anyway) and not having the option of bailing out at Westgate (I have two options for where to sleep, but guess it'll definitely be Batley).

 

[Spartacus]

Depending on blocks, driver knowledge and in case of disruption what traction's on it, it can go any route possible. The set usually works 1S03 to Aberdeen in the morning so it's very rarely anything other than a HST.