End of the Orient Express

[Railjet]

The real Orient Express (not the luxury tourist train) will cease to operate on 12 December 2009, with the annual timetable change.

Although in recent years this has been curtailed from Paris - Budapest, to Paris - Vienna, to Strasbourg - Vienna (following the opening of the TGV Est line), it has run in some form or another since 1883 and still carries "Orient Express" name boards. So it will be a sad day when it ends.

Some details in this article in this article from The Independent.

 

[gordonthemoron]

I've been trying to book Ulm-Wien on the penultimate trip but it doesn't appear to be bookable via the Öbb website, although earlier dates are. Don't know if it's sold out

 

[upnorth71]

sic transit gloria mundi

I'm glad I took the trip a few years back when the train still left Paris Gare de l'Est. The article mentions the passing of other overnight trains in the face of expanding high speed networks and people's need to be everywhere at once

 

[dave12435]

The same fate is befalling overnight trains in other conutries
HSR killed nearly all overnight sleepers in Japan and the few remaining are slowly finishing
the same thing will happen here in the UK when we start getting a proper HSR network

 

[gingerheid]

the same thing will happen here in the UK *when* we start getting a proper HSR network

(My emphasis)

I admire your optimism.

I'll have a tenner on that our sleepers die without us getting a proper HSR network.

I fear that sleepers have two potential target markets, and they miss them both by aiming down the middle.

Overnight trains have an opportunity to provide great levels of comfort that people might be willing to pay for; Single berth with ensuite shower and desk / wifi etc. The sleeper isn't nice enough.

They also have the potential to be a cheap form of mass transport. In total lots of coaches cross the Scottish border every night, carrying a lot of people in really crummy conditions. The daytime train service is able to compete and gain a great share of the daytime market by offering slighter better conditions for not that much more. The seated service doesn't compete well in the overnight market; and I'd suggest the reason it's too expensive to compete it because it's too nice!

 

[gordonthemoron]

couchettes would be nice

 

[gordonthemoron]

just managed to buy Ulm-Wien on 12th December, €49 in a 4 berth couchette

 

[Railjet]

just managed to buy Ulm-Wien on 12th December, €49 in a 4 berth couchette

Good price.

I'm going to try to make it to Vienna for either the last departure or the last arrival.