Bruges by train in the year 2000

[WolvertonWorks]

Having a turn out I've come across a Connex Train Times leaflet for September 1999 to May 2000.

I probably acquired it as I see that I could have gone to Brighton direct from MK. Or I could "Take off to Gatwick" for £16.90 from MK.

But what interested me was a full page advert "Bruges by Train from London" - "Take advantage of our fantastic 3 day offer of a combined rail and Hoverspeed ticket from London to the picturesque Belgian city of Bruges".

Adult return was £29, child 12-15 was £18 and for a 4-11 year old it was £15.

Can anyone remember what ports Hoverspeed used for this service? Was it Dover-Ostend?

 

[Taunton]

Hoverspeed towards the end got into an arrangement with a high speed catamaran operator, which did indeed for a short period run Dover to Ostend. Nothing to do with the hovercraft, which only ever ran to Calais and Boulogne. The catamarans had previously run from Ramsgate to Ostend, but the transfer allowed the use of Hoverspeed's arrangements at Dover. I think by this time the traditional Belgian ferries had already given up at Dover.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Hoverspeed, under Sea Containers ownership, ran SeaCats Dover - Ostend from 1998 to 2003. They are not to be confused with the earlier Jetfoil services operated by RMT.

The conventional RMT ferries transfered from Dover to Ramsgste in 1993, finishing completely in 1997.

 

[bspahh]

Hoverspeed towards the end got into an arrangement with a high speed catamaran operator, which did indeed for a short period run Dover to Ostend. Nothing to do with the hovercraft, which only ever ran to Calais and Boulogne. The catamarans had previously run from Ramsgate to Ostend, but the transfer allowed the use of Hoverspeed's arrangements at Dover. I think by this time the traditional Belgian ferries had already given up at Dover.

In September 2000, I booked a ticket on the catamaran from Dover to Ostend. It was cancelled because of high winds near Ostend. I was rebooked on a Dover-Calais ferry with a coach on to Ostend. The hovercraft were still running from Dover.

The ferry and coach was a bit slower, but not by much. I was picking up a new car from a Ford dealer in Ostend, and I still got there in time.

 

[norbitonflyer]

I used the Jetfoil from Ostend to Dover some time in 1993 or 1994

 

[WolvertonWorks]

Thanks folks - such a shame we can't still do this

 

[The exile]

I used the Jetfoil from Ostend to Dover some time in 1993 or 1994

Horrible experience in poor sea conditions!

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Was this the Connex leaflet with the class 365 on the front? If so I remember picking up that exact same leaflet as a 5 year old at Balham station. From childhood to adolescence I was obsessed with “leaflets” you’d find at train stations.