Penzance to Paddington sleeper

[455driver]

Hi all, I looked at availability of seats on the overnight train from Penzance tonight, but all it will allow me is a sleeper berth, no prices for seats.
Is there a reason for this or has it been fully booked.

Many thanks for any help.

 

[yorkie]

That's odd, as there was a lot of seating last time I got it (not sure if that's still the case though). However it is a 'normal' train that just happens to run at night and have sleeping accommodation, rather like the Scotrail sleeper between Edinburgh and Fort William (only), so unlike the other sleepers, reservations are not essential.

Perhaps reservations close for seats early? it's normally 2 hours before departure (I believe), or maybe some seats are left unreserved (like the buffet car on East Coast services on Coach B on XC)?

 

[455driver]

Thanks Yorkie, will nip in tonight and have a nosey, if I cant get on then I will be late for work tomorrow.

 

[yorkie]

You'll be able to get on, but it's theoretically possible that all seats will be reserved. Are you at Penzance now? Just checked the departure board and it departs in 7 minutes!

Worst case I suppose would be you'd be sitting in a vestibule from Taunton to Reading! But I really doubt it'd be that full, at least not on a Monday (a bank holiday may be different)

 

[455driver]

I am in Plymouth, been doing family visiting duties, due 2346-2351 so plenty of time to sort it.

 

[mrcheek]

The Penzance to London sleeper happened to pass through Weston-super-Mare station every night last week, as I was working the nightshift in the yard opposite the station.

I never saw a single person in the seats all week!

BTW, anybody know why it came through the Weston-super-Mare loop every night, instead of taking the main line?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Weston? I thought it was booked via the Berks & Hants, not Bristol?

 

[yorkie]

Weston? I thought it was booked via the Berks & Hants, not Bristol?

well it's booked via Weston and Bristol at present and can go almost any route you can imagine - after all, it has plenty of time to do the journey! I'm sure it will be booked via the Berks & Hants again one day soon...

The Down sleeper is booked on the Berks & Hants and is on the line as I type this.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

OK thanks; needed to know for my mileage because I'm using the Sleeper as a positioning move to and from Penzance in connection with my "End to End" fundraising return trip next month.

 

[devon_metro]

Sunday night is the busiest night for the "Up" Midnight.

 

[dk1]

Whenever ive travelled on the Night Riviera it picks up several local passengers through Cornwall with its convenient 08.00ish arrival into Penzance.

 

[455driver]

Got on no problem and the seating coaches (2) were less than 1 third full, seems strange that I was unable to book tickets, but all ended well, went via Weston, Bristol Parkway, waited at Swindon for a while, those were the only bits I remember as it was driven beautifully and smooth, didn't even notice the Taunton stop at all it was that smooth, and arrived at Reading at 0355ish (still a bit sleepy )