UK sleeper trains

[alwaystouchout]

I hate to use the P-word but are the Caledonian and Night Riviera sleepers - if at all - profitable? Are there any other potential sleeper routes that might financially justify their existence?

Sleepers to continental destinations via the Channel Tunnel perhaps?

 

[34D]

I hate to use the P-word but are the Caledonian and Night Riviera sleepers - if at all - profitable? Are there any other potential sleeper routes that might financially justify their existence?

Sleepers to continental destinations via the Channel Tunnel perhaps?

I believe both are heavily subsidised. Done for political reasons, if you will.

 

[alwaystouchout]

I suspected so.

 

[Metrailway]

According to an edition of Rail magazine, Night Riviera is profitable.

Although it was not a sleeper, there was a cheap overnight Marylebone - Edinburgh/Glasgow St Enoch service called the Starlight Special runnig via the Great Central. It was so popular that it was common for two additional trains to be run.

 

[St Rollox]

According to an edition of Rail magazine, Night Riviera is profitable.

Although it was not a sleeper, there was a cheap overnight Marylebone - Edinburgh/Glasgow St Enoch service called the Starlight Special runnig via the Great Central. It was so popular that it was common for two additional trains to be run.

Wasn't there also a Glasgow Queen/Edinburgh - Kings Cross cheap overnight non sleeper in the 1980s?
Sure i remember paying £19 return.

 

[6Gman]

Looking at a 1964/65 LM timetable I note that the Oban sleeper ran 6 nights in the summer, but in the winter ran northbound on Friday night only returning on Monday night.

Friday night northbound makes sense, but surprised it wasn't Sunday night back (unless there was no suitable Sunday evening train from Oban).

 

[Stewart2887]

Wasn't there also a Glasgow Queen/Edinburgh - Kings Cross cheap overnight non sleeper in the 1980s?
Sure i remember paying £19 return.

Nightrider? I did it once. Fell asleep at work the day after!

 

[deltic]

Wasn't there also a Glasgow Queen/Edinburgh - Kings Cross cheap overnight non sleeper in the 1980s?
Sure i remember paying £19 return.

these were the nightrider services using surplus first class coaches - very well used on the usually quiet Saturday night departure when I used it from Glasgow Central to Euston via Kilmarnock
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

According to an edition of Rail magazine, Night Riviera is profitable.

Although it was not a sleeper, there was a cheap overnight Marylebone - Edinburgh/Glasgow St Enoch service called the Starlight Special runnig via the Great Central. It was so popular that it was common for two additional trains to be run.

Night Riveria loses a fortune - was quoted at £5m a year a few years back -

Scottish sleepers are quoted as a subsidy of over £70 per passenger

 

[30907]

Looking at a 1964/65 LM timetable I note that the Oban sleeper ran 6 nights in the summer, but in the winter ran northbound on Friday night only returning on Monday night.

Friday night northbound makes sense, but surprised it wasn't Sunday night back (unless there was no suitable Sunday evening train from Oban).

Were there Sunday trains in those days? doubt it, but am away from timetables!

 

[St Rollox]

Nightrider? I did it once. Fell asleep at work the day after!

Some memory, would never have remember that name, Nightrider, plus you remembered it was first class coaches which i had long forgotten.

 

[34D]

Was 'The Highwayman' a night train or daytime? Finsbury Park to Haymarket iirc

 

[deltic]

Were there Sunday trains in those days? doubt it, but am away from timetables!

there was a noon arrival in Oban on a Sunday but no departures!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Was 'The Highwayman' a night train or daytime? Finsbury Park to Haymarket iirc

King's Cross/Finsbury Park-Newcastle/north east England; reduced fare train; 1970-1 - according to http://www.britishrailways.info/NAMED TRAINS.htm

and appears to have been a daytime service

 

[St Rollox]

Looking at a 1964/65 LM timetable I note that the Oban sleeper ran 6 nights in the summer, but in the winter ran northbound on Friday night only returning on Monday night.

Friday night northbound makes sense, but surprised it wasn't Sunday night back (unless there was no suitable Sunday evening train from Oban).

Was the "no train on a Sunday" not to do with the religious beliefs of a lot of the locals.
Christmas Day in Scotland only became a national holiday about 1958.

 

[gwr4090]

Weren't there also Paddington-Fishguard/Milford Haven and Euston Holyhead sleepers?

In the 1950s/1960s there were two Paddington-Carmarthen sleepers.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Was 'The Highwayman' a night train or daytime? Finsbury Park to Haymarket iirc

A daytime train from Newcastle - with a very gentle schedule ......did not last very long.

 

[Bald Rick]

Was 'The Highwayman' a night train or daytime? Finsbury Park to Haymarket iirc

Quite pricey too. You might say it was daylight robbery....