Unless you're on the right side of London, getting to Folkestone is adding another hour or two to your travel time.
If you are driving to southern France or beyond , what difference does it make , how far away from London Folkestone is ?
As noted earlier, the shuttles are too big for the rail networks on either side. Given lorries can disperse in many directions, would you get a trainload you could take further?
I did not day it would be Euro Shuttle stock used beyond Calais, I suggested before dedicated rolling stock that fits European gauge .
There are many examples of lorry / trailer carrying trains on the continent that ferry goods from terminal to a terminal , so why not from Folkestone ( as I said I may be wrong on this one and perhaps such trains , carrying lorries / trailers already exist - I heard about pilot train from China coming to somewhere in East London in the past ).
Longer than driving (in my experience). And removes the potential to stop off somewhere en route.
How do you know , what potential timing of such a train would be ( Folkestone - South of France) ?
And how can you compare driving versus comfort of being driven, while in bed and your car is behind you ?
There are many people “made for comfort not for speed”.
As long as such motor rail was leaving Folkestone in the late afternoon or early evening and arriving before midday to the south of France, I am for it .
Price is secondary consideration because as I said it costs at least £500 to get there if driving ( if staying in a hotel overnight and using tolled roads ).
Also, based on fellow drivers from the UK, whom I met en-route - these are not the people that want to save money - they drive to the south ( not necessary France but Spain, Italy and Switzerland too) because they have 2nd hones or go for quality holidays in the resorts, so few 100’s of Pounds extra won’t make difference to them.
The infrastructure is designed for the large gauge shuttles, not motorail wagons that could fit on the railways of France and elsewhere in Europe. It’s also, as you say, in use all the time for the shuttles!
Yes, I know that - smaller , “continent “ compatible stock would fit in to the Folkestone platforms , would it not ?
As for the gap between edge of the platform and the wagon - let’s use metal ramps , you know this same as for the current shuttle wagons , shall we?
I also know existing infrastructure is used by the shuttles - what if one of the shuttles becomes motor rail ( with continent compatible stock ) - run by this same company ?
Pathing , at least through The Tunnel should not be a problem.
Because, as explained several times upthread, the tunnel shuttles don’t fit on the continental gauge.
Yes, I know , I suggested it many times too, that it would need to be dedicated stock fitting to the continental gauge .
). If you choose to stay in a hotel (many people don’t) then there are countless options under £60 a night, with some under £40. I have stayed at these types of hotel and they are fine - and far, far better than a cabin in a sleeper train.
