Night Riviera - merged posts, ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Out of curiosity if the service is running to time does anyone  know what time the service passes through Thatcham ? If the wind is in the right direction I often hear a service pass through about 430 am

May that be the ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) (Empty Coaching Stock) for the 06:07 Frome to Paddington?

[JayMac]

The ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) for the 0607 Frome-Paddington comes from St Phillips Marsh TMD^▸ (Traction Maintenance Depot), Bristol.

[bobm]

At the moment the up Sleeper is travelling via Bristol and Swindon. Last week it was travelling via Bristol and Trowbridge. Via Bristol and Swindon appears to be the case for weeks to come as well. When it does travel via the Berks & Hants it tends to pass Thatcham (if on time) around 0330. It's booked to set down at Reading at 0400 on weekdays.

The up sleeper often calls at Swindon around 3.15am to pick up staff - it is not an advertised public call however but if I am up working I often hear it pulling in, especially in the summer when the windows are open.

My own (and Mrs SWR^» (South Western Railway - about)'s) problem with night trains is that they dump you at the destination at an unearthly hour.  Mrs SWR calls 0700 'the crack of dawn', even in July.  The other is indeed the need for earplugs.  The 'backpackers on the wayside station platform telling jokes to great mirth at 0300' syndrome is an old friend when we travelled abroad.

Go to Fort William on the Caledonian Sleeper - you will have until nearly 10am on board - and some great scenery too.

[trainer]

Very good account BNM, thanks.  On your comment about Scotrail's hot food, the last time I came down from Fort William the kitchen was unable to produce even hot drinks and a regular who sat opposite me in the Lounge car told me that she'd stopped relying on it.  This was a couple of years ago and I'm sure things have improved since then: at least I hope they have.  I found it difficult to sleep through all the shunting at Edinburgh as the three portions were joined, but the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) service is free from such hassles.  I intend to try the Cornish sleeper some time to compare experiences and your posting has reminded me to get on with it.

[Southern Stag]

The ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) for the 0607 Frome-Paddington comes from St Phillips Marsh TMD^▸ (Traction Maintenance Depot), Bristol.

It did used to come from Paddington until a couple of years ago, and that probably would have been around 0430 at Thatcham. It's odd that orange juice and coffee aren't served with breakfast, as you can have free hot drinks in the evening, seems odd not to extend the offer to the morning as well.

[JayMac]

It's possible I had a steward looking for an easy life. I didn't press the matter.

[bobm]

Just by way of comparison - here is the lounge car on the Caledonian Sleeper.  Not evident in the photo, but the chairs are not fixed to the floor which, I think, is unique on UK^▸ (United Kingdom) railways.
(Sorry about the ghostly reflection in the window...)


The berths are basically the same, although without the VOLO tv.  They also have more double berths and, certainly last summer, still had sheets rather than duvets.

[JayMac]

Better selection of food on the Caley. I love the haggis, neeps and tatties with whisky sauce. Some decent ales and single malts as well. (Menu here)

The only other train I've travelled on without fixed seating is the 1st Class section on the Ffestiniog Railway. You get wing-back armchairs in there!

[bobm]

Certainly agree the food is excellent on the Highland sleepers. 

The steward on our down sleeper (the one that goes to Scotland) had been in the job for over 30 years and was due to retire last Christmas.  He acknowledged my aversion to "blue" cheese with ample portions of the other varieties!

As you might expect there was a good selection of whisky (note no "e") too!

I have used the Cornish sleepers much more than the Scottish but possibly because the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) ones were for work rather than pleasure, unlike the Scottish ones, my view is biased but my overall impression of the Highland ones is better.  However from the practical point of getting to the West Country in time to do a day's work they are invaluable and I hope they continue for a long while.

[Kernow Otter]

Mr & Mrs Kernow Otter are heading up on the Night Riviera towards the end of this week, and for once have taken the berth option rather than the lounge carriages, predominantly because we managed to get some stupidly cheap Sleeper Advance Twin tickets, (has to be one of the better FGW^▸ (First Great Western) ticket deals), a few months ago.

Really looking forward to the trip, despite the fact we have to travel to board at Par because the 'up' no longer stops at Lostwithiel.  So much for a couple of cheeky pints in The Globe before boarding...

[Regulation9]

If you use sleepers regularly you get used to asking for a berth in the middle of the coach. I find it is the most important thing to help you have the best sleep.

[bobm]

A warm welcome to the Coffee Shop Regulation9.

I agree with you.  When booking on line it is not always easy to get a middle berth although I have put successive bookings in my on line basket until I get the berth I want - and then deleted the others before going to the payment screen.  Used the same 'trick' for seats on day trains too.

[ChrisB]

Power sockets!

There ought to be a warning with your ticket....caught me out first time...

[The Tall Controller]

This hasn't been discussed yet but you can ask for a newspaper when the steward comes in with your breakfast. Although the breakfast on the Night Riviera isn't substantial it is at least free unlike the Caledonian.

I intend to go on the Caledonian this summer for the first time, looking forward to it!

[swrural]

Just one question about the arrival time I mentioned (also thus the speed of journey).

What are the thoughts on this?  Who wants to be turfed out at 0600?  I got the impression BNM, that in fact you were allowed to sleep on beyond the arrival time.  Is that so?