Night Riviera - merged posts, ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Palfers]

So if I'm correct that means both sets are down here? and I wonder how many people will be using the night hsts or even know it's an hst service obvious the people who tried booking a birth will know. Well least it would be a quicker service lol

[LiskeardRich]

So if I'm correct that means both sets are down here? and I wonder how many people will be using the night hsts or even know it's an hst service obvious the people who tried booking a birth will know. Well least it would be a quicker service lol

Correct. Tuesday night down is HST^▸ (High Speed Train) London to plymouth where it will be subbed with the sleeper set at Laira. Depending on the reading works that set could go from either paddington or waterloo.
Tuesday up is a sleeper set to reposition them
There are also at least 3 class 57s down west this weekend. 57604 and a DRS^▸ (Direct Rail Services Ltd) class 57 at penzance and there is a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) class 57 at Laira.

[Adelante_CCT]

According to RTT^» (Real Time Trains - website) its Monday night not Tuesday that its an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) to Plymouth with the sleeper onwards, Up is the sleeper set.

[bobm]

Full details from the Easter Guide

The Night Riviera Sleeper
Friday 3 to Monday 6 April
London to Penzance
Departs from London Paddington at 2233 on the night of Thursday 2 April.

On Friday 3, Sunday 5 and Monday 6 April the Sleeper will not operate. Instead there will be an overnight High Speed Train service from London Waterloo to
Penzance offering seated accommodation only.

Penzance to London
Runs normally from Penzance to London Paddington on Wednesday 1 April.

On Thursday 2, Friday 3 and Sunday 5 April the Sleeper will not operate. Instead there will be an overnight High Speed Train service from Penzance to
London Waterloo offering seated accommodation only.

Tuesday 7 to Saturday 11 April
London to Penzance
From Tuesday 7 April to Friday 10 April the Sleeper will run normally from London Paddington to Penzance.

Penzance to London
From Monday 6 April to Friday 10 April the Sleeper will run normally from Penzance to London Paddington.

Sunday 12 April

London to Penzance
Retimed to depart from London Paddington at 0310 on Monday 13 April.

Penzance to London
Runs normally, departing Penzance at 2115.

[trainer]

obvious the people who tried booking a birth will know.

I was just wondering if this alternative birthing arrangement is available through the NHS? 

[TaplowGreen]

Has anyone on here got experience of an "overnight HST^▸ (High Speed Train) service" rather than a sleeper? I can't imagine it's the most enjoyable experience or conducive to getting much kip, especially in Standard class?

Is catering available throughout the night?

[higthomas]

Why cant the sleeper operate out of Waterloo?

[John R]

This is a guess, but the sleeper stock is Mk 3.  As has been noted on another thread this diversionary weekend, Mk 3 stock can only run over third rail if the bogies are of a particular type (Short Swing Link). Some HST^▸ (High Speed Train) stock was so designed when the Cross Country sets were ordered that were planned be used between Basingstoke and Poole. Any other Mk 3 stock, including many HST vehicles, and also the sleeper stock, is not be able to run into Waterloo.

You've also got the issue that a sleeper service requires more platform occupation time, and whilst unlikely to be a problem at 2300, is certainly an issue on its arrival from the West Country in the morning rush hour. Though that may be less of an issue over the bank holiday.


 

[SandTEngineer]

If I recall correctly the sleepers used to run to Waterloo rather than Paddington for a period of time (via Kensington Olympia).  Can't remember exactly when but may have been in the late 1990s

[JayMac]

There is also nowhere to service the sleeper stock after it would arrive in Waterloo. First you'd need a stabled locomotive nearby to haul the stock out as there are no release points at Waterloo for the arriving locomotive. Then you'd need to get the stock to somewhere it can be serviced and that is, realistically, only Old Oak Common. That means drivers with the right route knowledge to move the set through West London.

And if there's a failure? A not uncommon occurrence with the Night Riviera these days. SWT^▸ (South West Trains) and Network Rail would not be impressed if one of their platforms or approach tracks was out of action in the morning rush hour.

Just too risky logistically for a relatively small number of passengers. So, while not ideal, an overnight HST^▸ (High Speed Train) is the best compromise.

[LiskeardRich]

If I recall correctly the sleepers used to run to Waterloo rather than Paddington for a period of time (via Kensington Olympia).  Can't remember exactly when but may have been in the late 1990s

They did, late 90s or even early 00s, as I recall reading the timetables as a child when visiting my grandads planning trips. He left the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) in 2004. I would imagine I was somewhere between 10 and 14 to show such an interest yet still recall the memories.
My grandad is responsible for my interests as he used to take me on trips most weekends by rail.

[JayMac]

According to the following link, Great Western Trains ran the Sleeper to and from Waterloo from May 1995 to September 1998.

http://www.avoe05.dsl.pipex.com/Sheepcote%20Lane%20curve.htm

Things were very different 20 years ago.

[SandTEngineer]

Thanks BNM.  Memory not as bad as I thought then

[Rhydgaled]

According to the following link, Great Western Trains ran the Sleeper to and from Waterloo from May 1995 to September 1998.

http://www.avoe05.dsl.pipex.com/Sheepcote%20Lane%20curve.htm

Things were very different 20 years ago.

Does that mean the loco-hauled mark3s are the right type (Short Swing Link?) to run over 3rd rail then, and it is only some IC125 trailer mark3s that can't go on 3rd rail routes?

[Kernowman]

According to the following link, Great Western Trains ran the Sleeper to and from Waterloo from May 1995 to September 1998.

http://www.avoe05.dsl.pipex.com/Sheepcote%20Lane%20curve.htm

Things were very different 20 years ago.

I believe that the idea of sending the sleeper into Waterloo was partly to connect with Waterloo Eurostar services. About this time there was also a proposed Plymouth to Paris sleeper, remember that?
Arguably there is an untapped market for sleeper and motorail services from London to destinations across Europe and even Asia, just look at some of the sleeper and motorail services that run in Continental Europe, some of which change gauge on route. But I'm going off topic a bit here!