• Re: Sleepers to Continent

    From JMB99@mb@nospam.net to uk.railway on Thu Aug 6 22:41:03 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    On 06/08/2026 20:17, Graeme Wall wrote:
    Ah, the benefits of BrexitrCa


    I thought it was a 'benefit' of EU rule - the EU loves unnecessary bureaucracy.



    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Graeme Wall@rail@greywall.demon.co.uk to uk.railway on Fri Aug 7 07:33:34 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    On 06/08/2026 22:41, JMB99 wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 20:17, Graeme Wall wrote:
    Ah, the benefits of BrexitrCa


    I thought it was a 'benefit' of EU rule - the EU loves unnecessary bureaucracy.


    The British complaining about other people's "unnecessary bureaucracy"
    always makes me laugh!
    --
    Graeme Wall
    This account not read.


    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Ulf Kutzner@user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid to uk.railway on Fri Aug 7 06:47:33 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway


    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> posted:

    Bevan Price <bevanprice666@gmail.com> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote: >>
    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to-
    explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not >>> RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with
    continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental
    counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge >>> and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant; >>> or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky. >>
    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and
    endure passport, customs & security checks.........


    Amongst the other problems thererCOs these things called aeroplanes.

    And the low-cost operators.

    Wasn't there a Nightstar project with rolling stock scrapped?
    Well, eventuelly they managed to sell some to Canada.

    Rail
    canrCOt even kill off the considerable Anglo Scotland passenger air traffic, never mind anything to continental Europe.

    No even UK <-> LIL?
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Ulf Kutzner@user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid to uk.railway on Fri Aug 7 06:52:02 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway


    Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> posted:

    ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 20:17, Graeme Wall wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 19:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com>
    wrote:

    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to- >>>>>> explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not >>>>> RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with
    continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental >>>>> counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge >>>>> and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant; >>>>> or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky. >>>>
    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to
    actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably
    want to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train
    and endure passport, customs & security checks.........


    Ah, the benefits of BrexitrCa

    Even prior to Brexit we were never in the Schengen area so controls
    still existed, albeit less onerous.


    Yes, the security checks were the same, and you always had the double passport check. The introduction of EES was the first time Brexit has made
    a (modest) difference.

    No, sorry. An earlier and less modest difference came by
    intoduction of ETA, I guess for about half of the passengers,
    not counting RoI traffic.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Roland Perry@roland@perry.uk to uk.railway on Fri Aug 7 07:57:48 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    In message <1153u7u$eijk$1@dont-email.me>, at 07:33:34 on Fri, 7 Aug
    2026, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:
    On 06/08/2026 22:41, JMB99 wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 20:17, Graeme Wall wrote:
    Ah, the benefits of BrexitrCa

    I thought it was a 'benefit' of EU rule - the EU loves unnecessary >>bureaucracy.

    The British complaining about other people's "unnecessary bureaucracy" >always makes me laugh!

    An enormous amount of so-called EU Bureaucracy was instigated by the UK,
    when we were one of the most influential members. But also many of the
    most important consumer protection, de-regulation and law enforcement measures.
    --
    Roland Perry
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Recliner@recliner.usenet@gmail.com to uk.railway on Fri Aug 7 09:10:33 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    Ulf Kutzner <user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

    Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> posted:

    ColinR <rail@greystane.shetland.co.uk> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 20:17, Graeme Wall wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 19:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> >>>>>> wrote:

    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to- >>>>>>>> explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not >>>>>>> RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with
    continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental >>>>>>> counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge >>>>>>> and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant; >>>>>>> or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky. >>>>>>
    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to
    actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably >>>>> want to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train >>>>> and endure passport, customs & security checks.........


    Ah, the benefits of BrexitrCa

    Even prior to Brexit we were never in the Schengen area so controls
    still existed, albeit less onerous.


    Yes, the security checks were the same, and you always had the double
    passport check. The introduction of EES was the first time Brexit has made >> a (modest) difference.

    No, sorry. An earlier and less modest difference came by
    intoduction of ETA, I guess for about half of the passengers,
    not counting RoI traffic.


    Yes, my comment was obviously from the PoV of UK citizens.

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Clank@clank75@googlemail.com to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 13:28:03 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    On 06/08/2026 21:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote:

    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to-
    explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not
    RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with
    continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental
    counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge
    and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant;
    or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky.

    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to
    actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want
    to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and
    endure passport, customs & security checks.........

    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are
    problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection (and
    a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone hiding
    under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is
    completely unique and would render this impossible...
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Ulf Kutzner@user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 10:36:13 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway


    Clank <clank75@googlemail.com> posted:

    On 06/08/2026 21:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote: >>
    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to-
    explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not >>> RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with
    continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental
    counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge >>> and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant; >>> or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky. >>
    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to
    actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and
    endure passport, customs & security checks.........

    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection (and
    a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone hiding
    under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is
    completely unique and

    On the BG/TR border, they managed to throw all passengers out
    for checks at the Turkish side. Recently, they added the Bulgarian
    side. Not sure about the current week...
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Tweed@usenet.tweed@gmail.com to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 11:19:13 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    Clank <clank75@googlemail.com> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 21:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote: >>>
    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to-
    explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not >>>> RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with
    continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental
    counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge >>>> and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant; >>>> or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky. >>>
    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to
    actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want
    to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and
    endure passport, customs & security checks.........

    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection (and
    a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone hiding
    under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is
    completely unique and would render this impossible...


    The palaver for Eurostar passports, imposed by both UK and EU, should
    answer your question.

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Recliner@recliner.usenet@gmail.com to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 11:24:26 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Clank <clank75@googlemail.com> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 21:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote: >>>>
    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to-
    explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not >>>>> RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with
    continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental
    counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge >>>>> and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant; >>>>> or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky. >>>>
    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to
    actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want >>> to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and
    endure passport, customs & security checks.........

    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are
    problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection (and
    a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone hiding
    under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is
    completely unique and would render this impossible...


    The palaver for Eurostar passports, imposed by both UK and EU, should
    answer your question.



    And the requirement to scan all bags would mean that pairs of inspectors
    (with online devices) simply walking down the train would not be enough.

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Tweed@usenet.tweed@gmail.com to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 11:25:29 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Clank <clank75@googlemail.com> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 21:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote: >>>>
    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to-
    explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not >>>>> RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with
    continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental
    counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge >>>>> and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant; >>>>> or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky. >>>>
    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to
    actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want >>> to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and
    endure passport, customs & security checks.........

    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are
    problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection (and
    a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone hiding
    under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is
    completely unique and would render this impossible...


    The palaver for Eurostar passports, imposed by both UK and EU, should
    answer your question.

    The other problem is that a night sleeper is, at best, going to displace
    about one plane load of passengers travelling from Scotland. So a huge
    expense to little end other than to salve the conscience of a few rich eco warriors who canrCOt do calculations about scale.

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Recliner@recliner.usenet@gmail.com to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 12:01:28 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Clank <clank75@googlemail.com> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 21:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote: >>>>>
    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to- >>>>>>> explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not >>>>>> RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with
    continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental >>>>>> counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge >>>>>> and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant; >>>>>> or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky. >>>>>
    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to
    actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want >>>> to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and
    endure passport, customs & security checks.........

    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are
    problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection (and >>> a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone hiding
    under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is
    completely unique and would render this impossible...


    The palaver for Eurostar passports, imposed by both UK and EU, should
    answer your question.

    The other problem is that a night sleeper is, at best, going to displace about one plane load of passengers travelling from Scotland. So a huge expense to little end other than to salve the conscience of a few rich eco warriors who canrCOt do calculations about scale.

    Very true.

    And if you include all the activities associated with operating the sleeper train, I wonder how much greener it would be than a single A321neo flying
    from Edinburgh to CDG, where it connects with both local and long distance
    rail services?

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Tweed@usenet.tweed@gmail.com to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 12:09:55 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Clank <clank75@googlemail.com> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 21:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote:

    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to- >>>>>>>> explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not >>>>>>> RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with
    continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental >>>>>>> counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge >>>>>>> and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant; >>>>>>> or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky. >>>>>>
    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to
    actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want >>>>> to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and
    endure passport, customs & security checks.........

    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are >>>> problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection (and >>>> a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone hiding >>>> under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is
    completely unique and would render this impossible...


    The palaver for Eurostar passports, imposed by both UK and EU, should
    answer your question.

    The other problem is that a night sleeper is, at best, going to displace
    about one plane load of passengers travelling from Scotland. So a huge
    expense to little end other than to salve the conscience of a few rich eco >> warriors who canrCOt do calculations about scale.

    Very true.

    And if you include all the activities associated with operating the sleeper train, I wonder how much greener it would be than a single A321neo flying from Edinburgh to CDG, where it connects with both local and long distance rail services?


    The same thought had occurred to me. On a recent Eurostar to Brussels we
    did end up chatting to someone who had come down from Glasgow by train and
    then caught our late afternoon service. He was off to a football match in Germany and wasnrCOt keen on flying. So itrCOs all perfectly possible without adding the complication of a sleeper to the mix.

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Ulf Kutzner@user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 12:13:03 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway


    Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> posted:

    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Clank <clank75@googlemail.com> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 21:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote:

    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to- >>>>>>> explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not >>>>>> RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with
    continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental >>>>>> counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge >>>>>> and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant;
    or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky.

    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to
    actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want
    to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and
    endure passport, customs & security checks.........

    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are >>> problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection (and >>> a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone hiding >>> under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is
    completely unique and would render this impossible...


    The palaver for Eurostar passports, imposed by both UK and EU, should
    answer your question.

    The other problem is that a night sleeper is, at best, going to displace about one plane load of passengers travelling from Scotland. So a huge expense to little end other than to salve the conscience of a few rich eco warriors who canrCOt do calculations about scale.

    Very true.

    And if you include all the activities associated with operating the sleeper train, I wonder how much greener it would be than a single A321neo flying from Edinburgh to CDG, where it connects with both local and long distance rail services?

    If you take away overnighters, evening flights may not
    connect to many long-distance rail services before next
    morning.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Ulf Kutzner@user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 12:17:34 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway


    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> posted:

    Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Clank <clank75@googlemail.com> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 21:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote:

    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to- >>>>>>>> explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not
    RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with >>>>>>> continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental >>>>>>> counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge
    and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant;
    or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky.

    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to >>>>>> actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want
    to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and >>>>> endure passport, customs & security checks.........

    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are >>>> problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection (and
    a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone hiding >>>> under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is
    completely unique and would render this impossible...


    The palaver for Eurostar passports, imposed by both UK and EU, should
    answer your question.

    The other problem is that a night sleeper is, at best, going to displace >> about one plane load of passengers travelling from Scotland. So a huge
    expense to little end other than to salve the conscience of a few rich eco >> warriors who canrCOt do calculations about scale.

    Very true.

    And if you include all the activities associated with operating the sleeper train, I wonder how much greener it would be than a single A321neo flying from Edinburgh to CDG, where it connects with both local and long distance rail services?


    The same thought had occurred to me. On a recent Eurostar to Brussels we
    did end up chatting to someone who had come down from Glasgow by train and then caught our late afternoon service. He was off to a football match in Germany and wasnrCOt keen on flying. So itrCOs all perfectly possible without adding the complication of a sleeper to the mix.

    But he had to agree to fare masochism. And he needed a place where to
    sleep on the Continent. Don't think the football match tokk place that
    very evening.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Tweed@usenet.tweed@gmail.com to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 12:27:16 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    Ulf Kutzner <user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

    Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> posted:

    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Clank <clank75@googlemail.com> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 21:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote:

    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to- >>>>>>>>> explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not >>>>>>>> RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with >>>>>>>> continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental >>>>>>>> counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge >>>>>>>> and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant;
    or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky.

    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to >>>>>>> actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want
    to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and >>>>>> endure passport, customs & security checks.........

    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are >>>>> problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection (and >>>>> a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone hiding >>>>> under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is
    completely unique and would render this impossible...


    The palaver for Eurostar passports, imposed by both UK and EU, should
    answer your question.

    The other problem is that a night sleeper is, at best, going to displace >>> about one plane load of passengers travelling from Scotland. So a huge
    expense to little end other than to salve the conscience of a few rich eco >>> warriors who canrCOt do calculations about scale.

    Very true.

    And if you include all the activities associated with operating the sleeper >> train, I wonder how much greener it would be than a single A321neo flying
    from Edinburgh to CDG, where it connects with both local and long distance >> rail services?

    If you take away overnighters, evening flights may not
    connect to many long-distance rail services before next
    morning.

    ThererCOs lots of early morning flights out of Scotland to major European
    hubs. Or fly towards the end of the day and get a proper nightrCOs sleep at
    the far end airport hotel. Or train to London, stay over in London and
    catch an early morning Eurostar. ThererCOs so many alternatives to a sleeper that are either more comfortable, convenient or cheaper.

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Ulf Kutzner@user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 12:31:38 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway


    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> posted:

    Ulf Kutzner <user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

    Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> posted:

    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Clank <clank75@googlemail.com> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 21:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote:

    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to- >>>>>>>>> explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not
    RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with >>>>>>>> continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental >>>>>>>> counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge
    and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant;
    or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky.

    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to >>>>>>> actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want
    to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and >>>>>> endure passport, customs & security checks.........

    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are >>>>> problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection (and
    a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone hiding >>>>> under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is
    completely unique and would render this impossible...


    The palaver for Eurostar passports, imposed by both UK and EU, should >>>> answer your question.

    The other problem is that a night sleeper is, at best, going to displace >>> about one plane load of passengers travelling from Scotland. So a huge >>> expense to little end other than to salve the conscience of a few rich eco
    warriors who canrCOt do calculations about scale.

    Very true.

    And if you include all the activities associated with operating the sleeper
    train, I wonder how much greener it would be than a single A321neo flying >> from Edinburgh to CDG, where it connects with both local and long distance >> rail services?

    If you take away overnighters, evening flights may not
    connect to many long-distance rail services before next
    morning.

    ThererCOs lots of early morning flights out of Scotland to major European hubs. Or fly towards the end of the day and get a proper nightrCOs sleep at the far end airport hotel. Or train to London, stay over in London and
    catch an early morning Eurostar. ThererCOs so many alternatives to a sleeper that are either more comfortable, convenient or cheaper.

    I guess the most important word in your answer is "or".

    Regards, ULF
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Tweed@usenet.tweed@gmail.com to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 12:47:53 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    Ulf Kutzner <user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> posted:

    Ulf Kutzner <user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

    Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> posted:

    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Clank <clank75@googlemail.com> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 21:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote:

    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to- >>>>>>>>>>> explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not
    RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with >>>>>>>>>> continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental >>>>>>>>>> counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge
    and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant;
    or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky.

    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to >>>>>>>>> actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want
    to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and >>>>>>>> endure passport, customs & security checks.........

    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are >>>>>>> problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection (and
    a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone hiding >>>>>>> under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is >>>>>>> completely unique and would render this impossible...


    The palaver for Eurostar passports, imposed by both UK and EU, should >>>>>> answer your question.

    The other problem is that a night sleeper is, at best, going to displace >>>>> about one plane load of passengers travelling from Scotland. So a huge >>>>> expense to little end other than to salve the conscience of a few rich eco
    warriors who canrCOt do calculations about scale.

    Very true.

    And if you include all the activities associated with operating the sleeper
    train, I wonder how much greener it would be than a single A321neo flying >>>> from Edinburgh to CDG, where it connects with both local and long distance >>>> rail services?

    If you take away overnighters, evening flights may not
    connect to many long-distance rail services before next
    morning.

    ThererCOs lots of early morning flights out of Scotland to major European
    hubs. Or fly towards the end of the day and get a proper nightrCOs sleep at >> the far end airport hotel. Or train to London, stay over in London and
    catch an early morning Eurostar. ThererCOs so many alternatives to a sleeper >> that are either more comfortable, convenient or cheaper.

    I guess the most important word in your answer is "or".

    Regards, ULF


    Rail canrCOt even displace Glasgow/Edinburgh to London air traffic. ItrCOs roughly equally divided.

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Recliner@recliner.usenet@gmail.com to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 13:05:19 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    Ulf Kutzner <user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> posted:

    Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Clank <clank75@googlemail.com> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 21:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote:

    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to- >>>>>>>>>> explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not
    RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with >>>>>>>>> continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental >>>>>>>>> counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge
    and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant;
    or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky.

    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to >>>>>>>> actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want
    to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and >>>>>>> endure passport, customs & security checks.........

    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are >>>>>> problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection (and
    a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone hiding >>>>>> under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is
    completely unique and would render this impossible...


    The palaver for Eurostar passports, imposed by both UK and EU, should >>>>> answer your question.

    The other problem is that a night sleeper is, at best, going to displace >>>> about one plane load of passengers travelling from Scotland. So a huge >>>> expense to little end other than to salve the conscience of a few rich eco >>>> warriors who canrCOt do calculations about scale.

    Very true.

    And if you include all the activities associated with operating the sleeper >>> train, I wonder how much greener it would be than a single A321neo flying >>> from Edinburgh to CDG, where it connects with both local and long distance >>> rail services?


    The same thought had occurred to me. On a recent Eurostar to Brussels we
    did end up chatting to someone who had come down from Glasgow by train and >> then caught our late afternoon service. He was off to a football match in
    Germany and wasnrCOt keen on flying. So itrCOs all perfectly possible without
    adding the complication of a sleeper to the mix.

    But he had to agree to fare masochism.

    By using the train, you mean? Flying would be much cheaper.


    And he needed a place where to
    sleep on the Continent. Don't think the football match tokk place that
    very evening.

    HerCOd still have needed a German hotel room, even if he could have taken a sleeper train.


    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Ulf Kutzner@user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 13:12:02 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway


    Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> posted:

    Ulf Kutzner <user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> posted:

    Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Clank <clank75@googlemail.com> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 21:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote:

    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to- >>>>>>>>>> explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not
    RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with >>>>>>>>> continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental >>>>>>>>> counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey.

    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge
    and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant;
    or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing
    arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky.

    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to >>>>>>>> actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want
    to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and >>>>>>> endure passport, customs & security checks.........

    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are >>>>>> problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection (and
    a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone hiding
    under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is >>>>>> completely unique and would render this impossible...


    The palaver for Eurostar passports, imposed by both UK and EU, should >>>>> answer your question.

    The other problem is that a night sleeper is, at best, going to displace >>>> about one plane load of passengers travelling from Scotland. So a huge >>>> expense to little end other than to salve the conscience of a few rich eco
    warriors who canrCOt do calculations about scale.

    Very true.

    And if you include all the activities associated with operating the sleeper
    train, I wonder how much greener it would be than a single A321neo flying >>> from Edinburgh to CDG, where it connects with both local and long distance
    rail services?


    The same thought had occurred to me. On a recent Eurostar to Brussels we >> did end up chatting to someone who had come down from Glasgow by train and >> then caught our late afternoon service. He was off to a football match in >> Germany and wasnrCOt keen on flying. So itrCOs all perfectly possible without
    adding the complication of a sleeper to the mix.

    But he had to agree to fare masochism.

    By using the train, you mean? Flying would be much cheaper.

    IIUC, they don't sell through train tickets
    Scotland to Germany any more. Maybe last time
    when they did, the fare included a ferry section,
    e.g. to the not-existing-any-more Hoek van Holland
    train station.

    And ticket combinations might be expensive.


    They do sell through air tickets if you do not insist
    on non-direct FR and similar flights.

    And he needed a place where to
    sleep on the Continent. Don't think the football match tokk place that
    very evening.

    HerCOd still have needed a German hotel room, even if he could have taken a sleeper train.

    Maybe after the match.
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Tweed@usenet.tweed@gmail.com to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 13:47:02 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    Ulf Kutzner <user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

    Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> posted:

    Ulf Kutzner <user2991@newsgrouper.org.invalid> wrote:

    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> posted:

    Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
    Clank <clank75@googlemail.com> wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 21:40, Bevan Price wrote:
    On 06/08/2026 16:18, Recliner wrote:
    On Thu, 6 Aug 2026 16:12:18 +0100, Robert <monstoor@spammedia.com> wrote:

    On 06/08/2026 15:48, ColinR wrote:

    https://www.transport.gov.scot/news/working-group-established-to- >>>>>>>>>>>> explore-caledonian-sleeper-links-to-mainland-europe/

    More wasted money??

    I saw this mentioned on BlueSky. For starters, the Mark 5 stock is not
    RIC-compliant and is certainly not mechanically-compatible with >>>>>>>>>>> continental locos and stock.

    Mark 5 stock is also smaller in loading gauge than its continental >>>>>>>>>>> counterparts, meaning cramped cabins for a long journey. >>>>>>>>>>>
    So, either 1) the UK route is converted to international loading gauge
    and new stock is ordered;

    2) The stock is retained and heavily-modified to make it RIC-compliant;
    or...

    3) New UK-gauge stock is ordered but is RIC-compliant.

    And we haven't even began to talk about border crossing >>>>>>>>>>> arrangements... :-)

    Personally, I'd love to see #1 happen, but I think it's pie-in-the-sky.

    Yes, this sounds like a way of keeping politicians happy, not to >>>>>>>>>> actually do anything.

    And apart from any other problems, "the authorities" would probably want
    to wake passengers in the middle of the night, leave the train and >>>>>>>>> endure passport, customs & security checks.........

    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are >>>>>>>> problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection (and
    a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone hiding
    under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is >>>>>>>> completely unique and would render this impossible...


    The palaver for Eurostar passports, imposed by both UK and EU, should >>>>>>> answer your question.

    The other problem is that a night sleeper is, at best, going to displace >>>>>> about one plane load of passengers travelling from Scotland. So a huge >>>>>> expense to little end other than to salve the conscience of a few rich eco
    warriors who canrCOt do calculations about scale.

    Very true.

    And if you include all the activities associated with operating the sleeper
    train, I wonder how much greener it would be than a single A321neo flying >>>>> from Edinburgh to CDG, where it connects with both local and long distance
    rail services?


    The same thought had occurred to me. On a recent Eurostar to Brussels we >>>> did end up chatting to someone who had come down from Glasgow by train and >>>> then caught our late afternoon service. He was off to a football match in >>>> Germany and wasnrCOt keen on flying. So itrCOs all perfectly possible without
    adding the complication of a sleeper to the mix.

    But he had to agree to fare masochism.

    By using the train, you mean? Flying would be much cheaper.

    IIUC, they don't sell through train tickets
    Scotland to Germany any more. Maybe last time
    when they did, the fare included a ferry section,
    e.g. to the not-existing-any-more Hoek van Holland
    train station.

    And ticket combinations might be expensive.


    They do sell through air tickets if you do not insist
    on non-direct FR and similar flights.

    And he needed a place where to
    sleep on the Continent. Don't think the football match tokk place that
    very evening.

    HerCOd still have needed a German hotel room, even if he could have taken a >> sleeper train.

    Maybe after the match.


    There is a way of getting a through ticket from almost anywhere in GB to
    almost anywhere on the Continent. ItrCOs called Interrail. The cheapest pass that is multi country is the 4 days in a month Global Pass. Including the Eurostar supplements itrCOs around 300 GBP second class. You have to add on supplements for many continental high speed services. But given that it
    acts as an Anytime ticket for your outbound and inbound trip in GB it can
    be both very flexible and cost effective.

    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Roland Perry@roland@perry.uk to uk.railway on Tue Aug 11 16:46:58 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    In message <115etfj$3tl1g$1@dont-email.me>, at 13:28:03 on Tue, 11 Aug
    2026, Clank <clank75@googlemail.com> remarked:
    Cross-border night-trains are hardly a novel invention, and these are >problems solved everywhere else in the world by on-train inspection
    (and a quick sweep down the train of sniffer dogs looking for anyone
    hiding under a bed or the like.)

    I've no doubt there is a litany of reasons why the UK border is
    completely unique and would render this impossible...

    It's mainly to do with International treaties about passengers who claim asylum.
    --
    Roland Perry
    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From JMB99@mb@nospam.net to uk.railway on Wed Aug 12 07:05:34 2026
    From Newsgroup: uk.railway

    On 11/08/2026 12:25, Tweed wrote:
    The other problem is that a night sleeper is, at best, going to displace about one plane load of passengers travelling from Scotland. So a huge expense to little end other than to salve the conscience of a few rich eco warriors who canrCOt do calculations about scale.



    There are (probably a small number) of people who virtually commute
    using the sleeper.

    A friend of mine used to use it go down for meetings in London and found
    it more convenient than flying. He lived up on Skye and would leave his
    car at my house.

    When we visited Castle Stalker, we were told that the family that bought
    and restored it, used to come up to Fort William on a Friday night.
    They kept a car somewhere in FW, drove and spent the weekend working on
    the castle then travelled back on Sunday night.


    --- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2