Great Western Coffee Shop

All across the Great Western territory => Media about railways, and other means of transport => Topic started by: broadgage on August 30, 2019, 23:52:44



Title: TV documentary about luxury trains.
Post by: broadgage on August 30, 2019, 23:52:44
Shown tonight, 30/08/2019, on channel 5. Featured the South African blue train and others. It was reported that the blue train was very expensive, but arguably worth it for the luxury.

In fact the blue train was a lot cheaper per mile than GWR !
Blue train, 1,000 miles for just under £1,000 including meals and drinks. Under £1 a mile.

GWR London to Taunton, 130 miles for about £300* Well over £2 a mile.

In fact many London underground journeys cost more per mile than the blue train, and don't even include a seat.

* First class open single, about £175 and a Pullman meal at about £125 with wine etc. It seems reasonable to add in the cost of a meal since the blue train incudes all meals.


Title: Re: TV documentary about luxury trains.
Post by: grahame on August 31, 2019, 07:55:49
Shown tonight, 30/08/2019, on channel 5. Featured the South African blue train and others. It was reported that the blue train was very expensive, but arguably worth it for the luxury.

In fact the blue train was a lot cheaper per mile than GWR

An interesting but potentially invalid comparison.  You have taken a GWR route on which you are eating pretty much the whole way ... and compared in to the total journey in South Africa where (one hopes) you would pause decently between your three meals day ... perhaps a better UK comparison to correct for this would be to take the cost of a 5 hour journey - Paddington to Penzance - and include one meal.     That comes out at about a pound a mile.

You have, also, allowed for every meal to be a substantial one with wine.  Personal habits, of course, but - really - wine with breakfast making up to £125 .... I doubt it!


Title: Re: TV documentary about luxury trains.
Post by: TaplowGreen on August 31, 2019, 08:21:44
Shown tonight, 30/08/2019, on channel 5. Featured the South African blue train and others. It was reported that the blue train was very expensive, but arguably worth it for the luxury.

In fact the blue train was a lot cheaper per mile than GWR



You have, also, allowed for every meal to be a substantial one with wine.  Personal habits, of course, but - really - wine with breakfast making up to £125 .... I doubt it!

Remember who you're talking to Graham  ;)


Title: Re: TV documentary about luxury trains.
Post by: broadgage on August 31, 2019, 13:57:28
Even I would not normally take wine or other alcoholic drink with breakfast !
However the blue train does include sleeping berths which adds appreciably to costs , yet despite this it remains less than half the price per mile charged by GWR.



Title: Re: TV documentary about luxury trains.
Post by: didcotdean on August 31, 2019, 15:07:41
There are only 3 or 4 runnings of the Blue Train per month. Double (sharing) occupancy at the lowest class is around £1000 each.

Single occupancy is R34,000, currently around £1840 in high season or just over £1500 in low season (the luxury suite is an additional R9000 or nearly £500).

Mind you, there is a rather cheaper sleeper with a fair amount of luxury that does a similar journey three times a week for only £189.


Title: Re: TV documentary about luxury trains.
Post by: Thatcham Crossing on August 31, 2019, 18:37:37
Quote
However the blue train does include sleeping berths

I'm sure I saw a bath at one point aswell, which must be interesting on a train....presumably only for use when stationary?


Title: Re: TV documentary about luxury trains.
Post by: broadgage on August 31, 2019, 19:00:16
Yes the more expensive suites on the blue train do indeed include a bath. Being in the bath when the train is moving sounds fairly safe, but getting in or out sounds risky.
IIRC our Royal train also has a bath.


Title: Re: TV documentary about luxury trains.
Post by: Surrey 455 on August 31, 2019, 21:09:47
Shown tonight, 30/08/2019, on channel 5. Featured the South African blue train and others. It was reported that the blue train was very expensive, but arguably worth it for the luxury.

In fact the blue train was a lot cheaper per mile than GWR

An interesting but potentially invalid comparison.  You have taken a GWR route on which you are eating pretty much the whole way ... and compared in to the total journey in South Africa where (one hopes) you would pause decently between your three meals day ... perhaps a better UK comparison to correct for this would be to take the cost of a 5 hour journey - Paddington to Penzance - and include one meal.     That comes out at about a pound a mile.

You have, also, allowed for every meal to be a substantial one with wine.  Personal habits, of course, but - really - wine with breakfast making up to £125 .... I doubt it!

I don't know what Broadgage looks like, but I have an image in my head of Mr Creosote.  ;D :P



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