Future sleeper service safe in new franchise - minister

[whole diary]

[The SprinterMeister]

I'm sure it's possible one way or another, if it's deemed to be cost-effective is another matter of course. Via Rail Canada refurbished their Budd Company 1950s-vintage stainless steel sleeping cars with showers at some point; they're fairly basic but very effective. The mark 3 sleepers have (or certainly had in their original state) two toilets per car, which seems like overkill given the relatively low density of occupants; I don't suppose it would be impossible to convert one of these.

Showers are probably more of a necessity in Canada given that a journey from Vancouver to Toronto will involve spending three nights on-board though...

The Mk3's still have two toilets per coach at one end. Whether theres enough room to make one of them into some sort of shower (with somewhere to put your clothes while showering) is to my mind rather doubtfull. Plus your going to need to put in a larger header tank for the water.

Nothing much wrong with the 57/6's, their good for a while yet. I quite like driving the things.

[macbrains]

Consumer view on the current Night Riviera service - Mrs M and I travelled to Truro a few weeks ago, and it was (IMVHO) excellent.  For what we paid (advance fare of ^69 for the two of us, including very nice bacon baguettes and tea/orange juice at 06:30) it was truly monumental value.

The carriages might be old, but I'd agree with quote further up the thread that they are perfectly serviceable and very comfortable.  Small, but perfectly formed, and a masterpiece of fitting loads of shelving/sink etc in a small space.

First Class lounge on Platform 1 at Paddington was very good too - plenty of complimentary drinks and fruit, plus cake/biscuits and nuts, plus free magazines and papers.  Only downside was that they were renewing the floor in the older part of the lounge, with consequent ear shattering noises, not really conducive to peaceful reverie prior to boarding.

Overall, a good experience, one we'd be keen to repeat, and has whetted our appetite for the Caledonian Sleeper asap.

Bit surreal to go to sleep in Central London and wake up in darkest Cornwall - but compared to driving down there... well, no comparison!

rgds
Rob

[RichardB]

On her visit to Cornwall these last two days, Theresa Villiers, Rail Minister, confirmed that the Paddington - Penzance Sleeper will be included in the Invitation to Tender.

She travelled on it herself on Tuesday night (no link to decision!).

[winterbourne]

Interested to hear Theresa Villiers MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) Minister of State for transport on Radio Cornwall confirm that the Sleeper service will be retained within the new franchise. She was in Cornwall on Wednesday speaking about the new franchise, and plans for the services in the Duchy.

[old original]

The DOT have announced that the sleeper service will be part of the new franchise....

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Sleeper-train-Penzance-capital-saved/story-16322181-detail/story.html

[old original]

Now being reported by local MPs^▸ (Member of Parliament) the the minimum service requirement in the new franchise will lower the number of Penzance - London services from 9 to 6.
This could be the usual spin and when the announcement is made, expected to be later this week, it will probably be 7 or 8 then everyone will say "that's not so bad"

[Southern Stag]

Seems odd when the basis for the minimum service level was apparently going to be current service level. Of course it could just be that the ITT^▸ (Invitation to Tender) is less prescriptive than previously so only running 6 key trains is mandated but in reality it is likely that service levels will continue as now.

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

Does the current figure include xc services

[Kernow Otter]

Am learning not to get too wound up by leaks and pre-announcements, and will withhold my opinion until the full document has been formally released.  Better for the stress levels that way !

[old original]

Does the current figure include xc services

no, these figures are purely for the Penzance - Paddington run.