Problems with the Night Riviera sleeper - December 2014 onwards

[whole diary]

[grahame]

 
A quite innocent initial remark has led to the usual posters following their usual narratives.

Apologies. My first posts for a couple of weeks and ticked off already. Think I'll go and hibernate again.

It wasn't aimed at you, Celestial.  Good idea though - I might consider hibernation myself.

My note above to Celestial also applies (+++) to yourself, Industry Insider.   ... and I will split off the next generation possibilities for a sleeper from the "Problems" thread. 

[grahame]

My note above to Celestial also applies (+++) to yourself, Industry Insider.   ... and I will split off the next generation possibilities for a sleeper from the "Problems" thread. 

"Sleeper services  - the next generation" at http://www.passenger.chat/23912

[Lee]

"Sleeper services  - the next generation" at http://www.passenger.chat/23912

I've just had the latest publicity shots through now, Captain:

[Witham Bobby]

Not a problem with the running of The Sleepers, but i was pleased to see that they via the B&H and Somerton both ways last night.

The 4-bells for the 0005 Paddington to Penzance and the 2210 Penzance to Paddington enlivened the night shifts at Witham, now 45+ years ago in my history. 

[Witham Bobby]

Interesting, also, last night, that both Up and Down Sleepers may have run via the Westbury Avoiding Line and not been turned into the station as timetabled

Interesting to me, at any rate!

(Night of 7th/8th Sept 2020)

[bobm]

Interesting both services leave earlier these days.  Do they arrive earlier?

[Witham Bobby]

Interesting both services leave earlier these days.  Do they arrive earlier?

I can't answer that one, although I've probably got a passenger timetable buried deeply somewhere that would confirm it either way.

I'm now wondering if the London departure wasn't 2355, rather than 0005

The very excellent thing about The Sleepers back then was that nine times out of ten it would feature D1000 haulage.  In summer, with the 'box windows open, it was great to hear the Maybach music slowly become louder, as the loco powered up Brewham

[Witham Bobby]

Without needing to resort to digging through whatever historic timetables I have, I found this online

https://nick86235.smugmug.com/Timetables/Great-Britain-Passenger/i-FmpZp6g/A

I know it's a Saturday timetable, but I don't think the Saturday times differed much from M-F times

So there were two down Sleepers.  The first ran via Bristol, departing Paddington at 2335 on Friday night (I think this was 2345 during the week, but can't be sure).  Arrived at Plymouth at 0558 and Penzance at 0832

The Second ran vian the B&H, Westbury Avoiding Line and Somerton.  It left Paddington at 0055, and arrived at Plymouth at 0510 (set down only) and 0745 at Penzance.  I think the Plymouth passengers were in coaches that were detached at Plymouth and could stay aboard until a more civilised hour.  The reverse kind of thing happened in the other direction, with coaches available for boarding some time before the Penzance portion arrived.

[sleepy]

The timetable shown in link doesn't have Sleeping Car symbol shown for both services, perhaps 2345 was seated only ?
 I know in 1980's on Friday nights in Summer a seated only relief ran from Paddington.

[Witham Bobby]

The timetable shown in link doesn't have Sleeping Car symbol shown for both services, perhaps 2345 was seated only ?
 I know in 1980's on Friday nights in Summer a seated only relief ran from Paddington.

By Jove! I think you're right.  The relief you mention is also shown, 2335 from Paddington

[Zoe]

The October 1975 Paddington Station Workings book shows the 2345 as having one SLC is the formation which was detached at Exeter along with a GUV (Cars).  I expect this sleeping coach was for the use of Motorail passengers travelling to Exeter.

[smokey]

The 1970 Western Region timetable shows 6 sleeper trains leaving London Paddington in 24 hours on Fridays/Saturdays 12/13 June to 4/5 September.

These are

22:55 to Penzance Friday Only (Sleeping Cars for Isles of Scilly passengers ONLY)
23:45 to Penzance (Sleeping Cars and Motorail detatched at Exeter St Davids)
00:50 to Milford Haven (Sleeping Car passengers ONLY)
00:55 to Penzance (Sleeping Car passengers only, Motorail to Plymouth & Penzance
01:25 to Swansea (Sleeper Car Passengers for Cardiff could travel via Swansea upon       payment of a Swansea to Cardiff single Ticket.
21:30 to Milford Haven Saturday Only.

Bit cheeky to state the 21:30 as it's the Daily sleeper to South Wales that ran earlier on Saturdays 

And there was also the 19:25 SX Bristol TM to Newcastle Sleeper.
             

[PhilWakely]

I am surprised nobody has yet mentioned that the Down Friday/Saturday (17-18/10/20) sleeper succumbed at Exeter and had to be rescued by back-to-back HST power cars.

Seen here passing Totnes

[bobm]

I had heard a rumour that the sleeper was rescued by back to back power cars.

Understand the loco is now at Long Rock (Penzance) receiving attention.

On the subject of back to back power cars and Long Rock - here is another pair spotted there earlier this month 

[MVR S&T]

Why not stick a power car on the front and back of the sleeper stock and be done with it!