Sweden reviving overnight sleeper trains?

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From Citylab

The Swedish government sees this low-cost, environmentally friendly travel option as key to “becoming the world’s fossil-free welfare country.”

In the quest to reduce the massive carbon footprint from global transportation, Sweden plans to revive a staple of 20th century travel: the overnight train.

The Swedish government announced Sunday that it will fund the creation of overnight train services from Sweden to the European mainland. According to a statement from the Social Democrat-Green coalition government, the state will pump 50 million Kronor ($5.3 million) into creating night links by train to major European destinations, as part of a drive to give Swedes more low-carbon ways to travel long distances.

This isn’t just promising news for people who want to see carbon emissions reduced—it’s also a major shot in the arm for Europe’s night trains overall, which have been struggling to the point of risking extinction in recent years. In the 20th century, such services were standard across the continent. Since around the millennium, however, a boom in low-cost airlines has bitten hard into their business, while high-speed trains have made overnight travel less necessary on many routes.

I will admit to being fan of sleeper trains in the past ... and could be in the future.   The idea of getting into a berth mid-evening in London and waking next morning for arrival in Inverness remains attractive.   More recent journeys,  such as hanging around in Waverley until 11 p.m. and Motherwell until midnight, rather remove the glamour.  Overnight / time taken really isn't so much of an issue - but price has been; the effect of specialist stock, high staffing levels, and just one journey made every 24 hours.

Ironic question to be asking when we don't know what our relationship with Europe will be even in two weeks time - but are forum members attracted by the idea of being able to board a train at St. Pancras International between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., and get off the next morning in Copenhagen or Munich or Marsailles or Barcelona?  How about catching the Night Dragon from Cardiff (or get on at Stapleton Road, Bath Spa, Swindon or Reading) and get off the  next morning in Paris or Frankfurt or Amsterdam?

[johnneyw]

The idea of it appeals. The cost of it might not.
Then again, maybe not. If you take the normal price of an "ordinary" ticket, then look at the price of an overnight hotel (or even B&B) and add them together, it may turn out to be a more affordable little adventure than first seemed the case.

[Lee]

Late evening boarding Stapleton Road bound for Paris - now that really is the romance of rail travel personified.

[Bmblbzzz]

Overnight sleeper trains? That's all very well but how about non-overnight sleeper trains. I'd sometimes appreciate a doze on a sunny afternoon...

Grammar poking aside and being serious, although I've enjoyed sleeper trains in the past, the last one I took wasn't so much fun. Mind you that was a long time ago too - I think it was in 2000. From Bratislava to Warsaw, the problem was the border crossings, which there were two of: it crossed into the Czech Republic as well, so that was four separate inspectors banging on the door in the middle of the night. The other sleepers I've taken have been within one country, as well as being longer (multiple nights and days in one case), and were more enjoyable and worthwhile.

[SandTEngineer]

Yes, my last one was Toronto to Vancouver.  4 days and 3 nights on the same train.  What an experience.  3500 odd miles (if I remember correctly) 1/3 trees, 1/3 desert plains and 1/3 mountains.  Can't remember how may G&Ts I had........

[eightonedee]

Yes - I'd definitely look on that favorably.

I am not holding my breath waiting, mind!

[johnneyw]

Overnight sleepers and daytime sleepers mentioned so far. Got me thinking, overnight non sleepers?  Open access services when there is less rail traffic? If demand was there (who knows?) would it be a non starter for other technical reasons?

[Celestial]

Late evening boarding Stapleton Road bound for Paris - now that really is the romance of rail travel personified.

Maybe Severn Tunnel Jn and Pilning International too?

[grahame]

Late evening boarding Stapleton Road bound for Paris - now that really is the romance of rail travel personified.

Maybe Severn Tunnel Jn and Pilning International too?

Fairly well down the list ... I did wonder whether to suggest some extra places, and I did note that the Fort William sleeper will call on request just about anywhere.  Actually carefully chosen - Cardiff, a Bristol Station, Bath for its tourist trade to the continent, Swindon, and on ...   next ones to add - Reading, then Newport.

[Red Squirrel]

Late evening boarding Stapleton Road bound for Paris - now that really is the romance of rail travel personified.

...or Montpelier to Montpellier - now that would be something; a quick pint in the Cadbury House, hop on a train and wake up by the Med.

[Richard Fairhurst]

The last sleepers I took were a couple of years back in China - a wonderful experience. They have "soft sleepers" and "hard sleepers": the former aren't that dissimilar to UK^▸ (United Kingdom) sleepers (or, at least, the pre-refurb Cally Sleepers, which are the only ones I've tried), but the latter are quite a different experience - pics at https://www.travelchinaguide.com/china-trains/hard-sleeper.htm .

I suspect the catering would not have been to broadgage's taste:

• Buy Pot Noodle from station shop
• Find very hot water tap on train
• Scald yourself with said very hot water
• Swear volubly
• Eventually, add hot water to Pot Noodle

On the other hand, the scenery was astonishing, and as a railway experience it was quite something - not least to see the construction work underway for new high-speed lines running roughly parallel.

[Lee]

Late evening boarding Stapleton Road bound for Paris - now that really is the romance of rail travel personified.

...or Montpelier to Montpellier - now that would be something; a quick pint in the Cadbury House, hop on a train and wake up by the Med.

Just as an aside, Montpellier is one of my favourite places. Everything is properly zoned - Residential, Commercial, Industrial etc - and those zones are linked together by the most wonderful tram network, which is made even better for me from a personal perspective by an unusual lack of restrictions on dogs (many other networks require them to be in carriers, or to be muzzled etc)

It really is a masterclass in urban transport planning - please do go and experience it for yourselves if you get the chance.

Ive always wanted to live here in France, and if it wasnt for the fact i need to be able to easily visit the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) on a reasonably regular basis, then Montpellier would be pretty near the top of my list for places to live.

Who knows - maybe if i manage to hang on through these interesting times to retirement.

[Bmblbzzz]

Montpellier was the destination of one of the sleepers I've taken! It was the early 90s and I was travelling down with my cousin to meet our families on holiday. I can't remember whether we boarded in Paris or maybe did it go direct from Calais? Paris seems more likely. Anyway, that was a good train and a good holiday.

[johnneyw]

A Redland to Montpelier sleeper on the Severn Riviera Express would barely be a cat nap unless there was a signalling failure. Might be worth it on a bus replacement service though.

[Bmblbzzz]

I have been on a sleeper bus. A proper one with bunk beds and curtains and all... Surprisingly okay, though obviously a train is comfier.