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Author Topic: TV documentary about luxury trains.  (Read 5536 times)
broadgage
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« 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 (Great Western Railway) !
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.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
grahame
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« Reply #1 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 (Great Western Railway)

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 (United Kingdom) 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!
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #2 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 (Great Western Railway)



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  Wink
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broadgage
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« Reply #3 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 (Great Western Railway).

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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
didcotdean
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« Reply #4 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.
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Thatcham Crossing
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« Reply #5 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?
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broadgage
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« Reply #6 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 (if I recall/remember/read correctly) our Royal train also has a bath.
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A proper intercity train has a minimum of 8 coaches, gangwayed throughout, with first at one end, and a full sized buffet car between first and standard.
It has space for cycles, surfboards,luggage etc.
A 5 car DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) is not a proper inter-city train. The 5+5 and 9 car DMUs are almost as bad.
Surrey 455
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« Reply #7 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 (Great Western Railway)

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 (United Kingdom) 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.  Grin Tongue
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