Night Riviera Sleeper train - between Paddington and Penzance - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[smokey]

Normal Night Riveria Sleeper formation is, (note: all MKIII stock)
Coach A TSO^▸ (The Stationary Office (now OPSI), or, possibly Trailer Standard Open (carriage), depending on context) (Tourist Standard Open)
Coach B BFO^▸ (Brake First Open (carriage)) (Brake First Open)
Coach C RFO (Restuarant First Open)
Coach J 1St Class Sleeper
Coach K Std Single Berth Sleeper
Coach L Std Twin Berth Sleeper
Coach X  "      "       "        "     (Friday Night Only Down/Sunday night only up).

However it has been seen running with 2 BFO vice the TSO on some nights.

IIRC^▸ ('if I recall/remember/read correctly') the ^10 First Class up grade can be obtained EVERY night in coach B.

[Conner]

IIRC^▸ ('if I recall/remember/read correctly') the ^10 First Class up grade can be obtained EVERY night in coach B.

Yes it can but who would as all seats are First Class now.
From May formation will be:
Coach A TSO^▸ (The Stationary Office (now OPSI), or, possibly Trailer Standard Open (carriage), depending on context)(Tourist Standard Open)
Coach B BSO^▸ (Brake Standard Open (carriage))(Brake Standard Open)
Coach C RSO(Restuarant Standard Open)
Coach ? Single Berth Sleeper
Coach ? Single Berth Sleeper
Coach ? Twin Berth Sleeper
Coach ? Twin Berth Sleeper (Not All Trains)
This is what I can grasp it will be from Go To magazine, Coach letters for sleepers have been left off as they may be D/E/F/G or they may be J/K/L/X.

[swlines]

If that is correct - then the point of first class berths on the sleeper are pointless, and people will be able to save ^110+ on the FC^▸ (First Class, or Fat Controller, or Football Club, depending on context) fare by purchasing a SOR or a SVR, sorry, Anytime or Off Peak return ticket! A FOR is currently ^373, a SVR is currently ^75. Hmm, bargain... I'm surprised FGW^▸ (First Great Western) aren't keeping a differing level of 'service' (not that I experienced any different, a breakfast of orange juice and a biscuit is nothing on par with FSRs offer of a fruit salad, bacon or egg roll and a shortbread biscuit as well) for FC customers by the looks of it.

[Conner]

If that is correct - then the point of first class berths on the sleeper are pointless, and people will be able to save ^110+ on the FC^▸ (First Class, or Fat Controller, or Football Club, depending on context) fare by purchasing a SOR or a SVR, sorry, Anytime or Off Peak return ticket! A FOR is currently ^373, a SVR is currently ^75. Hmm, bargain... I'm surprised FGW^▸ (First Great Western) aren't keeping a differing level of 'service' (not that I experienced any different, a breakfast of orange juice and a biscuit is nothing on par with FSRs offer of a fruit salad, bacon or egg roll and a shortbread biscuit as well) for FC customers by the looks of it.

I beleive all the single berths are the same, all you pay for is additional service and free food/drink/paper.
But a single berth is more expensive than a twin berth.

[swlines]

You what?

From the National Fares Manual...

Sleeper Berth supplements - First Great Western services

These supplements are not available in conjunction with
Advance Purchase tickets, only walk-up tickets (i.e. Saver,
Open). Sleeper Inclusive Advance Purchase tickets are
available on journeys between the South West of England and
selected stations in the London & South East area. Fares are
listed in sections B and C, ticket types SB^▸ (Signal Box), SC, SD, SG, SH, SI,
SJ, SK, SL, SM, SN, SO.

First Class supplement
^45^00 per cabin
Includes Welcome Pack, hot evening drink, breakfast and
newspaper.

Standard Class supplement
^30^00 per berth in a Double cabin
^40^00 per berth in a Single cabin
Includes Welcome Pack, morning tea or coffee and biscuits.
Charges are payable for each journey made by Sleeper, even if
no advance reservation has been made.

A valid ticket for the journey must be shown when booking
sleeper accommodation. Advance Purchase tickets are not
valid, only walk up tickets.

For issuing instructions, please refer to the Retail Manual Part
Two/Rail Directory for Travel Agents Part One.

[Conner]

^5 covers the differences between Standard Single and First Class, cabins are the same, makes perfect sense to me.

[swlines]

Except Conner, in my experience, the difference is nil between FC^▸ (First Class, or Fat Controller, or Football Club, depending on context) and SC... I could have saved myself ^10 by getting a standard class single cabin!

The NFM^▸ (National Fares Manual) states I get a "welcome pack" - ok, that was formed of a few leaflets and some toiletries. OK so far. Hot evening drink, err, no - both times I got nothing after getting in the cabin. Breakfast - formed of a biscuit and some orange juice on the way back, and some coffee and a few biscuits on the way there from what I recall. Oh, and a newspaper which I don't remember getting either!!

[Conner]

You definatly wasted your money.
I think it makes more sense having one class sleepers as you can't really get a better cabin like you can with a seat.
You could even risk it with a twin, my Uncle did once and had it all to himself and noted that his carriage was pretty empty.

[swlines]

I feel a complaint to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) coming on ... 

The thing about twins, you've got to get on and/or off at obscure locations to guarantee you get it to yourself.... for instance if it called at St Budeaux, get on there, then get off at Reading!

Although you can't get a better cabin really, you can get a better service. You certainly do on ScotRail, room service!

[Conner]

The thing about twins, you've got to get on and/or off at obscure locations to guarantee you get it to yourself.... for instance if it called at St Budeaux, get on there, then get off at Reading!

My uncle was booked PAD^▸ (Paddington (London) station)-PNZ although he got off at Camborne.

[smokey]

A wise move by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) I think, as nice as the old seats are the first class ones provide much more room.

Is it a Wise move?

I checked out the Sleeper the other night and Yes the Standard class Day Car has been fitted with First Class seats, but this means a Reduction in seats of about 30%. Not funny when the Day cars are FULL!

And it's more than full when Ryan Air Cancel their last flight from Newquay leaving would be Flyers to MAKE THERE OWN WAY HOME.

I would say that Single and Twin berths are a massive Step forward, Why pay First Class for a cabin that is the Same as a Standard single Cabin?

[swlines]

Why pay first class fares ... hmm, perhaps due to the additional extras that you get. After all, it's the little bits that count. (and it can all add up).

I think FGW^▸ (First Great Western) could do well if they modified their service to more reflect their sister company ScotRail.

[Lee]

Due to engineering work on Wednesday 23 April 2008, the London Paddington to Penzance sleeper service will not be available to board until 2330 (link below.)
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=2453

[Commuting Bookworm]

Thinking of getting down to Cornwall using this service. Unfortunatly the CSA I deal with at Reading not too clued up on it. Please in normal person speak can some one explain what the trains are like. For instance do I need to book 1st class if i want some conform and peace or are all seats confortable and reclining? Would I need to book specific seats when booking ticket? If I got on at Reading would this place me at a disadvantage? Are they likely to be packed? 

[devon_metro]

ALL seated coaches have First Class seats (2+1 with collosal table, curtains etc), so go standard class and don't waste your money!!

Pic of interior: http://midlandscotterz.fotopic.net/p49285167.html