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Why nightrains probably will never run through the Channel Tunnel to the UK 
:
- very special (safety) requirements for trains passing the tunnel
- UK border control facilities at every boarding stop necessary
- high track access fees https://twitter.com/WiredUK/status/1294212516864819200
:- very special (safety) requirements for trains passing the tunnel
- UK border control facilities at every boarding stop necessary
- high track access fees https://twitter.com/WiredUK/status/1294212516864819200
30 years ago the national railways BR, SNCF, SMCB and NS had actually plans for night trains and rolling stock aready existed.
This interesting article, written by a former NS employee, describes the history of the project and explains why it failed:
http://swiss.nwrail.org.uk/nightstar.pdf
This interesting article, written by a former NS employee, describes the history of the project and explains why it failed:
http://swiss.nwrail.org.uk/nightstar.pdf
And 40 years ago there was a direct London/Brussels-Paris night train, the "Night Ferry".
It's last run was on october 31st 1980.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Ferry
It's last run was on october 31st 1980.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Ferry
More interesting material about the "Night Ferry": http://www.irps-wl.org.uk/wagon-lits/services/nightferry
Arriving Paris Gare du Nord on the last "Nioght Ferry" on nov. 1st 1980:
Arriving Paris Gare du Nord on the last "Nioght Ferry" on nov. 1st 1980:
So, the "Night Ferry" is gone. Night trains through the tunnel remain a dream, using regular EST-trains as connecting service is also problematic (ticketing/pricing).
What can be done?
Maybe establishing dedicated coordinated trains with a Lille-transfer-hub?
@seatsixtyone
What can be done?
Maybe establishing dedicated coordinated trains with a Lille-transfer-hub?
@seatsixtyone
A E320-trainset has ~900 seats.
Such a train could be a feeder into 4 7-car-nighttrain-portion: 2 trains with 2 portions with each 250-300 places, some places remain for "intra-continental"-passengers.
For example Lille - Hamburg/Berlin and Lille - ZĂĽrich/Munich?
Such a train could be a feeder into 4 7-car-nighttrain-portion: 2 trains with 2 portions with each 250-300 places, some places remain for "intra-continental"-passengers.
For example Lille - Hamburg/Berlin and Lille - ZĂĽrich/Munich?
The transfer situation in Lille is not ideal, as the stations Lille-Europe and Lille-Flandres are some 250m apart, but I think it would nevertheless make sense to establish such a transer hub as close to London as possible.
Establishing the transfer at Calais-Frethun could be an alternative, but probably it would be necessary to built additional tracks to park the trainsets during the day/night....
