Night Riviera: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Vandoix (talk | contribs)
70 edits
copyedit
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox Rail companies
{{Infobox rail service
|name = Night Riviera Sleeper
|box_width =
|bgcolor =
|name = Night Riviera
|logo =
|logo_filename = Greater west railw logo.svg
|logo_width= 150px
|logo_width =
|image_filename = 57605 (1C99) by Worcestershed.jpg
|image = 57605 (1C99) by Worcestershed.jpg
|widthpx = 300px
|image_size =
|caption = [[British Rail Class 57|57605]] at [[London Paddington station|Paddington]] in December 2015
|franchise = Part of [[Greater Western franchise|Great Western franchise]]
|type = Overnight passenger train
|nameforarea = route
|regions = [[London]] - [[Cornwall]]
|status =
|secregions =
|locale =
|predecessor =
⚫
|fleet = 4 [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57]] locomotives<br>10 [[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3 Sleeping]] carriages<br>8 [[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3 Seating]] carriages
|stations = 15
|first = 11 July 1983
|last =
|parent_company = [[FirstGroup]]
|successor =
|website = https://www.gwr.com/your-journey/journey-information/on-board/night-riviera-sleeper
|operator = [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]]
|}}
|formeroperator = [[InterCity (British Rail)|InterCity Great Western]]
⚫
[[File:Night_Riviera_Train_Map.svg|310px|thumb|<center>Night Riviera Train route {{nowrap|([[ShareMap:public/UK Sleeper Trains|interactive map]])}}]]
|ridership =
|start = [[London Paddington railway station|London Paddington]]
|stops =
|end = [[Penzance railway station|Penzance]]
|distance =
|journeytime = 7 hours 30 minutes
|frequency = 6 x weekly
|trainnumber = 1C99 (westbound)<br>1A40 (eastbound)
|line_used = [[Great Western Main Line|Great Western]]<br>[[Reading to Taunton Line|Reading to Taunton]]<br>[[Bristol to Exeter Line|Taunton to Exeter]]<br>[[Exeter to Plymouth Line|Exeter to Plymouth]]<br>[[Cornish Main Line|Cornish]]
|class =
|access =
|seating =
|catering =
|entertainment =
|baggage =
|otherfacilities =
⚫
|stock = 4 [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57]] locomotives<br>10 [[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3 Sleeping]] carriages<br>8 [[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3 Seating]] carriages
|gauge =
|speed =
|owners =
|routenumber =
|map = }}


The '''Night Riviera''' is a [[sleeping car|sleeper train]] operated by [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]] (GWR). It is one of only two sleeper services on the railway in the United Kingdom (the other being the [[Caledonian Sleeper]]). It runs six nights a week (Sunday - Friday) between {{Stnlnk|London Paddington}} and {{Stnlnk|Penzance}} with one train in each direction.
The '''''Night Riviera''''' is a [[sleeping car|sleeper train]] operated by [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Railway]] (GWR). It is one of only two sleeper services on the railway in the United Kingdom (the other being the ''[[Caledonian Sleeper]]''). It runs six nights a week (Sunday - Friday) between [[London Paddington railway station|London Paddington]] and [[Penzance railway station|Penzance]] with one train in each direction.


==History==
==Background==
⚫
[[File:Night_Riviera_Train_Map.svg|310px|thumb|<center>Night Riviera Train route {{nowrap|([[ShareMap:public/UK Sleeper Trains|interactive map]])}}]]
⚫
[[File:British Rail Mark 3A SLEP 10590 at Penzane.JPG|thumb|Great Western Trains livery, which continued to be used by [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|First Great Western]] until 2008]]
⚫
[[File:Night Riviera branding.jpg|thumb|''Night Riviera'' branding with the former [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|First Great Western]] brand]]
The first [[sleeping car]] train on the [[Great Western Railway]] was introduced at the end of 1877 from [[London Paddington station|London Paddington]] to [[Plymouth Millbay railway station|Plymouth]]. This had {{RailGauge|7ft}} [[broad gauge]] carriages with two dormitories, one with seven gentlemen’s berths and the other with four ladies’ berths. These were replaced in 1881 by new carriages with six individual compartments.<ref>{{cite book| last = MacDermot| first = E T| title = History of the Great Western Railway |edition= 1|volume= 2 (1863-1921)| publisher = [[Great Western Railway]]| year = 1931| location = London}}</ref>
The first [[sleeping car]] train on the [[Great Western Railway]] was introduced at the end of 1877 from [[London Paddington station|London Paddington]] to [[Plymouth Millbay railway station|Plymouth]]. This had {{RailGauge|7ft}} [[broad gauge]] carriages with two dormitories, one with seven gentlemen’s berths and the other with four ladies’ berths. These were replaced in 1881 by new carriages with six individual compartments.<ref>{{cite book| last = MacDermot| first = E T| title = History of the Great Western Railway |edition= 1|volume= 2 (1863-1921)| publisher = [[Great Western Railway]]| year = 1931| location = London}}</ref>


An additional service was soon added from London to {{stnlnk|Penzance}}, which eventually became known as the Night Riviera. For example, in 1920 the two trains left London at 22:00 for Penzance and midnight for Plymouth;<ref>{{cite book |title= Time Tables |date= 4 October 1920 |publisher= Great Western Railway |location= London }}</ref> by 1947 they had been brought forward to 21:50 and 23:50.<ref>{{cite book |title= Time Tables |date= 6 October 1947 |publisher= Great Western Railway |location= London }}</ref> Under [[British Railways]] sleeping cars were limited to just the Penzance service.<ref>{{cite book |title= Western Region Timetable |date= 14 June 1965 |publisher= British Railways |location= London }}</ref>
An additional service was soon added from London to [[Penzance railway station|Penzance]] which eventually became known as the ''Night Riviera''. For example, in 1920 the two trains left London at 22:00 for Penzance and midnight for Plymouth;<ref>{{cite book |title= Time Tables |date= 4 October 1920 |publisher= Great Western Railway |location= London }}</ref> by 1947 they had been brought forward to 21:50 and 23:50.<ref>{{cite book |title= Time Tables |date= 6 October 1947 |publisher= Great Western Railway |location= London }}</ref> Under [[British Railways]] sleeping cars were limited to just the Penzance service.<ref>{{cite book |title= Western Region Timetable |date= 14 June 1965 |publisher= British Railways |location= London }}</ref>


On 5 July 1978 the up train left Penzance at 21:30 but never reached London. Approaching {{stnlnk|Taunton}} early the next morning the emergency brake was activated and it came to a stand short of the station with [[Taunton sleeping car fire|one of the carriages on fire]]. This had been caused by dirty linen that had been placed near a heater, <!--NPOV/fact? from here-->which had been a standard and safe practice before the recent change from steam to electric heating. {{Citation needed|date=January 2010}} Twelve people died and 13 were injured.<ref>{{cite book |last= Vaughan |first= Adrian |title= Tracks to Disaster |origyear= 2000 |year= 2003 |publisher= Ian Allan Publishing |location= Hersham |isbn= 0-7110-2985-7 }}</ref> At this time the down train left London at 00:05.<ref>{{cite book |title= Passenger Timetable, Great Britain |date= 2 May 1977 |publisher= British Rail |location= London }}</ref>
On 5 July 1978 the up train left Penzance at 21:30 but never reached London. Approaching [[Taunton railway station|Taunton]] early the next morning the emergency brake was activated and it came to a stand short of the station with [[Taunton sleeping car fire|one of the carriages on fire]]. This had been caused by dirty linen that had been placed near a heater, which had been a standard and safe practice before the recent change from steam to electric heating. Twelve people died and 13 were injured.<ref>{{cite book |last= Vaughan |first= Adrian |title= Tracks to Disaster |origyear= 2000 |year= 2003 |publisher= Ian Allan Publishing |location= Hersham |isbn= 0-7110-2985-7 }}</ref> At this time the down train left London at 00:05.<ref>{{cite book |title= Passenger Timetable, Great Britain |date= 2 May 1977 |publisher= British Rail |location= London }}</ref>


==Night Riviera==
On 11 July 1983 the Penzance sleeper was relaunched as the ''Night Riviera'', designed to complement the long-established daytime [[Cornish Riviera Express|Cornish Riviera]]. New [[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3]] air-conditioned sleeping cars were introduced with many safety features that had been lacking in the [[British Rail Mark 1|Mark 1]] carriages that had caught fire at Taunton.<ref name=MR420>{{cite journal | title = Night Riviera cuts sleeper travel costs | journal = Modern Railways | volume = 40 | issue = 420 | page = 454 | publisher = Ian Allan Publishing | id = ISSN 0026-8356 | year = 1983 }}</ref> These were the first on the route with controlled emission toilets, so discharge facilities were provided at [[Laira TMD|Plymouth Laira]] and [[Penzance TMD|Penzance Long Rock]] depots where the carriages were serviced, although for a time being the carriages were taken from Paddington to [[Willesden TMD|Willesden Depot]] for discharging as [[Old Oak Common TMD|Old Oak Common]] was not initially equipped.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Abbott | first = James | title = Controlled emission toilets | journal = Modern Railways | volume = 40 | issue = 421 | page = 554 | publisher = Ian Allan Publishing | id = ISSN 0026-8356 | year = 1983 }}</ref> A new pricing scheme was also introduced. Instead of paying a sleeping berth supplement on top of the fare for the journey, all-inclusive fares were introduced that were set at competitive rates. The seating carriages that formed part of the train were mainly [[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2]] carriages.<ref name=MR420/> The train by now was again leaving London at midnight, shown in the timetables as 23:59.<ref>{{cite book |title= British Rail Passenger Timetable |date= 29 September 1986 |publisher= British Railways |location= London }}</ref>
On 11 July 1983 the Penzance sleeper was relaunched as the ''Night Riviera'', designed to complement the long-established daytime ''[[Cornish Riviera Express|Cornish Riviera]]''.<ref>"30 years of the Night Riviera" ''Rail Magazine'' issue 728 7 August 2013 page 21</ref> New [[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3]] air-conditioned sleeping cars were introduced with many safety features that had been lacking in the [[British Rail Mark 1|Mark 1]] carriages that had caught fire at Taunton.<ref name=MR420>{{cite journal|title=Night Riviera cuts sleeper travel costs|journal=Modern Railways|issue=420|page=454|publisher=Ian Allan Publishing|id=ISSN 0026-8356|year=1983}}</ref> These were the first on the route with controlled emission toilets, so discharge facilities were provided at [[Laira TMD|Plymouth Laira]] and [[Penzance TMD|Penzance Long Rock]] depots where the carriages were serviced, although for a time being the carriages were taken from Paddington to [[Willesden TMD|Willesden Depot]] for discharging as [[Old Oak Common TMD|Old Oak Common]] was not initially equipped.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Abbott|first=James|title=Controlled emission toilets|journal=Modern Railways| issue=421|page=554|publisher=Ian Allan Publishing|id=ISSN 0026-8356|year=1983}}</ref> A new pricing scheme was also introduced. Instead of paying a sleeping berth supplement on top of the fare for the journey, all-inclusive fares were introduced that were set at competitive rates. The seating carriages that formed part of the train were mainly [[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2]] carriages.<ref name=MR420/> The train by now was again leaving London at midnight, shown in the timetables as 23:59.<ref>{{cite book |title= British Rail Passenger Timetable |date= 29 September 1986 |publisher= British Railways |location= London }}</ref>


⚫
[[Privatisation of British Rail|Privatisation]] saw the service become part of the [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|Great Western Trains]] franchise in February 1996 and the rolling stock was repainted into its green and white livery. Between 29 May 1995 and 26 September 1998 the service was diverted to [[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]] to provide connection with [[Eurostar]] services.<ref>{{cite web |title = Rail Chronology : Sheepcote Lane Curve, London : its passenger services|url = http://www.avoe05.dsl.pipex.com/Sheepcote%20Lane%20curve.htm|accessdate=2011-06-06}}</ref><ref>"Confirmation of GW sleepers to Waterloo" ''[[The Railway Magazine]]'' issue 1129 May 1995 page 7</ref><ref>"Great Western to axe Eurostar Connection" ''[[Rail Magazine]]'' issue 334 1 July 1998 page 17</ref><ref>"Great Western sleeping car trains return to Paddington" ''The Railway Magazine'' issue 1170 October 1998 page 15</ref> In December 1998 Great Western Trains was rebranded First Great Western.<ref>"It's First Great Western" ''Rail Magazine'' issue 346 16 December 1998 page 7</ref>
⚫
[[File:British Rail Mark 3A SLEP 10590 at Penzane.JPG|thumb|Great Western Trains livery, which continued to be used by First Great Western until 2008]]
⚫
[[File:Night Riviera branding.jpg|thumb|Night Riviera branding with the former First Great Western brand]]
⚫
Privatisation saw the service become part of the Great Western Trains franchise and the rolling stock was repainted into its green and white livery. Between 29 May 1995 and 26 September 1998 the service operated from [[London Waterloo railway station|London Waterloo]].<ref>{{cite web |title = Rail Chronology : Sheepcote Lane Curve, London : its passenger services|url = http://www.avoe05.dsl.pipex.com/Sheepcote%20Lane%20curve.htm|accessdate=2011-06-06}}</ref> In March 1998 Great Western Trains was rebranded [[First Great Western]].


When the [[Greater Western franchise]] was up for reletting in 2005, consideration was given to withdrawing the service.<ref>"Night Riviera under threat but Scottish sleepers are safe" ''The Railway Magazine'' issue 1252 August 2005 page 7</ref> The service was retained, but from December 2006 the carriage detached at [[Plymouth railway station|Plymouth]] was withdrawn as it typically only carried four passengers.<ref>"FGW Ditches Plymouth '08 Turn" ''Railway Express'' issue 121 June 2006 page 32</ref>
The service was revised in December 2006. The carriage detached at {{stnlnk|Plymouth}} was withdrawn as it typically only carried four passengers: the train still calls but passengers need to alight on arrival rather than stay in their berths until ready to leave. The stop at {{stnlnk|Bristol Temple Meads}} was also withdrawn, to introduce flexibility to divert the service during overnight engineering works.<ref>{{cite journal | last = Perren | first = Brian | title = First Group’s ten-year plans for the Western | journal = Modern Railways | volume = 63 | issue = 697 | pages = 61–66 | publisher = Ian Allan Publishing | id = ISSN 0026-8356 | accessdate = }}</ref> The Class 47s were replaced in 2004 by [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57s]].<ref>''Rail Magazine'' issue 488 26 May 2004 page 42</ref> In 2006 former [[Virgin Trains|Virgin West Coast]] [[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3 carriages]] replaced the [[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2 carriages]].<ref>''Rail Magazine'' issue 539 10 May 2006 page 11</ref> The carriages were refurbished by [[Wolverton railway works|Railcare, Wolverton]] in 2008 and repainted in First Great Western's blue livery.<ref name=MR719>{{cite journal | last = Marsden | first = Colin J | title = Night Riviera refurbished | journal = Modern Railways | volume = 65 | issue = 719 | page = 70 | publisher = Ian Allan Publishing | year = 2008 | id = ISSN 0026-8356 }}</ref><ref>{{citation| journal=Rail Magazine |issue= 595 |date=2 July 2008 |page =16}}</ref>

The stop at [[Bristol Temple Meads railway station|Bristol Temple Meads]] was also withdrawn, to introduce flexibility to divert the service during overnight engineering works.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Perren|first=Brian|title=First Group’s ten-year plans for the Western|journal=Modern Railways|issue=697|pages=61–66|publisher=Ian Allan Publishing|id=ISSN 0026-8356}}</ref> The Class 47s were replaced in 2004 by four [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57s]].<ref>"First Great Western confirms order for at least three ETH Class 57/6s" ''Railway Express'' issue 84 May 2003 page 5</ref><ref>"FGW to hire three 57s for Thunderbird duties" ''The Railway Magazine'' issue 1227 July 2003 page 71</ref><ref>"57602 is first of four Class 57s to be delivered to FGW from Brush" ''Rail Magazine'' issue 475 26 November 2003 page 69</ref>

In 2006 former [[Virgin Trains|Virgin West Coast]] [[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3 carriages]] replaced the [[British Rail Mark 2|Mark 2 carriages]].<ref>''Rail Magazine'' issue 539 10 May 2006 page 11</ref> The carriages were refurbished by [[Wolverton railway works|Railcare, Wolverton]] in 2008 and repainted in First Great Western's blue livery.<ref name=MR719>{{cite journal|last=Marsden|first=Colin|title=Night Riviera refurbished|journal=Modern Railways|volume=65|issue=719|page=70|publisher=Ian Allan Publishing|year=2008|id=ISSN 0026-8356}}</ref><ref>{{citation| journal=Rail Magazine |issue= 595 |date=2 July 2008 |page =16}}</ref><ref>"FGW replaces Mark 2s with Mark 3s on Sleeper" ''[[Today's Railways]]'' issue 55 July 2006 page 61</ref><ref>"FGW sleeper gets Mk 3s for Mk 2s" ''The Railway Magazine'' issue 1263 July 2006 page 69</ref>


In June 2012, with the Great Western franchise scheduled for renewal the following year, the [[Secretary of State for Transport]] confirmed the service would continue to be subsidised.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sleeper train from Penzance to capital is saved|url=http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Sleeper-train-Penzance-capital-saved/story-16322181-detail/story.html|accessdate=2012-06-09|newspaper=Western Morning News|date=2012-06-09}}</ref>
In June 2012, with the Great Western franchise scheduled for renewal the following year, the [[Secretary of State for Transport]] confirmed the service would continue to be subsidised.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sleeper train from Penzance to capital is saved|url=http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Sleeper-train-Penzance-capital-saved/story-16322181-detail/story.html|accessdate=2012-06-09|newspaper=Western Morning News|date=2012-06-09}}</ref>


==Current operations==
==Current operations==
⚫
[[File:Taunton Night Riviera 57602.jpg|thumb|left|Up and Down services pass at [[Taunton railway station|Taunton]]]]

===Route===
===Route===
{{Night Riviera}}
{{Night Riviera}}
The westbound service operates with [[headcode]] 1C99, the return 1A40.<ref>[http://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/C21166/2011/12/12 1C99 23:45 London Paddington to Penzance]{{dead link|date=November 2015}} Open Trains Times</ref><ref>[http://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/C21037/2011/12/12 1A40 21:45 Penzance to London Paddington]{{dead link|date=November 2015}} Open Train Times</ref>
The westbound service operates with [[headcode]] 1C99, the return 1A40.<ref>[http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C41517/2016/09/29/advanced 1C99 23:45 London Paddington to Penzance] Realtime Trains</ref><ref>[http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C41387/2016/09/30/advanced 1A40 21:45 Penzance to London Paddington] Realtime Trains</ref>


The Night Riviera operates along a single route, unlike the [[Caledonian Sleeper]]. From [[London Paddington]], the train stops first at {{stnlnk|Reading}} then for many years had a long run without advertised stops to {{stnlnk|Taunton}}. This allowed it to use different routes between Reading to Taunton depending on engineering work or other blockades each night:
The Night Riviera operates along a single route, unlike the ''[[Caledonian Sleeper]]''. From [[London Paddington]], the train stops first at {{stnlnk|Reading}} then for many years had a long run without advertised stops to {{stnlnk|Taunton}}. This allowed it to use different routes between Reading to Taunton depending on engineering work or other blockades each night:
* [[Reading to Taunton line|the direct line through Westbury]]
* [[Reading to Taunton line|the direct line through Westbury]]
* the [[Great Western Main Line]] and [[South Wales Main Line]] via [[Bristol Temple Meads|Bristol]]
* the [[Great Western Main Line]] and [[South Wales Main Line]] via [[Bristol Temple Meads|Bristol]]
* the [[Great Western Main Line]] to {{stnlnk|Chippenham}} then via {{stnlnk|Trowbridge}} to rejoin the direct line at Fairwood Junction, {{stnlnk|Westbury}}.
* the [[Great Western Main Line]] to {{stnlnk|Chippenham}} then via {{stnlnk|Trowbridge}} to rejoin the direct line at Fairwood Junction, {{stnlnk|Westbury}}.
* diverging at Heywood Road Junction, Westbury, via Trowbridge and Bristol.
* diverging at Heywood Road Junction, Westbury, via Trowbridge and Bristol.
⚫
[[File:Taunton Night Riviera 57602.jpg|thumb|left|Up and Down services pass at Taunton]]
However, by 2016 a stop at Westbury (westbound only) was advertised, preventing use of some of these alternatives.
However, by 2016 a stop at Westbury (westbound only) was advertised, preventing use of some of these alternatives.
In exceptional circumstances it can be diverted between {{stnlnk|Castle Cary}} and {{Stnlnk|Exeter St Davids}} via {{stnlnk|Yeovil Pen Mill}}, {{stnlnk|Yeovil Junction}} and {{stnlink|Honiton}}, not calling at Taunton and reversing at Exeter.
In exceptional circumstances it can be diverted between {{stnlnk|Castle Cary}} and {{Stnlnk|Exeter St Davids}} via {{stnlnk|Yeovil Pen Mill}}, {{stnlnk|Yeovil Junction}} and {{stnlink|Honiton}}, not calling at Taunton and reversing at Exeter.
Line 60: Line 87:


===Rolling stock===
===Rolling stock===
[[File:Penzance TMD Night Riviera 57605.jpg|thumb|57605 and Night Riviera carriages at Penzance Long Rock Depot]]
[[File:Penzance TMD Night Riviera 57605.jpg|thumb|57605 and Night Riviera carriages at [[Penzance TMD|Penzance Long Rock Depot]]]]
All carriages are air-conditioned [[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3s]].<ref name=MR719/> Passengers pay standard fares with a supplementary charge for a sleeping berth (a single berth is more expensive per person than twin bunk berths).<ref name=FGW/>
All carriages are air-conditioned [[British Rail Mark 3|Mark 3s]].<ref name=MR719/> Passengers pay standard fares with a supplementary charge for a sleeping berth (a single berth is more expensive per person than twin bunk berths).<ref name=FGW/> Historically they have not been used on any other services, although one did operate a service to [[Oxford railway station|Oxford]] in February 2010.<ref>"FGW sleeper stock works to Oxford" ''The Railway Magazine'' issue 1308 April 2010 page 74</ref> Since 2015, a ''Night Riviera'' set has also operated a Summer Saturday service from Penzance to [[Exeter railway station|Exeter]].<ref>"New loco-hauled turn on FGW" ''Today's Railways'' issue 151 July 2014 page 64</ref>


The train is usually hauled by one of four dedicated [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57]] locomotives. These are [[Remanufacturing|rebuilt]] and re-engined [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47s]] delivered in 2004. They follow the tradition of [[Great Western Railway]] [[GWR 4073 Class|Castle Class]] steam locomotives that once worked the route by carrying the names of castles in Devon and Cornwall:
The train is usually hauled by one of four dedicated [[British Rail Class 57|Class 57]] locomotives. These are [[Remanufacturing|rebuilt]] and re-engined [[British Rail Class 47|Class 47s]] delivered in 2004. They follow the tradition of [[Great Western Railway]] [[GWR 4073 Class|Castle Class]] steam locomotives that once worked the route by carrying the names of castles in Devon and Cornwall:
* 57602 ''[[Restormel Castle]]''
*57602 ''[[Restormel Castle]]''
* 57603 ''[[Tintagel Castle]]''
*57603 ''[[Tintagel Castle]]''
* 57604 ''[[Pendennis Castle]]''
*57604 ''[[Pendennis Castle]]''
* 57605 ''[[Totnes Castle]]''
*57605 ''[[Totnes Castle]]''


It usually consists of seven carriages but in times of high demand this is built up to nine.
It usually consists of seven carriages but in times of high demand this is built up to nine.
{{-}}
<gallery>
File:Night Riviera SLEP 10601.jpg|Mark 3 Sleeper
File:Night Riviera RUB 10219.jpg|Mark 3 Buffet
File:Night Riviera TSO 12161.jpg|Mark 3 Tourist Standard Open
File:Night Riviera BUO 17173.jpg|Mark 3 Brake First Open
</gallery>


==References==
==References==
Line 82: Line 102:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commonscat-inline}}
*{{commons category-inline}}
*{{official website|https://www.gwr.com/your-journey/journey-information/on-board/night-riviera-sleeper}}
*{{official website|https://www.gwr.com/your-journey/journey-information/on-board/night-riviera-sleeper}}


{{Current UK TOCs}}
{{Current UK TOCs}}


⚫
[[Category:Night trains]]
[[Category:Named passenger trains of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Named passenger trains of the United Kingdom]]
⚫
[[Category:Night trains]]
[[Category:Railway services introduced in 1983]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in England]]

Revision as of 09:51, 11 July 2016

Night Riviera
57605 at Paddington in December 2015
Overview
Service typeOvernight passenger train
First service11 July 1983
Current operator(s)Great Western Railway
Former operator(s)InterCity Great Western
Route
TerminiLondon Paddington
Penzance
Average journey time7 hours 30 minutes
Service frequency6 x weekly
Train number(s)1C99 (westbound)
1A40 (eastbound)
Line(s) usedGreat Western
Reading to Taunton
Taunton to Exeter
Exeter to Plymouth
Cornish
Technical
Rolling stock4 Class 57 locomotives
10 Mark 3 Sleeping carriages
8 Mark 3 Seating carriages

The Night Riviera is a sleeper train operated by Great Western Railway (GWR). It is one of only two sleeper services on the railway in the United Kingdom (the other being the Caledonian Sleeper). It runs six nights a week (Sunday - Friday) between London Paddington and Penzance with one train in each direction.

Background

Night Riviera Train route (interactive map)
Great Western Trains livery, which continued to be used by First Great Western until 2008
Night Riviera branding with the former First Great Western brand

The first sleeping car train on the Great Western Railway was introduced at the end of 1877 from London Paddington to Plymouth. This had 7 ft (2,134 mm) broad gauge carriages with two dormitories, one with seven gentlemen’s berths and the other with four ladies’ berths. These were replaced in 1881 by new carriages with six individual compartments.[1]

An additional service was soon added from London to Penzance which eventually became known as the Night Riviera. For example, in 1920 the two trains left London at 22:00 for Penzance and midnight for Plymouth;[2] by 1947 they had been brought forward to 21:50 and 23:50.[3] Under British Railways sleeping cars were limited to just the Penzance service.[4]

On 5 July 1978 the up train left Penzance at 21:30 but never reached London. Approaching Taunton early the next morning the emergency brake was activated and it came to a stand short of the station with one of the carriages on fire. This had been caused by dirty linen that had been placed near a heater, which had been a standard and safe practice before the recent change from steam to electric heating. Twelve people died and 13 were injured.[5] At this time the down train left London at 00:05.[6]

Night Riviera

On 11 July 1983 the Penzance sleeper was relaunched as the Night Riviera, designed to complement the long-established daytime Cornish Riviera.[7] New Mark 3 air-conditioned sleeping cars were introduced with many safety features that had been lacking in the Mark 1 carriages that had caught fire at Taunton.[8] These were the first on the route with controlled emission toilets, so discharge facilities were provided at Plymouth Laira and Penzance Long Rock depots where the carriages were serviced, although for a time being the carriages were taken from Paddington to Willesden Depot for discharging as Old Oak Common was not initially equipped.[9] A new pricing scheme was also introduced. Instead of paying a sleeping berth supplement on top of the fare for the journey, all-inclusive fares were introduced that were set at competitive rates. The seating carriages that formed part of the train were mainly Mark 2 carriages.[8] The train by now was again leaving London at midnight, shown in the timetables as 23:59.[10]

Privatisation saw the service become part of the Great Western Trains franchise in February 1996 and the rolling stock was repainted into its green and white livery. Between 29 May 1995 and 26 September 1998 the service was diverted to London Waterloo to provide connection with Eurostar services.[11][12][13][14] In December 1998 Great Western Trains was rebranded First Great Western.[15]

When the Greater Western franchise was up for reletting in 2005, consideration was given to withdrawing the service.[16] The service was retained, but from December 2006 the carriage detached at Plymouth was withdrawn as it typically only carried four passengers.[17]

The stop at Bristol Temple Meads was also withdrawn, to introduce flexibility to divert the service during overnight engineering works.[18] The Class 47s were replaced in 2004 by four Class 57s.[19][20][21]

In 2006 former Virgin West Coast Mark 3 carriages replaced the Mark 2 carriages.[22] The carriages were refurbished by Railcare, Wolverton in 2008 and repainted in First Great Western's blue livery.[23][24][25][26]

In June 2012, with the Great Western franchise scheduled for renewal the following year, the Secretary of State for Transport confirmed the service would continue to be subsidised.[27]

Current operations

Up and Down services pass at Taunton

Route

Night Riviera route map
Legend
 London Paddington
Reading
pick up only westbound, set down only eastbound
 Taunton
no service on Sundays
 Exeter St Davids
Newton Abbot
Totnes
eastbound only
 Plymouth
Liskeard
Bodmin Parkway
Lostwithiel
westbound only
 Par
St Austell
Truro
Redruth
Camborne
Hayle
westbound only
 St Erth
Penzance

The westbound service operates with headcode 1C99, the return 1A40.[28][29]

The Night Riviera operates along a single route, unlike the Caledonian Sleeper. From London Paddington, the train stops first at Reading then for many years had a long run without advertised stops to Taunton. This allowed it to use different routes between Reading to Taunton depending on engineering work or other blockades each night:

However, by 2016 a stop at Westbury (westbound only) was advertised, preventing use of some of these alternatives. In exceptional circumstances it can be diverted between Castle Cary and Exeter St Davids via Yeovil Pen Mill, Yeovil Junction and Honiton, not calling at Taunton and reversing at Exeter.

It continues to Exeter St Davids, Newton Abbot and Plymouth, crossing into Cornwall and calling at Liskeard then most stations down the Cornish Main Line to Penzance.

The 2009 timetable has Totnes, Lostwithiel and Hayle served in one direction only with no service stops at Par or Taunton for the eastbound train on Sunday night/Monday morning.[30]

Sleeper passengers have the use of waiting facilities at Paddington that are usually reserved for First Class passengers.[31]

Rolling stock

57605 and Night Riviera carriages at Penzance Long Rock Depot

All carriages are air-conditioned Mark 3s.[23] Passengers pay standard fares with a supplementary charge for a sleeping berth (a single berth is more expensive per person than twin bunk berths).[31] Historically they have not been used on any other services, although one did operate a service to Oxford in February 2010.[32] Since 2015, a Night Riviera set has also operated a Summer Saturday service from Penzance to Exeter.[33]

The train is usually hauled by one of four dedicated Class 57 locomotives. These are rebuilt and re-engined Class 47s delivered in 2004. They follow the tradition of Great Western Railway Castle Class steam locomotives that once worked the route by carrying the names of castles in Devon and Cornwall:

It usually consists of seven carriages but in times of high demand this is built up to nine.

References

  1. ^ MacDermot, E T (1931). History of the Great Western Railway. Vol. 2 (1863-1921) (1 ed.). London: Great Western Railway.
  2. ^ Time Tables. London: Great Western Railway. 4 October 1920.
  3. ^ Time Tables. London: Great Western Railway. 6 October 1947.
  4. ^ Western Region Timetable. London: British Railways. 14 June 1965.
  5. ^ Vaughan, Adrian (2003) [2000]. Tracks to Disaster. Hersham: Ian Allan Publishing. ISBN 0-7110-2985-7.
  6. ^ Passenger Timetable, Great Britain. London: British Rail. 2 May 1977.
  7. ^ "30 years of the Night Riviera" Rail Magazine issue 728 7 August 2013 page 21
  8. ^ a b "Night Riviera cuts sleeper travel costs". Modern Railways (420). Ian Allan Publishing: 454. 1983. ISSN 0026-8356.
  9. ^ Abbott, James (1983). "Controlled emission toilets". Modern Railways (421). Ian Allan Publishing: 554. ISSN 0026-8356.
  10. ^ British Rail Passenger Timetable. London: British Railways. 29 September 1986.
  11. ^ "Rail Chronology : Sheepcote Lane Curve, London : its passenger services". Retrieved 6 June 2011.
  12. ^ "Confirmation of GW sleepers to Waterloo" The Railway Magazine issue 1129 May 1995 page 7
  13. ^ "Great Western to axe Eurostar Connection" Rail Magazine issue 334 1 July 1998 page 17
  14. ^ "Great Western sleeping car trains return to Paddington" The Railway Magazine issue 1170 October 1998 page 15
  15. ^ "It's First Great Western" Rail Magazine issue 346 16 December 1998 page 7
  16. ^ "Night Riviera under threat but Scottish sleepers are safe" The Railway Magazine issue 1252 August 2005 page 7
  17. ^ "FGW Ditches Plymouth '08 Turn" Railway Express issue 121 June 2006 page 32
  18. ^ Perren, Brian. "First Group's ten-year plans for the Western". Modern Railways (697). Ian Allan Publishing: 61–66. ISSN 0026-8356.
  19. ^ "First Great Western confirms order for at least three ETH Class 57/6s" Railway Express issue 84 May 2003 page 5
  20. ^ "FGW to hire three 57s for Thunderbird duties" The Railway Magazine issue 1227 July 2003 page 71
  21. ^ "57602 is first of four Class 57s to be delivered to FGW from Brush" Rail Magazine issue 475 26 November 2003 page 69
  22. ^ Rail Magazine issue 539 10 May 2006 page 11
  23. ^ a b Marsden, Colin (2008). "Night Riviera refurbished". Modern Railways. 65 (719). Ian Allan Publishing: 70. ISSN 0026-8356.
  24. ^ Rail Magazine (595): 16, 2 July 2008 {{citation}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ^ "FGW replaces Mark 2s with Mark 3s on Sleeper" Today's Railways issue 55 July 2006 page 61
  26. ^ "FGW sleeper gets Mk 3s for Mk 2s" The Railway Magazine issue 1263 July 2006 page 69
  27. ^ "Sleeper train from Penzance to capital is saved". Western Morning News. 9 June 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  28. ^ 1C99 23:45 London Paddington to Penzance Realtime Trains
  29. ^ 1A40 21:45 Penzance to London Paddington Realtime Trains
  30. ^ "National Rail Timetable 135 (Summer 2009)" (PDF). Network Rail. Retrieved 11 May 2009.[dead link]
  31. ^ a b "Night Riviera Sleeper Service". First Great Western. Archived from the original on 29 August 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  32. ^ "FGW sleeper stock works to Oxford" The Railway Magazine issue 1308 April 2010 page 74
  33. ^ "New loco-hauled turn on FGW" Today's Railways issue 151 July 2014 page 64

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Night_Riviera&oldid=729308173"