Troy Steadman wrote to uk.transport.london on Sat, 18 Dec 2004:

Didn't there used to be trains that instead of disgorging their
passengers at the docks actually drove (drove?) steamed on to sidings
on the decks of ships then steamed off Stena-like to continue their
journey across Europe?

There was indeed - the "Golden Arrow" ran from London to Paris
overnight, via Dunkerque. Only first-class passengers (I think I am
right in saying) remained on the trains; the others had to get off.
This was the "Night Ferry" service beloved of generations of students,
and used by many of my contemporaries as a cheap way of travelling
between the two capitals. But the train service was considered the last
word in luxury when it was inaugurated.
--
"Mrs Redboots"
http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/
Website updated 18 December 2004

I think there's still a route between Germany and Denmark that does this

wrote in message
ups.com...
I think there's still a route between Germany and Denmark that does this


There is. Between Puttgarten and Roedby on the Hamburg to Copenhagen route.
You can stay on the train, or can go into the ship.

Also there's an overnight Malmo (swe) to Berlin (de) service that travels on
the ferry between Malmo and Sassnitz.

Didn't get much sleep that night. The coaches used to be Deutsche Reichsbahn
couchettes, which seemingly hadn't changed much since the days of the Iron
Curtain, plus the rail deck was in the bowels of the ship. not far from the
engine room.

"Mrs Redboots" wrote in message
...

There was indeed - the "Golden Arrow" ran from London to Paris
overnight, via Dunkerque. Only first-class passengers (I think I am
right in saying) remained on the trains; the others had to get off.
This was the "Night Ferry" service beloved of generations of students,
and used by many of my contemporaries as a cheap way of travelling
between the two capitals. But the train service was considered the last
word in luxury when it was inaugurated.

The 'Golden Arrow' was a day service, usually via Dover-Calais. The train
did not go across. In its later years, the Golden Arrow was First Class
Pullman plus second class ordinary coaches.

The 'Night Ferry' (Dover-Dunkerque) used blue 'Wagons-Lits' - quite an
unusual sight for commuters waiting at Orpington or Bromley South. The
wagons-lits were indeed first class only, although there were both single
berth and twin berth compartments.

Peter

Peter Masson wrote to uk.transport.london on Sat, 18 Dec 2004:

The 'Golden Arrow' was a day service, usually via Dover-Calais. The train
did not go across. In its later years, the Golden Arrow was First Class
Pullman plus second class ordinary coaches.

Oh? I stand corrected.

The 'Night Ferry' (Dover-Dunkerque) used blue 'Wagons-Lits' - quite an
unusual sight for commuters waiting at Orpington or Bromley South. The
wagons-lits were indeed first class only, although there were both single
berth and twin berth compartments.

The hoi polloi had to change trains, and got very little sleep - but
most students thought it worth it!
--
"Mrs Redboots"
http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/
Website updated 18 December 2004

"Mrs Redboots" wrote in message
...

The hoi polloi had to change trains, and got very little sleep - but
most students thought it worth it!

To Paris the Newhaven - Dieppe route was cheaper, and probably more
uncomfortable.

Peter

"Peter Masson" wrote in message
...

"Mrs Redboots" wrote in message
...

The hoi polloi had to change trains, and got very little sleep - but
most students thought it worth it!

To Paris the Newhaven - Dieppe route was cheaper, and probably more
uncomfortable.

It certainly was. That was the last time I was seasick :-(

After that, changing at Port Bou at stupid o'clock the next morning en route
to Barcelona was just fine, thanks.

Regards

Jonathan

Peter Masson wrote to uk.transport.london on Sat, 18 Dec 2004:


"Mrs Redboots" wrote in message
...

The hoi polloi had to change trains, and got very little sleep - but
most students thought it worth it!

To Paris the Newhaven - Dieppe route was cheaper, and probably more
uncomfortable.

It was certainly vile - I used to use it as Newhaven is nearer where my
parents live. Remember the "Valençay", the "Villandry" and the
"Senlac", which were the ferries that plied the route in the 1970s. I
don't know whether it was cheaper - most of my friends did the "Night
Ferry" thing if they were going to London. Most of the time, because I
was working and could afford to pay slightly more, I flew with the
"Silver Arrow" service from Le Touquet - one got a train from Paris to
Le Touquet, and then a plane to Gatwick, from where I could easily catch
a direct train down to the south coast. Once in a blue moon I'd fly
direct from - well, it must have been Orly in those days, or even Le
Bourget, since Charles-de-Gaulle only opened my last year in Paris (I
did fly from there once, just so I could say I had!).
--
"Mrs Redboots"
http://www.amsmyth.demon.co.uk/
Website updated 18 December 2004

"Mrs Redboots" wrote in message
...
Peter Masson wrote to uk.transport.london on Sat, 18 Dec 2004:

To Paris the Newhaven - Dieppe route was cheaper, and probably more
uncomfortable.

It was certainly vile - I used to use it as Newhaven is nearer where my
parents live. Remember the "Valençay", the "Villandry" and the
"Senlac", which were the ferries that plied the route in the 1970s.

As Newhaven is only 25-30 minutes by car from us, the Senlac was a pleasant
way to start a continental trip. Lunch on board, with traditional service,
allowed one to spend the four hours in reasonable comfort. The SNCF ships,
on the other hand, were a waste of time, with very poor food and indifferent
service. Not at all what one might have expected. I've been once by Jetfoil,
with Macdonalds the summit of culinary offerings. Returning to one's seat
with a tray full of food on a rough day is not recommended.

I've found it as quick to drive to Dover, take P&O and have breakfast or
lunch in Langan's Brasserie, and drive down the Autoroute towards Rouen in
recent years, when visiting glass works in the valley of the Bresle.
--
Terry Harper, Web Co-ordinator, The Omnibus Society
75th Anniversary 2004, see http://www.omnibussoc.org/75th.htm
E-mail:
URL: http://www.terry.harper.btinternet.co.uk/

In message , Terry Harper
writes

As Newhaven is only 25-30 minutes by car from us, the Senlac was a pleasant
way to start a continental trip. Lunch on board, with traditional service,
allowed one to spend the four hours in reasonable comfort. The SNCF ships,
on the other hand, were a waste of time, with very poor food and indifferent
service. Not at all what one might have expected. I've been once by Jetfoil,
with Macdonalds the summit of culinary offerings. Returning to one's seat
with a tray full of food on a rough day is not recommended.

I've found it as quick to drive to Dover, take P&O and have breakfast or
lunch in Langan's Brasserie, and drive down the Autoroute towards Rouen in
recent years, when visiting glass works in the valley of the Bresle.

I can strongly recommend Sea France on the current Dover-Calais route
(especially if you get their new, fast Rodin) - superb lunches with the
freshest salad I've ever had, and excellent cuisine if you care to
splash out for dinner. They also do extremely good day-return deals for
booze-cruisers (20 to 26 quid for car + up to 9 passengers is the best
I've seen).

(Annabel's reminiscence of the Gatwick - Le Touquet hedgehopper rang a
bell here - it was a good way to get to Paris in the '70s).

--
Paul Terry