The BEST SLEEP I've Had on a Train, Welcome Aboard GWR's Night Riviera from Cornwall to London...
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- I was down in Penzance anyway, so this was the ONLY way to start the long journey home. Having used the Caledonian Sleeper a few times in the past, I was keen to see how GWR's Night Riviera compared, and let's just say there was no contest! Enjoy the video...
Filmed on Friday to Saturday 15/16 September 2023
Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com
Map courtesy of Google Maps
Thumbnail designed using Canva
This video is not sponsored and all opinions are my own
I don’t pretend to be a travel expert, but I love what I do and would be honoured if you came along with me. My channel focusses on the wide-eyed wonder and excitement of finding somewhere new, and my genuine reaction to it. You might not get a history lesson in my videos, but who knows, you might pick up some useful travel tips along the way, add a few destinations to your bucket list and hopefully be entertained by what you see. Thanks for watching, it means a lot to me :)
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I was born in Glasgow but have lived in Carnoustie, Dalgety Bay, Stonehaven, Edinburgh, Montrose, and further afield (Salamanca, Spain & Devonport, New Zealand)
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The usual suspects I'm afraid - time and money! Hotels especially these days make my eyes water like a true Scotsman.
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Alicja will feature as often as possible, but I'm afraid she has a proper job so it can take weeks for our schedules to match up.
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#SteveMarsh #GWR #NightRiviera
I'm going to try to start posting on instagram. Who knows how long it'll last, but I'll do my best :) If you're looking for it, it'll be the stevemarsh_youtube account. I won't ask for a follow because I don't deserve it yet :D
Done !
I’ve slept on the overnight trains in Russia quite a few times (20-odd years ago now) and nothing beats that steady, hypnotic motion of a train travelling at night.. I’d always keep the blinds open so I could stare out onto the endless, deep, snowy countryside… glinting in the moonlight. It really was dreamy and other worldly; A proper adventure.
Loved the Russian bunks and every station a bit fascinating
That sounds amazing. I'd love to do that and the one in Australia
I bet when the sun comes up it's something else!
Can't do that in Russia these days 🇺🇦🇺🇦
Totally agree! Did Moscow to Beijing by Trans Sib in - 30-40°! a few winters ago. We were two in a four berth spalny wagon and the nights with so little light pollution in deepest Siberia were fantastic so we kept to blinds open - the only thing was the build up of ice - on the inside! But with the Provodnitsa stoking the wee coal stove the heating was belting out heat. And with her always piping hot samovar for pot noodles and chai we were happy as larry!
Steve, my three year old and I were mesmerised watching that video. Everything was so serene, from late night Penzance, to the wonderful GWR Sleeper and then calm early morning London. Bravo!
Aww I'm sure your three year old would LOVE the adventure!
Another awesome video, Steve. Would love to go down to Penzance one day, as it looks like a lovely wee town. And out of all the videos I regularly watch, yours is the one I look forward to the most. You're without a doubt my favourite vlogger.
It's a magical trip and I recommend it so much. Steve captured it all perfectly.
This is the most beautiful train I have ever seen. You can't get a gin and tonic on Amtrack!
Passengers should get a 20 pound refund for closed lounge at Penzance. You pay for it. Get contract staff in. Lazy GWR.
Even without lounge access, this appeared to be a lovely experience. That is the quietest train ride I’ve ever seen! What a lovely experience.
So true, it was pretty much silent and smooth the whole way! :)
To Patricia Fuchs.
Lounge closed due to STAFF SHORTAGES? Although not run by the Government, the problem might the same as with NHS and ARMED FIRCES. Lack of pay means lack of STAFF.
What prevented them from offering a compensation - free food, something? Without it, an apology has little credibility. It just won`t do. It is effortless to just close, "sorry". Very, very poor service.
Took a trip on this with my Dad from London to Penzance. Both of us are huge rail fans that've been wanting to do this for ages. The incredible sound of the class 57 through the open windows of the slam doors as we departed London! Sat in that bar carriage for a night cap of a few ciders between London and Reading. Too excited to get a restful night's sleep; my dad got some great pictures of Plymouth at 5 am from the cabin window. Unforgettable experience.
Having followed your channel for the last year I must commend you for inspiring people to get out there and travel, I’m one for doing as much as I can at 70 years old and this latest vlog is one for me to do in the near future it will be a first time experience. Here’s wishing that you have many more travel experiences to share with all of your subscribers, keep up the good work fella 🙂
Thanks so much William and great to hear it! I find as I get older I'm more willing to pay a bit extra for more comfort
Your calm voice and a train ride is soothing.
What a pleasure it is to watch a positive, upbeat review of something; such a change from the 'hate-fest' that is such a feature of everything on-line these days. Very nice indeed.
I want you to know I really enjoy your videos and you've inspired me a bit. I'm a PhD student at The University of Edinburgh and will be returning home to the US for Christmas this year. The first time I will be back in the US in 2 1//2 years. Watching your videos has inspired me to take a round about way home. Instead of flying directly home, I'll be flying to New York City instead and then taking a long distance sleeper train home. I'm looking forward to it. From one Steve to another, best of luck on your continued travels. 😀
Oh that sounds absolutely fantastic! I am so glad you have taken some inspiration from these videos, that means a lot. And I hope you are enjoying life in Edinburgh!
how come your in uni over here instead of the US out of interest?
I hope you've enjoyed your time in our beautiful capital Steve, enjoy your journey home as much!! Steve Marsh, the inspiration, I love that ❤
@@s1dew1nd3r4There's thousands of foreign students in our unis just as ours go abroad too. Many reasons to choose beautiful Edinburgh. I'm intrigued by your question 😂😂
Another gem Steve. You guys are so lucky living in the UK. So close to Europe and so many options within.
I must admit the options are incredible, I am sitting here today researching (and booking!)
Great video & interesting to see the nice sleeper train. LOVE the calm piano music at the end. Please play more of that! Some of the other music is nerve-wracking and takes away from your relaxing, lovely videos. Thanks for sharing parts of the world I'll not get to see in person.
I love sleeping on a train, plane, boat or anything where there is rhythmic movement and machinery noise. Slept on the floor on a cross-Channel ferry once and actually went out like a light!
Always enjoy a train journey my favourite way to travel, as always you have outdone yourself and made a first class video for us all to enjoy. Thank you so much and I wish you all the best,cheers.
Much appreciated Simon! I'd have to agree, this is the way to go :)
A remarkable journey - Steve always makes the viewer part of the travelling experience - his easy manner and humorous asides make it highly enjoyable. Well done Steve !
Really appreciate it thank you!
How much was the ticket?
Hi Steve, I live in Penzance. When you came out of the station you were so close to a chippy, the Sea View at Adelaide Street. but like most F&C shops down here, they're closed by 8pm. So glad you enjoyed the Night Riviera. Gorgeously shot video.
The Caledonian Sleeper, despite having ensuites available, rarely gets such a glowing review! Everything looks new and clean and it all worked, and the staff was helpful. Apparently the bed was comfy and the ride was smooth, which is not always the case in CS reviews.
Yeah spot on, everything you say I heartily agree with
The new trains are a nightmare, they have flats galore, creating a rough ride. If booking try not to get berths at either end of the carriage, you'll be over the bogies
so true and common sense dictates that to the few who know!!@@thomascook578
I went from London to to Glasgow on the Caledonian Sleeper for a works conference in 2007, and it was absolute luxury. But that was me. I don't know about others, but I had as choice of breakfast in the morning, and a morning 'knock'. Really friendly cabin crew.
My wife and I travelled up to Fort William on the Cally sleeper when the old rolling stock was still operating. Both of us slept well until about Crianlarich when we awoke to watch the scenery. On the return journey we slept once it got dark which quite late as it was late May early June. The old coaches were extremely comfortable.
Wonderful! I've always wanted to do the full length of the route!
@@steve-marsh you should try it. Well worth it. Particularly in May or June. There is Premier Inn close to Fort William where we stayed for one night.
are the replacement coaches a downgrade?@@robharris5245
I agree with you on a number of points. The Night Riviaera is a far superior product to the Caledonian Sleeper, despite the slightly narrower bed. Also, you're 100% correct about travelling first class - you pay for those 'extras' and your fare isn't adjusted if something advertised is missing. Even a temporary fix like a coffee voucher at a local shop or something would be appreciated, but no.
Yeah good point, anything would be appreciated, but it feels like they just close the lounges without really trying to find a solution. I was really looking forward to a shower more than anything!
Would that coffee voucher be to get up to "crusing altitude" by any chance?
Staff shortages often keep the lounge closed.Nothing else on the station.
I think they really miss peoples personal hygiene needs and believe you me its important to me!!@@steve-marsh
@@steve-marsh When we want an extra we pay for it , so if an extra is missing , they should refund some money . The principle should be the same.
I regularly travel the Night Riveria... usually Paddington to the West and agree the staff are wonderful and the ride is very smooth.
It may be a bit mercenary but remember GWR have a 'delay repay' scheme and you could get 50% back if the train was 30 mins late into Paddington.
I am 67 and my experience with sleeper trains is a whole lot different to this superb GWR service. When I was a kid we did a lot of journeys from Calais to Basal in Switzerland with SNCF on the Couchette trains. There was 4 of us and 6 (yes 6!) bunk beds per cabin. We encountered many odd people on these journeys.
Haha I can imagine :D
Hey - this is interesting as I'm the same age and also did the Calais to Basel couchette several times including on a school trip......but other than some of my schoolmates I didn't encounter any odd people!
One of the more interesting encounters was when 2 people arrived and left their belongings in the compartment, and left. Then another 2 people arrives and thew their belongings out into the corridor. It ended up in fisty cuffs. the police came on the train at Lille and arrested all four of them. My Dad had to make statement at Basal,@@robertp.wainman4094
I remember on school trip to Lyon in about 1973, sharing with 5 other students when a random frenchman came in to claim the vacant top bunk, grabbed the straps to hoist himself up .... ali oops ... and missed.
My mother is Swiss (from Basel) so we did this trip a few times as a family of five! Most of the time we managed to get the six-berth compartment to ourselves but, on the occasion that we didn’t, I’ve often thought since how much I pitied the poor person who had to share with us!!! 🤣
What a relaxing video to watch. I would love to do this journey. So many positive reports. Everyone has mentioned (including you) how wonderful the staff are. Well done. 👏
They really are incredible! :)
Wow Steve, if there was a way to give a double like this would be the video I’d choose. Love the train and the personnel with their classy uniforms. And your classy and informative commentary make this so much fun to watch. Thanks yet again for bringing a bright spark to a very dark time.
Thanks mate :)
Thank you, Steve.
Without that lounge problem, the service seems like fair value. As you write further on down, the NightJet costs an arm and a leg.
Yeah, I'd love to try the NightJet! But not at those prices!
@@steve-marshtip is to do the Ceske Drahy sleepers! They are very cheap, and I even got a deluxe sleeper with interrail for free due to a system glitch😂 (although just a couchette is €9 for the reservation so still quite affordable, between Warsaw and Prague, it was €13 for Prague to Budapest couchette)
Ah Steve! What a brilliant journey. Makes me want to head down to Penzance just to get the train to Paddington! ❤😃👍
Haha thanks pretty much what I did and it was WORTH IT! :)
Thank you for sharing this, Steve. Taking the GWR between London and Cornwall is on my must-do list for my next trip across the pond. Looks wonderful!
It really is, I'm not overstating it at all, LOVED it
A train to my heart. Wow, what a beautifull train. Letting people stay on the train until 6:45 is a unheard of good service! And what a friendly staff-lady.
One day after your experience I traveled with ÖBB Nightjet from Amsterdam to Innsbruck, my first time. Great way to travel, because of privacy, fresh breakfast, noiseless carriage, good suspension. But the Night Riviera wins for its friendly staff, usage of a shower and the beauty of this (new?) train. Thanks for a well shot video and all the info!
I've always wanted to do Nightjet! But I've found prices expensive (especially factoring in that I'd need to get to and from Europe) One day!
I have always been a fan of GWR colour schemes, Brunell was also an utter genius.
That was an amazing cabin and great carriages too. I’d be very happy to travel on that. Great review Steve 👏
Honestly, it is so cool! well worth a try if you get the chance :)
The night train from Inverness to London was amazing. The steady gentle rocking motion of the train was an absolute soporific!
that motion makes rail trips unrivalled in my experience, i absolutely love travelling by rail!
I really enjoyed this video, Steve. I live in Falmouth and I did the sleeper coming down from London when I went for a job interview a few years ago. I wish I had a drink before bed or at least ear plugs, I think I would have had more sleep. Thanks for what you do.
Another first class video Steve. The GWR’s Night Riviera looked really good to travel on. I did enjoy sleeping on a train, it was always something I wanted to experience, which I did, on the Caledonian Sleeper to Glasgow. Your breakfast looked nice as well and it was good that you were able to use the lounge at Paddington and enjoy a shower. Great journey and yes, the Night Riviera is the winner😊.
Yeah totally agree, a train is a great place to go to bed! I was so ready for that shower :)
I went on this, with my son, in reverse from Paddington to Penzance a few years ago. We had the accessible room as I use a mobility scooter. It was perfect, plenty of room to get my scooter in. My son was only ten and he's fanatical about trains (still is) so he loved it so much, as did I. Brilliant 👏
To STANDUP. I'm of course pleased that you had plenty of room in the mobility section! However, everybody else DIDN'T.
The answer would be, like where some airlines have taken out a few seats to make extra legroom , LESS CUSTOMERS WOULD EQUAL EXTRA ROOM. Greed over space!
@@nygelmiller5293 I said plenty of room to get my scooter in, not a massive room. It was just the same as everyone else’s apart from space for my scooter. Of course I’d rather be able to walk and not need it in the first place. Jeez 🙄
This is the first of your videos that I am watching and I have to say I really enjoy your style of presentation you can count me as your newest subscriber
1979 we took the sleeper to Penzance from London twice. It was a 1 pound supplement over our Britrail pass! Not quite as fancy, but still very comfortable and my wife and I loved it. In old Mk1 sleepers with no A/C and heat controlled by the guard. Our only visit to the 1st class lounge at Paddo was in 2012 on a trip to Bath. And it has not changed! At least we could get a cup of tea in private😂Keep up the good work.
Cheers Michael! Haha £1 supplement - has to be the best £1 ever spent!
I can remember getting the sleeper from Bristol to Edinburgh, and paying an extra £30 to take the car... 😀 Sadly those days are long gone.
The older rolling stock was excellent quality and build...
It seems to be the case, unfortunately the modern stuff can't hold a candle to this!
@@steve-marsh Ride the Scotrail HST while you can!!
Unlike the Caledonian Sleeper which has new coaches. The Night Riviera is still using the old BR Mark 3 Sleepers, which were are very comfortable. The Caledonian sleeper is aimed at the tourist market far more than the Night Riviera. At one time Most of the large London Terminals had bathrooms available for passengers on overnight trains. Edinburgh Waverley Station had them too, they were in The North British Hotel when it was railway owned they were accessible from the Station Concourse, amd one could charge Breakfast in the Restaurant to your bathroom. Euston had them ( not sure if it still does) as did Waterloo. and Kings Cross.
Yeah good point!
Absolutly love the fact that this GWR service offers showers at the station. Incredible.
I used the sleeper train to Fort William as a treat for myself about 15 years ago and loved it. I slept really well, even managing in the narrow single bed. After my fabulous weekend in Fort William, I caught the ordinary day train back to London so I could see the scenery I had missed on the sleeper. OMG!! It was the very definition of "cattle class". Because I had boarded at the start of the journey, I had a seat but as we progressed it got busier and busier until people were sitting on the floor. There were suitcases stacked high all over the place. And the noise was horrendous. I put up with it as far as Newcastle and then went in search of First Class. On reaching the carriage, I asked if there were any seats available, to be told "yes, but there would be an extra charge". I was more than happy to pay the extra £63 (I think it was). I said I had to get my suitcase. "Let me help you." Said the steward! When I finally got inside First - it was like walking into paradise. My single seat was bigger and more comfy than my armchair at home. The peace was deafening. No sooner had I sat down than the stewardess asked if I would care for some tea. In a proper china cup and saucer! Worth every single penny!
Superb video yet again! Another one on my bucket list. I’ve done the Caley sleeper a few times but this definitely looks better. Cheers! 🏴
I still love the Caley, but this is just on another level, especially smoothness of the ride
My daddy was a railwayman so we could travel on the trains at a discount, so our holidays always started with a train journey at night, however we never took the sleeper as it was too expensive. But this still took me right back to my childhood. The sound of the engine, the smell of the diesel, the anticipation of boarding and finding our seats, then settling in for the journey. The smell of Palmolive soap always reminds me of these times as the train toilets always had small bars of that soap.
Lovely memories of happy times with my parents..Sadly gone now.
I did this trip and was too excited by it all to sleep. You really capture the magic of it all.
I was absolutely wrecked the next day and managed to sleep (disgracefully: drooling, head bobbing) on the journey back 😅
Haha I was a zombie walking around London! :D
Such a smooth ride credit to the GWR Drivers that departure and stop were well done.I wish we had trains like that here Down under ours are 60s era on most long haul trips very noisy compared to that...but then again l love sleeping on a train no matter how noisy..have even slept in the second loco at times proving ya can sleep just about anywhere hehehe...thanks again Steve regards Doc from Down Under in Australia.
One hell of a journey Steve. Always love when you have the train videos uploaded!
Cheers Arron, they're a bit of a favourite to travel too :)
Please dont use profanities this chanel inc children also..the word which i wont repeat is quite scary especially to my 8 year old , thank you
@@phillylarkin.s1930if the word hell is a “profanity” your maybe as well staying in your bubble. Was used to describe the journey etc not to be offensive. Thanks
Steve, completely agree with your sentiments re Caledonian vs Night Riviera. We were lucky enough to have travelled on both in the last year and in terms of customer service and overall experience the Night Riviera wins hands down by a mile! Love the vids, keep em coming
You are spot on! Glad you've had the opportunity to try both too!
An impressively positive and honest review. I noted the temperature issue. Trying to be cool and feeling fresh in the endlessly hot environments we seem to find everywhere these days is a real chore.
What a class trip with you Steve - love it 😊
Brings back many happy memories traveling on the night Rivera.A lovely way to get to London.A nicely shot and put together video.🐻🐒🤗👍
After watching I've added this experience to my bucket list. Looks good. Thanks.
Good to know that an ancient Class 57 loco and a refurbished set of Mk 3 carriages compare favourably with the modern stock on the Caledonian Sleeper. New trains may be efficient, but the old ones are more comfortable. Thanks for a great video - I'm tempted to try it myself!
Well said mate! And spot on!
Was on sleeper from Odessa to Dniper 8 weeks ago no sleep all night too noisey ,no food bring your own tea was served any time 18 hr by the guard
Tran was full of dads army oldmen 50+ and young boys 16 -20 what a waist
Can't beat the ride on the Mk 3s
Love sleeper trains. Used to travel from Bulawayo to Caoe Town every year. Now do the sleeper trains in Turkey whenever possible. Magic
It's the way to go eh!
Love the video. The other half of the first class lounge in Paddington is much posher. Feels like a gentleman’s club. I think it was used by Victoria on her travels to Windsor and is still reserved for VVIPs when they are using the station.
I wish I'd known about the other side!!!
So refreshing. A staggeringly high quality for a British rail service. All pretty new obviously. Another good one Steve, thanks
Looks fantastic! Isn’t it amazing that a 45 year old train can be refurbished and be so much better than the brand spanking new MK5 Cally Sleeper trains? The hype of the double rooms and the en-suite bathrooms doesn’t alter the fact that this much older train set is vastly superior! 😀😀
You are so spot on mate! I love your vlog from the older Caley Sleeper, it was awesome!
Like many things....... it's called "progress" 😮. Progressing backwards!!
Sadly the powers that be don't understand what people need or are looking for!!
Brilliant Steve, really enjoy your videos. Makes we want to get out there and try a few of these journeys.
Steve, we rode that train about six weeks ago and loved it as you did. Just a few observations about our experience:
We were able to print tickets at the station no problem. The machine is by the street entrance.
The air conditioning was amazing! Best sleep we had in days as a result. 😂
The lounge staff and on-train steward took very good care of us. Top notch service. The Penzance lounge was minimal and less fancy than the paddington one if you can believe that, and we heard the GWR privately grousing about the lack of security and being left on their own. Would not be surprised if the staff had quit or transferred.
Ah glad you've had the pleasure! And thanks so much for the extra info!
Great video. It was fun to watch as I have just walked down all those streets in Penzance and Paddington in the past few weeks.
I was on the Night Riviera a couple of weeks ago and it surprised me how comfort was the main focus of this train. The staff, the ride quality etc. I like how your video shares the same experiences I had (including the closed lounge and late night food location). However even though I had booked a normal room they gave me the accessible room because they noticed me walking with my crutch earlier that day. I really hope the staff gets paid well, because they are so kind ....
You are so right! The staff really do turn this from a good journey to a great one, and the staff all set to really enjoy their work, nice to see!
Hi. Did you notice if the accessible room had an upper birth too? If I go with my daughter I have to stay in the room with her. The staff sound so lovely it gives me a bit of confidence.😊
Wow ! impressed with that train and the trip Steve, better than the Cally. I absolutely love a night sleeper, though its 40yrs since we did Motor Rail over night, from Euston to lnverness. I really wish there was still Motor Rail. Heaven knows what it would cost. Theres a b&w 1945 film "l know where I'm Going" l love it because the leading lady Wendy Hilliier travels on the over night sleeper from Euston to Scotland. Well worth a watch it's really amusing how things were then in my childhood 😅
@@steve-marshHI
Thanks for such an informative video. 😊
The best sleep I've had on a train was overnight from Cairo to Aswan in 2007. A smooth ride, comfortable bed and a beautiful dinner served in the cabin. The worst because it was in seats and not a bed, was a return trip, Adelaide to Melbourne in 1982. What also contributed to the lack of sleep was that, along with three other teachers, we were taking 40 teenagers on a school trip and we had already had a flight from Port Lincoln to Adelaide earlier in the day.
In 2021 we took the Canadian from Vancouver to Toronto, four days on a sleeper train. I slept really well. It kind of rocks you to sleep. It was expensive, but brilliant. Also the scenery and the food was amazing the whole trip. Strongly recommend for any big train enthusiast.
Noted James, would love to do it, one day!
Thank you. That was a pleasure to watch. Plenty of interest for rail enthusisats to observe, some valuable insite into the stations, and plenty of interesting relavent information about the journey and that train. I loved this film and subscribed.
Roy I really appreciate you watching and subscribing! Thanks man!
Hi Steve and Alicia, hope you are both OK. I am in North Yorkshire watching the weather reports for your area. Stay safe.
What a lovely video!
Hey thanks so much :)
Hello Steve, I traveled on both the Night Rivera and the Caledonian sleeper on successive nights as part of a grand tour of the UK. I loved the Night Riviera too, such a comfortable train.
Wow that's pretty cool! I bet you enjoyed a proper bed after it though!
You are SO right Steve about the Caledonian Sleeper - style over substance. I've been hankering for a trip on the Night Riviera, and you've made me hanker more.
It wins in pretty much every category, hope you get the chance!
"Can I have your ticket , m'love?" How very sweet!
Really enjoyed this venture down to Penzance. You were a real trooper. I think with my claustrophobia that sleeper car would have been difficult. The temps on a train are always extreme. My worst experience was riding on Amtrak from Ann Arbor, MI to Chicago (a every other week thing) and about 1 hour into the ride the heat went out in my section of car. On a Friday night so the train was packed. No lights, no heat and in January. I could not leave to go to another car as there was no room. Cold as hell for the next 4.5 hours.🥶🥶🥶
Ohhhh! Although I always favour cold over heat on a train, nothing worse than when it's too hot. Ahhh Ann Arbor, I loved my time there, one of my favourite ever trips!
Most of the time I just mute the traveller...but...you...is a pleasure to listen...!
Fantastic oral skills...!
Fantastic engagement with sights & sounds...!
No more semantics from me...!
Always well done...Thanks a million...!
Haha thanks so much! Really appreciate that :)
The older, much better built, Night Riviera certainly knocks the Cally Sleeper out of the park. However, last month I was lucky to travel through the Rockies on the even older, but also well built Canadian train, which travels from Toronto to Vancouver, and knocks both of them out of the park! Comfortable leather armchairs in the cabin during the day, nice wide beds at night, en-suite toilet and sink, with showers at end of each coach, superb dome observation cars for the stunning views, nice bars and dining rooms, lunch, breakfast and dinner all included, plus canapés and drinks brought round a couple of times. Naturally, with each sleeping coach having its own attendant, and each of the 2 or 3 dining rooms and observation cars having their own cooking and waiting staff, it’s much more expensive (although cheaper than the Rocky Mountaineer), and a memorable experience, which I’d highly recommend if you get the chance.
I can't tell you how much I'd love to do that!!!!
I travelled on the Canadian as a 4 year old way back in 1964 from Calgary to Banff. At the time it was operated by Canadian Pacific. I still have the ciné films my dad took of the journey.
I used to use sleeper trains from Edinburgh & Inverness to London back in the 70s, I never slept great but it was just nice to stretch out & relax, rather than having my head bouncing off the window in a seat!
Steve you are a star. How anyone can make an overnight sleeper train journey interesting I dont know but you managed it. Since you asked - Ive tried to sleep on the overnight train from Paris to Madrid and was lucky enough to travel across China on the old slow sleeper trains before they were modernised (an amazing experience) - I never sleep, I cant, I’m always too excited. Also, they always put the beds across the carriage which means you feel every jolt of the train … now maybe if they put them longways … ive never been able to sleep on ships either and have tried quite a few times.
Haha I'm glad to hear I'm not the only person that gets excited by this kind of trip and sounds like you've done some beauties!
The double deck sleepers OBB bought from DB - have berths positioned lengthways. Never tried them, but they look great!
@@robertp.wainman4094 OBB?
@@steve-marsh if ever I see you in a pub I’ll tell you many stories.
@@josephfredbill Sorry - OBB is Austrian State Railways, operating their sleeper trains under their NightJet brand.
Good video, looks so clean and fresh,lovely train, they must be proud of it, 😊
As somebody who has done both trains, I definitely agree with you! I still enjoy the Caledonian Sleeper however they ought to put in better beds as I find it feels like sleeping on a piece of wood with some thin foam on top. The GWR sleeper wins hands down on comfort and on price! Only thing I'd change is how early you have to wake up.
Haha you are so right on all points! I think the Night Riviera is a bit better timetabled the other way!
Looks like GWR know how to get things right ..well done to them ...sleeping on a train is a special pleasure for me ..
Great journey Steve, thank you. You actually looked rested. Enjoy your week....ps. Heard there was bad rainy weather in Scotland, last wee or so.Hope you guys were not affected. Cheers
There was a big dump of rain but thankfully lovely blue skies now :)
Glad you enjoyed God's Wonderful Railway.
I've slept on train many times but only once in a sleeper. Way back in 1972 when I was 14, I went with my brother and parents from Bristol to Newcastle on my first trip to Scotland. In those days there was Motor-rail where the car was loaded onto open wagons and was pulled by the same engine as the rest of the train. As you can imagine, it took a great deal of hassle out of the trip. Short hop through the boarders and over the boarder into
Scotland for our first stop over in Spean Bridge.😀
Haha brilliant mate :)
Yes, that does look rather better than the Caledonian Sleeper. Thank you for showing it. For me the big problem with the Caledonian Sleeper is that the east coast service - to Aberdeen, Inverness etc - leaves far too early to be useful. It leaves around 21:15 which is far too early, unlike the Glasgow service which leaves at a far more useful 23:45.
Ahh good point Sir!
I've taken both the Caley and the Night Riviera and I also found the latter far superior. Despite the Caley being modern I found it noisey and less comfortable, and obviously far more expensive. I wouldn't take the the sleeper up to Scotland again, and really only took the Night Riviera as a gimmick as part of a holiday but having done so I found it the best way to travel to Cornwall. Slept far better on it than the Caley.
I agree with you 100%! And the Caley pricing makes it an even easier decision eh?!
Yes that's what a lot of people say about the Cal Sleeper's CAF stock. It's been losing millions and has now been taken over by the Scottish gov't.
Been on both and found the *new* Caley a such a huge let down. Used to use the old Caley (with its £15 bargain berth fares) between Aberdeen and London all the time and loved it. The new replacement is frankly terrible. It also shows just how well engineered the old BR mk 2 coaches were that GWR have managed to re-invent them into such a luxury product.
At the start of this year I did a similar journey. LNER London to Aberdeen on the Friday, Aberdeen to Penzance on Saturday, then Penzance to London on the sleeper on the Sunday night. Even went into the spoons for Sunday breakfast haha
Wonderful !
It's a long time on the rails eh!
This looks fantastic, a trip I really hope I can take some day. I like that GWR livery, very crisp! And compared to a sleeper on Amtrak, your trip was a BARGAIN for such luxury!
I'll still empty my wallet for a crack at an Amtrak sleeper, one day!
Great clip Steve my friend i loved it, and the lady who was looking after you was amazing.
Chris.
Lounge closed due to staff shortages . I've a feeling this is an excuse we will see more often . We pay for this and should be compensated .
I really feel like they don't make much effort and are quite happy to just say 'ah let's close it'. I've missed out on a few lounges on my travels!
Loved watching that, nice one!
Very interesting. It certainly looks nicer than the Caledonian sleeper. A much better price too.
I LOVE the animal tea party sculpture!
I'd definitely put in for a discount for the lack of lounge at Penzance as the website makes it clear it's part of the deal.
Yeah, I was looking forward to it, especially for a shower. It would have made the journey even better! Although to be fair, that's not the train operator's fault, more the station I guess
Really cool Steve, great video!
I’m taken a few sleeper trains. In Europe i took the NightJet between Dusseldorf and Vienna, then from Vienna to Berlin. Also took the Caledonian Sleeper between London and Inverness in 2018. Here at home I’ve taken The Canadian between my home city here in Winnipeg to Toronto, and also the other way between Winnipeg and Vancouver. One of the “problems” with sleeper trains in Europe ironically is the distances aren’t long enough to give you enough time to actually get a good long sleep overnight. It’s not like here where the Winnipeg to Toronto train is a good 28-32 hour journey so you get a good solid nights sleep of 8-9 hours (sometimes two nights depending on delays) and time to eat 3 full meals in the dining cars too. I found in Europe I kept wishing it took longer to get to places on a sleeper train to give enough time to actually sleep.
You are SO right! I always think that's the problem too. Although you have way more experience than me, I totally agree :)
First time watching. Steve is a friendly, convivial traveling guide. He also seems to be thoughtful and respectful of other travelers, which is rare. Been watching Tim,walk with me videos, very informative, but a little hard- nosed, and increasingly, his pushy, grating wife Gabby. Steve is a charming, modest chap, and a pleasant change.
Those old MkIII sleepers take a lot of beating when it comes to ride comfort, and GWR have certainly spent some time and money on getting the interior modernisation right. Shame that the CS have missed the mark by such a wide margin as there's nothing quite like boarding a sleeper train in London and waking up somewhere north of Glasgow/Edinburgh heading on to a morning Fort William or Inverness.....
So true mate! I still enjoy the Caley sleeper for the novelty, but THIS is how it should be done :)
I worked on the refurbishment of these and I can assure you it cost the company I worked for millions and not GWR..@@steve-marsh
Great video! Thank you!
A pleasure Rowan!
kind of my favorite video so far
The train looked to have style and substance, a very classy offering. I've really enjoyed your videos from the south west, they've made me consider the south rather than just focus on Scotland and Europe.
Glad to hear it, although it's an expensive part of the world to get to. Well worth it though!
Indeed. The new Cal Sleeper stock, made by CAF in Spain, promised so much but hasn't lived up to the initial hype. In nay case it's losing lots of money and has now been taken over by the Scottish Gov't.
Aye, sleeping on a Train is grand always seems like I'm on a wee Adventure.
How do you manage to catch all these trains with no trouble Steve? I'm currently sat in Preston waiting for a driver to drive the train to Glasgow. The last time I was on a train to Wales a few weeks ago it was 3 and a half hours late x
Oh I've had runs of bad luck like that too, but I did well on this trip eh! Hop your driver get there soon!!!
@@steve-marsh I used to travel a lot by train here in Germany, the Netherlands and Swiss but I never, ever was exactly on time, at least 10 minutes late and Max ..2 days.
Great video Steve love Cornwall and that Night Riviera looks great..😀😀😀
Great part of the world eh!
Wow. There’s nothing I didn’t like about that trip (other than the Penzance lounge being closed!) what lovely train cars, so well appointed. That is a trip I would love to take. I don’t think you mentioned, but I’m assuming that the opposite journey on this train is also an overnighter? Thanks, cheers, and ATB
Thanks Erin! Indeed it is - with slightly better timetabling so you have a 7am arrival!
I myself love penzance 😊
Great video. After watching many night train reviews what I really don't understand is why the Caledonian Sleeper and Night Riveria arrive in London so ridiculously early in the morning, even worse during peak travel fare time? Couldn't both services aim to arrive at 11am and leave their original departure point later? Why do you have to shower / have breakfast, very rushed, at 6am after spending a hugh amount of money. Totally weird!
To benefit business users and onward travellers.
nice video Steve, Thanks
The only thing thats stopping me from booking this trip is the most horrible thought of the sleeper stock/loco developing some kind of defect and an IET substituted to run in its place! Would be absolutely heart breaking for that to happen, especially if it was a trip you had been looking forward to taking for a while (and it does happen sometimes).
Oh you are so right! Thoughts like that go through my mind on most journeys!
Don't book the Caledonian sleeper then. It's not known for its reliability.
I've not heard of issues with the night riviera sleeper as far as I can gather it's pretty reliable
@@JLPCORR What I'm saying is IT CAN HAPPEN not IT WILL HAPPEN. Nowhere on my post does it knock the reliability of the service, only the possibility that it MIGHT happen.
It’s amazing how small things trigger memories, but you opening than sink took me back to sleepers from the late 60s and often Bristol or Birmingham to Edinburgh. Identical excepting the Brunswick Green finish!
140 quid and they still gave you a plastic glass 🤣 thanks for sharing, really enjoyed this 👌