If you travel on the First Great Western Night Riviera Sleeper you'll be treated to a free copy of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca (link below.)
http://firstlatewestern.blogspot.com/2007/08/thoughts-on-du-mauriers-manderleyor.html

 
First Great Western has announced that as part of a ^200 million package of investment , it is updating its Sleeper Service , also known as the Night Riviera Sleeper , which runs between Penzance and London Paddington (link below.)
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=541

The contract to carry out the work , which is worth ^2,000,000 has been awarded to Railcare in Wolverton. Michael Rodber,  who has worked for Porsche and Eurostar and was responsible for designing First Great Western's new look High Speed Trains (HSTs) that were introduced earlier this year , has been tasked with creating a refreshed interior that is more akin to a hotel room than a train carriage.

Work has already started on upgrading the 17 carriages and is expected to be completed by March 2008.

 
As long as the beds don't go high density!

 
Does the "more akin to a hotel room than a train carriage." mean a mini bar in every berth ?

 
Does anybody have any info on whats happening to the seated sleeper carriages as I have seen one in new livery so I think its refurb but FGW arent' publising it.

 
There are 'refreshed' sleeper coachs in traffic, expect they are waiting for a full set to be complete before doing the normal 'we are great' press launch.

Only one Ive seen was a first class seating coach and although I was a bit drunk at the time I think they are the old HST first class seats but covered in the new trim.....

 
Yeh it was a first class seating coach but as t was from a HST window I couldn't really see much- only got to see it because it was unusually parked in the sidings at Long Rock instead of in the shed.

 
First Class is nice

http://www.rollingstock.fotopic.net/p46358354.html

 
Don't know why they couldn't have done that with the HST first class seats rather than pay millions for the new leather seats as these look really nice.

 
They really do look like the OLD FGW MK3 FC seats!

 

Thats because they are...?

 
Indeed, much better than the leather replacement IMO!

 
Following this mornings DSD failure on last nights down sleeper from Paddington, tonights Up Riviera Sleeperr will be hauled by a heritage locomotive, 47805.

The BRUSH fans WILL be burning the midnight oil tonight.   

22:00 Penzance to London Paddington due 05:25
This train has been revised.
The Full Sleeper service will start from Plymouth. A HST will operate for the Penzance to Plymouth part of the journey.

 
They are re-covered HST FC seats.

 
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1555
It is now possible to buy tickets for the sleeper service online, something that has been missing for years.

 
Can someone clarify for me whether the Penzance sleeper has first class seating coaches available? I phoned FGW and their response was rather contradictory.

Also, are there any complimentaries? 

 
......

http://www.rollingstock.fotopic.net/p46358354.html

"The refresh includes a new external livery to the trains, new internal colour scheme and lighting, reupholstered First Class style seating throughout the seated carriages, new carpets, taps and blinds, better quality linen and towels."

"Our range of services for Night Riviera Sleeper customers
We have a range of services to make your journey a comfortable and relaxing experience:

    * There is a dedicated Service Leader to provide an at-seat food and drink service in the Lounge Car.
    * The Sleeper berths are air-conditioned for your comfort.
    * You can have a morning wake up call with complimentary refreshments.
    * We offer a complimentary newspaper and breakfast for all First Class customers.
    * You can use the First Class lounge on arrival into London Paddington.
    * Complimentary refreshments are provided for all Sleeper berth customers in the lounge.
    * There are showers available for Sleeper berth customers upon arrival at London Paddington.
    * There is a dedicated Customer Host on-hand to answer any queries and to ensure a comfortable and safe journey.

Buffet service
There is a buffet service on-board to provide you with a range of food and drinks. View our Food and Drink menus for more information."

 
I don't trust the FGW website! 

 

Actually, I find it very informative at times (link below, 19 November 2007) :
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?id=570


See also link below.
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=2076.msg15541#msg15541

 
Just to note, tonight's 2345 Paddington to Penzance sleeper is revised tonight. Overcrowding comes to the sleeper? 

This train has been revised.
This service will today be formed of 3 Sleeper Carriages instead of 4.

 

Well it doesn't lie.

I assure you there is seated First Class seating!!

 
All seating is "first class" but you dont need a first class ticket to sit in it! the old MKIII first class seats have been fitted to the day cars, albeit reuphulstered, so don't bother buying a first class ticket!

 
A wise move by FGW I think, as nice as the old seats are the first class ones provide much more room.

 

And god are they good for dossing in!

 
Why do they label the seats "First Class" if you don't need  first class ticket?

 
It is all First Class until May but standard may sit in it as there is no Standard Class.
For more info check out the latest issue of Go To magazine, it says.
From 18 May all Sleeper berths will be sold as one Standard level of accomadation. You will still be able to book single or twin berths. All sleeper berths include Continetial Breakfast. All seating accomodation will be Standard Class.

 
In a way, it is a shame the old GW trains livery is going....

I mean, it's not as if we need any more dynamic lines, is it?

 
Yes actually, although I love the Green/Gold Fag Packet livery, one brand and livery across services is definatly the way to go. And the dynamic lines IMO is brilliant.

 
Normal Night Riveria Sleeper formation is, (note: all MKIII stock)
Coach A TSO (Tourist Standard Open)
Coach B BFO (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 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(Tourist Standard Open)
Coach B BSO(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.

 
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 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 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.

 
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, 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.

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

 
Except Conner, in my experience, the difference is nil between FC and SC... I could have saved myself ^10 by getting a standard class single cabin!

The NFM 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!!

 
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.

 
I feel a complaint to FGW 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!

 
My uncle was booked PAD-PNZ although he got off at Camborne.

 

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?

 
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 could do well if they modified their service to more reflect their sister company ScotRail.

 
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

 
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? 

 
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

 
After May the sleeper will be Standard Class only.
You will get a seat if you book Advance Purchase as you will have a reservation.

 
Railway bosses are poised to relaunch the once threatened Penzance to London sleeper train thanks to "people power".

Charles Howeson, chairman of First Great Western, has revealed to the WMN plans to unveil the refurbished service under the new name of the Night Riviera Express on June 23.

See http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=141507&command=displayContent&sourceNode=257390&home=yes&more_nodeId1=257393&contentPK=20728306

 
should never have been 'under threat'. Such a constantly well used service would be a blow to the region if it was ended.
Always busy, never enough berths sundays/fridays in either direction and bank holidays - well, book well ahead!

 
Well, since around 8000 of us - including a lot of contributors to the forum - got together to try and save the service, it seems to have gone from strength to strength! I have to give FGW credit for the way they've handled the sleeper in recent times - they've done a lot of research to find what passengers want, and they're starting to respond with the likes of a proper breakfast onboard and so on.

What's really good news is that they've added a fifth sleeper coach on busy nights, and I'm told that if loadings carry on rising, they may have to look into generating a business case within the next 12-18 months for a sixth! I think that's a real tribute to the quality of the service, and the excellent staff who look after snoozing passengers. For once, it's good news on GW - let's hope it continues and that we don't have to fight to save the train in another few years!

Andy Roden

 
Launch train Monday 23rd June: 1Z08 15:08 Penzance to Plymouth calling major stations. ECS back.

 
Video from BBC Spotlight SouthWest about the relaunch:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7470329.stm

(What you don't see is the presenter introducing the video and getting in the "MPs thought FGW was the worst operator on the planet" comment  )

Favourite quote from the video: "They've apparently done 'something' to the breaks to make it a smoother journey"... quality reporting 

 
A couple of points from me (cue groans from the other moderators!  )

Describing FGW in the press these days apparently involves the obligatory use of the phrase "Under fire train company FGW ...".  For goodness sake!  Why not try to be impartial and just describe them (at least initially) as "Local train operating company FGW ... " ?

And there are some very high quality reporters around, in my personal opinion: for example, among our members here in the coffee shop! 

 
Perhaps they could get jobs with the BBC then   

 
I'm not so concerned with the BBC - it's the various local newspapers, who all seem to have a presumption that FGW are still suffering the same problems / low public esteem that they clearly were, back in January.  Things have moved on since then - FGW certainly have - and that's why I think it's not fair to keep starting every article in the local papers now with a pre-emptive dismissal of FGW as a 'failing' train company.


(Posted by me personally: my opinions are not necessarily those of FGW  )

 
I think its mainly a case of that "bad news" will always sell papers, and "good news" (although featured more than people realise) will not always get the level of coverage that perhaps it merits.

From my perspective, one of the things that has greatly improved is that, if I raise an issue of importance to the Coffee Shop or CANBER, Andrew Haines will always ensure that I get a speedy and detailed response, either from him personally or the person responsible for the matter. Frankly, this is in stark contrast to how things were before he came along.

There have also been welcome moves towards improvements on several lines/services (TransWilts being a notable exception.)

However, FGW remain gaffe-prone, and when things do go wrong, they tend to go wrong in spectacular fashion, the debacles over the Exeter ticket promotion and the Free Severn Beach Line service cancellations being good examples. Errors like this could be avoided, and FGW still (in my opinion) have work to do on this front.

Here is a view from the I Hate FGW blog author, in which she notes (with caution) that things have improved (link below.)
http://www.canber.co.uk/?q=node/29

 
Have used the sleeper last 3 Wednesday nights from Padd to Exeter and will be doing same journey each week for the foreseeable future. Always book a seat in advance and pay only ^12, although have paid ^20.50 once, which is still a bargain.

Love the ex-HST 1st class seats, very comfortable and have heard other passengers say the same. Staff all very friendly and the train has a 'happy' feel to it, other than the occasional moaning old git who seems to be expecting 110 mph all the way to Bodmin or wherever....

Have noticed that there are always a lot more seats reserved than actual passengers on board (although there has still been a healthy number of people traveling) so my question is, are these 'no-shows' included in the usage figures? After all, they have paid to use the service and thus technically last night's (seated) service was 90% full, not bad for a Wednesday!

Can anyone in the know shed any light on this?

 
Hi, does the Night Riviera have a standard route if there are no engineering works?  I used it one time and it went EXD - BRI - TRO - NBY - RDG - PAD.

 
Zoe - there was a thread a while back which discussed the various routes of the NR service.

I have had a search but can't find it. Maybe a mod can.

It was the one where we tried to guess the routes knowing there were about 10!

 
Erm ... 16, apparently!   

Try this: http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=1335.0

 
The timetabled route is Penzance - Bristol TM - Bristol Parkway - London Paddington. Whether it will go that way or not is a different matter!

 
Is there any reason why it does not stop at Taunton early Monday mornings?

 
AIUI it has not done so for many, many years.  Allows diversion via yeovil without any need for bus replacement to Taunton.

 

Thats cheating! I guess its one way for FGW to save money though

 
From what i've heard very few people use Taunton except leaving EXD on a Friday night after being out on the town.

I believe there was some consideration knocking the Taunton stop out altogether, however it seems to survive for now.

 
And IIRC it used to stop at Bristol Temple Meads until around 5 years ago. Presumably this was also withdrawn to allow more flexibility as to which route it takes.

 
So Ryanair have cancelled the route until the summer ? What a convenient way to save costs when loadings are low and blame someone else ! Hope the displaced passengers try the superb refurbished sleeper and stay on the railway.

 
I think it was more than 10 years ago they withdrew the Temple Meads stop. I was disappointed because I used it a number of times over the years: to Plymouth to connect with the early Roscoff ferry, and to and from Penzance to connect with the Scillonian. The up service was also useful for an early arrival in London, I used it a couple of times to connect with the boat train from Liverpool St to Harwich.

It's a shame there are hardly any night services any more.... I know there are operational reasons but other countries manage to have a network of night trains.

 
It was certainly still calling as recently as May 2003,  02u50, MX.

 
In around 1988 I travelled through Salisbury THREE times on a PAD > PZ journey.

 
Tuesday nights down sleeper hit a tree west of Bedwyn and was cancelled at Westbury arriving 05:25, 230 late!! Passengers transferred to a unit to Taunton then a XC service to Plymouth where the 0820 departure for Penzance was held 15 mins to meet the XC. Not a good journey for those people!!

 
Ouch. Turfed out of your nice comfortable berth into a Vomiter. That's got to hurt.

 
As inconvenient as it was the passengers, I was personally relieved to hear it was the sleeper loco that hit the tree at 70mph rather than a HST powercar at 100+mph.  Considering the position of the damage that was done to the loco, I reckon it would have had a HST powercar off the road 

 
Not that I'm worried, because I'm not on the train... but FGW's website is claiming there are no sleeper berths on this service - that can't be comfortable - hope they've stuck everyone in First Class carriages!

 
From FGW Website:

23:50 London Paddington to Penzance due 08:59
12 July 2009
This train has been revised.This train will be formed of 8 coaches.This is due to a train fault.
No sleeper berths will be available on this service.

Looks like they've drafted in a HST set. I would hazard a guess that none of FGWs 57s were available and there were no replacement locos available. I'm sure someone in coffeeshop land will know.....

 
I know that sometimes FGW draft in a Virgin trains Thunderbird loco (I've seen Brains and Kyrano sitting at Paddington station before) but mostly it's the FGW locos named after South West castles.

The one coming into Paddington from Penzance this morning was a normal FGW loco.

 

Why can't the HST powercar(s) haul the sleeper coaches?  It is all Mk 3 stock isn't it?

 

An incompatible electrical supply, and some other issues. That's why other Mk3 carriages haven't been converted to HST trailers without having to go through expensive and extensive overhaul.

 
The past few times I have travelled on this It has come to my attention that there are no phone chargers in the carriages unlike the hst sets anyone know why ??

 
Less money was spent on the refurb.

 

nice

since an overnight train is surely the one most definitely likely to need chargers of some sort

 
I have successfully used the shaver point in the berths to power my laptop! You of course need a 3 pin to 2 pin adaptor.

 
 

 
There are power sockets in the lounge car.

If you don't want your phoen to go flat whilst you are asleep turn it off.  A phone in a moving vehicle will run down much faster than one left at home.  Everytime it moves from one "cell" to another, it starts sending out quite high power tranmissions to try an attract the attention of another cell and this kills the battery life/. 

 
Don't think this has been posted elsewhere, so apologies if it has. Demand for sleeper berths is so strong that  FGW is adding a fourth sleeper coach to the train every night with a fifth coach on the Friday train to Penzance and the Sunday night return working, which probably means there's not much left by way of spare sleeper coaches in FGW's fleet. Time for a raid on Long Marston?

FGW news item:
ng customers to sleep away the miles and arrive at their destinations refreshed and ready to face the day. ^

 
Are there any sleepers in Long Marston?

 
I think there were about half-a-dozen stored there last year. If anyone wants a look round Long Marston, there will be an open day on September 12. For more info, see the Diary section.

 

I should think so. Wooden ones, concrete ones, metal ones. Maybe even some of those new-fangled ones made from recycled plastic!! 

 
Can't remember if there are any sleepers stored at Long Marston off hand, but there should certainly be plenty of mk 3 sleepers spare somewhere. BR built a fairly large number just before lots of sleeper services were permanently withdrawn, so there should still be plenty around that have barely turned a wheel in service. That's if they haven't all been snapped up yet by heritage railways for use as dormitory accommodation, which many of them have.

It's great to know that demand is so strong for the Night Riviera though, especially "in this economy" (hate that phrase!). Hopefully this bodes well for its future. Makes the threats to remove it when the franchise was renewed in 2006 look rather silly now.

 
this is good news considering a couple of years ago there was large mention of the service being scrapped,

 
Probably more to do with the cost of petrol and the cost of flights

 
  ......... and people finding out it exists !!! 

 

Beyond the ones in traffic with FGW and ScotRail, they're really aren't that many left that haven't been disposed of to preserved railways, which is why I mentioned Long Marston and there are a number still listed in store there by the ABRail database http://abrail.co.uk/lhcspassdetail.htm and The Junction http://www.thejunction.org.uk/flist_lhs_3.html

This one was photographed at the June 2009 Long Marston open day http://www.rollingstock.fotopic.net/p58806839.html

The ones listed at Moreton-in-Marsh have probably been bashed about rather a lot by firefighters by now so I doubt they will turn a wheel again.

 
Also the lack of improvement in daytime journey times over 30 odd years,indeed longer journey times in many cases on FGW have and will ensure the survival of the sleeper for many years to come I suspect.It is unlikely EVER that the route to Penzance will ever rival the daytime journey time improvements seen in the last few decades on the East and West coast routes.

 
its not just that, time is money and if you can get where you need to while your asleep then why not

 

A good quote at a Save Our Sleeper meeting I heard back in 2005,

My young Daughter gets on (the train) at Penzance, I'll get her a juice from the Bar and by Redruth she is in-bed asleep and wont wake till London.

To her that's 307 plus miles in less than half an hour.

THAT'S QUICK!!!!!!

 
the bbc have finally caught up 2 weeks later than the announcement

 
I fly to the US on Monday 20th december.......flight leaves to early to travel up that morning.

Hotels near heathrow expensive or you end up paying a fortune in a taxi so I was thinking outside of the box.....

Where normally can you pick the sleeper up from - its december so the timetable is not out so  I can't look

I'm thinking rather than pay the fare to travel down on the sunday and pay for a hotel and taxis - to get the sleeper from somewhere since I've never been on it.  As I'll be going amtrak the next day, would be nice to do a direct comparison

Hell, I'll be getting it Sunday night so might even go as far as penzance to get it

I know, I'm turning sad
Just musing

 
Taunton is your nearest, but you won't get to bed till about 2 in the morning!

 
No stop on the Sunday 'up' sleeper at Taunton, nearest would be Exeter, unless a Taunton stop is added in the winter timetable.

On current timetable (unlikely to be major changes in Dec) you would have a two hour plus wait at Exeter St Davids travelling down from Nailsea on the direct HST at 2106 arriving Exeter at 2219, with the up sleeper arriving at 0036 and departing for Paddington at 0127.

Better to make your way to Bristol and take the 2044 CrossCountry from Bristol TM to Plymouth arriving 2246 with the up sleeper due in at 2315.

 
Can you get advance tickets on the sleeper?  The via bristol idea sounds good

 
i would say Exeter atleast you can be on board at a decent time

 
yes you can get advance on the sleeper, why not go all the way to Penzance and get it from there and have a berth, you'll get a decent nights sleep then!