249:
200:
211:
1219:
233:
222:
640:
Two ships were required for the service each night. They passed in mid-Channel, the voyage taking about three hours. The ships usually returned in the daytime, carrying only freight wagons. On some crossings road vehicles were also carried alongside the trains, the decks of the ships being level with
324:
dining carriage was added for the serving of supper and breakfast, operated between
Victoria and Dover. Following British Railways taking over the Southern Railway, but not Pullman, a British Rail carriage took over the restaurant duties from January 1948, although still crewed by Pullman, until 1962
438:
took over the operation of the train from CIWL. SNCF purchased the seven 1950s-built sleepers while others were leased from CIWL with some repainted in standard SNCF blue sleeper car livery including the SNCF logo and a prominent white stripe along the bodyside. Consideration was given to using
430:
By the 1970s the carriages were dated and in need of replacement. They were not air-conditioned, and during the ship voyage, while inside the ship, they became notably hot in summer. This was exacerbated by the chaining of the vehicles to the ship's deck, an activity underneath the sleeping
620:
when the tide is at its fullest extent. At high tide the ship could steam directly in or out of the dock, but at low tide the water had to be let out first before departure, like a canal lock, and on arrival water had to be pumped in to bring the ship up to track level. There was a
582:
to go to
Stranraer each summer to provide a drive on/off car ferry service, and the annual ship overhauls were scheduled in the winter when it would return to relieve the other two in turn. This arrangement ended in 1961. There was also a SNCF-owned train ferry, the
615:
were built so that the train ferry could be kept at a reasonably constant level relative to the railway tracks on the land. It was not possible for railway vehicles to ascend the steep gradient that road vehicles would sometimes have to use crossing a car ferry
184:
431:
compartments which inevitably woke most passengers up during the middle of the night. The carriages were over 40 years old, and by some margin were the oldest passenger vehicles running on the
British network.
980:
1116:
Ferry Boat de Nuit 1936 – 1980: guide historique du train qui a bercé votre sommeil de Paris et
Bruxelles à Londres = Night Ferry 1936 – 1980: The Train That Carried You Asleep From London to Paris and
317:
Brake
Composite carriages, which had been modified with a French-style gangway connection at one end. This provided the guard's compartment in England and enabled the guard to walk through the train.
313:, conveyed normal second class carriages of their own railway. The passengers travelling by these walked on and off the ship in the standard way. The English train conveyed one of a pair of standard
670:
in the 1990s meant the service could never be profitable, and the proposed service faced daunting logistical issues as well. The carriages, which were never used in Europe, were eventually sold to
294:
the train was split into sections and loaded equally on tracks on the port and starboard sides of the ship, to maintain its balance. It normally departed from and arrived at platform 2 at
1284:
625:
alongside each dock to perform this rather long-winded process. In contrast the train ferries which used to link parts of
Denmark and Scandinavia did not have such problems, as the
371:
and from 8 June between London and Dover – which allowed faster speeds (e.g. reducing the London–Dover journey time by 12 minutes). Following electrification of the
803:
1289:
1309:
330:
1269:
491:
A final seven (3983-3989) were built in 1952, also built at St Denis, to replace wartime losses. In addition to sleeping cars, the train normally included two
1304:
1334:
1329:
1274:
1339:
1279:
268:
168:
80:
1324:
1314:
1319:
1223:
726:
380:
302:
284:
1299:
1124:
571:
1234:
524:
707:
253:
148:
101:
1176:
1154:
928:
898:
864:
783:
345:
644:
Along with the removal of much of the old railway infrastructure at Dover Marine (renamed Dover
Western Docks in 1979), the
439:
British Rail Mark 1 sleeper carriages built in the late 1950s, but these too were dated and the idea was never adopted. The
301:
The first class sleeping cars and the baggage vans travelled the entire journey. The
English train from London Victoria to
575:
454:
406:
had been the only through passenger train between the United
Kingdom and continental Europe. The carriages of the daytime
564:
427:
a short reprieve; a tunnel would have inevitably led to the end of conveying passenger carriages by train ferry.
376:
20:
326:
596:, also had rail tracks and were used on the service; the original ships were withdrawn between 1969 and 1974.
1080:
584:
496:
372:
314:
295:
257:
215:
204:
367:
on parts of the train's route in both France and the UK – from 11 January between Paris and
612:
349:
1294:
528:
392:
388:
384:
276:
532:
484:
in 1935/36. A further six (3800-3805) were built in 1939 by the
Compagnie Générale de Construction in
1006:
954:
920:
903:
408:
557:
546:
539:
364:
641:
the embedded rail tracks. The carriages were chained to four parallel tracks in the ferry's hold.
1186:
1148:
321:
1235:
https://web.archive.org/web/20060518002658/http://www.dover-kent.co.uk/transport/night_ferry.htm
992:
1168:
1162:
1249:
1172:
1120:
1102:
1068:
1051:
924:
860:
658:
485:
476:
For the commencement of the service, 12 sleeping carriages (numbered 3788-3799) were built by
360:
248:
1137:
van Noord, J. (1 November 1980). "Daar komt de trein" [Last run of the Night Ferry].
667:
504:
445:
1244:
1198:
882:
634:
622:
608:
413:
156:
940:
663:
508:
420:
199:
1263:
1043:
648:
enclosed dock at Dover has been filled in and is now used as an aggregates terminal.
600:
481:
477:
341:
329:. In France, a dining carriage was attached, initially a 1926 carriage built by the
1139:
764:
592:
435:
356:, Switzerland was added, where onward connections to skiing resorts were provided.
337:
310:
272:
188:
172:
164:
152:
105:
85:
1004:"Brand new carriages go into store as axe falls on ÂŁ200m Nightstars" (June 1997).
981:
Compagnie Internationale de Wagon-Lits et de Grands Express Europeens sleeping car
352:. In the winter seasons of 1967/68 and 1968/69, a daily through coach to and from
666:
in 1994 was abandoned after the carriages for it had been built. The arrival of
626:
553:
520:
291:
160:
1239:
857:
Night Ferry: A Tribute to Britain's Only International Through Train, 1936–1980
443:
platform and trains as they were in 1974 featured towards the end of the final
630:
144:
44:
1106:
340:
in September 1939, services resumed on 15 December 1947. From 2 June 1957, a
1072:
1055:
656:
An attempted resurrection of British–Continental sleeper services under the
210:
1218:
896:"Stop Press", p. 6, and "Electric Haulage for the 'Night Ferry'", p. 348.
267:
was introduced on the night of 14 October 1936. The train was operated by
671:
617:
399:
590:, built in 1951, and some of the car ferries built later, including the
183:
1229:
745:
604:
306:
527:
to convey passengers as they slept. The train used one of the three
232:
221:
368:
353:
247:
231:
220:
209:
198:
182:
163:. It ran from 1936 until 1939 when it ceased due to the onset of
560:. Two ships were normally in service with the third as a spare.
500:
492:
280:
237:
1254:
1250:
http://www.irps-wl.org.uk/wagon-lits/other-history/nord-van
464:
Competition from air services also affected the train. The
423:
were scrapped in the 1970s on cost grounds. This gave the
167:. It resumed in 1947, ceasing in 1980. It was operated by
1245:
http://www.irps-wl.org.uk/wagon-lits/services/nightferry
1119:. Wansford: International Railway Preservation Society.
383:
in 1961, the train was usually hauled within England by
1019:"Canadians to buy all 139 Nightstars" (February 2001).
271:(CIWL) until 1 January 1977, when it was taken over by
1099:
Grand European Expresses: The Story of the Wagons-Lits
480:
for the CIWL to an adapted design to fit the British
804:
List of named passenger trains of the United Kingdom
195:
illustrating the loading of carriages onto the ferry
127:
119:
111:
97:
92:
74:
66:
58:
50:
40:
35:
19:For the orchestral composition by Anna Clyne, see
902:(September 1 – October 3, 1959 edition). London:
331:Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Company
1285:Named passenger trains of the Southern Railway
682:The journey from London to Paris took 11 hours
327:British Transport Hotel and Catering Services
8:
1240:http://www.semgonline.com/misc/named_09.html
28:
967:"The Last Train to Paris" (February 1981),
850:
848:
846:
844:
1114:Elliott, Chris; Duvoskeldt, Eric (2011).
842:
840:
838:
836:
834:
832:
830:
828:
826:
824:
449:episode, the 1974 Christmas special. The
387:electric locomotives. In its final years
855:Behrend, George; Buchanan, Gary (1985).
686:
488:, but did not enter service until 1946.
269:Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits
169:Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits
81:Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits
820:
402:service began on 14 November 1994, the
279:and later British Railways in England,
1290:Named passenger trains of British Rail
1194:
1184:
1146:
952:"Night Ferry no more" (January 1981).
453:was also used in part during the 1976
228:stock in the London Victoria car sheds
27:
1310:Railway services discontinued in 1980
1167:. Amsterdam: De Bezige Bij. pp.
1161:Asselberghs, Marie-Anne (ed) (1981).
859:. St Martin, Jersey: Jersey Artists.
298:where customs checks were performed.
7:
1270:International named passenger trains
1230:http://www.eastbank.org.uk/ferry.htm
1305:Railway services introduced in 1936
886:. London. August 1968. p. 444.
880:"London–Basle sleeper runs again".
570:car ferry in 1953 on a voyage from
275:. Motive power was provided by the
1067:. London: Hodder & Stoughton.
1050:. London: Hodder & Stoughton.
468:was withdrawn on 31 October 1980.
14:
1335:1980 disestablishments in England
1330:1980 disestablishments in Belgium
1275:Named passenger trains of Belgium
395:electro-diesels were often used.
1340:1980 disestablishments in France
1280:Named passenger trains of France
1217:
993:Night Ferry Sleeping Car No.3801
336:After ceasing with the onset of
662:brand after the opening of the
16:Boat train from London to Paris
1325:1957 establishments in Belgium
1315:1936 establishments in England
503:has preserved 3792, while the
1:
1320:1936 establishments in France
1101:. London: Allen & Unwin.
1063:Wallace, Bryan Edgar (1965).
325:when Pullman was merged into
776:
757:
738:
719:
700:
689:
552:, built in the mid-1930s by
305:, and the French train from
283:in France and from 1957, by
919:, Fourth edition, p. 177.
917:Southern Electric 1909–1968
899:Cooks Continental Timetable
684:Winter timetable 1959/1960
1356:
1255:http://www.irps-wl.org.uk/
1153:: CS1 maint: postscript (
904:Thomas Cook & Son, Ltd
495:Fourgon baggage vans. The
455:Children's Film Foundation
18:
1065:Murder on the Night Ferry
348:was attached/detached at
214:Sleeping car 3792 at the
203:Sleeping car 3792 at the
21:Night Ferry (composition)
1300:Pullman Car Company (UK)
1097:Behrend, George (1962).
983:National Railway Museum.
633:is far less than at the
412:train did not cross the
1132:(in English and French)
971:, issue 958, pp. 59-61.
497:National Railway Museum
373:South Eastern Main Line
258:National Railway Museum
216:National Railway Museum
205:National Railway Museum
578:it was normal for the
563:After the loss of the
320:From November 1936, a
260:
245:
229:
218:
207:
196:
915:Moody, G. T. (1968).
434:From 1 January 1977,
290:When loaded onto the
251:
235:
224:
213:
202:
186:
143:was an international
1226:at Wikimedia Commons
1048:Night Train to Paris
1023:, issue 1198, p. 14.
1021:The Railway Magazine
1007:The Railway Magazine
969:The Railway Magazine
955:The Railway Magazine
921:Ian Allan Publishing
365:electric locomotives
240:luggage van used on
171:until 1977 and then
120:Average journey time
1010:, issue 1154, p. 9.
995:, Bluebell Railway.
958:, issue 957, p. 39.
419:Plans to build the
322:Pullman Car Company
32:
1197:has generic name (
1164:Daar komt de Trein
765:Paris Gare du Nord
361:diesel locomotives
311:Paris Gare du Nord
261:
246:
230:
219:
208:
197:
153:Paris Gare du Nord
112:Distance travelled
106:Paris Gare du Nord
76:Former operator(s)
1222:Media related to
1143:. Amsterdam
943:Steptoe & Son
795:
794:
607:special enclosed
572:Stranraer Harbour
567:Princess Victoria
525:Dover and Dunkirk
523:was used between
446:Steptoe & Son
363:were replaced by
155:that crossed the
135:
134:
128:Service frequency
1347:
1221:
1206:
1202:
1196:
1192:
1190:
1182:
1158:
1152:
1144:
1133:
1130:
1110:
1081:The Ipcress File
1076:
1059:
1024:
1017:
1011:
1002:
996:
990:
984:
978:
972:
965:
959:
950:
944:
938:
932:
913:
907:
894:
888:
887:
877:
871:
870:
852:
687:
549:Shepperton Ferry
542:Twickenham Ferry
529:Southern Railway
505:Bluebell Railway
277:Southern Railway
254:Victoria station
189:British Railways
115:~ 500 kilometres
77:
33:
1355:
1354:
1350:
1349:
1348:
1346:
1345:
1344:
1260:
1259:
1214:
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1204:
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1131:
1127:
1113:
1096:
1092:
1087:
1062:
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1038:
1033:
1031:Further reading
1028:
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987:
979:
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966:
962:
951:
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895:
891:
883:Modern Railways
879:
878:
874:
867:
854:
853:
822:
817:
812:
800:
708:London Victoria
683:
680:
654:
635:Strait of Dover
531:train ferries:
517:
474:
414:English Channel
296:London Victoria
191:poster for the
181:
157:English Channel
149:London Victoria
104:
102:London Victoria
84:
75:
70:31 October 1980
62:14 October 1936
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
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1213:
1212:External links
1210:
1208:
1207:
1177:
1159:(reprinted in
1134:
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1111:
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1091:
1088:
1086:
1085:
1077:
1060:
1044:Coles, Manning
1039:
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698:
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694:
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679:
676:
668:cheap airlines
664:Channel Tunnel
653:
652:Channel Tunnel
650:
516:
513:
509:East Grinstead
473:
470:
421:Channel Tunnel
180:
177:
133:
132:
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117:
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661:
660:
651:
649:
647:
642:
638:
636:
632:
628:
624:
619:
614:
610:
606:
602:
601:Port of Dover
597:
595:
594:
589:
588:
581:
580:Hampton Ferry
577:
576:Larne Harbour
573:
569:
568:
561:
559:
555:
551:
550:
544:
543:
537:
536:
535:Hampton Ferry
530:
526:
522:
514:
512:
510:
506:
502:
498:
494:
489:
487:
483:
482:loading gauge
479:
478:ANF Industrie
472:Rolling stock
471:
469:
467:
462:
460:
456:
452:
448:
447:
442:
437:
432:
428:
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396:
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390:
386:
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366:
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357:
355:
351:
347:
343:
342:through coach
339:
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59:First service
57:
53:
49:
46:
43:
39:
34:
31:
26:
22:
1295:Night trains
1195:|first=
1163:
1140:De Telegraaf
1138:
1115:
1098:
1084:(film, 1965)
1079:
1064:
1047:
1020:
1015:
1005:
1000:
988:
976:
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948:
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748:
742:
729:
727:Dover Marine
723:
710:
704:
681:
657:
655:
645:
643:
639:
598:
593:MV Vortigern
591:
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579:
566:
562:
548:
541:
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490:
475:
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458:
450:
444:
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436:British Rail
433:
429:
424:
418:
409:Golden Arrow
407:
403:
397:
381:Dover Marine
358:
344:to and from
338:World War II
335:
319:
300:
289:
287:in Belgium.
273:British Rail
264:
262:
241:
225:
192:
173:British Rail
165:World War II
139:
138:
136:
86:British Rail
67:Last service
41:Service type
29:
25:
1224:Night Ferry
1090:Non-fiction
674:of Canada.
646:Night Ferry
627:tidal range
554:Swan Hunter
521:train ferry
466:Night Ferry
459:Night Ferry
451:Night Ferry
441:Night Ferry
425:Night Ferry
404:Night Ferry
391:diesels or
292:train ferry
265:Night Ferry
252:Signs from
242:Night Ferry
226:Night Ferry
193:Night Ferry
161:train ferry
140:Night Ferry
88:(1977-1980)
83:(1936-1976)
30:Night Ferry
1264:Categories
1205:(in Dutch)
1178:9023452828
929:0711000174
866:0901845132
810:References
631:Baltic Sea
587:St Germain
511:has 3801.
398:Until the
145:boat train
123:~ 11 hours
45:Boat train
1187:cite book
1149:cite news
1107:833168948
941:Xmas 1974
678:Timetable
659:Nightstar
623:pumphouse
613:sea locks
558:Newcastle
377:Sevenoaks
359:In 1959,
1117:Brussels
1073:30277655
1056:14912716
1046:(1952).
798:See also
784:Brussels
672:Via Rail
618:linkspan
565:MV
547:SS
540:SS
533:SS
486:St Denis
400:Eurostar
393:Class 73
389:Class 33
385:Class 71
375:between
346:Brussels
244:services
36:Overview
1169:160–171
1036:Fiction
746:Dunkirk
693:station
629:in the
605:Dunkirk
515:Ferries
307:Dunkirk
256:at the
187:A 1953
179:History
131:Nightly
98:Termini
1175:
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791:21:15
772:22:00
753:01:21
734:07:20
715:09:10
457:drama
315:Mark 1
54:Ceased
51:Status
815:Notes
777:08:44
758:09:00
739:05:34
720:22:42
701:21:00
611:with
609:docks
369:Arras
354:Basel
350:Lille
303:Dover
159:on a
147:from
93:Route
1199:help
1173:ISBN
1155:link
1121:ISBN
1103:OCLC
1069:OCLC
1052:OCLC
925:ISBN
861:ISBN
690:Down
603:and
545:and
501:York
493:SNCF
379:and
285:SNCB
281:SNCF
263:The
238:SNCF
137:The
696:Up
599:At
585:MV
574:to
556:in
507:in
499:in
309:to
151:to
1266::
1203:.
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1189:}}
1185:{{
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519:A
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787:d
781:a
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705:d
23:.
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