Nightstar (train): Difference between revisions
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The '''Nightstar''' was a proposed overnight sleeper service from various north of [[London]] locations to continetal [[Europe]], via the [[Channel Tunnel]]. |
The '''Nightstar''' was a proposed overnight sleeper service from various north of [[London]] locations to continetal [[Europe]], via the [[Channel Tunnel]]. |
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==History== |
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To run alongside the [[Eurostar]] and north of London day time [[Regional Eurostar]] services, the Nightstar was the last part in a round the clock passenger train utilisation of the Channel Tunnel. |
To run alongside the [[Eurostar]] and north of London day time [[Regional Eurostar]] services, the Nightstar was the last part in a round the clock passenger train utilisation of the Channel Tunnel. |
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The 139 carriage stock order was built from [[1992]], but the project put on hold in [[1997]], then formally abandoned in [[1999]], due to rising costs and competition from low cost airlines such as [[Ryanair]] and [[Easyjet]] <ref>http://www.kentrail.co.uk/class_373.htm</ref>. |
The 139 carriage stock order was built from [[1992]], but the project put on hold in [[1997]], then formally abandoned in [[1999]], due to rising costs and competition from low cost airlines such as [[Ryanair]] and [[Easyjet]] <ref>http://www.kentrail.co.uk/class_373.htm</ref>. |
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===Withdrawl=== |
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Although only 45 cars (Seated Cars: 20, Sleeper Cars: 19, Service Vehicles: 6) of the 139-car order were completed when the project was put on hold in [[1997]], at least 32 more were partially complete and all the body-shells were complete. All the complete and partially complete cars were moved to secure storage, mainly at MoD Kineton - whilst it is assumed that the resiual body-shells remained at the factory and other storage sites. At MoD Kineton were 38 numbered complete cars and 32 unnumbered incomplete cars <ref>http://www.btinternet.com/~ucrs/ucrs/mprs/mprs212-3.html</ref> |
Although only 45 cars (Seated Cars: 20, Sleeper Cars: 19, Service Vehicles: 6) of the 139-car order were completed when the project was put on hold in [[1997]], at least 32 more were partially complete and all the body-shells were complete. All the complete and partially complete cars were moved to secure storage, mainly at MoD Kineton - whilst it is assumed that the resiual body-shells remained at the factory and other storage sites. At MoD Kineton were 38 numbered complete cars and 32 unnumbered incomplete cars <ref>http://www.btinternet.com/~ucrs/ucrs/mprs/mprs212-3.html</ref> |
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==Resale== |
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All sleeping vehicles and standard seating carriages were delivered new or pqartly built to [[Kineton|MOD Kineton]] for secure storage. Here they still remain, although a number of carriages have since been shipped to [[Canada]] for use. |
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After withdrawl of the service, in [[2002]] London and Continental Railways were credited by the UK Government with the lease fees on the carriages. The UK Government reached an agreement with builders [[Alstom]] to sell the carriages back, subject to Alstom securing a new purchasor. |
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There was interest in the carriages from both British and European operators but the weight, high HEP requirement and the need to extensively modify them to suit the prospective operator's needs meant there were no takers, with Alstom accepting that if they couldn't sell them they would all eventually be scrapped. The heavy weight (by European standards) of the cars (Seated Cars: 50.2 tonnes, Sleeper Cars: 53.3 tonnes, Service Vehicles: 52.9 tonnes) came from all the safety systems required for the carriages to run through the Channel Tunnel, and the wiring for the over-specified hotel services. The same over-specified hotel services also account for the high HEP requirement. |
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===Canada=== |
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Alstom confirmed in early May [[2000]] that Canada's [[VIA Rail]] was interested in purchasing some of the redundant Nightstar stock. |
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VIA Rail took delivery of three cars for evaluation in June 2000, with the first three cars shipped - Intermediate 61 19 20-90 029-1, Sleeper Car - Intermediate 61 19 70-90 029-0, and Service Vehicle (Intermediate) 61 19 89-90 003-4. The cars were moved from Alstom at Washwood Heath to Newport Docks, and loaded onto the MV Fairload after she had discharged [[EWS]] [[British Rail Calss 66|Class 66]] locomotives 67023, 67024, 67025 and 67026. MV Fairload arrived Halifax on [[5 June]], [[2000]], and arrived at [[Pointe Saint-Charles]] on [[14 June]]. |
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The carriages required several modifications for Canadian service: |
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*Fitting of knuckle couplers |
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*Doorways to suit Canadian low-level platforms |
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*Compatible with the 480V HEP system |
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*Enhanced air-conditioning system |
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It was suggested that, due to the need to sell the carriages, that purchasers could expect anything up to 20% off the original construction cost. |
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On [[15 December]], [[2000]] VIARail issued a press release <ref>http://www.btinternet.com/~ucrs/ucrs/mprs/mprs212-pressrelease.html</ref>, confirming that it has placed an order with Alsthom for the supply of the 139 'Nightstar' cars. According to the press release VIA planed to use them on additional Quebec City-Windsor Corridor trains, and to enhance Toronto-Montréal, Toronto-Vancouver and Montréal-Halifax/Gaspé overnight trains. |
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The first five carriages arrived in Canada on 20 February 2001 aboard the MV Jumbo Challenger. On [[5 November]] 2001 the last thirty-two cars arrived at Thunder Bay where the conversion work is being undertaken <ref>http://www.btinternet.com/~ucrs/ucrs/mprs/mprs212.html</ref>. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 16:36, 16 October 2006
The Nightstar was a proposed overnight sleeper service from various north of London locations to continetal Europe, via the Channel Tunnel.
History
To run alongside the Eurostar and north of London day time Regional Eurostar services, the Nightstar was the last part in a round the clock passenger train utilisation of the Channel Tunnel.
After rejection of various British ideas for the new Eurostar, which eventually was created from the existing French TGV scaled for a British loading gauge, the Nightstar emerged as an individual locomotive-hauled passenger stock.
The 139 carriage stock order was built from 1992, but the project put on hold in 1997, then formally abandoned in 1999, due to rising costs and competition from low cost airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet [1].
Withdrawl
Although only 45 cars (Seated Cars: 20, Sleeper Cars: 19, Service Vehicles: 6) of the 139-car order were completed when the project was put on hold in 1997, at least 32 more were partially complete and all the body-shells were complete. All the complete and partially complete cars were moved to secure storage, mainly at MoD Kineton - whilst it is assumed that the resiual body-shells remained at the factory and other storage sites. At MoD Kineton were 38 numbered complete cars and 32 unnumbered incomplete cars [2]
Resale
After withdrawl of the service, in 2002 London and Continental Railways were credited by the UK Government with the lease fees on the carriages. The UK Government reached an agreement with builders Alstom to sell the carriages back, subject to Alstom securing a new purchasor.
There was interest in the carriages from both British and European operators but the weight, high HEP requirement and the need to extensively modify them to suit the prospective operator's needs meant there were no takers, with Alstom accepting that if they couldn't sell them they would all eventually be scrapped. The heavy weight (by European standards) of the cars (Seated Cars: 50.2 tonnes, Sleeper Cars: 53.3 tonnes, Service Vehicles: 52.9 tonnes) came from all the safety systems required for the carriages to run through the Channel Tunnel, and the wiring for the over-specified hotel services. The same over-specified hotel services also account for the high HEP requirement.
Canada
Alstom confirmed in early May 2000 that Canada's VIA Rail was interested in purchasing some of the redundant Nightstar stock.
VIA Rail took delivery of three cars for evaluation in June 2000, with the first three cars shipped - Intermediate 61 19 20-90 029-1, Sleeper Car - Intermediate 61 19 70-90 029-0, and Service Vehicle (Intermediate) 61 19 89-90 003-4. The cars were moved from Alstom at Washwood Heath to Newport Docks, and loaded onto the MV Fairload after she had discharged EWS Class 66 locomotives 67023, 67024, 67025 and 67026. MV Fairload arrived Halifax on 5 June, 2000, and arrived at Pointe Saint-Charles on 14 June.
The carriages required several modifications for Canadian service:
- Fitting of knuckle couplers
- Doorways to suit Canadian low-level platforms
- Compatible with the 480V HEP system
- Enhanced air-conditioning system
It was suggested that, due to the need to sell the carriages, that purchasers could expect anything up to 20% off the original construction cost.
On 15 December, 2000 VIARail issued a press release [3], confirming that it has placed an order with Alsthom for the supply of the 139 'Nightstar' cars. According to the press release VIA planed to use them on additional Quebec City-Windsor Corridor trains, and to enhance Toronto-Montréal, Toronto-Vancouver and Montréal-Halifax/Gaspé overnight trains.
The first five carriages arrived in Canada on 20 February 2001 aboard the MV Jumbo Challenger. On 5 November 2001 the last thirty-two cars arrived at Thunder Bay where the conversion work is being undertaken [4].
References
External links
