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Folks. Never ever never ever give your DNA to a private company. They say they have "never sold or licenced" personal data to a government agency (elegantly *not* saying that they have never "provided" it), but they then go on to say that they will do so "if required by law". Don't do it. Just don't. Please.
I'll be honest I often ignore all the adverts we see on RUclips but this one got my interest - I'm gonna do it. My family history doesn't seem to have spread from London in my measly attempt at Genealogy, hopefully this will show my heritage as something a bit more varied 🙂
When I am about to leave Britain to return to the USA, I use my BritRail 1st class pass to take a day train to Penzance, and then take the Night Riviera back to Paddington. After spending some time in the 1at Class Lounge, I catch the Heathrow Express to Terminal 5. It saves me an hotel expense in London, and is a lot more scenic and enjoyable. Having done this about ten times, it is a very good way to wind up a trip.
Living near Penzance, I would take the sleeper to Paddington. I understand that you can stay onboard for an extra hour or so, which means you miss the height of the rush hour in London. I would not want to miss the beauty of Cornwall on the other way, and Devon and Somerset have some decent sights also.
I did this trip a few years back. It is superb throughout. I then flew up to Aberdeen from Newquay and took the Caledonian back to London. A fab 2 day trip.
I guess the "uncomfortable bar stools" are actually more like a padded post to brace yourself against while standing at the bar when the train is in motion! 😅
Intended to keep you tilted forward and not comfortable. If you sit back and relax, you'll probably drink more slowly, and thus not spend as much Same reason a lot of pubs provide few seats and play music too loudly to enable easy conversation. They want you to keep buying more drinks. The last thing they want is for their customers to relax!
We used to use the sleeper, when the children were young, for getting up to London and Heathrow. But that was some years ago when they used to have the Plymouth Sleeper Coach which you could board at 9pm and was picked up when the train came through at midnight. Sadly that service was terminated for cost cutting reasons. It was such fun!
My wife and I took a sleeper train from London to Penzance on the evening of our wedding in 1971. It was a very exciting journey and a novelty to be woken up to breakfast brought to us about 6am!
The burritos from BarBurrito are very tasty. The first class lounge at Paddington is deceptive. When you walk in don't turn in to where the food is. Keep walking and you will get to the beautiful waiting room featured in this video. I used the night train after an evening drinking in london. I didn't have a room but the bigger seats are easy to doze off in. The slow rolling makes it a very gentle ride. It's very peaceful. Many people just sleep across the row of seats to save money on a room. The lounge bar was shut due to some issue so the train manager gave me a load of free snacks. I highly recommend this train.
Hi Paul, I've done the first class daytime riviera down to Penzance with a three course meal - delicious by the way! My neighbours use the night sleeper to get down to their friends in Cornwall and I was wondering what the experience was like. Thanks for another great video
Based on this video, we planned a fortnight of night train and long distance train travel through the continental Europe to end in Penzance with a beach holiday. It didn't quite go to plan, in that the berths were booked out and we didn't get beach weather - but - the day train was a glorious trip in both directions and we absolutely loved Penzance which (as non-UK people) we hadn't really heard of before your video. Thank you for the inspiration! We enjoy all your videos, but this one was a particular treat and inspired a great holiday!
I took this train about 10 years ago when I was taking a 4 year old child. I didn’t fancy spending 8 hours on a day train trying to keep her entertained. It worked out great as she fell asleep within minutes and woke up not long before the last stop. I slept terrible in the upper bunk but at least no stress from having a toddler with me.
@@ZStarGalaxy no there wasn’t. She actually fell out of the bed onto the suitcase that I’d put on the floor next to the bottom bunk. Didn’t hurt herself and didn’t even wake up so I just put her back in the bed.
Back in 2016, I took the train down to Penzance, stayed the night, and then came back the next night on the Night Riviera. An excellent journey on all points!
If I had to pick one of the two sleeper services it would be the Caledonian, it may be more expensive but the double bed, en-suite shower and toilet along with a more extensive menu would swing it with me along with the Scottish scenery along the way.
Fun video. Thanks. A couple or three things you didn't mention about Paddington Station. 1) It's the terminus for the Heathrow Express. 2) There's a bar at the top of the escalator where you can grab a pint or two of London Pride before 3) checking into the hotel that is part of the station. I don't know who is managing it now, but 20+ years ago, Hilton renovated it after it had fallen into disuse. I was a Hilton Diamond at the time, so got their best room each of the many times I stayed there. Lots of good restaurants and shops and Hyde Park are an easy walk from Paddington, which makes that hotel a great place to stay. And being able to simply jump on the Heathrow Express saves a lot of time and cab fare.
Great stuff! Everyone using this service should watch this video before travelling. I've regularly used the Caledonian sleeper but never this one but now quite tempted. I've used the day service but sleeper travel is entirely different. I do miss the Scotland to the West Country service which I did use, including once taking the car with me. Long time ago but pleasant memories. Thanks for efforts.
Agreed. As @Wingin’ It! Paul Lucas pointed out, the jutting out bit does make the lower bunk quite a bit narrower. When I travelled, the steward looking after my carriage told me that you should be able to add a special request for the top bunk be made up in advance instead of the lower one. I'm definitely doing that next time.
Great vid! I took this train a while back and loved it. The only downside is that the trip is too short to get a good night's sleep, especially as they wake you well in advance of Penzance.
I used to use this service quite often up until about ten years ago, travelling to St Austell for business with English China Clays. I always loved it. Such a good night's sleep, comfy bed, and in those days they offered a fairly ok microwaved ready-meal in the bar car if you wanted it. The cost of the sleeping berth was economical compared to paying for an hotel room overnight, and of course saved six hours or so of my waking time by travelling whilst asleep. The cabins look still as they did in those days, although they have clearly refinished them in the interim. Not having an en-suite toilet is more of a problem now I am older and have to get up in the night to go! But only a minor inconvenience. I always felt so at home when I got into my snug little cabin! And the gentle rocking of the train is so soporific - I think like being back in the womb! So sleep is no problem. Waking up at (I think) around 6:30 to be ready to alight at St Austell was a bit early, but well rested. This is such a civilised way to travel for business, being moved whilst you are asleep is the next best thing to having an instant teleporter to travel in! And vastly less stressful than going on the aeroplane. I always used to come back on the afternoon service, which gives a nice ride along the coast. I miss that journey! Since then I've often used the sleeper to Scotland, when it used the same carriages, but not used it since the new rolling stock was introduced.
Great video Paul - thank you! I will explore this the next time I have to go to Truro. Since I live in Ipswich the overnight sleeper will save me a lot of time.
This was actually my first night train I took in sleeper (I had taken come CNL before in couchette, but that's not the same), a lone December morning some 10 years ago. Walked through a rainy Cornwall from Penzance to somewhere halfway to St Ives (luckily, there was one of those rare buses for the last end, my clothing and shoes were absolutely soaked). Because I don't like the early arrival in London, I prefer to take this train going out. I want to check out the refurbishment, but it definitely looks worth it.
Red bull express. Used 2 see the inbound at Reading around 6 am but about 25 years ago. Still the same manky old 47’s. Learn them at Saltley. Webby was my instructor. Happy days.
I took this train just ten days ago. I can confirm that it is an extraordinary train, very comfy way to travel. It saves a whole day of your holidays and is cheaper than a hotel room in either London or Penzance. Snacks, water, tea and coffee in the lounge car are free. It's only Softdrinks & alcohol you'll be charged for. Our train went in top and tail constellation (loco on both ends) all the way to Penzance.
If you do the Plymouth to Penzance route in May, you get a real treat. The route is lined (or was) with very high Rhododendron bushes which come into full bloom around this time. I know they are considered a menace by gardeners & landscapers alike, but they make for a stunning & magical journey in this particular context loaded with pink & lilac flowers.
I am most definitely doing this on my next trip to the UK. My plan is to take the sleeper in one direction and the daytime train in the other so I can experience the views and the sleeper. Looks like a wonderful, comfortable service. Thanks for sharing with us!
I did an over night sleeper from Calais to Barcelona when i was a kid, the views through the Pyrenees in the morning literally the whole train had their heads out the windows and you would go through a tunnel in pitch black then you would come out the tunnel next to a lakes and huge mountains every tunnel you go through builds the anticipation of the views when you come out again. I advise anyone to do it...
Great video I live with n Cornwall and the sleeper is vital for business because you can work all day and then travel overnight ready for the following day
Look how magnificent your station is and how they decided to keep a historic area used by the queen available as an additional area for guests, unlike here in America who built equally as great structures and decided they were of no importance anymore
What a station! Very Agatha Christie! (4:50 from Paddington). As a non-Brit, If I was doing the London to Cornwall train trip, I would opt for a day train if it was available so I could enjoy the scenery. The trip would be a rare even for me. However, if I was a UK resident, the night trip would have advantages to consider. Thank you for the video. Loved it!
I'm pleased to see you mention the statue on platform 1 at 2:00. A close replica statue was unveiled in 1982 at Inglis Barracks, Mill Hill - home of the BFPO until their move to RAF Northolt in 2007. I worked at Inglis Barracks for 4 1/2 years in the early 00's & saw that statue every day! 😎
Good to see you do this review. I've used this service several times, and always stay awake until Reading! I did once book through only as far as Newton Abbott, which I would not recommend as you are left in a deserted station at around 4:30 am . I usually take the sleeper going and the normal service heading back. My biggest complaint is no luggage lockers at Penzance. I also take my breakfast into the seating area to have it, as it seems much nicer rather than in the small space.
Yes, luggage lockers would be great. I think a pub nearby, the Longboat Inn, offered this service for a modest fee. They did stop this during covid but it’s worth seeing if they have restarted.
Haven't done the journey down to Penzance since I was a kid and we went on a family holiday by Motorail, so the car came with us on a trailer wagon. That train departed from Olympia rather than Paddington. I do want to try the Night Riviera one day
@@Paul_Lucas I in answer to your question would take the night Rivera. I have done the Night Riviera 5 x times my first train ride was 2013 me and my mum took the Night Rivera from Paddington to Penzance and slept in the births on the 31 October 2013. Out of the class 57 locomotives I love the Tintagel Castle best and then second place would be the Restormel Castle. The other class 57s 57605 Totnes Castle would be my least favourite and just overtaking it would be 57604. I love the way the Night Riviera was fully referbuished in 2019 the Night Rivera did NOT use ex Scotrail carriages for the referbuishmeant they used their old Dynamic LINES Livered FGW mk3 stock and referbuished them into todays Night Rivera. I love the new Mk5 Caledonian Sleeper and I deffinately prefer that to their crappy old stock which never worked in my experience but the old Scotrail vs both old and new Night Riviera the Riviera wins but if it is the CAF MK5 Scotrail stock than the Serco Caledonian Sleeper wins. Plus I hate Cornish people my nan used to live in St Austell and I have experienced enough of Cornwall to know that whilst it is beautiful I prefer Devon and London people. I love your videos Paul. I am fascinated to know what the UK thinks of the class 800s. I personally think diesel needs to go anyway as it is bad for the environmeant.
Glad you noticed the protruding back wall of the carriage that makes the berth very narrow, I try to look very closely for that now whenever I'm watching a video about a night train. I slept very poorly on board because of that and because we couldn't board until 10:30, which feels so late when you're an early riser. The showers at Truro were amazing and much needed.
Catch the sleeper the other way every few weeks for a day in the office. I do like Paddington in the early morning - don't forget to raid the first class lounge for extra coffee. The lower bunk is definitely narrow - but I've never fallen out. The upper bunk is wider.
Brill video and it has inspired me to visit Cornwall! When I was a kid we always used to take a sleeper train to the continent. This was prior to the channel tunnel. I loved sleeping on the train! Flying is great but I still love train journeys.
My wife and I had a day's travel to spare on our 20 day rail pass. We left in the morning for Penzance and came back on the same train, after hanging around the Penzance station for an hour or so. It was the last train of the day returning to London. We then went straight down to Gatwick Airport to get back to Canada on our scheduled flight home. It was a long and pleasant trip both ways and memorable. We had wanted to go to Land's End as we'd been up to John o' Groats, stayed overnight at Duncansby Head Lighthouse (in a rental motorhome) visiting an old school chum of my wife's. We had visited Skye, the Black Isle, Brig o' Doon (Bridge - to a cow pasture), west coast of Wales and east coast of England (Dover hovercraft to Boulogne-sur-Mare) and Penzance, home port of the memorable HMS Pinafore. Alas, no Land's End. We would have missed our plane. ,
Loved this from the slam doors to the view from the rear of the train, its unique. 40 quid seems great value for a room for the night, did you have a good night's sleep? PS love the shirt!
I first took the NR sixty odd years ago and have over the years taken it several times. For me, at least for connecting to the Scillies, it is the best option.
Unlike the Caledonian sleeper, it doesn’t fail constantly. Hopefully the Scottish Government follow through and sack Serco next year. All respect for reporting Victoria’s waiting room and the shower facilities at both PAD and Penzance: no other blogger has reported on this.
Hi Paul always enjoy your videos I am retired BA staff from Boston travel to it through UK several times a year never been to Cornwall was interesting to see Truro since we have a home in Truro mass always wanted to visit. Thanks Paul Rhode Island USA
Nice YT... thank you Paul. I take this service often, and ask the (lovely) staff to release the top bunk for me. I put the sheets and duvet on it myself, and it is MUCH wider & much more comfortable than the bottom berth.
An interesting vlog Paul and timely, as a few days back I took The Night Rivera to Penzance. I joined the train at Reading last Thursday night (actually boarded in the early hours of Friday morning). The seating section was busy but I got 2 seats to myself. However I asked for an upgrade to a cabin. Luckily they had one and charged me Pds 60 extra for a solo. Since the upgrade of rolling stock I found the train to be very comfortable. The staff were lovely and apart from the free breakfast, you can get tea or coffee as and when. Like yourself, the train was on time. Having been across to The Isles of Scilly for the day, I took the return train to Reading on Friday night, this time in the seated coaches. My carriage was very quiet and no more than 10 people in it. It left Penzance on time at 2145 hrs and arrived in Reading at 0350 hrs! Thus, I did not think it worth upgrading to a cabin for the return journey. Again the staff were excellent, bringing a cup of tea which was complimentary and likewise plenty of water to drink!
I used to travel on the Cornish Riviera every other weekend in 1974 to visit my girlfriend in Camborne from Leeds, where I was a student at the Uni. I would get the milk train from Leeds to London Kings Cross - which would take about 3 hours - then cross over to Paddington and catch the Riviera. I had a student rail card and the whole trip then was about four quid. Having said that, a pint of beer was only 12 pence then, so the costs you describe don't seem disproportionate. Of course the Riviera then was a day train not a sleeper. I'm glad to see that the new train still stops at Camborne and is not express all the way to Penzance. One Saturday morning after a heavy night of celebrating which culminated in finishing a bottle of apricot liqueur which was the last thing in someone's liquor cabinet I boarded the train worse for wear and with absolutely no money after my ticket. A fellow passenger took stock of my state and kindly bought me a sandwich and a cup of coffee - which were life savers. To this day the smell of apricots still reminds me of that journey - though not in the worst way as I was young foolish and in love - and your video has also brought it all back - so thanks very much. The only night train I have ever taken was from London to Glasgow back in 1973 - I believe the whole train was commissioned by the CND (band the bomb) - could that be possible? We marched from Glasgow to Faslane to protest against the USA nuclear submarines which were posted there.
the tracks used to run right alongside the sea at some point and I seem to recall that in a flood a few years ago they were completely submersed and the train couldn't run for several months - correct me if I'm wrong
Not one who, like myself, falls asleep on a train at the drop of a hat, lost count of the times I overshot my station on the way home from work if not drinking in the buffet car. The guards got to know me and would often give me a shake as the train left the stop before if I was asleep.
I live in Westbury and sometimes see this train trundling along the avoiding line over on the embankment in the fields opposite the house. A really good video 👍👍
Given how expensive Hotels can be in both London and Cornwall I think The Night Riviera is an excellent option. I used it last year, it was actually cheaper to get a single from Yorkshire to London and ride to Penzance on this than it was to get a single on Virgin CrossCountry.
Virgin haven't run the XC franchise for 15 years, since 2007. It's a franchise called simply "Cross Country Trains" now owned by Arriva. It's well known for poor rolling stock, poor reliability, slow-ish journies and expensive tickets (avg. £/mile). Though it does run the longest journey on the network, Aberdeen to Penzance.
Yes and it’s not even entirely correct. Aberdeen to Penzance no longer operates and hasn’t done for some time, which has scundered a lot of enthusiasts as it was their go-to piece of trivia 😃
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Folks. Never ever never ever give your DNA to a private company. They say they have "never sold or licenced" personal data to a government agency (elegantly *not* saying that they have never "provided" it), but they then go on to say that they will do so "if required by law". Don't do it. Just don't. Please.
Hello Wingin it paul lucas Happy Christmas day Stay Healthy And celebration Beautiful
I'll be honest I often ignore all the adverts we see on RUclips but this one got my interest - I'm gonna do it.
My family history doesn't seem to have spread from London in my measly attempt at Genealogy, hopefully this will show my heritage as something a bit more varied 🙂
When I am about to leave Britain to return to the USA, I use my BritRail 1st class pass to take a day train to Penzance, and then take the Night Riviera back to Paddington. After spending some time in the 1at Class Lounge, I catch the Heathrow Express to Terminal 5. It saves me an hotel expense in London, and is a lot more scenic and enjoyable. Having done this about ten times, it is a very good way to wind up a trip.
Am doing the same in about 3 weeks, day train down night train back to Paddington….very much looking forward to it!
@@paulchamberlain2067 get a window seat on the left hand side (facing the direction of travel) for the best views
Clever! Thanks for the tip!
@@paulchamberlain2067Paul, what was your outlay in total please? I’m thinking of trying that out also.. sounds like a nice round trip ! 👍👍👍
@@jamespsyfer I had a Britrail pass from Australia for 1st class and paid a surcharge for the cabin…think the surcharge was 75 quid
The ideal is to take the sleeper one way, and day train the other so as to not miss out on all the beautiful coastal scenery (weather permitting).
This is what I did, Good advice👍
Exactly Penzance to Exeter is beautiful
Living near Penzance, I would take the sleeper to Paddington. I understand that you can stay onboard for an extra hour or so, which means you miss the height of the rush hour in London. I would not want to miss the beauty of Cornwall on the other way, and Devon and Somerset have some decent sights also.
Now that's a smart move!
6:27 Geoff Marshall and Paul Lucas are Co-Chairpersons of the Slide-y Window Slammy Door Appreciation Society. 😂
I did this trip a few years back. It is superb throughout. I then flew up to Aberdeen from Newquay and took the Caledonian back to London.
A fab 2 day trip.
That sounds like a fab trip!
Which sleeper did you rate higher?
That’s a great trip. I believe that Logan air are no longer doing the trip from Newquay to Aberdeen (via Manchester) which is a pity.
@@JC-il6ps The caledonian employed the old carriages, and they were quite cosy. However the riviera oustrips the new cale train all day long.
I guess the "uncomfortable bar stools" are actually more like a padded post to brace yourself against while standing at the bar when the train is in motion! 😅
Intended to keep you tilted forward and not comfortable. If you sit back and relax, you'll probably drink more slowly, and thus not spend as much
Same reason a lot of pubs provide few seats and play music too loudly to enable easy conversation. They want you to keep buying more drinks. The last thing they want is for their customers to relax!
or for homosexuals?
Haha
I had no idea that there were sleeper trains from London to Cornwall, the most beautiful place in the world! Thanks 😊
Indeed!
Cornwall seems like a lovely place, might want to go there sometime.
I used to run the buffet car on the Manchester to Penzance summer night trains..nice memories
Can't believe you didn't close the door behind you! Tut! 🤣
Fantastic video Paul. One of your absolute classics.
@@Janus-fn2uz oh my actual God. Go to bed already.
We used to use the sleeper, when the children were young, for getting up to London and Heathrow. But that was some years ago when they used to have the Plymouth Sleeper Coach which you could board at 9pm and was picked up when the train came through at midnight. Sadly that service was terminated for cost cutting reasons. It was such fun!
Sleepers are always a treat. You save money on a hotel stay and arrive somewhat refreshed in the morning to wherever you are going.
My wife and I took a sleeper train from London to Penzance on the evening of our wedding in 1971. It was a very exciting journey and a novelty to be woken up to breakfast brought to us about 6am!
The burritos from BarBurrito are very tasty.
The first class lounge at Paddington is deceptive. When you walk in don't turn in to where the food is. Keep walking and you will get to the beautiful waiting room featured in this video.
I used the night train after an evening drinking in london. I didn't have a room but the bigger seats are easy to doze off in. The slow rolling makes it a very gentle ride. It's very peaceful. Many people just sleep across the row of seats to save money on a room. The lounge bar was shut due to some issue so the train manager gave me a load of free snacks. I highly recommend this train.
Hi Paul, I've done the first class daytime riviera down to Penzance with a three course meal - delicious by the way! My neighbours use the night sleeper to get down to their friends in Cornwall and I was wondering what the experience was like. Thanks for another great video
The one to fort William is lovely. Once you enter the Highlands it's stunning.
Based on this video, we planned a fortnight of night train and long distance train travel through the continental Europe to end in Penzance with a beach holiday. It didn't quite go to plan, in that the berths were booked out and we didn't get beach weather - but - the day train was a glorious trip in both directions and we absolutely loved Penzance which (as non-UK people) we hadn't really heard of before your video. Thank you for the inspiration! We enjoy all your videos, but this one was a particular treat and inspired a great holiday!
I took this train about 10 years ago when I was taking a 4 year old child. I didn’t fancy spending 8 hours on a day train trying to keep her entertained. It worked out great as she fell asleep within minutes and woke up not long before the last stop. I slept terrible in the upper bunk but at least no stress from having a toddler with me.
Is there something to stop them falling out of the bottom bunk?
@@ZStarGalaxy no there wasn’t. She actually fell out of the bed onto the suitcase that I’d put on the floor next to the bottom bunk. Didn’t hurt herself and didn’t even wake up so I just put her back in the bed.
Back in 2016, I took the train down to Penzance, stayed the night, and then came back the next night on the Night Riviera. An excellent journey on all points!
If I had to pick one of the two sleeper services it would be the Caledonian, it may be more expensive but the double bed, en-suite shower and toilet along with a more extensive menu would swing it with me along with the Scottish scenery along the way.
Fun video. Thanks. A couple or three things you didn't mention about Paddington Station. 1) It's the terminus for the Heathrow Express. 2) There's a bar at the top of the escalator where you can grab a pint or two of London Pride before 3) checking into the hotel that is part of the station. I don't know who is managing it now, but 20+ years ago, Hilton renovated it after it had fallen into disuse. I was a Hilton Diamond at the time, so got their best room each of the many times I stayed there. Lots of good restaurants and shops and Hyde Park are an easy walk from Paddington, which makes that hotel a great place to stay. And being able to simply jump on the Heathrow Express saves a lot of time and cab fare.
I must admit as I've used GWR before it's a nice train journey down ! Great scenery and smooth journey.
Thanks for your video, Paul. I'm loving it. I miss so much when night trains used to be a quite popular way of travelling. Hope you had a great time!
Great stuff! Everyone using this service should watch this video before travelling. I've regularly used the Caledonian sleeper but never this one but now quite tempted. I've used the day service but sleeper travel is entirely different. I do miss the Scotland to the West Country service which I did use, including once taking the car with me. Long time ago but pleasant memories. Thanks for efforts.
People may have said this already, but the upper bunk is much wider. Sometimes it can be locked away but the steward will unlock it if you ask.
Agreed. As @Wingin’ It! Paul Lucas pointed out, the jutting out bit does make the lower bunk quite a bit narrower. When I travelled, the steward looking after my carriage told me that you should be able to add a special request for the top bunk be made up in advance instead of the lower one. I'm definitely doing that next time.
Put the coffee on its “wingin it” time 👏 👏
Excellent trip report Paul!😸
Great vid! I took this train a while back and loved it. The only downside is that the trip is too short to get a good night's sleep, especially as they wake you well in advance of Penzance.
Better than the Lowland Caledonian, though.
I used to use this service quite often up until about ten years ago, travelling to St Austell for business with English China Clays. I always loved it. Such a good night's sleep, comfy bed, and in those days they offered a fairly ok microwaved ready-meal in the bar car if you wanted it. The cost of the sleeping berth was economical compared to paying for an hotel room overnight, and of course saved six hours or so of my waking time by travelling whilst asleep. The cabins look still as they did in those days, although they have clearly refinished them in the interim. Not having an en-suite toilet is more of a problem now I am older and have to get up in the night to go! But only a minor inconvenience. I always felt so at home when I got into my snug little cabin! And the gentle rocking of the train is so soporific - I think like being back in the womb! So sleep is no problem. Waking up at (I think) around 6:30 to be ready to alight at St Austell was a bit early, but well rested.
This is such a civilised way to travel for business, being moved whilst you are asleep is the next best thing to having an instant teleporter to travel in! And vastly less stressful than going on the aeroplane.
I always used to come back on the afternoon service, which gives a nice ride along the coast.
I miss that journey! Since then I've often used the sleeper to Scotland, when it used the same carriages, but not used it since the new rolling stock was introduced.
Great video Paul - thank you!
I will explore this the next time I have to go to Truro. Since I live in Ipswich the overnight sleeper will save me a lot of time.
You'll be pleased to know that lounge facilities -including shower! - are now available at Truro station...
I love the idea of sleeping in a bed on a train, the movement of the train would give me a good nights sleep
I took the cross country from Newcastle to Penzance in 2011 it was fantastic...
Awesome Wrangler shirt from my town of Greensboro, North Carolina! Thanks for the great content Paul. Safe travels as always.
Thanks for such well made, cheerful and pleasant videos.
This was actually my first night train I took in sleeper (I had taken come CNL before in couchette, but that's not the same), a lone December morning some 10 years ago. Walked through a rainy Cornwall from Penzance to somewhere halfway to St Ives (luckily, there was one of those rare buses for the last end, my clothing and shoes were absolutely soaked). Because I don't like the early arrival in London, I prefer to take this train going out. I want to check out the refurbishment, but it definitely looks worth it.
What a scenic journey and an amazing video.
Red bull express.
Used 2 see the inbound at Reading around 6 am but about 25 years ago.
Still the same manky old 47’s.
Learn them at Saltley.
Webby was my instructor.
Happy days.
I took this train just ten days ago.
I can confirm that it is an extraordinary train, very comfy way to travel. It saves a whole day of your holidays and is cheaper than a hotel room in either London or Penzance.
Snacks, water, tea and coffee in the lounge car are free. It's only Softdrinks & alcohol you'll be charged for.
Our train went in top and tail constellation (loco on both ends) all the way to Penzance.
If you do the Plymouth to Penzance route in May, you get a real treat. The route is lined (or was) with very high Rhododendron bushes which come into full bloom around this time. I know they are considered a menace by gardeners & landscapers alike, but they make for a stunning & magical journey in this particular context loaded with pink & lilac flowers.
I am most definitely doing this on my next trip to the UK. My plan is to take the sleeper in one direction and the daytime train in the other so I can experience the views and the sleeper. Looks like a wonderful, comfortable service.
Thanks for sharing with us!
I did an over night sleeper from Calais to Barcelona when i was a kid, the views through the Pyrenees in the morning literally the whole train had their heads out the windows and you would go through a tunnel in pitch black then you would come out the tunnel next to a lakes and huge mountains every tunnel you go through builds the anticipation of the views when you come out again. I advise anyone to do it...
What's that train service called?
Definitely would take the night train! Great journey and video. Thanks!
What a lovely civilised way to travel. One to add the list 👍
Wonderful! I’m an unapologetic 🚂 🤓
Great video I live with n Cornwall and the sleeper is vital for business because you can work all day and then travel overnight ready for the following day
Look how magnificent your station is and how they decided to keep a historic area used by the queen available as an additional area for guests, unlike here in America who built equally as great structures and decided they were of no importance anymore
Absolutely love this Paul what a nice surprise ❤
Another great travel adventure! Thanks for letting us live vicariously!
I love your videos! You do your ads so much better than others. Your voice is very nice to listen to for a video!
Excellent Video-Summery 😀👍
I am a huge fan of the Caledonian Sleeper because I’ve seen videos and would love to travel in it one day.
Eeee, I remember when you could check in your bags and collect your boarding pass at Paddington. And, for that matter, Victoria.
What a station! Very Agatha Christie! (4:50 from Paddington). As a non-Brit, If I was doing the London to Cornwall train trip, I would opt for a day train if it was available so I could enjoy the scenery. The trip would be a rare even for me. However, if I was a UK resident, the night trip would have advantages to consider.
Thank you for the video. Loved it!
I'm pleased to see you mention the statue on platform 1 at 2:00. A close replica statue was unveiled in 1982 at Inglis Barracks, Mill Hill - home of the BFPO until their move to RAF Northolt in 2007. I worked at Inglis Barracks for 4 1/2 years in the early 00's & saw that statue every day! 😎
As I’ve gone by day so often I’d definitely like to try the sleeper
Hi Paul, just came across your channel today. Great video and excellent footage. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Glad to know we have something that is incredible.
Good to see you do this review. I've used this service several times, and always stay awake until Reading! I did once book through only as far as Newton Abbott, which I would not recommend as you are left in a deserted station at around 4:30 am . I usually take the sleeper going and the normal service heading back. My biggest complaint is no luggage lockers at Penzance. I also take my breakfast into the seating area to have it, as it seems much nicer rather than in the small space.
Yes, luggage lockers would be great. I think a pub nearby, the Longboat Inn, offered this service for a modest fee. They did stop this during covid but it’s worth seeing if they have restarted.
Always looking forward to your great videos which always lift my mood.
Love from India
So glad! Thanks for tuning in!
You had bad weather that does surprise me with that shirt it enough to brighten anyone's day
Great wee video as usual. Cheered me up sitting in bed with a cold. Love the Cornwall area of England would definitely try this route.
Glad you enjoyed it Jim and get well soon!
Haven't done the journey down to Penzance since I was a kid and we went on a family holiday by Motorail, so the car came with us on a trailer wagon. That train departed from Olympia rather than Paddington. I do want to try the Night Riviera one day
The old Motorail terminal is still there at Olympia. It's a car hire depot now I think!
@@Paul_Lucas I in answer to your question would take the night Rivera. I have done the Night Riviera 5 x times my first train ride was 2013 me and my mum took the Night Rivera from Paddington to Penzance and slept in the births on the 31 October 2013. Out of the class 57 locomotives I love the Tintagel Castle best and then second place would be the Restormel Castle. The other class 57s 57605 Totnes Castle would be my least favourite and just overtaking it would be 57604. I love the way the Night Riviera was fully referbuished in 2019 the Night Rivera did NOT use ex Scotrail carriages for the referbuishmeant they used their old Dynamic LINES Livered FGW mk3 stock and referbuished them into todays Night Rivera. I love the new Mk5 Caledonian Sleeper and I deffinately prefer that to their crappy old stock which never worked in my experience but the old Scotrail vs both old and new Night Riviera the Riviera wins but if it is the CAF MK5 Scotrail stock than the Serco Caledonian Sleeper wins. Plus I hate Cornish people my nan used to live in St Austell and I have experienced enough of Cornwall to know that whilst it is beautiful I prefer Devon and London people. I love your videos Paul. I am fascinated to know what the UK thinks of the class 800s. I personally think diesel needs to go anyway as it is bad for the environmeant.
@@Paul_Lucas What do you think of GC class 180s and the class 810s coming into EMR next march.
Great video yet again Paul this train is one of the journey's on my bucket list along with the Caledonia sleeper and the Gerald of Wales
What a list! Hope you get to take them all soon.
Glad you noticed the protruding back wall of the carriage that makes the berth very narrow, I try to look very closely for that now whenever I'm watching a video about a night train. I slept very poorly on board because of that and because we couldn't board until 10:30, which feels so late when you're an early riser. The showers at Truro were amazing and much needed.
Catch the sleeper the other way every few weeks for a day in the office. I do like Paddington in the early morning - don't forget to raid the first class lounge for extra coffee. The lower bunk is definitely narrow - but I've never fallen out. The upper bunk is wider.
Brill video and it has inspired me to visit Cornwall! When I was a kid we always used to take a sleeper train to the continent. This was prior to the channel tunnel. I loved sleeping on the train! Flying is great but I still love train journeys.
Absolutely excellent video really enjoyable 👍 thanks Paul
Thanks James! 👍
My wife and I had a day's travel to spare on our 20 day rail pass. We left in the morning for Penzance and came back on the same train, after hanging around the Penzance station for an hour or so. It was the last train of the day returning to London. We then went straight down to Gatwick Airport to get back to Canada on our scheduled flight home. It was a long and pleasant trip both ways and memorable.
We had wanted to go to Land's End as we'd been up to John o' Groats, stayed overnight at Duncansby Head Lighthouse (in a rental motorhome) visiting an old school chum of my wife's. We had visited Skye, the Black Isle, Brig o' Doon (Bridge - to a cow pasture), west coast of Wales and east coast of England (Dover hovercraft to Boulogne-sur-Mare) and Penzance, home port of the memorable HMS Pinafore. Alas, no Land's End. We would have missed our plane.
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Great video! From Halifax N. S. (Still enjoying your trip on VIA Rail's Ocean)
Definitely a winner train for me👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Very nice, Paul... as always!
Loved this from the slam doors to the view from the rear of the train, its unique. 40 quid seems great value for a room for the night, did you have a good night's sleep? PS love the shirt!
amazing and you dont waste a day travelling. wake up and you on holiday done it twice now definitely the way forward
I first took the NR sixty odd years ago and have over the years taken it several times. For me, at least for connecting to the Scillies, it is the best option.
Day train for me though it's nice to see what happens on the night train.
Looks v comfortable and clean ..SOTA ...should wake up refreshed and ready for a pasty..
Lovely video Paul, nothing like a train journey to Cornwall.
From one Paul to another, great video.
Just found your channel, very enjoyable video plus useful information about the train service.
Looks cozy !
Unlike the Caledonian sleeper, it doesn’t fail constantly. Hopefully the Scottish Government follow through and sack Serco next year. All respect for reporting Victoria’s waiting room and the shower facilities at both PAD and Penzance: no other blogger has reported on this.
Took the day train while I was a college student. Highly recommend it.
thanks for a well produced programme i did not know there was a sleeper on this route its on my list now next time i am back in the UK
Going to do this in Feb hopefully. Day train down with a Pullman lunch then back on the night sleeper.
Hi Paul always enjoy your videos I am retired BA staff from Boston travel to it through UK several times a year never been to Cornwall was interesting to see Truro since we have a home in Truro mass always wanted to visit. Thanks Paul Rhode Island USA
Nice YT... thank you Paul. I take this service often, and ask the (lovely) staff to release the top bunk for me. I put the sheets and duvet on it myself, and it is MUCH wider & much more comfortable than the bottom berth.
I was thinking during the early boarding segment "I'd be straight to bed".
I enjoyed that and it looks great I live not far from Penzance so hope you enjoyed your stay.
Really enjoyed this thanks Paul
Another great video Paul so informative thank you 👌🤙
An interesting vlog Paul and timely, as a few days back I took The Night Rivera to Penzance. I joined the train at Reading last Thursday night (actually boarded in the early hours of Friday morning). The seating section was busy but I got 2 seats to myself. However I asked for an upgrade to a cabin. Luckily they had one and charged me Pds 60 extra for a solo. Since the upgrade of rolling stock I found the train to be very comfortable. The staff were lovely and apart from the free breakfast, you can get tea or coffee as and when. Like yourself, the train was on time.
Having been across to The Isles of Scilly for the day, I took the return train to Reading on Friday night, this time in the seated coaches. My carriage was very quiet and no more than 10 people in it. It left Penzance on time at 2145 hrs and arrived in Reading at 0350 hrs! Thus, I did not think it worth upgrading to a cabin for the return journey. Again the staff were excellent, bringing a cup of tea which was complimentary and likewise plenty of water to drink!
I used to travel on the Cornish Riviera every other weekend in 1974 to visit my girlfriend in Camborne from Leeds, where I was a student at the Uni. I would get the milk train from Leeds to London Kings Cross - which would take about 3 hours - then cross over to Paddington and catch the Riviera. I had a student rail card and the whole trip then was about four quid. Having said that, a pint of beer was only 12 pence then, so the costs you describe don't seem disproportionate. Of course the Riviera then was a day train not a sleeper. I'm glad to see that the new train still stops at Camborne and is not express all the way to Penzance. One Saturday morning after a heavy night of celebrating which culminated in finishing a bottle of apricot liqueur which was the last thing in someone's liquor cabinet I boarded the train worse for wear and with absolutely no money after my ticket. A fellow passenger took stock of my state and kindly bought me a sandwich and a cup of coffee - which were life savers. To this day the smell of apricots still reminds me of that journey - though not in the worst way as I was young foolish and in love - and your video has also brought it all back - so thanks very much. The only night train I have ever taken was from London to Glasgow back in 1973 - I believe the whole train was commissioned by the CND (band the bomb) - could that be possible? We marched from Glasgow to Faslane to protest against the USA nuclear submarines which were posted there.
the tracks used to run right alongside the sea at some point and I seem to recall that in a flood a few years ago they were completely submersed and the train couldn't run for several months - correct me if I'm wrong
What a lovely video.... Thanks Paul.....
This was a bucket list item for me too...but not one I would choose to repeat. I've never had such a sleepless night.
Not one who, like myself, falls asleep on a train at the drop of a hat, lost count of the times I overshot my station on the way home from work if not drinking in the buffet car. The guards got to know me and would often give me a shake as the train left the stop before if I was asleep.
I think sleeper service reviews often skirt over this. I've never had a good nights sleep and I've been on many
I live in Westbury and sometimes see this train trundling along the avoiding line over on the embankment in the fields opposite the house. A really good video 👍👍
Given how expensive Hotels can be in both London and Cornwall I think The Night Riviera is an excellent option. I used it last year, it was actually cheaper to get a single from Yorkshire to London and ride to Penzance on this than it was to get a single on Virgin CrossCountry.
Virgin haven't run the XC franchise for 15 years, since 2007. It's a franchise called simply "Cross Country Trains" now owned by Arriva. It's well known for poor rolling stock, poor reliability, slow-ish journies and expensive tickets (avg. £/mile). Though it does run the longest journey on the network, Aberdeen to Penzance.
@@mjpm2409 You knew exactly what I meant there's no need to be pedantic.
Yes and it’s not even entirely correct. Aberdeen to Penzance no longer operates and hasn’t done for some time, which has scundered a lot of enthusiasts as it was their go-to piece of trivia 😃
@@mjpm2409 Apparently you can get cheaper fares by buying split tickets, and you stay on the same train.
Lovely video. I’d love to do that journey one day, especially in the sleeper.
Aww love it! We live in penzance and often trip up to London, but have never done the night train.. might need to try
Nice one enjoyed that paul 🏴🇬🇧