New Belmond train in England & Wales

[irp]

New Sleeper service from 2025, run by the same folks that do the Royal Scotsman: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-14072053/Sleeper-train-england-wales-belmond.html

The 'Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train' will depart from London Victoria

It will have 18 'extraordinary' cabins ranging in price from £5,800 to £14,100 per person, all-inclusive, and dining experiences designed by three-Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan.

It will depart from London Victoria and offer three-night journeys along 'three evocative routes' through Cornwall, the Lake District and Wales, 'offering privileged access to iconic destinations' along the way.

The most luxurious cabins are the three 'Grand Suites', which cost from £14,100 per person. They include a personal butler service, a 'plush' double bed and an ensuite bathroom with marble basin and shower cubicle.

Double and twin suites cost from £5,800 per person and include luxury beds, ceramic shelving and ensuite bathrooms....

 

[fgwrich]

At long last! This will be utilising the former 'Grand Hibernian' (ex Ianród Éirann) Mk3s which have been undergoing conversion at Assenta Rail's facility in Glasgow since their import.

 

[DarloRich]

it isn't a service train though is it?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Yikes. Those prices are eye watering! Hopefully they get some decent haulage for that.

 

[MrJeeves]

I think it's a bit unfair to call it just a sleeper when in reality it's really a pricey package holiday that happens to be on a train!

 

[Fadacious]

I'm doing the longest train routes of every TOC, but I think I'll give this a miss

 

[Gloster]

£11,000 for the privilege of being stuck at Stapleton Road or Winwick Junction by a signal failure while the local yoof let fly. Cheap at twice the price!

 

[Neo9320]

Seems more like a package holiday or coach trip rather than a sleeper service.

Eye watering prices though, I’ll have to save up my paper round money

 

[D6130]

I wonder what haulage their customers will enjoy? As GBRf operate Belmond's 'Royal Scotsman' train with dedicated class 66s, can we assume that something similar will happen....or will the haulage be put out to tender?

 

[Sun Chariot]

£11,000 for the privilege of being stuck at Stapleton Road or Winwick Junction by a signal failure while the local yoof let fly. Cheap at twice the price!

So right, @Gloster I wonder what "destination jewels" the patrons will be treated to....
South Hampshire's shortlist -
Guided sprint around Gosport?
Cultural experience of Newport IoW on a Friday night?
E-Scooter dodging around Eastleigh?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

The first-ever luxury sleeper train in England and Wales is set to launch in July 2025, it has been announced.
It will have 18 'extraordinary' cabins ranging in price from £5,800 to £14,100 per person, all-inclusive, and dining experiences designed by three-Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan.
There will also be an onboard bar, a marble-covered spa and an observation car.
The swanky service will be operated by the Belmond hospitality group and called the 'Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train'.

It will depart from London Victoria and offer three-night journeys along 'three evocative routes' through Cornwall, the Lake District and Wales, 'offering privileged access to iconic destinations' along the way.

Passengers on the Cornish holiday will glide along the Riviera Line, past Teignmouth, Plymouth, St Austell and Truro and ultimately on to Penzance. Excursions on offer include exploring the 'artistic haven' of St Ives and a private wine tasting overlooking St Michael's Mount.

The Lake District trip includes an excursion to the Beatrix Potter estate and a journey along the historic Settle & Carlisle line.

The Welsh outing, meanwhile, takes in Snowdonia National Park, 'where lush valleys rise to meet soaring peaks and cascading waterfalls'.

 

[zwk500]

Yikes. Those prices are eye watering! Hopefully they get some decent haulage for that.

If it's Belmond it'll likely be operated by DB, so 67s are most likely to be on the front of it. Hope they give them a decent paint job.

Seems more like a package holiday or coach trip rather than a sleeper service.

Very much seems like it, a competitor to the Royal Scotsman?

 

[Jan Mayen]

E-Scooter dodging around Eastleigh?

I misread that as dogging...

 

[DarloRich]

If it's Belmond it'll likely be operated by DB, so 67s are most likely to be on the front of it. Hope they give them a decent paint job.

it is much better when they kick out the tattiest loco they can find on shed to haul something like this. Preferably some faded old livery, massive oil stain down the side, slightly dodgy engine, etc

 

[Sun Chariot]

I misread that as dogging...

Along this part of the coast, either is likely...

 

[The exile]

it is much better when they kick out the tattiest loco they can find on shed to haul something like this. Preferably some faded old livery, massive oil stain down the side, slightly dodgy engine, etc

Especially if it can throw out enough oil to cover at least the front three coaches.

 

[DarloRich]

Especially if it can throw out enough oil to cover at least the front three coaches.

I just assumed that as a given. Extra point for hitting the observation gallery!

 

[Sun Chariot]

Especially if it can throw out enough oil to cover at least the front three coaches.

Oh for days of OC deplorable Duffs on the London-Banbury commuter turns; and of sickly Goyles expiring with a near-certainty on whatever they were pulling.

 

[fgwrich]

If it's Belmond it'll likely be operated by DB, so 67s are most likely to be on the front of it. Hope they give them a decent paint job.

Very much seems like it, a competitor to the Royal Scotsman?

Doesn’t have to be, don’t forgot the Royal Scotsman is a Belmond product and traction for that is GB. I’d also be surprised if DB went for it with their 67s as Belmond only has to take a look at TfW to see how unreliable the 67s have become in daily use (and how unhelpful they can be if they speak to them!).

 

[Egg Centric]

The target market won't give a stuff what the likes of us think anyway.

Mind you for the money I'd much rather take Rovos Rail. And then you do get a bath!

 

[Deepgreen]

For that price I would want a bath, not just a shower. Guess they'll be missing out on my custom .

Huge fun having a bath when an emergency stop happens...

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I take it this is the same company that run the Orient Express luxury trains? Aspirational luxury. The house of LV do know what their top clientele want, would love to see it come through Crewe

 

[43066]

I wonder whether they will offer a priv discount? .

 

[Graham H]

If these are ex Irish Mk3 then the high price must reflect the cost of widening the gauge in advance of the train and then putting it back to standard afterwards

 

[fgwrich]

If these are ex Irish Mk3 then the high price must reflect the cost of widening the gauge in advance of the train and then putting it back to standard afterwards

No gauge widening required, the Mk3s are the same size and shape as the Derby built examples and the former Irish examples have been rebogied for some time - a rake of former Greater Anglia and Chiltern ‘Banbury Set’ vehicles donated plenty of parts a few years ago.

 

[Darandio]

If these are ex Irish Mk3 then the high price must reflect the cost of widening the gauge in advance of the train and then putting it back to standard afterwards

Are you suggesting the plan is to widen the track gauge ahead of the train then drop it back to 1435mm afterwards? Just making sure i'm reading it right.

 

[Graham H]

Are you suggesting the plan is to widen the track gauge ahead of the train then drop it back to 1435mm afterwards? Just making sure i'm reading it right.

Yes thats right although if using DB 67's they would need mixed gauge. You do all realise I am joking dont you ?

 

[Darandio]

Yes thats right although if using DB 67's they would need mixed gauge. You do all realise I am joking dont you ?

You can never tell on here any more!

 

[43096]

it is much better when they kick out the tattiest loco they can find on shed to haul something like this. Preferably some faded old livery, massive oil stain down the side, slightly dodgy engine, etc

Were you thinking of something like a pair of Bescot's "weekend only" Class 31s?

 

[43096]

I wonder whether they will offer a priv discount? .

Only for some staff. Drivers excluded on the basis that they can afford it!