The NightJet gambit just might pay off for OBB after all.
While a 16yo kid has certainly helped their cause, there may have been method to their, what I thought, was madness by the OBB's "Oberfuhrers", and hope they enjoyed their Gruner Veiltliner while dining on Boiled Beef (an Austrian "specialty" I tried once...uh,once) at Sacher in Vienna.
First, let's consider where Europe wants to go with passenger rail. That is HSR. But it seems as if the systems are all built to lead to each country's Capital. In France, they all lead to Paris, or in Italy, Rome. (Germany not quite as pronounced because of her postwar division, and the decision to locate such in "where's that" Bonn, rather than Frankfurt/Main or Munich - both in the heart of something the people wanted to forget).
But, even if occupied postwar by the "four powers" until '55, Austria's Capital was and is Vienna (even if within the Russian Zone it was occupied by all powers - think Berlin) - and on the far Eastern end of the country. Also, Austria has an almost 400 mile (Feldkirch - Vienna) line haul within its borders, and only H(er)SR (220kmh). I doubt if true HSR is planned there.
So, with the French (SNCF) and German (DB) looking for the exits with their "Night Trains", fully compatible, and not really old, equipment was there for the "almost taking". A "cute" marketing name and some Blue paint was all they needed. With the 400 mile E-W line haul noted, most of a line such as Zurich-Vienna goes to the OBB.
So, with a some help from their "little Swedish girlfriend", maybe OBB will make that "silk purse from a sow's ear".
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
The Manchester Guardian has an article from July last, noting the revival, spearheaded by the OBB's gambit that I admit to my surprise is paying off, on the Continent.
Fair Use:
For all their promise of romance and adventure, Europe’s sleeper trains had appeared to have reached the end of the line.
Cripplingly expensive to run and forsaken by travellers for budget airlines, a decision by the German rail operator Deutsche Bahn to terminate the service connecting Paris to Berlin six years ago ushered in the closure of routes across the continent including almost all of France’s network.
But as Europe continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, there are tentative signs of a new dawn for the couchettes and twin bunks, as the concerns of both governments and travellers’ over the environmental impact of short-haul flights are being complemented by a desire to avoid airport departure lounges and security queues.
It seems as if everything written regarding the revived "Night Trains" has been about the "Econosnooze" product for the backpack crowd (I guess nowadays their "Dear Dad, send money" cries are simply made by text and payment to a credit card account, rather than, as it was back in my day, sitting around an American Express office waiting for the wire). The Business and Upscale travelers (they have Luxotrains over there for them) do not appear to be targeted.
As I've noted, for my CXD '20 journey, I did consider taking a Munich-Rome and return Night Jet journey, the "price was right" at about €300 round trip in a Single Occupancy room. But the thought of being some 15hours "homeless in Rome" and forgoing the 4 Star Salzburg hotel at which I have stayed, simply "nixed" it.
Of course, never mind what Mr. COVID did to the entire trip.
Posted by Gilbert B Norman (Member # 1541) on :
I still must wonder what office that Swedish kid is running for (or appointment to). My bet is something within the EU relating to environmental affairs:
In recent months, ridership has rebounded from pandemic lows, but sharing sleeping quarters with strangers is something train passengers were growing increasingly reluctant to do even before the pandemic, says Mark Smith, who runs a train website called The Man in Seat 61. What customers want, he says, is a private sleeping space at an affordable price. And that, he says, could prove challenging for some train operators, considering the expense that goes into outfitting and staffing a night train, as well as track-access costs and other expenses.
“I believe sleeper trains are here to stay, as climate change becomes a major concern for us all,” he says. “But the key thing will be, can the difficult cost side be addressed?”
Age and health concerns have likely signaled an end to my annual journeys to Salzburg (missed '20; wonder why); I'm simply no longer the railfan/adventurer I once was.