Sleeper trains to Europe not ruled out by Government

International Sleeper train services could run to and from the UK, according to Transport Minister Baroness Vere.

In a House of Lords Written Question, Baroness Bennett (Green Party) highlighted the expansion of Sleeper services in Europe and asked if there was any possibility of linking them to the UK, including to northern England and Scotland.

Vere responded: “International passenger rail services provide a number of benefits for passengers, businesses and the wider economy, including environmental benefits. The Government supports the future growth and success of international passenger rail and would welcome the development of potential Sleeper services from across Great Britain to continental destinations, linking up with European services.”

Such services were planned when the Channel Tunnel opened, with a fleet of 139 vehicles ordered for the Nightstar service (and more than half built), Class 37s and Mk 3 Sleeper coaches converted to haul them and provide train supply, and ‘92s’ to haul them through the tunnel.

They never ran, and the project was paused in 1997 and scrapped two years later. The assets were sold to other operators, with the coaches exported to Canada.

Vere added: “The Department for Transport has engaged with UK and European partners to encourage the future growth of international passenger rail services. Officials stand ready to engage with any potential operators of new international services, including Sleeper services, where they have a proposition they wish to explore.”

In recent years Deutsche Bahn has expressed interest in running from Germany to London, even bringing an ICE-3 to St Pancras International.