The Man in Seat 61
@seatsixtyone.bsky.social
Mark Smith, the Man in Seat 61, the chap who runs that train travel site http://seat61.com. YouTube: http://youtube.com/c/seat61.
About European Sleeper and their current Brussels/Amsterdam-Berlin/Prague sleeper: www.seat61.com/trains-and-r...
November 12, 2025 at 7:18 AM
About European Sleeper and their current Brussels/Amsterdam-Berlin/Prague sleeper: www.seat61.com/trains-and-r...
BREAKING: European Sleeper will start a Paris-Berlin sleeper train from 26 March 2026, after Nightjet pulls out in December.
It'll run via Brussels (with Eurostar connection from London) 3 times a week. This + existing train = Brussels-Berlin 6 times a week. www.europeansleeper.eu/paris
It'll run via Brussels (with Eurostar connection from London) 3 times a week. This + existing train = Brussels-Berlin 6 times a week. www.europeansleeper.eu/paris
November 12, 2025 at 7:16 AM
BREAKING: European Sleeper will start a Paris-Berlin sleeper train from 26 March 2026, after Nightjet pulls out in December.
It'll run via Brussels (with Eurostar connection from London) 3 times a week. This + existing train = Brussels-Berlin 6 times a week. www.europeansleeper.eu/paris
It'll run via Brussels (with Eurostar connection from London) 3 times a week. This + existing train = Brussels-Berlin 6 times a week. www.europeansleeper.eu/paris
2/3: 18:07 Hendaye-Paris also Ouigoisée so unsuitable for international guests with baggage & connections (Ouigo is not protected by AJC or CIV).
Last 'normal' TGV of the day now leaves 16:11, have had to revise northbound 'overnight in Paris' option to leave San Seb 2h earlier. 😥
Last 'normal' TGV of the day now leaves 16:11, have had to revise northbound 'overnight in Paris' option to leave San Seb 2h earlier. 😥
November 10, 2025 at 8:48 AM
2/3: 18:07 Hendaye-Paris also Ouigoisée so unsuitable for international guests with baggage & connections (Ouigo is not protected by AJC or CIV).
Last 'normal' TGV of the day now leaves 16:11, have had to revise northbound 'overnight in Paris' option to leave San Seb 2h earlier. 😥
Last 'normal' TGV of the day now leaves 16:11, have had to revise northbound 'overnight in Paris' option to leave San Seb 2h earlier. 😥
1/3: Now SNCF is sabotaging its own service.
The 12:11 Paris-Hendaye has been Ouigoisée, no catering, no 1st class, baggage fees.
As a result, I've had to delete the 08:32 London-San Sebastian. Now just 1 London-San Sebastian daytime service.😢
The 12:11 Paris-Hendaye has been Ouigoisée, no catering, no 1st class, baggage fees.
As a result, I've had to delete the 08:32 London-San Sebastian. Now just 1 London-San Sebastian daytime service.😢
November 10, 2025 at 8:48 AM
1/3: Now SNCF is sabotaging its own service.
The 12:11 Paris-Hendaye has been Ouigoisée, no catering, no 1st class, baggage fees.
As a result, I've had to delete the 08:32 London-San Sebastian. Now just 1 London-San Sebastian daytime service.😢
The 12:11 Paris-Hendaye has been Ouigoisée, no catering, no 1st class, baggage fees.
As a result, I've had to delete the 08:32 London-San Sebastian. Now just 1 London-San Sebastian daytime service.😢
European Sleeper introduces Comfort Standard from December - a couchette compartment ‘converted’ to a sleeper by getting mattresses & fully-made up beds, and sold as single double or triple. A good idea!
www.europeansleeper.eu/travel-class...
www.europeansleeper.eu/travel-class...
November 4, 2025 at 10:32 AM
European Sleeper introduces Comfort Standard from December - a couchette compartment ‘converted’ to a sleeper by getting mattresses & fully-made up beds, and sold as single double or triple. A good idea!
www.europeansleeper.eu/travel-class...
www.europeansleeper.eu/travel-class...
Vagonweb now showing proposed Vienna/Budapest-Belgrade service, due to start in Spring 2026:
1) Budapest-Belgrade by SOKO train every 4 hours, in just 3h17.
2) Two direct Eurocity trains Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade, the Avala & Ivo Andric.
Bring it on...
See www.vagonweb.cz/razeni/razen...
1) Budapest-Belgrade by SOKO train every 4 hours, in just 3h17.
2) Two direct Eurocity trains Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade, the Avala & Ivo Andric.
Bring it on...
See www.vagonweb.cz/razeni/razen...
October 31, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Vagonweb now showing proposed Vienna/Budapest-Belgrade service, due to start in Spring 2026:
1) Budapest-Belgrade by SOKO train every 4 hours, in just 3h17.
2) Two direct Eurocity trains Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade, the Avala & Ivo Andric.
Bring it on...
See www.vagonweb.cz/razeni/razen...
1) Budapest-Belgrade by SOKO train every 4 hours, in just 3h17.
2) Two direct Eurocity trains Vienna-Budapest-Belgrade, the Avala & Ivo Andric.
Bring it on...
See www.vagonweb.cz/razeni/razen...
If you’re wondering what an Alstom Avelia train is, Italo’s EVO trains are these, operating on Italian high speed lines, see the EVO section at www.seat61.com/trains-and-r...
October 30, 2025 at 10:24 AM
If you’re wondering what an Alstom Avelia train is, Italo’s EVO trains are these, operating on Italian high speed lines, see the EVO section at www.seat61.com/trains-and-r...
Krakow to Warsaw for €2.10 has got to be some sort of record, surely?
Lo-cost operator Regiojet is expanding into Poland, they've run 1 train per day since September, increasing to 8 trains a day from December.
They'll also run trains from Warsaw to Poznan, Gdansk & Gdynia.
Lo-cost operator Regiojet is expanding into Poland, they've run 1 train per day since September, increasing to 8 trains a day from December.
They'll also run trains from Warsaw to Poznan, Gdansk & Gdynia.
October 23, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Krakow to Warsaw for €2.10 has got to be some sort of record, surely?
Lo-cost operator Regiojet is expanding into Poland, they've run 1 train per day since September, increasing to 8 trains a day from December.
They'll also run trains from Warsaw to Poznan, Gdansk & Gdynia.
Lo-cost operator Regiojet is expanding into Poland, they've run 1 train per day since September, increasing to 8 trains a day from December.
They'll also run trains from Warsaw to Poznan, Gdansk & Gdynia.
What a time to be alive....
October 22, 2025 at 11:10 AM
What a time to be alive....
EUROSTAR GOES DOUBLE-DECK:
Eurostar confirms order for 30 new double-deck trains from Alstom, similar to TGV-M, with option for 20 more, in service from May 2031. The 200m sets can run to/from London as 2 x 200m with 1,080 seats.
(Another move in the Battle for Temple Mills...)
Eurostar confirms order for 30 new double-deck trains from Alstom, similar to TGV-M, with option for 20 more, in service from May 2031. The 200m sets can run to/from London as 2 x 200m with 1,080 seats.
(Another move in the Battle for Temple Mills...)
October 22, 2025 at 6:26 AM
EUROSTAR GOES DOUBLE-DECK:
Eurostar confirms order for 30 new double-deck trains from Alstom, similar to TGV-M, with option for 20 more, in service from May 2031. The 200m sets can run to/from London as 2 x 200m with 1,080 seats.
(Another move in the Battle for Temple Mills...)
Eurostar confirms order for 30 new double-deck trains from Alstom, similar to TGV-M, with option for 20 more, in service from May 2031. The 200m sets can run to/from London as 2 x 200m with 1,080 seats.
(Another move in the Battle for Temple Mills...)
Saturday morning fun with Zugfinder:
Amazing how punctual the morning Milan-Paris Frecciarossa is, if that data is indeed correct. Read it and weep, Ryanair: www.zugfinder.net/en/train-FR_... 😇
(Mind you, have a gander at the Berlin-Stockholm sleeper, www.zugfinder.net/en/train-EN_... 🫣)
Amazing how punctual the morning Milan-Paris Frecciarossa is, if that data is indeed correct. Read it and weep, Ryanair: www.zugfinder.net/en/train-FR_... 😇
(Mind you, have a gander at the Berlin-Stockholm sleeper, www.zugfinder.net/en/train-EN_... 🫣)
October 18, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Saturday morning fun with Zugfinder:
Amazing how punctual the morning Milan-Paris Frecciarossa is, if that data is indeed correct. Read it and weep, Ryanair: www.zugfinder.net/en/train-FR_... 😇
(Mind you, have a gander at the Berlin-Stockholm sleeper, www.zugfinder.net/en/train-EN_... 🫣)
Amazing how punctual the morning Milan-Paris Frecciarossa is, if that data is indeed correct. Read it and weep, Ryanair: www.zugfinder.net/en/train-FR_... 😇
(Mind you, have a gander at the Berlin-Stockholm sleeper, www.zugfinder.net/en/train-EN_... 🫣)
Press launch of Chiltern Railways new trains today, I’m riding this one to Brum: 13 of these excellent Mk5 trains are replacing 5 current Mk3 sets = 12,000 more seats per week (I should even see some from my local station, Haddenham, where a Mk3 set is a very rare treat!)
October 14, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Press launch of Chiltern Railways new trains today, I’m riding this one to Brum: 13 of these excellent Mk5 trains are replacing 5 current Mk3 sets = 12,000 more seats per week (I should even see some from my local station, Haddenham, where a Mk3 set is a very rare treat!)
Homeward bound, on the 14:34 GLC-MKC, Avanti Standard Premium. 13 late start, but I’m coping…
October 12, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Homeward bound, on the 14:34 GLC-MKC, Avanti Standard Premium. 13 late start, but I’m coping…
Just time for a leisurely margarita in Glasgow Central station’s VIP waiting lounge before the 14:34 Avanti pendolino south to MKC.
October 12, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Just time for a leisurely margarita in Glasgow Central station’s VIP waiting lounge before the 14:34 Avanti pendolino south to MKC.
Y’know, the more I see of Glasgow, the more I like it…
October 12, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Y’know, the more I see of Glasgow, the more I like it…
At Alstom’s Polmadie depot open day. The Caledonian Sleeper fleet is maintained here, and London-Glasgow pendolinos maintained.
October 12, 2025 at 9:57 AM
At Alstom’s Polmadie depot open day. The Caledonian Sleeper fleet is maintained here, and London-Glasgow pendolinos maintained.
Heading for Polmadie depot by vintage bus. That rail advert on the side looks strangely familiar…
October 12, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Heading for Polmadie depot by vintage bus. That rail advert on the side looks strangely familiar…
A chance to visit the exhibition train ‘Inspiration’ celebrating 200 years of rail, 1825-2025. It’s at Glasgow today, touring Scotland then heading south, it’s free to visit but you need to book, see railway200.co.uk/inspiration/
October 12, 2025 at 8:45 AM
A chance to visit the exhibition train ‘Inspiration’ celebrating 200 years of rail, 1825-2025. It’s at Glasgow today, touring Scotland then heading south, it’s free to visit but you need to book, see railway200.co.uk/inspiration/
And at Glasgow Central just now, 92 023 is named:
October 12, 2025 at 7:55 AM
And at Glasgow Central just now, 92 023 is named:
Dinner at the Lasg restaurant on Blythewood Square, in a genteel Georgian part of Glasgow I didn’t know existed - but only 10 minutes walk from Central. Big fan of mussels, these were superb. I reckon Edinburgh gets all the attention, Glasgow is hiding its light under a bushel…
October 11, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Dinner at the Lasg restaurant on Blythewood Square, in a genteel Georgian part of Glasgow I didn’t know existed - but only 10 minutes walk from Central. Big fan of mussels, these were superb. I reckon Edinburgh gets all the attention, Glasgow is hiding its light under a bushel…
If that’s not enough, the world's first long-distance television pictures were transmitted to a room on the 4th floor of the hotel in May 1927 by John Logie Baird.
I’ve used the bar as a VIP waiting room for trains south, but been looking for an excuse to stay here for ages…
I’ve used the bar as a VIP waiting room for trains south, but been looking for an excuse to stay here for ages…
October 11, 2025 at 2:08 PM
If that’s not enough, the world's first long-distance television pictures were transmitted to a room on the 4th floor of the hotel in May 1927 by John Logie Baird.
I’ve used the bar as a VIP waiting room for trains south, but been looking for an excuse to stay here for ages…
I’ve used the bar as a VIP waiting room for trains south, but been looking for an excuse to stay here for ages…
Gene Kelly (left)
Not Gene Kelly (right)
Not Gene Kelly (right)
October 11, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Gene Kelly (left)
Not Gene Kelly (right)
Not Gene Kelly (right)
Everyone who’s anyone has stayed here: Winston Churchill, the Beatles (multiple times), JFK, Fred Astaire, Mick Jagger, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Gene Kelly, all feature on the hotel’s ‘wall of fame’. And this was briefly Britain’s longest chandelier (now merely 2nd longest)
October 11, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Everyone who’s anyone has stayed here: Winston Churchill, the Beatles (multiple times), JFK, Fred Astaire, Mick Jagger, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Gene Kelly, all feature on the hotel’s ‘wall of fame’. And this was briefly Britain’s longest chandelier (now merely 2nd longest)
Tonight I’m staying in one of Britain’s great railway hotels, Glasgow’s voco Grand Central, opened in 1883 by the Caledonian Railway.
October 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Tonight I’m staying in one of Britain’s great railway hotels, Glasgow’s voco Grand Central, opened in 1883 by the Caledonian Railway.
The fitting out basin. That ‘notch’ was cut for the Queen Mary’s bow, to stop her stern blocking the Clyde whilst she was fitting out. More about visiting here, written after coming here a few years ago: www.seat61.com/places-of-in...
October 11, 2025 at 9:23 AM
The fitting out basin. That ‘notch’ was cut for the Queen Mary’s bow, to stop her stern blocking the Clyde whilst she was fitting out. More about visiting here, written after coming here a few years ago: www.seat61.com/places-of-in...