 Poster: A snowHead
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Eurostar teases London to Geneva route: https://www.ft.com/content/55a631f2-a54a-412f-b4ac-eb924f586b4f
Journey time would be about 5 hours.
* But don't get too excited just yet - earliest introduction they say would be at some point after 2030 and people who know about these things remain sceptical saying its all subject to them ordering the right type of trains (costing £billions) for which they announced their intention a while back but haven't done anything about so far... and the trains would need to be made, delivered, tested etc before any new services could be introduced...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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It's almost as if Eurostar were losing their monopoly on running passenger trains through the tunnel so facing competition and not being able to just sit back and say "You can go to one of this handful of destinations or nothing."...
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| AliAfro wrote: |
| people who know about these things remain sceptical saying its all subject to them ordering the right type of trains (costing £billions) |
That run on the right type of snow?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Eurostar are clearly rattled by the prospect of competition and are trying to position themselves as the only solution: "How can we service our many new trains that will run these new routes if you give space in the maintenance sheds to competitors (who will run new trains on new routes)?"
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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so slower than a flight for most.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Yes, trains tend to be.
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Interesting but prob doesn't even stack up for suvernors... time or financially
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To be viable it only really needs to stack up for those working or living in central/inner London. For most of those people it would be slightly slower but still competitive timewise. Whether it's competitive on cost is a different question entirely.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Noted on this taking longer and costing more than a flight but it would have a few things going for it...
1) Can get work done on the train (way easier than on a flight). eg 'Work from home' on a Friday, except your on a train.
2) No luggage weight restrictions vs flying.
3) Easier connections for train routes from Geneva (vs needing additional connection between airport and station). And yes I know there are great bus connections from the airport already - but this might apply sometimes.
4) For many Londoners it'll be quicker/easier to get to St Pancras than to an airport. Particularly if you are traveling direct from work.
5) No UK airport parking cost
I am a bit biased as I can get a direct Thameslink train to St Pancras - I think I'd consider using this service (if it ever happens) if the price difference wasn't too much i.e. if you can make back the cost/time with savings on parking at UK airport, ski equipment carriage cost, transfer cost from Geneva (eg by using train connection options vs car hire/transfer), and/or if it facilitates an additional day skiing by allowing you to work while travelling.
But I would be surprised if they can get the price anywhere near the cost of flights, so...
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| iainm wrote: |
| Eurostar are clearly rattled by the prospect of competition and are trying to position themselves as the only solution: "How can we service our many new trains that will run these new routes if you give space in the maintenance sheds to competitors (who will run new trains on new routes)?" |
Yeah that was my take.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Like most I hate flying these days - dynamic pricing, baggage rules, add ons, multiple airport options make booking a nightmare. Getting to and from the airport is a massive ball ache. And then there is check in, security and loading - all very stressful. And as a tall bloke I find the seating uncomfortable.
Not that I will probably use this service as we are geared up for driving.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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A colleague in the rail industry has pointed out the suspicious timing of this announcement, just after a government report that the Eurostar maintenance depot has enough space for another operator to move into it. By indicating that they will be expanding their fleet Eurostar can now say "See, we told you that there would not be any space".
It will take years of negotiation with the German and Swiss governments to do this...mainly because the UK model for borders with Eurostar is to move the border overseas and have UK staff operating controls in those host countries. As I understand it the Germans were not keen on this before, when Eurostar looked at Cologne, and I am not sure that anything has changed. Similarly, who is going to pay for all of these staff and facilities?
It is likely that, without these agreements, Eurostars will have to stop in Lille with passengers disembarking, completing UK border formalities, and then travelling onto London. Which negates the entire point of letting the train take the strain....
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| Hurdy wrote: |
| Which negates the entire point of letting the train take the strain.... |
While I enjoy the quick check-in, no luggage restrictions, being able to work and the simple pleasure of the journey, it's not the 'entire point' - for me, the most important element is that I can travel to the Alps and only generate 10% of the emissions of flying. Whether you go direct or via Paris/Lille, the carbon impact of the train is only a fraction of flying
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You know it makes sense.
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@AliAfro, there are already good routes to the Alps from London, that don't involve going to Geneva and getting a transfer. You can get close to lots of resorts by train and avoid the tedious transfer from Geneva.
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FAQ
