Before the advent of super high speed trains Europeans often traveled overnight in couchettes. In essence they are non-private bunks. My travels in them were uneventful except for the time a lady in France asked me to move from my bunk on the floor to the middle one so her Alsation dog could have mine. European train crews seemed to have had the power to maintain order in these accomodations notwithstanding the presence of many oversexed youths. In the United States trying to maintain order in a public sleeping car would be an open invitation to riot and litigation. Since the plaintiffs' lawyers have so many friends in Congress, obtaining favorable laws would not be feasible. Only the airlines have had any luck being able to restrain legally bad-acting passengers. In Canada, where there is little civil trial by jury, VIA might be able to maintain order aboard its trains without fear of great liability. VIA also would be a great place for couchettes in transcontinental service. With up to 60 people per car, large numbers of tourists could make the trip and be able to sleep at night. A couple of lounge cars with showers could would help. The fares could be somewhat lower than those charged in upper berths. If the service attracted many people, VIA could surely come up with some sort of cafeteria meal delivery. Day-niters (isn't that the name for Canada's coaches for overnight travel) can never rival a flat, full-length place to sleep. Maybe some tour train operators could try the scheme in the United States. People all over the rest of the world travel in non-private sleeping cars--Chinese and Russians among others who use long distance trains.
Hello 'The Pan', and welcome to Trainboard As a european, I agree with your comments, and canada would be a good place for this system to be tried out, I am sure lots of travellers would use the service.
Welcome to TrainBoard and you have my vote. I and BC Rail King took a trip to Jasper Alberta from Vancouver British Columbia on the Via. We went by coach. And the Via coaches aren't comfortable at all unless you are shorter than 5 feet (150 CM). We both sat up in the dome car most of the night, I returned to the coach for about two hours of sleep and BC Rail King stayed up most of the night looking out (it was a full moon and no clouds). I have often thought that some ideas like yours would work well for Via. The price goes through the roof for sleeping accomodations for a family no matter which option you choose with Via.
Now, would this 'new' (old) system happen to be in the new NightStar cars? Alan, I amyou know the answer! I know the one flaw with those cars is the beds in the sleeping cars are only 5 foot 2. Pretty small, maybe Via will make them bigger?? Happy Railroading! Dane
