Andrew Pace
Boat trains are passenger trains that operate to a port to connect with a passenger ship, such as a ferry, ocean liner, or cruise ship. They are timed to fit in with boat sailings and generally go to special maritime stations. Passengers can then walk across the quay to the ship. In the past, there were boat trains from London to Paris, as well as to Liverpool and Southampton for transatlantic ships. There is also a train that connects with the midnight boat from Fishguard to Ireland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To connect passengers to a ship, such as a ferry, ocean liner, or cruise ship |
| Ticketing | Through ticketing is usually available |
| Train times | Timed to fit in with boat sailings |
| Stations | Trains go to special maritime stations |
| Passengers | Passengers walk across the quay to the ship |
| Train ferries | A train ferry is a ship designed to carry railway vehicles, their cargoes and passengers |
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What You'll Learn
How do passengers transfer from the train to the boat?
Boat trains are passenger trains that operate to a port to connect with a passenger ship, such as a ferry, ocean liner, or cruise ship. The trains are timed to fit in with boat sailings, and generally go to special maritime stations.
Upon reaching the port, passengers get off the train and walk across the quay to the ship. In some cases, the coaches may be uncoupled and shunted onto a ferry, then recoupled on the other side. In other cases, passengers may need to get off the train, get onto a ferry, and then get onto another train on the other side.
In the United States, train ferries are sometimes referred to as "car ferries", as they are used to transport automobiles. The wharf has a ramp, and a linkspan or "apron", balanced by weights, that connects the railway to the ship, allowing for tidal or seasonal changes in water level.
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What is the history of the boat train?
The boat train is a passenger train that operates to a port for the specific purpose of making a connection with a passenger ship, such as a ferry, ocean liner or cruise ship.
Boat trains were introduced in the second half of the 19th century, linking to ferry services that were often set up by railway companies. The two modes of transport complemented each other with transfers directly on the quay. Boat trains provided connections to short crossings from England and Scandinavia to the European mainland, as well as to large ocean liners departing for other continents.
The first real boat train was introduced by the Sleeping and Dining Car Company Wagons-Lits in 1889 on the occasion of the Paris World Exhibition. This Club Train offered an integrated one-ticket connection between London and Paris. On the quay, a smooth transfer was provided to a ship linking Dover and Calais. The crossing took 70 minutes, and the total journey time was seven hours. The Club Train was aimed at an affluent audience, with a smoking lounge between London and Dover and a dining car between Calais and Paris.
Boat trains became essential components of railway and port procedures, with some railway operations dedicated to emigrant traffic and others synonymous with glamorous travel services. They played an integral part in integrated international travel before the rise of commercial air travel.
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How does the boat train work in the context of a train ferry?
A boat train is a passenger train that operates to a port to connect with a passenger ship, such as a ferry, ocean liner, or cruise ship. The trains are timed to fit in with boat sailings, and generally go to special maritime stations. Upon reaching the port, passengers would get off the train and walk across the quay to the ship.
In the context of a train ferry, the process is slightly different. A train ferry is a ship designed to carry railway vehicles, as well as their cargo and passengers. One level of the ship is fitted with railway tracks, and the vessel has a door at the front and/or rear to give access to the wharves. The wharf, or "slip", has a ramp and a linkspan or "apron" that connects the railway to the ship, allowing for tidal or seasonal changes in water level. To compensate for changing tides, adjustable ramps are positioned at the harbours, and the gantry structure height is varied by moving it along the slipway. The wagons are loaded on and off with the use of stationary steam engines.
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What are the key routes of boat trains?
Boat trains are passenger trains that operate to a port to connect with a passenger ship, such as a ferry, ocean liner, or cruise ship. They are timed to fit in with boat sailings and generally go to special maritime stations.
The key routes of boat trains include:
London to Paris
The London to Paris route is mentioned in Sherlock Holmes stories and other works of fiction and non-fiction set in the early 20th century. The train would go from London to Dover, where passengers would get off the train and walk across the quay to the ship.
London to Amsterdam
The Admiraal de Ruijter and Benjamin Britten boat trains operated between London Liverpool Street and Amsterdam Centraal from 1987.
London to Calais
The La Flèche d'Or (Golden Arrow) operated between Paris Gare du Nord and Calais-Maritime from 1929 to 1972.
London to Dover
The Golden Arrow operated between London Victoria and Dover Marine from 1929 to 1972.
London to Harwich
The boat train to Harwich connected with the service to the Hook of Holland, spawning the slogan "Harwich for the Continent".
Liverpool and Southampton to Transatlantic destinations
There were also boat trains to Liverpool and Southampton maritime stations for transatlantic ships.
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How does the boat train work in fiction?
A boat train is a passenger train that operates to a port to connect with a passenger ship, such as a ferry, ocean liner or cruise ship. In fiction, such as Sherlock Holmes stories, boat trains are often depicted as special trains timed to fit in with boat sailings, usually going to maritime stations. Passengers would get off the train and walk across the quay to the ship. This is depicted in stories set in the early 20th century, where characters are often rushing to catch the boat train from London to Paris.
In reality, the coaches were likely uncoupled and shunted onto a ferry, then recoupled on the other side. However, in some cases, passengers may have had to disembark the train, get onto a ferry, and then board another train on the other side.
Boat trains have also been depicted in fiction as connecting to transatlantic ships, with routes to Liverpool and Southampton maritime stations. There is also a boat train that connects to the service to the Hook of Holland, with the slogan "Harwich for the Continent".
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Frequently asked questions
A boat train is a passenger train that operates to a port to connect with a passenger ship, such as a ferry, ocean liner or cruise ship.
Boat trains are timed to fit in with boat sailings, usually going to special maritime stations. Passengers get off the train and walk across the quay to the ship.
Boat trains go to various destinations, including Amsterdam, Dover, Calais, Liverpool, Southampton, Ireland and Harwich.
A train ferry is a ship designed to carry railway vehicles, as well as their cargoes and passengers. One level of the ship is fitted with railway tracks, and the vessel has a door at the front and/or rear to give access to the wharves.
