Anyone taken their V8V on the car train to Livorno

[Laser Sag]

Hi All
Thinking of taking the V8V down to Italy and looking at the possibility of using the Auto Slaap car train from Den Bosch to Livorno to give more time down there.
Has anyone taken their V8V on the car train? was it OK, their website says 1.85m outside edge of wheel to outside edge of wheel and I make the Vantage 1.87m by my measurements. Don't want to pay for something I won't be able to get on.
I currently have the sportspack wheels on mine are the standard wheels any narrower? or have a different offset?

I know there will be plenty of responses to say drive it there and back but I want to weigh up the different options.

Any help gratefully received.
Kev

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Thanks Molly will see what restrictions that train shows up on the internet.

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No where near the restrictions on that one as there is on the Livorno one but thanks for the suggestion Molly.

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The Auto Slaap site is very good but in the literature it states a maximum width from outside edge of wheel to outside edge of wheel of 1.85m and my measurement as best as i can get is 1.86m. While 10mm isn't much difference I was hoping to find out if there is any tolerance on their measurement. Logic says there must be or else people would be taking out wheel rims all the time but someones personal experience would put my mind at rest on the matter.

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Hi James

From the booking confirmation form max sizes are:-

2.13m wide
1.85m outside of wheel to outside of wheel
1.55m high standard
1.55m to 1.68m high on request (only a few spaces per train for the extra height)

Hope that helps.
Kev

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Hi Molly

A lot more civilised as its about an 20 hour journey. Cars go onto open double decker transport carriages and are locked into place using bars infront of and behind the wheels between rails set into the carriage floor.
Passengers have choice of seats or compartments with seats that convert into beds, restaurant on board for evening meal, breakfast, bar etc.
Arrive in Livorno offload car and enjoy Italy.

Chunnel is very useful for the short hop to France though.

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James
I am working on the fact that the wheel to wheel measurement must have some tolerance built in as it must be for getting between the rails on the carriage and I can't see them being set at the 1.85m or else most people would be running over the rails while driving along the carriage.
The video on their web site shows a 911 turbo waiting to board and they are about as wide as the Vantage.

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Hi Jonnie
According to my measurements the Vantage is 1.855 to 1.86 metres wide tyre edge to tyre edge. Overall width gives around 150mm clearance.
Will find out early July if I have made a mistake, hoping not.

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Hi Dave
The Autoslaap site shows a 911 Turbo waiting to go on board so am hoping not to have a problem but we will see.

It is quite expensive but it gives more time for actually exploring around Tuscany rather than driving through France which we have done a lot.
It works out about the same cost as driving down there once fuel, hotels, food etc are taken into account.

[Laser Sag]

Autoslaap do air line style evening meal and rolls for breakfast as standard but you can book a meal in the restaurant if desired

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IanV12VR said:

Anyone got any idea of the unloading procedure? On Le Shuttle you drive on and drive off. Just looked at the video on the Autoslaap sire and it looks like you reverse off? Not sure I fancy that if there is so little leeway for error. You would need to make sure you were the last one on the carriage. Any experience?

Not sure on that one, their FAQs section says it is usually first on first off. Wonder if they also take them off from the rear of the train at the same time to make it a bit quicker.

[Laser Sag]

Be interesting to hear thanks, wonder if they will comment on the width of the Vantage.

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Interesting reading Ian, I need to get 2 of my wheels refurbed, think I will leave it until after the trip to Italy now.

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No update William but I will be back by the 25th so will let you know how it goes on the Autoslaap.

Edited by Laser Sag on Friday 20th June 17:13

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W1111AM said:

Crazy, I am getting on the train as you get off on the 25th . We board between 12-2pm!

If I know anything about the German's, I bet their DB Bahn trains are superior to the Autoslaap (anyway, what type of name is that, can't be a fetish train service to Italy can it ? I shall look for your smile to reveal the secrets!

Hi William

Back by the 25th in this instance means back on the 20th so my smile or lack of will have been on here as feedback for a few days before you set off.

[Laser Sag]

So after an eventful trip, another thread was started on my clutch problems, I can say that you would have to be a much better driver than me not to take out a rim when loading/ unloading at Livorno.
Denbosch is fine as apart from one carriage everything is in a straight line and although tight it is manageable. However if you are at the back end of the carriages for disembarkation(2nd off for me luckily) or when loading at Livorno then as the track is on a curve I would say it is almost impossible to avoid hitting the nearside front on each carriage.
I'm glad I left the refurb until after the trip!!!!
You might get away with it if you can get someone to act as your eyes at the front of the car but I think it would take an age to get on or off that way.

Also noted they had trouble with broken rear screens on several of the vehicles on the upper deck on both the Friday and Saturday journeys, they said pressure in the tunnels but am more inclined towards vandals with air rifles or similar.

So best bet is first 4 or 5 cars on at DenBosch(first carriage off at Livorno so straight) and last four or five on at Livorno(carriage nearest loading dock so no curve to contend with)
By the way if you are first car on at DenBosch then be prepared to wash the used toilet paper off your car at the other end, toilets discharge straight onto to the track at the back of the carriages.

As an overall experience it wasn't perhaps up to the standards I was expecting, think 30 plus year old rolling stock, food in the restaurant was good but if using both ways go for fish one way and meat the other or you get exactly the same meal on both trips (bit boring).
Air con was not very effective except in the restaurant car which made for a very hot return trip in particular, staff are very helpful and efficient and do their best to make up for any shortcomings.

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W1111AM said:

Thanks so much for the heads-up, I am travel on Friday, DenBosch to Alessandria - looking forward to that now
Luckily I will have my track wheels fitted not my HRE's
so with your advice, my plan is: 4th car on, lower level on train, take my own food
The way back, we are going with the German DB Bahn from Innsbruck to Dusseldorf (I know the Germans are great at trains so fingers crossed this will be a better experience...)

William you should be fine as I say all the boarding at DenBosch looked to be straight, can't comment on Alessandria unfortunately. You should be put on the lower level automatically so that won't be a problem.
If I did it again I would take a decent cold bag with what I class as a good French picnic in it ie half a chicken, bread, wine, cheese(not for me though)ham, beer etc as it would make a fine way to while away several hours. Don't let them see your alcholol though as that is a no no, take some milk as well, their coffee is OK but that powdered milk is not.
Be interesting to read your thoughts on the German train.
And of course hope you have a good time, we did even without the Vantage for a couple of days.

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IanV12VR said:

Thanks Kevin. Some very useful tips and thanks again for sharing.

No problem at all, I probably haven't covered everything so if anyone does have any questions then please ask away.

Ian is the V12 the same width as the V8 edge of wheel to edge of wheel?

Edited by Laser Sag on Monday 21st July 19:07

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W1111AM said:

Many thanks Kevin for the great advice. We are doing exactly as you recommended - taking a cool bag with yummy goodies and maybe a little alcoholic beverage! Maybe even take a live chicken so we can cause distraction to the guards by letting it lose in the train - we can then have a glass of wine

Like your thinking William, have a great time, reaction to the Vantage and the TVR T350 we travelled with was great where ever we went.

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Sorry to hear that William, had hoped you get straight track at allessandria.
I did think that some carriages seemed to have a wider gap when returning but just thought it was me.
Perhaps if there is an aston trip organised they could use the wider ones solely.