Let the train take the strain?

[BigMig]

Hi all, I'm planning a trip and am seeking advice from the combined wisdom of my fellow forum members.

We have a vague plan to take the Aston with us on or honeymoon next year as we'd like to tour around southern France, into Italy and possible Switzerland. Aside from asking for a few must see places to stop and visit, I'm wondering if anyone has experience of using the motorail to ship their car down through Europe?
There seem to be routes from Paris to Nice, and also between Dusseldorf and Verona (which might be useful for the way back). The idea is to keep a few miles off the car. I know it's a sacralidge and we should be driving all of it, but having owned the car for 18 months we've already put 11k on it and seen a fairly hefty depreciation in return. Also some of the driving through France is a little...comment dit? dull.

So anyway, does anyone have experince of motorail, i.e. how easy is it, does the car come out on scathed at the other end, and would you trust them with your Aston?

[Ken Figenus]

I just got stung £100 by Sanef for the peage running Calais to Nice to Monte to Italy. Terrible value for some utterly dull driving often plagued by 100bhp skinny tyred idiots on your arse at 90mph. Two negatives there! Worth having a look at the train mate - sorry have no experience personally but if you could cover 600 'means to an end' miles in 7 hours...

[avinalarf]

I am also interested in a similar project.

[RobDown]

http://www.seat61.com/Motorail.htm#.V64oRpBHmK0

I keep looking at this too, website above looks quite useful

Big problem seems to be cost (and services beng discontinued)

[LordBretSinclair]

Be very careful and do your homework about the width between the guide rails on the carriages. Some friends went down to Livorno and it was almost impossible to get your car onto the carriage without kerbing the alloys

[J12KJR]

LordBretSinclair said:

Be very careful and do your homework about the width between the guide rails on the carriages. Some friends went down to Livorno and it was almost impossible to get your car onto the carriage without kerbing the alloys

I did the Autoslaap train(now no longer going I believe)in my Vantage V8 and yes the gap between the fixing rails is only 40mm wider than the distance between the outside edges of the wheels.
Manageable at Hertogenbosch which is straight track but when loading at Livorno the carriages were on a curve and the rails did a good number on the alloys which didn't matter too much as they already needed refurbing.

Check the dimensions very carefully before parting with your money.

[kbooker]

A friend has done it (he wasn't overly impressed) and I've looked into it on more than one occasion, I always come to the conclusion it's more trouble than its worth...

[IanV12VR]

I don't know how true this is but I have heard that if you use the motorrail through France you do not travel on the same train as your car and meet it at your destination. That means the loading/unloading of the car is done by others. If that is correct I wouldn't be prepared to even consider it - mind you I wouldn't even use the Livorno train as I chose to meet the others on the trip in Livorno having taken the ferry to Santander and driven across the South of France - much more fun!!

[Stickyfinger]

Pay a known good driver to take it down for you ?

[Big Ry]

I hear what you're saying about miles on the car, but come on, that's why you bought it in the first place. Personally I'd say bks to it, drive the whole trip and enjoy it.

Too many people seem terrified about resale and miles, but for me you're a long time dead. If you end up a couple of grand worse off come trade in is that really life changing when compared to the experience you'd have had ?

I appreciate we're all different, but if this trend continues we'll all end up like Fezza owners, terrified to use them

[AMDBSVNick]

Big Ry said:

I hear what you're saying about miles on the car, but come on, that's why you bought it in the first place. Personally I'd say bks to it, drive the whole trip and enjoy it.

Too many people seem terrified about resale and miles, but for me you're a long time dead. If you end up a couple of grand worse off come trade in is that really life changing when compared to the experience you'd have had ?

I appreciate we're all different, but if this trend continues we'll all end up like Fezza owners, terrified to use them

Totally agree but it is an incredibly boring drive to the South of France, or back. A load of us here did the Monaco Historic this year and we are seriously considering putting the cars on a transporter for 2018. Perhaps there are companies that will do individual cars on a transporter where you share the costs?

[arp489j]

Consider bypassing France altogether? I take the Harwich - Hook ferry overnight and they will put you on the lower deck if you ask. Then head over to Germany before going South at whatever speed you fancy and no toll charges, or idiots. The Germans appreciate nice cars, unlike the French. Then choose which side of Lake Constance you prefer but I take the Austrian side then the San Bernardino pass instead of the tunnel. Then down through the lakes which are stunning before heading down to Genoa. From there you could turn right and head to France if you feel the desperate urge to, but I don't. Instead turn left and do Tuscany, Umbria and the Marche. Awesome roads and lovely people, food, wine, etc. Car is a boggo standard fast track tungsten silver 4.7 V8V which I am still totally in love with after 3 years of ownership. Just my personal recommendation...

RB

[BigMig]

Thanks for all the comments. I've just looked up the dimensions for the Dusseldorf Verona train, max track width of 185cm, which by my reckoning (and tape measure) makes it 2cm too narrow for the Vantage, so I guess that's a non-starter.

I hear what your saying Big Ry, as I said I've already put over 11k on my car in 18 months so I'm not afraid to use it. It's just ticked over 60k total which I guess spooked me a little. But I think I've realised this being my dream car I should just get on with enjoying it and drive it without worrying about the miles.

arp489j I'll have a look at route, sounds good. Any recommendations on places in the Lakes (Como maybe) to stay, and also Genoa?

[hornbaek]

I believe that the car train is no longer available due to lack of investment and demand. The alternative, if you do not want to drive the distance is to get firms like OnTime to take your car to your chosen destination. I pay about 1000 pounds for London - Kitzbuhel for an old-timer in a covered trailer/hanger and have always enjoyed great service.

[B4rnst4ble]

I am just back from 4 nights and 2500miles and 7 alpine passes around france, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, the drive down to Italy was via reims and the last day was leitchenstein and back which is a long slog but worth it! did it in my exige v6 for the soft top but wished it was in the 9, included in the group was a db9.2 colbalt blue which looked amazing

[Ken Figenus]

BigMig said:

I hear what your saying Big Ry, as I said I've already put over 11k on my car in 18 months so I'm not afraid to use it. It's just ticked over 60k total which I guess spooked me a little. But I think I've realised this being my dream car I should just get on with enjoying it and drive it without worrying about the miles.

arp489j I'll have a look at route, sounds good. Any recommendations on places in the Lakes (Como maybe) to stay, and also Genoa?

Hundreds of motorway miles are the dullest use of the car and no part of any adventure so I get you but other solutions really prove difficult. Try to prioritise Autobahns and slower but more interesting routes rather than 66mph Swiss motorways or 2 hours of 5mph queues for tunnels maybe...go over the top!

We just did 2500 miles around Europe - stayed in Hotel Imperial Como which I would recommend (great parking, restaurant and pool on the lake). Took a few shots so you can see it in here (as well as my bug spattered garage queen ) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Nn-0XZoZa8

Edited by Ken Figenus on Tuesday 16th August 12:10