MotorRail in Europe - anyone used it?

[Pugsey]

Thought it might be a handy way of avoiding a fair chunk of miles next year when I fancy taking the car further down into Italy than I have done so far. Concerned about it being suitable (ramps, width, general risk of damage etc) for 'our' types of cars - mine being a 430 btw. Any views, experiences advice much appreciated guys. Experiences with Chunnel always been very good - getting directed on to single level deck etc - so hopefully similar?

[Davey S2]

We took a sleeper train from Northern France down to the South a few years ago on a Ferrari Owners Club European tour and the cars were fine.

The Testarossa's were a little tight given the fact they are the automotive equivalent of J-Lo but a 430 would be fine.

The organisers checked with the operatos beforehand and apparently even an F40 would have been ok (the car didnt go on the trip though unfortunately)

[F355GTS]

Did he same one as Davey above (well on the way back ) also did Calais to Bologna and back, Car was fine but filthy. Food is pretty average but cabins are OK

take a look at http://www.railsavers.com/ for availability

[MogulBoy]

http://www.dbautozug.de/site/dbautozug/en/booking/...book/findbook.html

Quite extensive options within Germany too (although you'll presumably want to do a bit of autohbahn!) and from various places in Germany to a couple of places in Italy...

[Pugsey]

Cheers guys - I'll do a bit more research

F355 - like Mike360 I'm a bit confused. Do you mean car was filthy as it was open to the elements? Or was it worse than it should have been for some reason?

Edited by Pugsey on Monday 5th November 20:23

[bad company]

Pugsey

I was on the same tour as F355 & Davey. I have used motor rail several times - mainly taking a TVR but on that tour I had an F360 Spider.

When you book they say that you need more ground clearance than a Ferrari will have but when you get there that can be dealt with. I had to get Mrs BC to drive the car onto the train as I would never have been able to open the door wide enough to get out! Make sure you take something to put against the door to 'cushion' your exit.

The cars are outside and yes they can get dirty but no more than if you drove all those miles on the motorways.

Edited by bad company on Tuesday 6th November 12:47

[Pugsey]

bad company said:

Pugsey

I was on the same tour as F355 & Davey. I have used motor rail several times - mainly taking a TVR but on that tour I had an F360 Spider.

When you book they say that you need more ground clearance than a Ferrari will have but when you get there that can be dealt with. I had to get Mrs BC to drive the car onto the train as I would never have been able to open the door wide enough to get out! Make sure you take something to put against the door to 'cushion' your exit.

The cars are outside and yes they can get dirty but no more than if you drove all those miles on the motorways.

Edited by bad company on Tuesday 6th November 12:47

Thanks BC - will prob give it a try next spring. What does 'dealt with' re ground clearance mean. I hope it doesn't involve lumps of wood etc.!

[paul0843]

used motorail few years back from calais to nice...very slow...very uncomfortable...never again.would reccomend services of english company based near st.tropez s of france...they advertise in classic car and octane mags...we send few cars on trailer and cost worked out reasonable..i am sure you can agree reasonable fee with him as his allways going to and fro...then jus easy jet in...

[F308 MAN]

hi paul .... we're about to book eight cars on the nice - calais service, for next summer.
can you please expand on the problems you sufferred ?
d

paul0843 said:

used motorail few years back from calais to nice...very slow...very uncomfortable...never again. ....

[johnfm]

Why don't you just drive it - to avoid putting miles on the clock? What's the point of owning it?

[Pugsey]

johnfm said:

Why don't you just drive it - to avoid putting miles on the clock? What's the point of owning it?

Thanks for you constructive comment on my OP! You've taken careful aim and fired.................sadly at the wrong target. Got my 430 a little less than four months ago and have now done 5,000 miles - including 2,500 miles in ten days through France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Done many, many similar trips in previous cars too.It just so happens that next year I want to tour much further south in Italy but I a) only have so much time to spend on these juants so thought whistling the car down to the start of my holiday route proper would save time and b) hacking down through France and northern Italy non stop just to start my holiday might take the edge of things a bit - after all I've driven round those areas many times already. But of course you weren't to know that were you? For the record I never worry about putting miles on my cars - that's what they're for and I do know 'the point' of owning them ta ever so. I suspect others on here will tell you the same too.

Oh, currently looking at shipping my car out to SA for a months holiday next year - I suppose you'd prefer I drove all the way there too!

[lanby]

Pugsey said:

Oh, currently looking at shipping my car out to SA for a months holiday next year - I suppose you'd prefer I drove all the way there too!

Definately - might need a bit longer than a month though

[johnfm]

Pugsey said:

johnfm said:

Why don't you just drive it - to avoid putting miles on the clock? What's the point of owning it?

Thanks for you constructive comment on my OP! You've taken careful aim and fired.................sadly at the wrong target. Got my 430 a little less than four months ago and have now done 5,000 miles - including 2,500 miles in ten days through France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Done many, many similar trips in previous cars too.It just so happens that next year I want to tour much further south in Italy but I a) only have so much time to spend on these juants so thought whistling the car down to the start of my holiday route proper would save time and b) hacking down through France and northern Italy non stop just to start my holiday might take the edge of things a bit - after all I've driven round those areas many times already. But of course you weren't to know that were you? For the record I never worry about putting miles on my cars - that's what they're for and I do know 'the point' of owning them ta ever so. I suspect others on here will tell you the same too.

Oh, currently looking at shipping my car out to SA for a months holiday next year - I suppose you'd prefer I drove all the way there too!

Well, that's put me in my place then!!

I tell you what, to make up for my impudence just let me know when and where you need the car and I'll drive it down for you!!

[Pugsey]

johnfm said:

Pugsey said:

johnfm said:

Why don't you just drive it - to avoid putting miles on the clock? What's the point of owning it?

Thanks for you constructive comment on my OP! You've taken careful aim and fired.................sadly at the wrong target. Got my 430 a little less than four months ago and have now done 5,000 miles - including 2,500 miles in ten days through France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. Done many, many similar trips in previous cars too.It just so happens that next year I want to tour much further south in Italy but I a) only have so much time to spend on these juants so thought whistling the car down to the start of my holiday route proper would save time and b) hacking down through France and northern Italy non stop just to start my holiday might take the edge of things a bit - after all I've driven round those areas many times already. But of course you weren't to know that were you? For the record I never worry about putting miles on my cars - that's what they're for and I do know 'the point' of owning them ta ever so. I suspect others on here will tell you the same too.

Oh, currently looking at shipping my car out to SA for a months holiday next year - I suppose you'd prefer I drove all the way there too!

Well, that's put me in my place then!!

I tell you what, to make up for my impudence just let me know when and where you need the car and I'll drive it down for you!!

Good - I should think so too!

Re your kind offer, naturally I'll give it all the consideration it deserves..............

[bad company]

Pugsey said:

bad company said:

Pugsey

I was on the same tour as F355 & Davey. I have used motor rail several times - mainly taking a TVR but on that tour I had an F360 Spider.

When you book they say that you need more ground clearance than a Ferrari will have but when you get there that can be dealt with. I had to get Mrs BC to drive the car onto the train as I would never have been able to open the door wide enough to get out! Make sure you take something to put against the door to 'cushion' your exit.

The cars are outside and yes they can get dirty but no more than if you drove all those miles on the motorways.

Edited by bad company on Tuesday 6th November 12:47

Thanks BC - will prob give it a try next spring. What does 'dealt with' re ground clearance mean. I hope it doesn't involve lumps of wood etc.!

Err yes -similar lumps of wood they use to get low cars onto the ferries. it's really not a problem although the train ride is uncomfortable. The plus side is that you miss the dull French motorways and get to the fun twisty bits ready for action

[ehasler]

I'm looking at doing something similar next year, and didn't really fancy the MotorRail so have found someone who will transport up to 5 cars in a fully enclosed car transporter. I was quoted £750+ VAT per car from London down to Lake Como, and it means you can just hop on a plane and meet your car at whatever destination you choose.

http://www.ajexhibitions.com

[Pugsey]

ehasler said:

I'm looking at doing something similar next year, and didn't really fancy the MotorRail so have found someone who will transport up to 5 cars in a fully enclosed car transporter. I was quoted £750+ VAT per car from London down to Lake Como, and it means you can just hop on a plane and meet your car at whatever destination you choose.

http://www.ajexhibitions.com

Cheers mate - like that idea. Will give them a shout. Certainly look good if their website is anything to go by.

[d8ean]

sorry for bringing this back to life, any updates on either services....?
cheers

[mike360]

[quote=PugseyOh, currently looking at shipping my car out to SA for a months holiday next year - I suppose you'd prefer I drove all the way there too!;)
[/quote]


Did you ship it too south africa? and if so how much was the cost and how long did it take

[456mgt]

This is a thread I have bookmarked http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... Fair bit of info, and more importantly, pictures. An alternative, as suggested earlier, is to have the car transported across. These guys are contracted by Porsche Reading and are very good indeed. I now use them for all my logistics:

Lorraine Logan
best-log Ltd
Unit 2
Rutland Way
Chichester
West Sussex
PO19 7RT
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
email: [e-mail]