Experience of Auto Train (not Motorail)

[kryten22uk]

Anyone used Auto Train in France with a fezza before? This is the service whereby you don’t travel with your car, not the Motorail which has sleeper cabins for the passengers (which is now discontinued anyway).

Phoned up just now to enquire on a booking, and they wont take my booking as they said the F430 is too wide. Thought many people used this thing before.

[hy789]

where's the best place to find deets about routes, costs and stuff?

[kryten22uk]

This is really annoying. On the english booking phone line, its a rigid case of computer-says-no, but on the french website the limiting dimensions are (with F430 dims in brackets):

Total Width 2500mm (1923mm)
Wheel Track 1850mm (1670mm)
Clearance 100mm (unsure)



For info:
French Site http://www.voyages-sncf.com/services-train/auto-tr...
French Dimensions: http://www.voyages-sncf.com/design/leisure/css/pag...

English version: http://www.tgv-europe.com/en/Train/Passenger_servi...

[number 46]

Tried to go down to Nice via the French Autorail (a friend told me the rolling stock is very old and tired/dirty) but was told my 456 was too wide, I did however use the AutoZug from Dusseldorf to Verona and although it was a tight fit (they had to use wooden blocks under the tyres on one side because of the narrow inside lip of the wagon ramps) the car survived there and back.

[kryten22uk]

I have emailed them with website links to the SNCF restrictions and the official Ferrari dimensions, so will see what comes of it.

[kryten22uk]

SNCF refuse to take the F430 is the final word. They say that the outside track of the wheels should be less than 1.85m, and that my measurement is from mid wheel.

I wont argue it any further. Will just have to look at maybe the Dutch one from s'Hertogenbosch instead.

[bertie]

Friend of mine tried to take his Range Rover Sport, denied, too big, so he suggested they would use his wifes VW Tiguan....denied, too big.

He had to borrow a car to go in, how crap is that!