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Popular European night train connecting major cities suspended just eight months after launching
We reveal Sun Travel's favourite train journeys from around the world
A TRAIN operator in Europe has been forced to suspend several of its night train services because of infrastructure work on the railway line.
The Austrian operator ÖBB has chosen to halt sleeper train services between Paris and Berlin, just eight months after the route first started.
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Services between Vienna and Brussels will also be impacted because of renovation work taking place in both France and Germany.
The work, which is already underway according to RailTech, will be taking place along the Epernay–Château-Thierry section of the French railway.
Meanwhile, in Germany infrastructure work is happening between Halle and Eisenach along the Berlin-Mannheim Line.
The Austrian operator ÖBB told RailTech: "Despite intensive efforts by our partners, some Nightjet connections cannot be offered during the period from 12 August to 25 October 2024 due to extensive construction work in Germany and France.
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"This affects the Vienna-Paris, Berlin-Paris, and Brussels connections."
Instead of trying to run its service around the work taking place, ÖBB decided to suspend its routes until work is complete.
This is because alternate routes would likely cause further delays and greater inconvenience for its passengers.
ÖBB added: "In order to avoid unexpected train cancellations, delays, and inconvenience for our customers, we unfortunately must temporarily suspend the operation of some Nightjet lines."
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Tickets haven't been sold for any of the trains affected by the suspension.
Connections between Vienna and Brussels have also been suspended while the work takes place.
Top 5 Picturesque Train Journeys in Europe
NEW SLEEPER SERVICES
Even though ÖBB has been forced to halt some of its sleeper train services, there are plenty of other routes popping up around Europe.
Earlier this year, ÖBB announced the launch of three new sleeper trains departing from Munich, Salzburg or Vienna to top destinations in Italy.
Passengers can choose to visit Bologna, Florence, or Rome on the sleeper services.
These new sleeper services are set to come into force on September 10, 2024.
Meanwhile, a new sleeper train is set to begin operating from Brussels to the Italian Alps next year.
Train operator European Sleeper plans to run a 15-hour overnight train from Brussels to the Austrian and Italian Alps.
They hope the seasonal service will attract skiers and snowboarders from the UK.
And a new sleeper service is set to run between Lisbon and Madrid, linking the two cities for the first time in a decade.
The news comes after prime ministers in both countries endorsed plans to improve cross-border rail connections.
A train service, which was operated by Renfe, used to link the two capitals until the route was scrapped in 2020.
The route is slated to be fully operational by 2034 - marking 14 years since the two countries were connected by a direct rail service.
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Sun Travel's favourite train journeys in the world
Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
"After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass." - Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
"Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you're whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too - as you'll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way." Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
"Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord." - Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
"From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond." - Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
"The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city's high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I've witnessed anywhere." - Ryan Gray
It comes after news that two cities in Europe could soon be linked by a direct train service for the first time in over a decade.
Meanwhile, a new train route has relaunched in Europe - and it connects three countries along the way.
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