car train

[Johan atsma]

From Amsterdam I'm planning a trip tru the alps with my Caterham and want to take the Motorail from Dusseldorf to Innsbruck. On their website is mentioned that it takes a minimum clearance from the bottom of the car and the bottom of the train carriage of at least 11 cm. My caterham reaches only 9 cm where the sump is at the oil plug. Is this a big problem? any experiences?

[SM25T]

I prefer to drive our Caterham from the UK to Switzerland .... Austria and Italy. Rather than consider a train. 11cm would be a big problem for a Caterham.

[scorcher]

I think you'll find that Johan is asking about possible ramp and sump problems. Seems sensible to ask the train people direct would be my plan.

[Jonathan Kay]

I can't find anything in the archives for that route. But clearance was noted as a major problem on the French trains.

Do we know anyone local?

Jonathan

[Nick Chan]

We had considered the Dusseldorf-Innsbruck motorail for our sevens a few years ago when we last went to do the Stelvio trip but were put off by 1) clearance required to get across the ramp on/off the train, 2) someone else having to load our cars for us and 3) open carriages and possible risk of damage/theft en-route.  So we had a road trip and drove down which was fine but a bit of a 2 day slog.

Speaking to Caterham friends subsequently who have used the same motorail for this route, none of them had any problems at all and had a very enjoyable (overnight) trip after dinner in Dusseldorf. Obviously not a full endorsement but I think we will be happy to book on to the train when we head that way again.

Thanks

Nick

[F355GTS]

Nick, for info when I've used them in the past with the Ferraris the clearance has not been an issue and they always let us load them ourselves. They are open trucks and whilst theft from cars should be considered the cars also get very dirty from general dirt and grime, plus when we went it was a Diesel engine that pumped out black soot/ oil over the cars!

[SM25T]

I hear the brake dust from the train also coats the cars in the tunnels. If you don't wash it off on arrival ... in hot weather it can be very difficult to remove later.

[Johan atsma]

Thanks for reacting, with this info and seeing Some pictures on the wordwideweb of the train I think i gave iT a go....I Will keep you informed

[SM25T]

Hope you have a great trip.

[Jonathan Kay]

Have fun, and please take lots of photos of the loading, the clearance... and any dirt.

Jonathan

[Brian Deacon]

I have used the Den Boche to Alexandria train (Dutch and did not run in 2016) and the French Paris to Nice train.  Both in an MG rather than the 7 but the low ground clearance limit still applies.  On both trips we loaded and unloaded the car ourselves, taking responsibility for any damage. I have heard of the staff using a rolling 100mm block under cars and refusing some.   Could try increasing the tyre pressure before getting to the station !  

[Johan atsma]

Had a great trip. I did not have any problems getting on and off the train and had a pleasurable journey to Innsbruck! Loaded and unloaded the car myself, No mentionable dirt on the car as result of the trip. Traveling the alps from cortina d'ampezzo via lake Como, aosta and mont Blanc tunnel to vezelay in france and then up north back to Amsterdam thru the north of france which is Seven Heaven in my opinion:: beautifull roads, sight All around(unlike hedged England!) and virtually no other cars in sight, we loved it!

[Jonathan Kay]

That's good to hear.

I suspect this will be a much more popular choice now that's known.

Jonathan

[anthonym]

any linkys for this/these tickets?

When I have looked at this in the past, the 10cm was (in that case) about the chocking of the wheels, not the loading.

 

for the Paris departures this looks depressing

except it says "Do you have a cabrio or a classic car, please indicate this on the bookingform. These cars will be placed on the bottom deck. The maximum height of a cabrio is 155cm. A soft top is not allowed."