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Hmmm -- reminescent of the Orient Exprees sequence in James Bond - "From Russia With Love"
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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From a review of the Rail Europe site, it appears that there is no longer any First Class Sleeper (Wagon-Lit) offered between Paris and Argeles-sur-Mer (I have passed through there); therefore the family had to be traveling in a Couchette. As I recall from my one (and hopefully only) ride in a Couchette, Madrid to Sevilla, in this life, there are no locks and people will come and go from such during all hours (my ostensibly reserved Wagon Lit Single Bedroom simply "wasn't"). In short, the tale is believable.
Geoff Mayo Member # 153
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GBN, reality check time. Those sleepers DO have security locks on the doors which cannot even be opened with a staff key. Yes they can be shared if you so wish (you can equally ask not to, as long as you book it properly so). They DO have first class as well as standard class cabins.
Been there, done it just a few years ago on the same route as this family.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Who am I Mr. Mayo, who has not set foot on the European continent since 1990, to dispute your statement? However, when I was ushered into my Couchette somewhere past Midnight (hoping that someone booked in the Wagon Lit would be a no show while sitting atop my bags in the vestibule of such, or otherwise stuff I'm just not about to go through again at my age), I do not recall the door being unlocked on this RENFE version of a Couchette car.
But if Mr. Mayo's statement stands, then there could a little smell of fish regarding the tale.
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