Else Beekman
European Sleeper aims to launch its much-anticipated night train service between Amsterdam and Barcelona by 2026. Originally slated for 2025, the project faced delays due to complications with the French railway network operator, SNCF Réseau.
Chris Engelsman, co-founder of European Sleeper, remains optimistic about the new route. “Progress is being made step by step, but we’ve heard from other companies that working with SNCF Réseau is difficult,” he said. Engelsman attributes the delays partly to the conservative approach SNCF takes in scheduling night time railway maintenance. “They plan many works that don’t always happen. They’re playing it safe, but this limits the possibility of night trains.”
EU support boosts optimism
Despite the challenges, Engelsman believes the backing of the European Commission is crucial. The Amsterdam-Barcelona route was selected as one of ten pilot projects aimed at improving European passenger transport. While the projects don’t receive financial support, they do benefit from political and administrative backing. “This support makes it easier to bring infrastructure managers together,” Engelsman said. Without this assistance, the launch of the Barcelona route would likely face even more significant delays.
Issues beyond France
In addition to the French hurdles, there are logistical challenges, such as the need for suitable train carriages. “We need 30 to 35 good carriages, and we’re working on it. But they may still need to be renovated,” Engelsman noted.
Potential 2025 start
Although 2026 seems likely, Engelsman hasn’t ruled out a late 2025 start for the Amsterdam-Barcelona service. “As soon as we can, we’ll start. The sooner, the better,” he said. The night train will begin in Amsterdam, passing through Brussels and Lille, before reaching its final destination in Barcelona.
In addition, European Sleeper plans to launch a winter sports night train to Venice in early 2025. That service will run from Brussels via Rotterdam, Utrecht, Munich, Innsbruck, and Bolzano to Venice, with ticket sales beginning on September 24, 2024.
European Sleeper’s success
Currently, European Sleeper operates a night train connecting Brussels, Rotterdam, The Hague, Amsterdam, and Amersfoort to Dresden, Berlin, and Prague. By the end of August, the company had welcomed its 100,000th passenger, running three times a week, with reduced services during the low season.