The “Night Ferry” being loaded to cross the English Channel. The
“Night Ferry” was the first, and until the opening of the
Channel Tunnel the only, through train from London to Paris. The
train was made up of sleeping cars provided by the CIWL
(Companie Internationale des Wagon-lits or International
Sleeping Car Company) of “Orient Express” fame. (Left) The Duke
and Duchess of Windsor used both the “Night Ferry” and the
“Golden Arrow” – they didn’t like flying. Dogs substituted for
children. The train used the newly constructed Train Ferry Dock
at Dover and one of the three specially constructed train
ferries, built by the Southern Railway to ferry the sleeping
cars across the Channel to Dunkirk while their occupants
(hopefully) slept. The “Night Ferry” arrive at Victoria during
the 1960s – approaching the end of the run. The first train left
London Victoria Station at 10pm on 14th October 1936 and arrived
at Paris Gare du Nord at 8:55am the next morning. The first
return journey left Paris at 9:50pm on 15th