The Scottish government’s transport delivery body has begun examining the possibility of launching direct overnight passenger services between Scotland and destinations in continental Europe. Transport Scotland announced on August 4 that a working group had convened for the first time to oversee a feasibility study into a potential direct Caledonian Sleeper service to mainland Europe.

The proposed service would build on the existing overnight trains that connect various Scottish destinations with London Euston. Since June 2023, the Caledonian Sleeper operation has been managed in-house by Scottish Rail Holdings, a business owned by the devolved government, following the conclusion of the previous operating contract with Serco.

The working group includes representatives from Transport Scotland, Scottish Rail Holdings, and Caledonian Sleeper. Its remit is to guide the development of a high-level feasibility study that will explore the technical and commercial opportunities, as well as the challenges, associated with extending services to the continent.

The initiative stems from a commitment made by the Scottish government during its most recent election campaign. Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism & Transport Stephen Flynn said: ‘We are committed to exploring the potential for a direct Caledonian Sleeper service to mainland Europe. The establishment of this working group marks an important first step in delivering that commitment, and will help ensure the feasibility study is informed by the expertise of our rail partners.’

Flynn emphasised that this is an early-stage exercise. The study will focus on understanding the practical, technical, and commercial considerations involved. The findings are expected to provide an evidence base to inform any future decisions, with the working group reporting to Scottish ministers later this year.

The prospect of direct night train links between continental Europe and Scotland was previously raised in 2023, when French start-up Midnight Trains floated a possible Paris – Edinburgh service. However, the company’s ambition to launch a pan-European sleeping car network proved too ambitious, and it ceased trading in June 2024.

Since the Channel Tunnel opened in 1994, regional policymakers and rail advocates have repeatedly aspired to introduce direct international passenger trains to and from UK cities other than London. Yet the practical hurdles to operating such services, whether in day or overnight configuration, have consistently proven too high for prospective operators to clear cost-effectively.

A fleet of purpose-built rolling stock procured by British Rail to operate international overnight trains between various UK cities and continental Europe never entered service. After the project was abandoned, the completed and part-built vehicles were subsequently sold to VIA Rail Canada.

A key barrier is the UK’s strict approach to immigration and security, which has to date prevented domestic passengers from being carried on the British leg of any international journey. Operators have also been required to provide fully secure ‘airside’ rolling stock depot provision and juxtaposed border control processes at stations. These conditions have acted as a recurring brake on the expansion of Channel Tunnel passenger services beyond the network currently provided by Eurostar, which has itself shrunk considerably since the pandemic.

According to railwaygazette.com, the working group’s establishment marks a significant step in assessing whether a direct Caledonian Sleeper service to mainland Europe is viable. The study will need to address the substantial technical and regulatory challenges that have historically hindered such cross-border rail initiatives.

The Scottish government’s commitment to exploring this option reflects a broader interest in enhancing international rail connectivity. However, the feasibility study will need to demonstrate that the operational and commercial obstacles can be overcome before any concrete plans are developed.

As the working group begins its work, the rail industry will be watching closely to see whether Scotland can succeed where previous attempts have failed. The findings, expected later this year, will be crucial in determining the future of direct overnight rail services between Scotland and Europe.