CFR CLASSIC Romanian Sleeper Experience!

This week, we take a first look at the Romanian national operator, CFR Călători and what their sleeper trains have to offer!
Date of Travel: October 2021
Class of Travel: Solo Cabin
Rolling Stock:
Type of Service: InterRegio Night
Train Number: r-e 4010/IRN 1642
Origin: Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Destination: Gara Gara București Nord, Bucharest, Romania
Cost of Ticket: 269.05 LEU (£45.95, $63.35, €54.35)
Have a question? Please comment and I will try to provide you with an answer.
A massive thanks to my $5+ Patrons:
Austen McKenna
‪@NonstopEurotrip‬
Anonymous
Grinchy
Lilli Squillace
Matthew Barry
Stephen N Taksler
Andrew Morgan
Ken Malone
Arrival Unknown
Sashreek Dammu
Jean Nelson
Steve Ignots
Thomas Alfred Roell
Kami W
Stephen Kelly
Jean Buckley
Rob Cross
William Malecki
Robert Deuel
Matt Fuller
Christopher Tilley
Welshboy007
Robert Vandiver
John Michael Dornoff
Johannes Urbanski
Frank Schmidt
Gerry Cavanaugh
Wayne Kline
Linda Vainomae-Hoffmann
Dave Manning
Douglas White
duke spencer
Simon Ellison
Josh Powell
Larryvilledude
Ross Payne
Mika Hellbach
brian rosson
John
John Kirkman
Chappers Photography
Wasim Reza
Steve Hornsby
Amanda Robinson
Simon Boendermaker
Peter Harrison
David F. Bird
Steve Brittain
Sxorpion
Adam Evans
Martin Cox
Albert Alcoceba
Kyle Bullen
Anonymous Donor
Link to Patreon: / dylanstravelreports
Join them on Patreon and get AD-FREE early access to all of my content for as little as $1 per month!
Want to tip me? www.paypal.me/dylanstravelrep... (100% of all tips goes towards creating new videos!)
Follow me on Instagram(@dylanstravelreports): / dylanstravelreports
Twitter (@DylanReports): DylanReports?s=09
Facebook (Dylan's Travel Reports): / dylanstravelreports
---------------------------------------
Credits
[1] www.openstreetmap.org under Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL) opendatacommons.org/licenses/... opendatacommons.org/licenses/... opendatacommons.org/licenses/...

[@SH-ly1uy]

These old German sleepers are so vintage. Amazing

[@NerdX151]

I travelled in one of these wonderful sleepers between Copenhagen and Paris back in the 90's. One of the best nights I ever had on a sleeper train.

[@tortellinifettuccine]

My gosh, this train looks quite fun! Normally, I take the modern trains out of straight just luck, I'm assuming, but I LOVE when I get these older ones. They are beautiful, and I love the vintage. The bathroom and the fact it didn't have a/c left something to be wanted, Normally they all have a/c but it's kind of a gamble if it will work or not, if it's an older train anyways. Though I'll be honest, living in the usa for a bit, that bathroom looked NORMAL to me 😂😂😂

[@lorijohnston4311]

That cost is a steal, Dylan! I find the older carriages very charming. You can absolutely picture a Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot climbing aboard.

[@russiandrivers9986]

I travelled a lot around Romania by train. They have a very good network and really good sleeper trains - I always found them to be cheap, clean, modern and comfortable.

[@nivardofloresperez1169]

"Don't feed the Pigeons" sign inside the Cluj Napoca Station?? 😃😄 Interesting Dark Old Train... 👍

[@wkaemena]

I used these cars countless times in Germany during the 70s 80s and 90s .They are still the best . Regarding air conditioning, they do have AC. Maybe it was not in operational conditions like the shower and bathroom. You overlooked a very special feature … under the sink is a little door with gives / gave access to a “pot de chambre” which was flushed with the waste water from the sink.

[@tortellinifettuccine]

Yes! I personally always had ac and heating whenever I took the main train lines in Romania, I'm very happy they use a lot of German stock, truly some fantastic choices.

[@darrishng7674]

Yay! Romania, a country which I have been waiting for when it comes to rail trip reports, is finally here!! It's greatly interesting to know that you have more Romanian content coming up. Thanks a lot! Stay safe and healthy as always Greetings from a train fan in Malaysia

[@DylansTravelReports]

Glad to have featured something you are interested in 😁

[@The4905]

this cabin looks eerily similar to the cars used in the original murder on the orient express

[@SR81K9]

Love your informative voiceovers, definitely the way forward in my opinion. Keep up the good work Dylan 👍

[@dsdonovan]

Such a great experience. Thanks sharing! Seeing more of the town and the historic station was really enjoyable.

[@robb2mus]

I loved absolutely everything about this video. Really well done!

[@pal2011]

They lock off the sleeping car even though you have 3 locks on your door? Also no food on an overnight train and revolting toilet. An interesting experience..

[@massivley]

Love the video , always look forward to watching the next one

[@userofthetube2701]

The steam locomotive at the start of the video is probably a Class 150 freight engine. After WW2 the Romanian railways ordered hundreds of these based on the design of the ubiquitous German Class 50.

[@grannycee8280]

Love the voice-overs Dylan, it makes the videos so personal and so easy to learn new things.

[@paultidd9332]

Thank you for sharing the experience and now I know not to go running to try it! That dim and oppressive lighting and the state of that toilet/bathroom would have finished me off!

[@shirleynitka5030]

you are really stepping up your game. I appreciated the look around before you entered the station. Agreed, I love the old station too. That building could be used in any classy movie. I was surprised to hear that they have a Carrefour. Philadelphia had one over 30 years ago. It didn't last long, but I won a cruise to the Bahama's from them. That train was fantastic. A real step back in time for you. I do agree, they should provide food options & a necessary clean bathroom. That pillow was sad. It's good that it was an overnight journey. I'd be claustrophobic in that little cabin. Were there many other passengers on board? You can't tell in those closed up cabins. One more nice insight into a country I'll most likely never get to see. Happy travelling.

[@tandago7281]

It would be better to do this during the day, as the views are stunning, really! That part between Cluj and Ploiesti cuts across some amazing wild Carpathian areas...

[@tigertie7701]

I enjoy your voice. Thanks for the content ☺️

[@DylansTravelReports]

Pleased to hear 😁

[@dimbus2000]

yet another brilliant video

[@JISJ1964]

I travelled from Buchuresti to Timisoara during the war in Jugoslavia and for the first part of the journey I sat in the compartment together with a dentists student at the university if Buchuresti and when we sat and talked it was the first time she actually had to use her English in "sharp" position, she left the train in Orsova where the heavy shelling from Serbia could be heard across the river Danube. When she left the little girl, about 10 who had been sitting mostly silent thought she could try her luck on the man across and started trying her very basic English too and I saw her grow some five inches when she found out I understood what she was saying and got answers from me. I understood a little of her later conversation with granny who was travelling with her how fascinating she had found it. In those trains I used then I got the same picture as you now, the toilets doesn´t get any love at all. They were still a lot better than those I saw in the Romainian waggons of the Pannonia Express, from (with connection from Athens) Sofia to Warsaw via all the socialist capitals, in September 1990 from Prague to Dresden. the western style toilets had disappeared and the only "toilet" there was was the hole where the "chair" had been.

[@cnycu]

Awesome experience. Thanks for sharing.

[@michaelformaini7053]

G'day Dylan from downunder. Great to see you enjoyed your classic sleeping car train experience in Romania (and only a few weeks ago too - looks like you had a brilliant autumn in that part of Europe). I had a great laugh right at the end when you came to the head house at Bucharest station and encountered "the golden arches" of McDonalds, remembering your recommendation to purchase your overnight food requirements before undertaking this journey. Coincidentally, yesterday (Sat.13th Nov.) was 'Big Mac' day here in Aus. McDonalds is colloquially known as "Maccas" downunder. Cheers from Michael.

[@HumbertoMesa]

Thanks for the trip

[@daveconyard8946]

Thank You Keep Safe.

[@grizzlyx2000]

Old steamers from the Romanian stations were used until the 60's across the entire country. In order to preserve them, all major stations have at least one locomotive displayed on the first track. I recommend Sinaia station to check the modified Volga that you can see from the train. It was used as an escape vehicle in the 50's.

[@user-hd8yx3jf7o]

Grazie per aver condiviso un bel video.

[@UndecoverDeveloper21]

Such a great video. Although I am from Cluj and I have to travel constantly to Bucharest I have never used the sleeping train. I usually go during the day since the scenery is so beautiful (you go through the carpatian mountains). That being said I can’t wait for your next video

[@whyyoulidl]

Nice review Dylan. Like other comments, you've really come in to a league of your own; kinda remind me of my traveling exploits back in the day. Keep it going; hope the subs keep increasing for ya 👍🏿

[@louislegrand2865]

Thanks, Dylan !!! A night train !!! I love them these night trains !!! What a wonderful video !!! It’s happy that you’re in front of us before your trip, it gives the video a lot of conviviality. I love the noise of the trains. It goes without saying that I always wear your T-shirts when I take the train and for outings in the city itself. All train fanatics should buy and wear T-Shirts from your shop, that way we recognize each other on the train, we are on the same team. You are the best trip report channel. You film very well. Thank you very much to you, Dylan !!!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks Louis!

[@neilbowers6956]

Cluj is a lovely place. I spent a week there building houses for Habitat for Humanity in 2006. Nice to see it looking the same.

[@archielewis5030]

Great Video Thanks

[@glynroberts1682]

Nice one enjoyed thanks Dylan 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@DylansTravelReports]

Pleased to hear 😁

[@Davehearne43]

Keep smiling keep up with the good work

[@Prabhakarprabhakar-op2hb]

Awesome 🔥🔥🔥

[@nachiketkejriwal9433]

Dylan I am amazed how upload such quality travel Vlogs every Friday with such less subs keep it up

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@michaellane6724]

Lovely vlog,glad to hear your voice now,seems strange that there were no eating facilities provided on the train and the fact that carriage was locked at night!!!!.looking forward to next vlog

[@tjittekamminga5170]

great nostalgic sleeper!

[@williamgrant9303]

Antothe of your lovely videos, Dylan. This time I have met you, or seen you personally. Thank you so mucho. Willie Grant.

[@5mnz7fg]

I'm glad that this old but still functional rolling stock from Deutsche Bahn gets a second life. Though the neglected bathrooms are a real shame for the Romanian carrier.

[@Clivestravelandtrains]

Very good Dylan, I think your videos are much better with a commentary and historical information. I was enthralled by this, as the only time I have been to Romania was when I drove from Glasgow to Bucharest (and back!) in 1991 to see Romania v Scotland in a European Championship qualifier. In those days there was virtually nothing in Romania - when I checked into a hotel in Cluj the receptionist gave me a light-bulb for the room and inferred that if I failed to hand it back in the morning, I might get shot! Having said that, Romanians were about the freindliest people I'd ever met. Regarding lack of catering, this was the norm in much of Eastern Europe. In 1983 I travelled by train through Yugoslavia and the locals had chickens, loaves of bread, whole cheeses, bottles of wine, etc., which people tended to share around in a giant travelling picnic. It was great for Inter-railers like me on a shoestring budget!

[@raillens725]

Very nice trip report! Greetings from Romania:D

[@yarragongoats]

fantastic work

[@stephanierobb6208]

Great video. I think the value for the sleeper was amazing. I would definitely do that Journey.

[@user-vd2bk3jm8l]

I've just got round to watching this video (I watch 99% of everything you upload) didn't realise you had the same headphones as me, Doqaus! in my opinion the best investment i've ever made haha! Another great video from you

[@unrulyphxntom4397]

Awesome one Dylan

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

thank you

[@nathanwulf]

I love the darkness of the train corridor at night, very atmospheric!

[@TripsonBudget]

Video from Romania. Good. Video from Romania with naration: Best. Great video. Greetings :D

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks 😁

[@lambertwalks5929]

Wonderful video great work

[@vladbvbz]

Love your videos. The steam loco from Cluj was built in western Romania, in Resita, in 1956. Love your clips Really awesome

[@DylansTravelReports]

Ah, nice! Thanks for the info!

[@rociopch4982]

Lol, I was watching the video and when you turned off the light at 07:36 an add came up and it was a lightbulb being switched on 😂 I thought I was still watching your vídeo.

[@lesajohnson8409]

Oh my goodness this one is my favorite. Very private room. Beautiful

[@itsjohndell]

These narrated videos are so, so much better, allows your personality to imbue them with a personal touch rather than just pointing around. Personally if I were on a Romanian sleeper in addition to the three locks I would want Garlic and Wolfbane! PS if you have never seen it, find Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes...fits the video well!

[@chinmaysurve5711]

It was a great video .I always like sleeper train❤️

[@drksoft3882]

BIG LIKE BRO. LOVE ENGLAND AND LONDON ;)

[@zerberus500]

Very cool! 😎✌️

[@louisthetravelspotter]

great video dylan mate i enjoyed the video on the romanian sleeper but to be honest i prefer the caladian sleeper review

[@samwise-_]

Really love these narrated videos, please keep it up 😊

[@d947]

I love long train journey. You have time to enjoy nature and think about your life

[@pedrorubiotejero_aka_prt]

3:59 In Spain, all the Renfe's Class 592 Diesel Trainstock was moved to Portugal recently & all the old carriages of the Arco service (Train services from Hendaye (on the French border with Spain) or Irún (on the Spanish border with France) & Bilbao to the major cities in the region of Galicia) was also moved to Portugal in March 2020, just before the Covid-19 blew up Video's score: 8.6

[@guitarmatt191]

Enjoyed the vid Dylan! And to back up what others have said, I much prefer your narrated videos over captions - they come across as much more personable... 😊

[@pakroomitrains]

Amazing ❤️❤️❤️ very nice 👍👍👍

[@michaelmacdonell4834]

Alone? In a sleeper cabin? In Transylvania? You are a braver man than I! Seriously, it's a really good video, even by your high standards. - It was also nice to see your face. Makes it "human". That fanfare, when you went to look at the waiting area. Also it was very important to include the warning about on-board catering. So many services now have something, even if it's a samovar and an attendant with tea bags. In all, this is another Top Quality Dylan Product!

[@silenthunteruk]

Harker actually does use sleeper trains in the novel.

[@tonymcdonnly6492]

Finally Dylan, you took my advice doing videos in Eastern Europe. What took you so long? 😛 I like the pricing for the ticket but not quite the overnight sleeper. Especially, no food catering service. The sleeper itself didn't appeal to me. Still, for the price you paid, I too would have taken it for an overnight single sleeper. Do a video on the 2nd or 1st class seats on this train. Overall, another good video.

[@ericdanielski4802]

Nice video.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@neville132bbk]

Best described as part of life's rich tapestry.

[@rezaalan3991]

Great trip, And yes on legendary sleeping cars. 12 hours trip without onboard catering is disappointing, but after I see the lighting on the aisle of cars at night, and then they locked the cars for security reasons, and finally arriving very early in the morning, i think on board catering can be optional, but at least they must add some amenities especially water.

[@jsp6780]

Wow, I rode the sleeper train from Cluj to Bucharest in 2001 but I admit, my memory is a little foggy. I do recall at one point the conductor got on the PA and told us we were passing in the area of Castle Bran (Dracula) but we couldn't see it. Being an American, it was quite the experience to see Eastern Europe in this way. Great Video!

[@tandago7281]

It really is a shame that that train doesn't go through the those stunning areas during the day!

[@LHRairside]

I was just in Romania a few weeks ago and also rode the single cabin sleeper from Cluj Napoca but to Iasi instead. What date were you there? I was there on 25th October, you must have been the same day or around that time as I saw the same sunset and clear blue skies. I had also travelled there from the UK. When I first boarded I was amazed at how ancient the train and cabin was, it was like stepping into a museum display, the wooden walls, all the fittings and fixtures... A few things to note that were different on my train was that my cabin had no charging socket, I had a ceramic basin, I only had 2 locks on my door and my ladder steps were carpeted. There was also a shower on my coach and it was actually working but I didn't dare to use it, the toilet/shower room was orange too with black and white tiled floors, right from the 70s. I noticed you didn't get an amenity kit and bottle of water, or did you just not film it? I found the bed to be rather uncomfortable though and the train was noisy and bumpy all night but it was definitely worth it for the experience. Loved the report and great to see these old Romanian sleeper cabins on KZbin. Keep up the great work!

[@philipquick7423]

Could you tell us how much the ticket was from Iasi to Cluj Napoca? Did you buy it in advance?

[@shelaghjackson9577]

Love your train reports. This train is reminiscent of the Edinburgh to London sleeper cars in the 1970’s. In those, you had a potty under the sink instead of using communal ones! They also woke you up an hour before arriving, with a cup of tea and a shortbread biscuit! Close your eyes to go back 50 years.......

[@silenthunteruk]

Those would have been the BR Mark 1 sleepers, of a similar vintage to the type in the video.

[@paulboughen9549]

Nice train Dylan

[@EpicThe112]

Keep it up and if you are wondering the ones that made CFR Class 91 locomotive was the one that made Class 56 001-030🇬🇧.

[@spark_6710]

This was a very interesting video !! And man ! You're so~good & natural at narrating...I wonder why you didn't start it with your vlogs with your narration if you're this good to begin with !! Lol. Until somebody asked you to ! Lol. It was beyond my expectations ,Dylan !! Lol. 😀👍👍 The train was built ? in '65 ...? I feel so old now as I was born in that year !! Lol. I prefer staffed train stations as I dislike computers / machines !! Lol. And worried of our futures that machines are taking over & people are getting laid off !! And there's not much of human touch anymore these days !! The corridors on sleepers were that narrow already back then !!? I thought it was more recent year thing ,it seems everything is getting narrower ( corridors/ spaces,isles between seats on planes & trains ,houses )as they get more passengers seats !! The milk chocolate interiors were not really my type ,but very nostalgic in a sense & I liked it a lot !! Lol. I liked that there were almost ample spaces for luggage & personal items to be stored in that sleeper !! Fabulous !! I even liked the stainless sinks shape !! Very nice !! I disliked that toilets sink looked moldy !!! Eww. Lol. And what was that shower !? Lol. But ,over all it looked like a very nice train !! I am very impressed with your narration work !!! Thank you so much for this vlog & introducing this sleeper to us ! It was a real good watch !! 👍👍🚉🚈💜🥁🐉🎤🎵🎶💕💞

[@John_Fugazzi]

Romania! What a surprise! Cluj was the principal city of Transylvania, part of Hungary in the Austro-Hungarian days. Napoca is from its days as part of the Roman Empire. The train car was definitely a trip back in time. Fortunately your love of trains allowed you to appreciate the experience. Three locks is a bit disconcerting (What goes on?). No food service on a 12-hour trip is terrible. Love when you go to unexpected places.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Tbh, three locks is relatively normal on old sleeping cars. Maybe they are just of lower quality when compared to more modern locks.

[@gigikontra7023]

@@DylansTravelReports yeah, only very few Romanians were allowed to live in Cluj during the Austro-Hungarian days, despite the region having an overwhelming Romanian majority. Apartheid didn't only happen in South Africa, you know? Which makes it all the more irritating to hear those "racial purity" comments from Viktor Orban!

[@user-wb3wg3we8w]

I love sleepers.🥰

[@ste.h9825]

Is it hard to book accommodation when you arrive in a foreign city that early.i use to travel to Ireland on the late ferry & had real problems checking into hotels that early. Great video,thank you.

[@Zumbach1976]

Super materiał. Pozdrawiam z Polski 👌

[@derrickgreen9020]

You are very brave Dylan….take care🤔

[@lewis72]

End of 2018, I travelled from Budapest to Bucharest. I was going to get the overnight sleeper (which starts from Vienna, I think), however the price was about €150 at the time, which was barely cheaper than a flight, so I flew. I spent 3 days in Bucharest (I had done Munich, Salzburg, Graz, Vienna, Bratislava, Bucharest by train) and then took a train from Gara de Nord to Constanta as the flight back to the UK from Constanta was about €45 and the flight from Bucharest was about €135. 16:16 - I've eaten at that McDonald's !

[@ericericson3535]

Whenever I see a video on classic sleeper cars I can't help remembering Albert Finney's scene on "Murder on the Orient Express" where gets ready for bed.

[@gars1074]

Thanks for the great video. Would love to see this trip during daylight to see the scenery/countryside. Perhaps in the future?

[@DylansTravelReports]

Part of the route I will be 😁

[@simonholliday9874]

Interesting to see where DB and other operators send their clapped out stock, in particular those DMUs. CFR will no doubt run everything until it falls apart, then run it some more. Back in the day, the Basel to Moscow used to carry a proper vintage Soviet sleeping car in green and cream. I occasionally hopped on this between Basel and home here in Freiburg. I remember those old DB sleepers and yes, if everything worked, they were fabulous.

[@dattaramphutane7473]

Nice vedio . Thanks

[@Keithbarber]

Video not vedio

[@AndrewG1989]

🚨🚨We got the grammar police on here 😂

[@Keithbarber]

@@AndrewG1989 and the chief constable/chief commissioner in person 👍

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks!

[@Alejandro-si8qk]

I travel to romania 10 years ago.. from bucarest to brasow ..and from bucarest to mamaya (beach) its very cheap and good equipment. . I hope you show those trains. ( I LOST MY VIDEOS ) Im from chile and i see all your videos because i plan to visit uk next year..thanks

[@tasitmeraklisi4902]

Nice

[@andrewwilson6240]

I planned a trip to Brasov a couple of years ago. COVID got in the way, but will do it.

[@gordonherd1532]

Loved the wood panelling. Gives the train a classic vibe

[@michaelpilling9659]

Greetings from Poland A great journey. I've done it twice - I lived and worked in Romania (Pitesti and Constanta) for 11 years The sister of the steam locomotive your saw at Cluj station, is sited in Brasov station. Can't help you with type or class. Public accessed Toilets in Romania are generally very dirty. Hygiene is not a big deal! I last travelled this route in 2013 and there was catering available although it was only sandwiches and snacks with hot and cold drinks.If ever you find yourself stuck in either Pitesti or Constanta, I still have plenty of friends living there whom I know would only be too happy to help you. Stay safe and I'll see you later.

[@pickled51]

Shocked at the state of the public sink, toilet, & shower. With the old style wood paneling on the train and arriving at a pretty dark station so early in the morning, I was expecting to see 1950's style automobile cabs when you walked out of the station. Otherwise, thank you for another great trip report.

[@shakur95]

I heard there will be more videos from Romania and I can't wait! Where are you heading next?

[@matthewmcluckie9904]

Great video Wish I'd known about the sleeper train before now. I took a daytime train from Bucharest to Cluj a few years ago. I think this took around 10 hours. I remember the doors being open at the rear carriage with a direct view of the track behind. No catering on board but great value tickets. I grabbed a footlong Subway at Bucharest and beers. Also travelled from Cluj to Oradea a few days later on a more modern train.

[@DylansTravelReports]

Ah yes, there's a couple of day trains. Wouldn't fancy being sat on one for 10 hours myself though.

[@Mrkbk2008]

Great video, loving the recent content!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Thanks a lot!

[@silenthunteruk]

That's an MU type sleeper of the sort that was extensively used in Western Europe by CIWL and the later TransEuroNight "pool". Italy has some modernised versions and I believe that those will also appear on the Amsterdam-Zurich Nightjet service.

[@Hugooo9988]

I would love it if you ever came to sweden and did some trip reports!

[@DylansTravelReports]

Soon 👀

[@Michael._The_Storyteller]

I'm an old Photographer for 45 years, and I need to tell you, you need a camera light for your videos, I see you use a gopro and there are a number of options that wont break your bank. love the work you do.

[@johnmehaffey9953]

I used DB railways a lot in the late 70,s early 80,s so I’m slightly biased as I tend to like the ambiance of the older carriages all those locks and compartment styles remind me of 70,s spy films you expect to see someone from Smersh next door

[@Abnerbandanovotempoinscrito1mi]

Muito lindo trem gostei Dylans boa viagem boa tarde ai Boa noite

[@johndavies4892]

I enjoyed the video but oh those toilets!

[@1511pety]

I've rode on the CFR Calatori and they're pretty nice actually. I've been on that EXACT train 1 month before you, only for 1 stop tho from Cluj to Gherla in the seating coaches. They were pretty comfy.