Serco for Sleeper

[captainbigun]

On WN awaiting repairs.

 

[Adam0984]

90039 on 2118 Highland Sleeper Euston to Inverness/Aberdeen/Fort William
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
92018 on the southbound highland through Watford around 07:30 then the ECS seen leaving Euston about 0945 with another CS liveried locos on the front and 018 on the back

 

[D6975]

When did they start splitting the Northbound Highland sleeper at Carlisle?

The Fort Bill/Aberdeen portions now work forward as 1Z25 to Edinburgh with the sparky.
The Inverness portion works forward as 1S25 with a class 67. (runs via Motherwell, Mossend)
The 67 appears at Carlisle late in the evening/v early morning and sits over by the wall.
The Southbound still joins up at Edinburgh.

 

[Sloppyjag]

Due to work at Winchburgh Tunnel 1S25 would need to be diverted via Fife but there is no available path northbound between Ladybank and Perth due to various ECS movements southbound. So easiest option is detach at Carlisle and run direct via Coatbridge, Larbert, Stirling etc

 

[Blindtraveler]

This also retains the Stirling, dunblane and Gleneagles calls

 

[87031]

Noticed one day the week about the 27th of June when 002 last did 1m16 it arrived at Crewe with about load 7. Any ideas what happened to the rest of 1m16??

Sleeper splitting at Carlisle northbound seems odd?

 

[Sloppyjag]

This also retains the Stirling, dunblane and Gleneagles calls

1S25 does not call at Stirling, Dunblane or Gleneagles during the period of the diversions despite it travelling through those stations. Passengers are advised to travel to/from Glasgow Central on the Lowland sleeper on the sleeper website.

 

[jopsuk]

northbound to Stirling it's usually advisable to get the Lowland anyway, far too early a call at Stirling!

 

[87015]

Noticed one day the week about the 27th of June when 002 last did 1m16 it arrived at Crewe with about load 7. Any ideas what happened to the rest of 1m16??

Sleeper splitting at Carlisle northbound seems odd?

When running via Edinburgh it was getting regulated over the Ladybank branch for a series of ecs moves and arriving at Perth 60-90L nearly every day, so has been re-routed for performance.

The mini set was when Scotrail provided a guard who didn't sign hauled stock so the Inverness coaches stayed at Inverness all night.

 

[Dave1954]

tonight's 1S25 is a dyson.

Is that the official nick for the class 92s or are they nicknamed anything else .
Thanks in advance , Dave

 

[XC90]

Due to work at Winchburgh Tunnel 1S25 would need to be diverted via Fife but there is no available path northbound between Ladybank and Perth due to various ECS movements southbound. So easiest option is detach at Carlisle and run direct via Coatbridge, Larbert, Stirling etc

They still need to pass Carstairs anyway so it seems odd to run a loco down to Carlisle, passing CRS on the way, to come back up and passing CRS again.

 

[najaB]

They still need to pass Carstairs anyway so it seems odd to run a loco down to Carlisle, passing CRS on the way, to come back up and passing CRS again.

The problem is that Carstairs station is past the junction for Edinburgh, so getting the other sections to Edinburgh would require a lot of back and forth shunting moves compared to doing it at Carlisle.

 

[marks87]

The problem is that Carstairs station is past the junction for Edinburgh, so getting the other sections to Edinburgh would require a lot of back and forth shunting moves compared to doing it at Carlisle.

Not if the Inverness portion is at the front. Just split in the middle and head off in opposite directions.

 

[jopsuk]

still need to loco-change the Inverness portion would have problems beyond Coatbridge without a diesel

 

[38Cto15E]

I recall that The Clansman used to change locos in Mossend yard.

 

[dcd]

Notice the difference between Scotrail

and Serco

First Class Sleepover Kits

Note: FGW just gives a small square of soap.

 

[Sleepy]

Wasn't the reason given by FGW for withdrawl that 85% of these never used ?

 

[DEE-DE]

Oh, there is one thing that I noticed had changed. I had actually written in as there was no longer any Orange juice for breakfast as Scotrail did she you ordered one. Now you can have coffee, tea or orange juice. The juice also saves some time as it won't have to cool down.

I also had the haggis and I have to say I can't complain. I really liked Scotrail Inverness sauce though. And I couldn't see the signs saying tables are only for first class passengers anymore. Also tried a whisky. My last journey had been in April shortly after the franchise takeover. I can't compare with the Night Riviera yet as I'll be making my first trip shortly.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Hm, I kept my Scotrail pack. I've got two, one unused and one I use all the time as I've never had gotten one myself after moving out of my parents' place.

 

[Furrball]

According to my partner who was travelling from Aberdeen departing lady night the service was overbooked to the tune of 14 people!

 

[dcd]

Just noted on my credit card statement that the meal I paid for on the sleeper was paid to ABELLIO SCOTRAIL LTD ABERDEEN rather than Serco. I wonder if they know?

 

[kevin5025]

Interesting photo comparison of the First Class sleep packs, I noticed that too. I liked the bag that you previously got, and it had a better selection of things. But, it was a lot of materials, at least the new method isn't constantly handing out bags that might not be used - but if they are, people keep them and it reminds them of the sleeper. My Serco bag had ear plugs a few weeks ago in June, they seem to be gone . But... I didn't get a bar of soap, so that is a welcome addition! I'll remember to take my own next time, they are useful, even though it is actually quite quiet on board.
All that being said, overall, I am really impressed with the new franchise. The bedding is much better, as is the breakfast. I remember on Scotrail getting a breakfast roll that was missing most of the listed ingredients and I concluded, they obviously don't care what their customers get, which would be consistant with the day time trains. So, I'm pleased so far with the new offering. I also thought that the cabins were cleaner, and you get a good towel now.

 

[ModernRailways]

Just noted on my credit card statement that the meal I paid for on the sleeper was paid to ABELLIO SCOTRAIL LTD ABERDEEN rather than Serco. I wonder if they know?

Contact them and double check?

 

[dcd]

Interesting photo comparison of the First Class sleep packs, I noticed that too. I liked the bag that you previously got, and it had a better selection of things. But, it was a lot of materials, at least the new method isn't constantly handing out bags that might not be used - but if they are, people keep them and it reminds them of the sleeper. My Serco bag had ear plugs a few weeks ago in June, they seem to be gone . But... I didn't get a bar of soap, so that is a welcome addition! I'll remember to take my own next time, they are useful, even though it is actually quite quiet on board.
All that being said, overall, I am really impressed with the new franchise. The bedding is much better, as is the breakfast. I remember on Scotrail getting a breakfast roll that was missing most of the listed ingredients and I concluded, they obviously don't care what their customers get, which would be consistant with the day time trains. So, I'm pleased so far with the new offering. I also thought that the cabins were cleaner, and you get a good towel now.

Sorry the photo of the Serco is not quite right. There were earplugs but I used them and forgot to put them back for photo. The soap also came from FGW sleeper but got into Serco bag en route home

 

[kevin5025]

Sorry the photo of the Serco is not quite right. There were earplugs but I used them and forgot to put them back for photo. The soap also came from FGW sleeper but got into Serco bag en route home

Ah, thanks for letting me know . Good to know that they are still providing the ear plugs, and I think the body wash doubles as soap in case anyone is wondering.

 

[NotATrainspott]

Contact them and double check?

I seem to recall that the payments system is still run by Abellio under contract to Serco. It's come up on this thread before, I think.

 

[causton]

I seem to recall that the payments system is still run by Abellio under contract to Serco. It's come up on this thread before, I think.

I would guess Serco needing only 4 Avantix machines (I think? Actually could be more with the splitting portions... not many for a whole TOC though!) might prove problematic due to no spares or anything, so it actually is surprising to see that they have had a dose of common sense and 'lease' them from Scotrail! Sounds too sensible for the railways

 

[scotraildriver]

Well they are "leasing" the guards from ScotRail at a silly rate per shift so might as well take the avantix as well

 

[adrock1976]

I don't know if it has already been mentioned upthread or not, but I cannot seem to find a basket feature on the website for bookings to be held temporarily.

This would enable the facility to book another journey before making a payment.

 

[IanXC]

Note: FGW just gives a small square of soap.

Wasn't the reason given by FGW for withdrawl that 85% of these never used ?

I have a late FGW one somewhere, I'll dig it out and post an equivalent picture!

Oh, there is one thing that I noticed had changed. I had actually written in as there was no longer any Orange juice for breakfast as Scotrail did she you ordered one. Now you can have coffee, tea or orange juice. The juice also saves some time as it won't have to cool down.

I also had the haggis and I have to say I can't complain. I really liked Scotrail Inverness sauce though. And I couldn't see the signs saying tables are only for first class passengers anymore. Also tried a whisky. My last journey had been in April shortly after the franchise takeover. I can't compare with the Night Riviera yet as I'll be making my first trip shortly.

However, it seems that if you are a standard class passenger you'll get the standard 1x drink option, but if you then purchase a breakfast option you well then get a second 1x drink option.

The Inverness Sauce was still around a few weeks ago!

 

[causton]

Well they are "leasing" the guards from ScotRail at a silly rate per shift so might as well take the avantix as well

Really? That is something I did not know!