I've been using the Desktop version.
I'm travelling on the 2nd Feb when it's definitely running.
We as staff can't get seat reservations on the Sleeper so it'll be a berth which I've booked half a dozen times in the past...
Birmingham lost its direct flights to Inverness so they may have spotted a gap in the market. But EasyJet have just announced a twice weekly service so that may put a spanner in the works!
that's not the only market though - I recently had to go from the Central Belt to near Plymouth. Timings-wise, the most feasible (and cost effective) way was: Highland Sleeper -> Crewe (getting kicked off the train at 05:15! seat only - too late in booking a room and didn't see the point in getting a room for a 5 hr journey anyway); Crewe -> Birmingham; Birmingham -> CrossCountry to destination (admittedly I did have 1st class on this leg which helped the comfort somewhat). And then try and look awake for a day of meetings
Running as an 11 car at the moment
The WCML is closed for bridge replacement over the M6 until 15th Jan!
The sleepers have been going via the East Coast since the Hanslope blockade
The ECML route with reversal in Wembley is a well rehearsed diversion for CS, employed whenever there is a planned blockade on the WCML, which is multiple times a year currently.
Don't they still split and join the Lowlander at Edinburgh when the WCML diversion is on? Can't you stay in the Edinburgh portion until a reasonable hour?
What's the reason for those 10 weeks being special?
My recollection of being diverted via the ECML a few years ago is that the Lowlander divided at Edinburgh. I recall thinking that if I'd gone to sleep as the train left Euston and had slept until woken by the steward, I might not have been aware of the diversion at all.
You can stay on board until 08:00, even though the service arrives at 05:24 (Image shows sleeper.scot booking engine search results for Euston to Edinburgh for Sunday 4th January 2026)
Yes, the lowlander does split and join in Edinburgh when running via ECML, usually utilising platforms 7 & 11. This allows the usual boarding and alighting times to be maintained, as stated by @alistairlees above, though obviously would allow Edinburgh passengers to disembark very early if desired.
Allows NR longer engineering access. Normally they get Saturday night Sunday mornings only north of Preston.
The 6th January 20:45 Inverness to Euston shows as "no service" in the "month view". I think this is because every class of accommodation is closed to new bookings, which is being misleadingly translated as "no service". I'd have to investigate more deeply to properly find out.
