Caledonian Sleeper discussion

[Scotrail84]

1M11 now 64 late after passing 3 signals at danger.

 

[Scotrail84]

Temp block working to be implemented through the affected area, 1M16 to be held at Oxenholme and 1S26 to be held at Lancaster. Temp block working not expected to be in place until 5am at the earliest.

 

[Scotrail84]

ETA for temp block working now 05:45. 1M16 and 1S26 still at a stand at Oxenholme and Lancaster respectively.

 

[Quakkerillo]

06:45 and finally movement in both directions.

 

[Scotrail84]

1M16 168 late.

 

[Mag_seven]

1M16 168 late.

Just gone through Crewe without stopping!

 

[TimboM]

1M11 now 64 late after passing 3 signals at danger.

Managed to recover the full 64 mins and arrive RT at Euston even with a 92

Less good news for 1M16/1S26 passengers and crew.

 

[Scotrail84]

Managed to recover the full 64 mins and arrive RT at Euston even with a 92

Less good news for 1M16/1S26 passengers and crew.

It had a very very good run from Preston to London.

 

[Scotrail84]

Just gone through Crewe without stopping!

Anyone for Crewe put off at Preston. And those wishing to catch a VTWC service to Euston.

 

[Kite159]

Fort William portion appears to have lost a sleeping coach (only 3 berth coaches today) swear it had 4 coaches yesterday (plus the lounge + seats)

(W, X, Y are the three sat next to Fort William at the moment)

 

[ainsworth74]

It's only four during the summer I think?

 

[Bletchleyite]

I believe this is correct.

 

[Kite159]

It's only four during the summer I think?

My eyes must have been playing silly on Sunday night to count it as 6.

I wonder how busy the Fort William - Euston portion will be tonight, will I get lucky and have nobody sharing the berth

 

[TimboM]

Fort William portion appears to have lost a sleeping coach (only 3 berth coaches today) swear it had 4 coaches yesterday (plus the lounge + seats)

(W, X, Y are the three sat next to Fort William at the moment)

It's only four during the summer I think?

I believe due to relative loadings this summer, the Fort William was increased to 4 sleeper cars (plus the 2x day coaches added Edinburgh) and Aberdeen has just been the other 2 sleeper cars (+ the lounge and seat coaches).

It could well be that it's now reverted back to 3 sleeper cars to each with the end of the summer period and your eyes weren't deceiving you Kite159.

Pretty sure someone like Scotrail84 will be able to confirm.

 

[TimboM]

Having last worked on the morning of 3rd July, 87002 looks to be back in action this evening (86101 due an exam I believe).

Just gone in to Euston on the 0A25 light loco move along with 90042 and 92010.

Likely allocations:

90042 - 1S25 (Highlander)
92010 - 1S26 (Lowlander, plus 5S95 Highlander ECS)
87002 - 5S96 (Lowlander ECS)

 

[Scotrail84]

Fort William portion appears to have lost a sleeping coach (only 3 berth coaches today) swear it had 4 coaches yesterday (plus the lounge + seats)

(W, X, Y are the three sat next to Fort William at the moment)

Planned removal of coach for maintenance.

Northbound FTW tonight 3 vice 4

Northbound EDB 7 vice 8.

 

[Scotrail84]

It's only four during the summer I think?

This ends in October. Aberdeen goes back to 3 berth cars and so does the Ft William.

 

[ainsworth74]

This ends in October. Aberdeen goes back to 3 berth cars and so does the Ft William.

Well, I'll amend to 'Summerish' then

Thanks for the confirmation

 

[Kite159]

A good run on the Highlander last night from Fort William, seemed to have a good number of 1st class passengers boarding on route

 

[Steddenm]

On Wednesday morning the Highland Sleeper left Preston nearly three hours late due to signalling problems and weather conditions at Oxenholme.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C74102/2017/09/12/advanced

Was a Freightliner 90 on it too. Also went into platform 3 (4 was blocked by a delayed VT Voyager going north) and the last coach was actually off the platform.

 

[ld0595]

Friend of mine was due to travel Southbound on the Aberdeen portion tonight in the seated coach but has just been informed that he's been upgraded to a berth due to power issues. The new stock can't come quickly enough!

 

[Lrd]

Friend of mine was due to travel Southbound on the Aberdeen portion tonight in the seated coach but has just been informed that he's been upgraded to a berth due to power issues. The new stock can't come quickly enough!

But then there'll be no more free upgrades!

 

[ld0595]

But then there'll be no more free upgrades!

True, but personally I'd take a seat before sharing a berth with a stranger.. but that's just me!

 

[GW43125]

Friend of mine was due to travel Southbound on the Aberdeen portion tonight in the seated coach but has just been informed that he's been upgraded to a berth due to power issues. The new stock can't come quickly enough!

I wouldn't complain

 

[Blindtraveler]

A friend of mine was asking today if the new seats will have power or USB stations at all and perhaps WiFI? I cannot remember TBH so throwing this out to people.

 

[TimboM]

A friend of mine was asking today if the new seats will have power or USB stations at all and perhaps WiFI? I cannot remember TBH so throwing this out to people.

Per the website for the new trains the "Comfort Seats" will have "multiple charging points" and "internet access" to "help keep you connected". So I'd say judging by that the answer to your question is yes to power (although not sure if it'll be USB or plugs or both - the panels in the mock-ups of the berths in the press release have both) and yes to WIFI. Personal secure lockers too for your valuable whilst you sleep.

New Trains Website - Comfort Seats

Economical and stylish, our comfort seats offer a truly relaxing way to travel between London and Scotland.
Recline in your chair, drift off and wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day. For those who want to work into the wee hours, our comfort seats will help keep you connected, with multiple charging points, internet access and a reading light. And for maximum peace of mind, you can secure your laptop and other personal items in your own secure locker.

On the WIFI front, photos from Tam of the new stock at Velim shows the coaches equipped with their own "Train-Sat" equipment . So appears they'll be using this for communications signals rather than local masts/reception which is patchy at best along long parts of the route (including vast stretches of the WCML!)

 

[Bletchleyite]

(including vast stretches of the WCML!)

I can get EE 4G over the vast majority of the WCML from MKC to Edinburgh, it was only really over Shap where I have issues. Oddly it's the *south* WCML which has bigger gaps (around Cheddington and Tring) but it's generally usable.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I can testify to this, its not so bad on a pendo with its onboard signal boosters but my run in a 350 to Lichfield from London this week saw my google play music constantly struggling until Rugby.

 

[Blindtraveler]

And thanks to all for answering my questions.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

Well really on the sleeper you only need signal down to Crewe or up from about Watford Junction, should be asleep the rest of the time!