Caledonian Sleeper discussion

[Scotrail84]

Does anyone know if the coaches or half sets of you like still follow the 8 day cycle? I.e northbound Inverness tonight will be the same rake in 8 days time!

Yes unless theres major disruption trapping sets either side of the border.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is there still a set with the seated coach out, or is that fixed now/was temporary?

I *might* end up using the seated Sleeper next Thursday (29th) to Fort Bill and really dislike the idea of sharing a cabin with a stranger (even if it's on the free), so I'll do something else if there's a significant chance of that happening.

I guess unless it's full I could end up shifted into the Inverness if the Aberdeen one is out?

 

[JModulo]

I *might* end up using the seated Sleeper next Thursday (29th) to Fort Bill and really dislike the idea of sharing a cabin with a stranger (even if it's on the free), so I'll do something else if there's a significant chance of that happening.

Don't think that would happen now since the policy has changed on sharing and you are unable to book a twin berth to share with a random.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Don't think that would happen now since the policy has changed on sharing and you are unable to book a twin berth to share with a random.

I'm not suggesting that I would book this, rather I'm suggesting I don't want to be turfed out of a seat and made to share a cabin instead. This is an upgrade for some, but I'd find it too awkward to be comfortable. (A cabin to myself would be fine, but I doubt they'd do that).

Or even worse I pay the Sleeper seat price and end up on a road coach which Megabus would probably do me for a tenner.

 

[Caleb2010]

Yes unless theres major disruption trapping sets either side of the border.

Thanks very much - off on the highlander to London on the 26th, diverted via Aberdeen.

 

[InOban]

Is there still a set with the seated coach out, or is that fixed now/was temporary?

I *might* end up using the seated Sleeper next Thursday (29th) to Fort Bill and really dislike the idea of sharing a cabin with a stranger (even if it's on the free), so I'll do something else if there's a significant chance of that happening.

I guess unless it's full I could end up shifted into the Inverness if the Aberdeen one is out?

I would have thought that on a Thursday in November you're likely to get a cabin yourself!

 

[alistairlees]

92044 on the Lowlander tonight. Didn't see the Highlander. Seats out of action on the Glasgow portion.

 

[TimboM]

92044 on the Lowlander tonight. Didn't see the Highlander. Seats out of action on the Glasgow portion.

92023 on the Highlander.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would have thought that on a Thursday in November you're likely to get a cabin yourself!

Might be worth a punt then!

TBH if the whole thing is quiet I reckon decamping the Aberdeen pax to the Inverness seats or vice versa would be more likely. It's unlikely the seats in the Fort Bill portion would be out, because (a) there's all night to get the spare coach out, and (b) it'd mean an effective cancellation of two daytime services and so a load of Delay Repay and potentially hotel accommodation.

 

[Scotrail84]

92044 on the Lowlander tonight. Didn't see the Highlander. Seats out of action on the Glasgow portion.

Both seats out of action on the highlander as well.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Both seats out of action on the highlander as well.

Have they given up on the motor alternator sets?

 

[TimboM]

TBH if the whole thing is quiet I reckon decamping the Aberdeen pax to the Inverness seats or vice versa would be more likely. It's unlikely the seats in the Fort Bill portion would be out, because (a) there's all night to get the spare coach out, and (b) it'd mean an effective cancellation of two daytime services and so a load of Delay Repay and potentially hotel accommodation.

Which spare coach??

 

[Bletchleyite]

Which spare coach??

I thought there was a 2+2 seated ex-VTXC brake coach (from Riviera) knocking around as a spare, or has that gone back?

As it turns out I decided (for reasons of wanting to be more awake) to make the journey using day trains and stay over in Glasgow.

 

[gsnedders]

Tonight saw the last two westbound trains to Garscadden running late, and the Fort William southbound sleeper made it into Queen Street early, so I offer you this photo of 73967 leading the Fort William sleeper into Queen Street:

(For all the times I've got the last couple of trains west, I've never also had the sleeper run early to see it in Queen Street; I think the furthest east I'd seen it was going through Charing Cross. I was slightly confused hearing a diesel rumble into the station before I realised it must be the sleeper running early, which also explained the ScotRail staff on the platform, presumably for dispatch!)

 

[JohnMcL7]

Something I've been wondering is why does the 67 sit with its engine running during the day? I don't know how much it's running for but I've noticed whenever I go by either earlier on when the coaches appeared to be getting cleaned or later on around later on, the engine is idling. I'm guessing when it's being cleaned it's powering the carriages which are lit up but it seems to be on more than I'd expect.

67003 isn't quite the gleaming blue it was a few weeks ago:

https://photos.smugmug.com/Trains/i-hLS55pZ/0/5b14f293/X2/DSC01090-X2.jpg

 

[Scotrail84]

Rare move tonight on 1S26. 90 045 on 1S26 double headed with 86 101, the 86 will be DIT.

 

[TimboM]

I thought there was a 2+2 seated ex-VTXC brake coach (from Riviera) knocking around as a spare, or has that gone back?

The ex-VT brake went back a long time ago. Mk2 requirements are now provided by Eastern Rail Services. The hire-ins were/are needed to cover Sleeper Mk2s out of action so were not 'spare' as such.

 

[tsr]

1S26 has just departed Euston around 18mins late, and may lose more time. I understand there is congestion due to severely defective doors on an LNR service at Bushey.

 

[TimboM]

1S26 has just departed Euston around 18mins late, and may lose more time. I understand there is congestion due to severely defective doors on an LNR service at Bushey.

1S26 has a lot of slack in the timings between EUS and PRE, so hopefully not a major impact. Skoda on the front too, although it does have the extra weight of the 86 tonight.

Meanwhile, 86401 is on its way to Craigentinny as 0Z86 having completed ECS duties at Glasgow - ties into 86101 moving to Scotland to cover for it.

 

[Scotrail84]

1S26 has a lot of slack in the timings between EUS and PRE, so hopefully not a major impact. Skoda on the front too, although it does have the extra weight of the 86 tonight.

Meanwhile, 86401 is on its way to Craigentinny as 0Z86 having completed ECS duties at Glasgow - ties into 86101 moving to Scotland to cover for it.

401 needs a new ETH jumper cable apparently.

 

[captainbigun]

401 going to EC for exam then onward for ETS repairs, it’s more than a replacement jumper.

 

[MadCommuter]

Confirmed by sight 90045 & 86101 on the blocks at Glasgow Central this morning.

 

[Scotrail84]

Confirmed by sight 90045 & 86101 on the blocks at Glasgow Central this morning.

Is my word not good enough?

 

[Scotrail84]

401 going to EC for exam then onward for ETS repairs, it’s more than a replacement jumper.

What else is needing done?

 

[JModulo]

Is my word not good enough?

A photo is always good from time to time though.

 

[MadCommuter]

What else is needing done?

So many reports these days are based on what the computer says and who knows if it was took off at Crewe. Thought it worth posting. (Smiley noted)

 

[InOban]

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/f...after-price-hike-on-caledonian-sleeper-train/

I was wondering when media would pick this up.

 

[theironroad]

Serco want to run a hotel on wheels in their "magical new era of travel" (spokesman quoted in the article linked #8528).

They're not interested in just providing a convenient means of public transport.

Yes, city centre to centre and overnight is useful, but not at any price. However, they'll probably not change as there will be enough tourist trade and wealthy second home owners to prop it up.

The added scandal is that they've delayed (again) the introduction of the new trains until spring but this time not bothered to reduce the prices back to the current stock levels.

 

[Meerkat]

Family of five is an awkward number, did one of them really share with a stranger before?
And how slow do they drive if going by car takes longer than by bus?!
11.5 hours on a coach must be pretty painful.....

I think someone needs to point out how subsidised the sleeper is. It is never going to compete for cheap travel, just get the plane, so it has to compete on comfort etc.

 

[Chrism20]

I'm surprised that it has taken so long for the cost to be raised in the media particularly when Al Dalton seems to stalk these forums at times.

That said 26% is an impressive uplift in passengers. I can only assume that they have been marketing the service overseas as I've seen heehaw here in Scotland other than the odd poster in a station.

I assume the situation is the same in England.

With numbers like that though there really is no need at the moment for them to reduce the fares.