Caledonian Sleeper discussion

[NotATrainspott]

That reminds me, Serco have operated it for 10 months now. Have we actually heard any further news on these Mk5 carriages from CAF or not? There was, it seems, a rumor going round around Christmas time that Serco still hadn't ordered these, with the rumor citing the power supply vs what Features Serco wants to install in them. I'd have expected to have heard a little more since it's Serco's 'Flagship' operation - and with their reputation, something I'd expect them to try and impress with!

CAF have a pretty non-informative page on their website about the Caledonian Sleeper order:

http://www.caf.net/en/productos-servicios/proyectos/proyecto-detalle.php?p=277

The contracts are signed and the trains will actually not be far away from being manufactured right now. If Hitachi have already produced the first 385 bodyshell then CAF shouldn't be far behind.

 

[sprinterguy]

The first passenger working for one of the Caledonian Sleeper 73s occurred this morning, when 73967 hauled the northbound West Highland portion from Edinburgh to Oban (currently diverted from Fort William due to engineering work).

There's a photo on the GB Railfreight Facebook page, for those with an account.

 

[thealexweb]

The first passenger working for one of the Caledonian Sleeper 73s occurred this morning, when 73967 hauled the northbound West Highland portion from Edinburgh to Oban (currently diverted from Fort William due to engineering work).

There's a photo on the GB Railfreight Facebook page, for those with an account.

Is this the Class 73 in question? Seen in one of the bay platforms at Waverley yesterday. Also, why are there 2 x Class 67s present? In case the Class 73 fails?

 

[PHILIPE]

Is this the Class 73 in question? Seen in one of the bay platforms at Waverley yesterday. Also, why are there 2 x Class 67s present? In case the Class 73 fails?

Wouldn't the 67s be for (1) Aberdeen and (2) Inverness portions.

 

[thealexweb]

Wouldn't the 67s be for (1) Aberdeen and (2) Inverness portions.

That does make sense, but usually only two diesel locos in total are stabled there during the day.

 

[matchmaker]

Wouldn't the 67s be for (1) Aberdeen and (2) Inverness portions.

Yes - 67's aren't allowed on the Oban line.

 

[ld0595]

They say on their Facebook that we may start seeing the 73s in Inverness next week too.

 

[Iskra]

They say on their Facebook that we may start seeing the 73s in Inverness next week too.

I bloody hope so, I'm booked on it on Tuesday for my first time

 

[CosherB]

92010 seen at Euston recently ..... the 92's are on their way back!

 

[jimm]

The first passenger working for one of the Caledonian Sleeper 73s occurred this morning, when 73967 hauled the northbound West Highland portion from Edinburgh to Oban (currently diverted from Fort William due to engineering work).

There's a photo on the GB Railfreight Facebook page, for those with an account.

You don't need an account to see the picture of the 73 at Taynuilt, just go to https://www.facebook.com/GBRailfreight

 

[jopsuk]

When theses were being designed (1961?) can you imagine the reaction if you'd suggested that one day they'd be amongst snow capped mountains with a Scotty dog on the front?

 

[captainbigun]

92010 seen at Euston recently ..... the 92's are on their way back!

Due 86/87 being on maintenance. 92s have continued to see use on ECS work throughout, so no change there. You'll not see a 92 on a class one sleeper job, barring a pile of failures, for a while yet.

 

[cf111]

73697 (I think, got a glance as we passed on the 1447 to GLQ) at the head of the Sleeper at Inverness platform 2 just now.

 

[Deepgreen]

73697 (I think, got a glance as we passed on the 1447 to GLQ) at the head of the Sleeper at Inverness platform 2 just now.

73967 was the one used.

 

[87015]

73967 was the one used.

In multi with the 67 ... Novel!

 

[najaB]

In multi with the 67 ... Novel!

Given the issue caused by a 67 failing on the climb up to Slochd, it is a good idea to run a second loco in tandem for a while until the 73s have shown their reliability.

 

[AndrewE]

I'm surprised that they have enough welly to haul the sleeper trains (and deliver the ETH,) even when re-engined at 1600 HP. What happened to all the type 4 diesels (2000 HP plus)?
A

 

[jopsuk]

Isn't Inverness portion supposed to be a pair of 73s once proven?

 

[kevin5025]

Isn't Inverness portion supposed to be a pair of 73s once proven?

yes, that is correct. The plan is for a single 73 to work the Ft William and Aberdeen sections, while Inverness will be double headed. I happened to be seeing off a friend last night and saw the class 73 on the front, with a 67 behind (at Inverness). I never had a camera with me, but it was great to see it for the first time. It really looks like a new loco . Not in terms of style, but how perfect it is up close. And, it looks great in the CS livery. I think they will look great on the sleeper. Hopefully they will perform too.

 

[Johnuk123]

yes, that is correct. The plan is for a single 73 to work the Ft William and Aberdeen sections, while Inverness will be double headed. I happened to be seeing off a friend last night and saw the class 73 on the front, with a 67 behind (at Inverness). I never had a camera with me, but it was great to see it for the first time. It really looks like a new loco . Not in terms of style, but how perfect it is up close. And, it looks great in the CS livery. I think they will look great on the sleeper. Hopefully they will perform too.

73's certainly do look very dated because they are, they aren't nice to look at being so boxy, I have a feeling they will turn out to be a disaster in Scotland but we'll see.

 

[Iskra]

73697 (I think, got a glance as we passed on the 1447 to GLQ) at the head of the Sleeper at Inverness platform 2 just now.

Same again tonight, doubleheaded with 67007. The 73 is looking smart both in and out!

 

[Bodiddly]

Great video here;
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuufkIy9lA8
Never thought I would ever see this in Oban!

 

[sdrennan]

Excellent Video

Have CS still not sorted out their issues on the Buffet carriages. Notice the old virgin stock still in use

 

[Bungle965]

73's certainly do look very dated because they are, they aren't nice to look at being so boxy, I have a feeling they will turn out to be a disaster in Scotland but we'll see.

Well they are doing alright so far.
Sam

 

[CosherB]

73's certainly do look very dated because they are, they aren't nice to look at being so boxy, I have a feeling they will turn out to be a disaster in Scotland but we'll see.

Any factual reason behind that assertion?

 

[Iskra]

73's certainly do look very dated because they are, they aren't nice to look at being so boxy, I have a feeling they will turn out to be a disaster in Scotland but we'll see.

They look very smart and modern in the new livery, not dated at all. I will post a photo of one when I get home.

 

[PHILIPE]

73's certainly do look very dated because they are, they aren't nice to look at being so boxy, I have a feeling they will turn out to be a disaster in Scotland but we'll see.

Just give them a chance before judging.

 

[sprinterguy]

They look very smart and modern in the new livery, not dated at all. I will post a photo of one when I get home.

They're funny looking little boxes, the class 73s in my opinion. The modern headlight clusters make them look even more incongruous, and they always look dated because they're so brick-like.

That's not to suggest that they won't perform reliably for Caledonian Sleeper, though, purely an opinion on aesthetics.

 

[hibtastic]

I think the 73s look great on the sleeper sets. I dont know what it is but I like the look of a loco and coach set when the loco is much smaller than the carriages.

The new CS livery is great though and suits them.

 

[Johnuk123]

They're funny looking little boxes, the class 73s in my opinion. The modern headlight clusters make them look even more incongruous, and they always look dated because they're so brick-like.

They aren't as ugly as Metrovick Co-Bo's which were the ugliest things ever turned out by a British engine builder, but I think they're ugly all the same with no character at all.