Caledonian Sleeper discussion

[jopsuk]

A friend has asked me what is going on with bikes on the Inverness portion. Apparently if there are too many a carrier is driving up the M6/M74/etc with them in a van. I know why but it isn't very dignified. Is there a brake vehicle in the formation?

AS

(yes I know they all have brakes now, but I think that is what they are called)

I think the three highland portions have an allocation of three bikes each, despite space for 6? The southbound Inverness often carrying fish, the Aberdeen & Fort William sharing the space south of Edinburgh. Maybe they've been allowing more bike bookings, with the courier van being the solution?

 

[najaB]

Is it common for a rough departure on the Cally Insomnie out of Preston?

Not particularly so, no.

 

[Techniquest]

Just unlikely there then! Even so, Ryanair will have more of my money after that!

 

[paul1609]

Is it common for a rough departure on the Cally Insomnie out of Preston? I was very rudely awakened at 04:36 on Monday night's Up Highland by a rough departure, everywhere else was fine and smooth but this was most unwelcome and has put me off using the sleeper again.

Quite, next time I'll either go by coach or book a hotel and catch a flight instead!

I wouldn't recommend using the night Rivera when it's diverted via Yeovil the shunting can throw you out of bed!

 

[Blindtraveler]

There's certainly no getting away from the fact that the loco we all thought would give trouble in the shape of the 73s has settled down and whilst not on all turns yet we haven't had the same chaos as caused by the 92s.

Must praise the crew of last Sundays Fort Bill departure as they handled a busy train well and the driver of 67009 put in a good performance too.

 

[47421]

"Must also prais the crew of last Sundays Fort Bill departure as they handled a busy train well"

I saw a tweet saying this service was fully booked in all classes and accommodation types. Did everyone who wanted to get to travel or was anyone turned away do you know?

Also anyone know what happened to the Fort Bill portion last night, seems to have lost about 3 hours in Hellensburgh area. Inverness and Aberdeen portions held at Edinburgh, 1M16 now 2.5 hours late expected Euston 1020.

Surprised they waited for Fort Bill portion. Had it been cancelled at Glasgow, passengers would have had only hours wait for 0428 Glasgow Central to Euston arr 0907. Not a great walk in the middle of the night admittedly, but I am sure taxis could have been provided.

When Fort Bill portion is so late is there no possibility of joining 1M16 somewhere else in Glasgow area or Carstairs?

 

[87015]

There's certainly no getting away from the fact that the loco we all thought would give trouble in the shape of the 73s has settled down and whilst not on all turns yet we haven't had the same chaos as caused by the 92s

Not this morning lol! Last nights Fort Bill blew up around Craigendoran (73966) then on the northbound Inverness 76969 collapsed at Stirling forward with 967 solo which obviously then lost time. For a single type 2 and effective load ten its not done too bad in my book - down as losing 20 up Drumochter and 6 up Slochd.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Why did the 73 work when I wasn't up there bashing it grrr.

I don't think anyone will have got an upgrade to a bed on Sunday if not booked but there were seats left at Edinburgh but this was of course due to a different brake vehicle on the Fort Bill portion. Unsure if any walkups could have been carried beyond Waverley but as I say there was only 3 or 4 of us bailing off the seats when it arrived and all but me were traveling on south

the train was indeed busy particularly at Corrour where it left very late.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Maybe the fort bill needs 2 locos also? The whole thing is still a bit daft though given the 67s were doing fine in scotrail days by and large

 

[najaB]

Apparently issues again today - Northbound Highland services seemed to be late leaving Edinburgh and got later.

 

[47271]

A small piece of news for anyone due to travel on CS, I understand that all of the compartment shaver sockets have been/will be replaced with USB charging points, so no more phone power faffing.

Laptops still have to be plugged in at the lounge, as will electric razors now I suppose...

 

[Caleb2010]

They've not all been replaced, I was in the accessible berth on Sunday in car 10650 and it still has shaver sockets.

I do know that more are coming back from maintenance with USB ports though.

Caleb

 

[work-traveller]

Where are the Highland and Lowland Sleepers stabled during the daytime in London?

 

[Dave1954]

Stonebridge park I think

 

[33056]

Stonebridge park I think

Stonebridge Park is the nearest station but the actual location is Wembley Alstom Traincare Centre (the former InterCity depot). Whilst you might see the odd loco parked outside during the day, the stock itself is usually parked in the shed so is not visible though you might occasionally catch sight of the odd vehicle outside the Heavy Repair Depot which is between the DC lines and LUL depot.

 

[Hadders]

Tonight's Fort William departure is cancelled. I'm not impressed as I was supposed to be travelling on the seats to Glasgow.

Replacement bus awaits.....

 

[Whistler40145]

What's the reason?

 

[alexf380]

Presumably no stock is in place? 67030 is sitting in one of the motorail bays at Edinburgh with the two Fort William hire-in carriages.

 

[ld0595]

It will be due to the stock not being in place. RTT states that the Fort William portion didn't travel north of Edinburgh this morning due to "a problem with the infrastructure" http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C72724/2016/06/15/advanced

 

[Whistler40145]

I wonder what infrastructure was causing a cancellation?

 

[87015]

I wonder what infrastructure was causing a cancellation?

Lamington Viaduct riot this morning.

 

[Whistler40145]

Riot sounds very odd!

 

[Hadders]

No stock at Fort William to operate the service. A few thoughts:

- CS contacted passengers to tell them but that doesn't work for people like myself who were using walk up tickets. It was still showing as Platform 1 when I arrived at FTW around 1940. First I knew of the problem was when everyone started moving towards the coach at the front of the station.
- The coach is running non-stop to Glasgow. No idea what arrangements have been made for passengers joining at intermediate stations (the crew said they have been contacted when I asked)
- No arrangements for walk on passengers who may have wanted to alight at an intermediate station, or for walk on passengers joining at an intermediate station (this does often happen at this time of year - especially walkers)
- on the positive side I should arrive into Glasgow 2 hours early (although I had planned to change at Dalmuir and get a connecting train to Charing Cross - I'll now have to walk from Central)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
On the approach to Glasgow one of the staff members phoned someone to say they'd been told to phone and arrange a taxi to take them to Edinburgh (they have to work tomorrow morning's return portion to FTW). Why couldn't they get the train - cheaper and quicker I'd have thought.

 

[leomartin125]

Just wanted to say, I have noticed Serco are advertising places for 2 x Sleeper Hosts on the Caledonian Sleeper, with one Glasgow/Edinburgh based and the other based at Euston. I would apply myself but I'm not sure if I could handle night shifts.

 

[gazr]

Just a quick update and thanks to a crank I saw on the GBRf tour on Sunday and then on Sunday night sleeper for showing me photographic proof that 87002 towed 86101 dead in tow up to Wembley Yard with stock and 90046 on the other end to take us up the ECML. (Being in the rear coach for Inverness, could not understand why we were plus 40 down leaving Euston).

The route into Wembley was via the High level good line and finally stopping in reception 1 quite a way down towards Wembley Central.

73967 + 73966 worked the Inverness portion... I bailed in Dunblane to go to Edinburgh for some Cats

 

[Tracked]

Going to work this morning (06:50-ish) there was a Caledonian 73/9 in the Roberts Road site at Doncaster, coupled to a 66. Anyone know which and why?

 

[FQTV]

Going to work this morning (06:50-ish) there was a Caledonian 73/9 in the Roberts Road site at Doncaster, coupled to a 66. Anyone know which and why?

Well, the Highland certainly went down the ECML last night; I only heard it once it was past, so I couldn't swear to what was at the head of it. It could have been oil-burning, so possibly the traction was switched to sparks at Doncaster.

 

[Johnuk123]

Just wanted to say, I have noticed Serco are advertising places for 2 x Sleeper Hosts on the Caledonian Sleeper, with one Glasgow/Edinburgh based and the other based at Euston. I would apply myself but I'm not sure if I could handle night shifts.

I don't know what the shift system is but if it's a fair few nights in a row like 5-7 then a few off that's not to bad.
Night shifts aren't so bad once you get into the swing of things, imagine every day off for ever.

 

[najaB]

I don't know what the shift system is but if it's a fair few nights in a row like 5-7 then a few off that's not to bad.
Night shifts aren't so bad once you get into the swing of things, imagine every day off for ever.

It won't be seven nights in a row as the sleeper doesn't operate on Saturday nights.

 

[Johnuk123]

It won't be seven nights in a row as the sleeper doesn't operate on Saturday nights.

I know that thanks, don't know why I forgot it.

 

[92002]

Going to work this morning (06:50-ish) there was a Caledonian 73/9 in the Roberts Road site at Doncaster, coupled to a 66. Anyone know which and why?

73969 has been on a tour since last week. Last heard of at Tyne Dock. Guess it would be it. On a return trip to Loughborough for rectification work.