Caledonian Sleeper discussion

[najaB]

Unusual damage alright! Tree or a block hanging from a overbridge?

As per a post earlier in the thread, shunting gone wrong.

 

[gsnedders]

As per a post earlier in the thread, shunting gone wrong.

What did it hit so far up, though?

 

[43096]

What did it hit so far up, though?

Mark 3 on the jacks, apparently. So a buckeye shaped dent in the front end, I guess!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Mark 3 on the jacks, apparently. So a buckeye shaped dent in the front end, I guess!

Right at the height where everything critical is mounted internally in the cab...?

 

[alexf380]

Anyone know what happened to 1S26 this morning? Went from being 5 early to 134 late around Weaver junction. Due into Glasgow just after 9am.

 

[sprinterguy]

Anyone know what happened to 1S26 this morning? Went from being 5 early to 134 late around Weaver junction. Due into Glasgow just after 9am.

6M02, the 20:33 Avonmouth - Fiddlers Ferry, had loco issues at Acton Grange Junction to the south of Warrington Bank Quay.

 

[Clansman]

Just off the Sleeper this morning at Inverness. How come the 73s are still being supported by a 66? All my trips on the Sleeper from/to both Inverness and Aberdeen haven't been hauled by a 73 as the sole loco yet (including 73 running in pairs to Inverness). I take it Serco are still having issues with them?

Also, where abouts are the 92s? The sleeper was hauled by one of the Freightliner 90s when under the wires instead.

 

[43096]

Just off the Sleeper this morning at Inverness. How come the 73s are still being supported by a 66? All my trips on the Sleeper from/to both Inverness and Aberdeen haven't been hauled by a 73 as the sole loco yet. I take it Serco are still having issues with them?



Also, where abouts are the 92s? The sleeper was hauled by one of the Freightliner 90s when under the wires instead.

The Inverness portion will never be a 73 solo: it is planned to be a pair of 73s. Not all the locos have had the alternator mods done yet (73968 is done and I think 73971 but not the others) and things are further complicated by the collision damage to 73969.

 

[Clansman]

The Inverness portion will never be a 73 solo: it is planned to be a pair of 73s. Not all the locos have had the alternator mods done yet (73968 is done and I think 73971 but not the others) and things are further complicated by the collision damage to 73969.

Cheers for that. I understood that Inverness is booked for a double loco (I've since edited my post to explain that).

What about the 92s? Are there still some needing mods or are there simply not enough to go around until the new Mk5s arrive in 2018?

 

[47271]

What about the 92s? Are there still some needing mods or are there simply not enough to go around until the new Mk5s arrive in 2018?

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=131385

There's quite a bit to found on the CS 92s and their difficulties in the thread above. There may be quite a bit hidden in this thread if you can bear to sift through it.

I don't use the sleeper that much, but in my experience the 92s turn up quite a bit on the ECS to and from Wembley. I haven't seen one as train engine for a long time.

I've only once seen 2x73 on the Inverness section, last summer I think. Ever since it's been 66+73 or 66+Colas 47.

 

[Waverley21]

Not sure how Caledonian website works (or doesn't). Yesterday I tried booking sleeper from London to Inverness and return for 2 seniors in May (the week before half term.)

Each time I got near to paying it said operation could not be carried out at this time try again. Upon going through the process again the price had gone up for one leg , but it still gave the error. Tried again the other leg had gone up. Tried again and both legs had gone up to an extortionate price and it said first class and seated were full , so gave up booked a hotel for the night in Inverness and am travelling the day before and at least we can travel back on Saturday and not have to wait for Sunday Sleeper.

Today I see the tickets are back down to the original level for both legs. Too late for Caledonian, they have lost the fares altogether.

I've had similar problems with CS booking site. A few times services months in the future have been sold out, only to discover when phoning up that there is plenty of space.

No answer to complaints, but it looks as if you need to ensure that you have logged out and log in afresh for each transaction. Doing that seems to have solved problems.

 

[TimboM]

I see the 5C11 ECS move from Polmadie to Edinburgh last night arrived 104L, delaying the departure of the Lowlander by almost an hour (although was recovered by Euston).

CS referenced a "loco failure" as the reason for the delay on Twitter - anyone know the culprit/nature of "failure"?

 

[AlterEgo]

Some more dumb questions about a forthcoming trip:

Haven't done the sleeper since I had a Priv; then, I was on the Fort Bill route in high summer and sharing a cabin with the Mrs.

I have an upcoming trip in early Feb, on a 1st Advance Berth.

1) An evening meal has been pre-booked for me. How does that work in practice? Do the staff have my name against a check sheet, and I can order for free? What do I get for free? Is it just a main course, or does it come with a drink? (Only reason I ask is that a pre-order costs £10 and most of the courses are under this value.)

2) What are the loadings likely to be? It'll be a Wednesday evening in early Feb.

3) How many lounge cars are there for the three-portion train? I recall on the Fort Bill trip that the northbound lounge we were directed to was not the usual lounge car with sofas, but was a MkII 1st open coach with 1+2 seats around tables.

 

[leomartin125]

Had a question and just felt like I wanted to ask, may I ask why 0A25 runs daily from Willesden T.M.D. to London Euston at around 4:30pm? Is it the same locomotive that will go on 1S26 or 1S25 but arrives earlier in the day to be stored at Euston?

 

[BRX]

Some more dumb questions about a forthcoming trip:

Haven't done the sleeper since I had a Priv; then, I was on the Fort Bill route in high summer and sharing a cabin with the Mrs.

I have an upcoming trip in early Feb, on a 1st Advance Berth.

1) An evening meal has been pre-booked for me. How does that work in practice? Do the staff have my name against a check sheet, and I can order for free? What do I get for free? Is it just a main course, or does it come with a drink? (Only reason I ask is that a pre-order costs £10 and most of the courses are under this value.)

2) What are the loadings likely to be? It'll be a Wednesday evening in early Feb.

3) How many lounge cars are there for the three-portion train? I recall on the Fort Bill trip that the northbound lounge we were directed to was not the usual lounge car with sofas, but was a MkII 1st open coach with 1+2 seats around tables.

If you're for Fort William you share the lounge with either the Aberdeen or Inverness passengers. When you get to Edinburgh a lounge car is added to the fort w section and that's where you have your breakfast in the morning.

 

[AlterEgo]

If you're for Fort William you share the lounge with either the Aberdeen or Inverness passengers. When you get to Edinburgh a lounge car is added to the fort w section and that's where you have your breakfast in the morning.

Should have explained I am on the Inverness portion this time.

 

[cf111]

Some more dumb questions about a forthcoming trip:

Haven't done the sleeper since I had a Priv; then, I was on the Fort Bill route in high summer and sharing a cabin with the Mrs.

I have an upcoming trip in early Feb, on a 1st Advance Berth.

1) An evening meal has been pre-booked for me. How does that work in practice? Do the staff have my name against a check sheet, and I can order for free? What do I get for free? Is it just a main course, or does it come with a drink? (Only reason I ask is that a pre-order costs £10 and most of the courses are under this value.)

2) What are the loadings likely to be? It'll be a Wednesday evening in early Feb.

3) How many lounge cars are there for the three-portion train? I recall on the Fort Bill trip that the northbound lounge we were directed to was not the usual lounge car with sofas, but was a MkII 1st open coach with 1+2 seats around tables.

1. I've never actually done this, I can tell you that you get your name on a wee "reserved" placard on a table in the lounge car

2. Very light. I was on board the Euston-Inverness sleeper on Monday evening and I was the only person booked in coach D, which meant I was moved to C but this was no hardship as the berths are of course identical. Including seated accommodation I would be surprised if there were more than 30 passengers on the Inverness portion. I was on board the 0900 INV-Aberdeen service this morning and saw the slightly delayed sleeper pull in to platform 2 at INV and the passengers disembark, again very lightly loaded.

3. There are 2 lounge cars on departure from EUS, one for INV and one for sharing between ABD and Fort William. At Edinburgh, another is attached to the FTW. There is more than one MK2 FO going about as I had one with ScotRail saltire seating in lieu of the usual lounge car, I think it's pot luck as to who gets what. In some ways I prefer the MK2 FOs as there are more tables.

 

[Essexman]

Does anyone else find the Flexipass booking is somewhat haphazard?
Last time I requested a return but they only booked the single, then when I emailed again I got three emails with the same return booking.
This week I sent an email to make a booking on Tuesday but haven't had a reply yet.

That is to Glasgow on Sunday 28th May (Bank Holiday weekend) and its leaving Euston at 21.39 and arriving Glasgow 7.57, so almost 3 hours longer than usual. I can't find out where the diversion is but assume ECML is most likely. I've only been diverted that way on the Inverness train. Where does the lowland divide if the run East Coast - or do they just run one train if not busy?

 

[47271]

Does anyone else find the Flexipass booking is somewhat haphazard?
Last time I requested a return but they only booked the single, then when I emailed again I got three emails with the same return booking.
This week I sent an email to make a booking on Tuesday but haven't had a reply yet.

I'm hearing a lot of this at the moment, they're probably short staffed again. If you can't get the response you're looking for by email then phone them (it can take a while to get through) and stay on the line until they get it fixed. I've never known them to be anything other than extremely helpful when you finally get hold of them.

 

[TimboM]

That is to Glasgow on Sunday 28th May (Bank Holiday weekend) and its leaving Euston at 21.39 and arriving Glasgow 7.57, so almost 3 hours longer than usual. I can't find out where the diversion is but assume ECML is most likely. I've only been diverted that way on the Inverness train. Where does the lowland divide if the run East Coast - or do they just run one train if not busy?

I believe the whole 16 coaches go to Edinburgh and then the Glasgow portion is split off and continues on to Glasgow via Carstairs, which will explain a fair chunk of the extra 3 hours. That and the scenic tour of Wembley depot and trip round the North London Line.

 

[47271]

1. I've never actually done this, I can tell you that you get your name on a wee "reserved" placard on a table in the lounge car

2. Very light. I was on board the Euston-Inverness sleeper on Monday evening and I was the only person booked in coach D, which meant I was moved to C but this was no hardship as the berths are of course identical. Including seated accommodation I would be surprised if there were more than 30 passengers on the Inverness portion. I was on board the 0900 INV-Aberdeen service this morning and saw the slightly delayed sleeper pull in to platform 2 at INV and the passengers disembark, again very lightly loaded.

3. There are 2 lounge cars on departure from EUS, one for INV and one for sharing between ABD and Fort William. At Edinburgh, another is attached to the FTW. There is more than one MK2 FO going about as I had one with ScotRail saltire seating in lieu of the usual lounge car, I think it's pot luck as to who gets what. In some ways I prefer the MK2 FOs as there are more tables.

Agree with all of the above but don't take it for granted that the northbound Inverness will be quiet as you get further into the week, even at this time of year. I have it on totally reliable authority that First Class was full last night (Thu 12 Jan) and that the lounge was rammed for the first hour or so out of Euston. Wednesdays can be surprisingly busy in any season.

 

[cf111]

Agree with all of the above but don't take it for granted that the northbound Inverness will be quiet as you get further into the week, even at this time of year. I have it on totally reliable authority that First Class was full last night (Thu 12 Jan) and that the lounge was rammed for the first hour or so out of Euston. Wednesdays can be surprisingly busy in any season.

Good to hear there is demand, I suppose Mondays are never going to be the busiest of nights for the sleeper in winter. It looked to me like barely anyone got off the train this morning but I suppose it's difficult to tell and some will have alighted along the way.

On another note the crew on my last journey were excellent. They are normally always very good but I felt I had to write in customer relations because they were such a cheery, professional bunch.

 

[47271]

On another note the crew on my last journey were excellent. They are normally always very good but I felt I had to write in customer relations because they were such a cheery, professional bunch.

If it was northbound on a Monday night you'll have got the Inverness crew who are without a doubt the best on the railway, and on top form are like an advert for Visit Scotland. There's nothing wrong with the London lot (they work opposing nights so they end up at base for the weekend) but the teamwork from the Inverness guys is so good because it's the same small group who work together all the time, and they get to know the regulars as friends.

Northbound you get them Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I've heard of people who make their business travel plans around this pattern.

 

[Far north 37]

i came down last week and the crew were great the whole way cant complain a thing £55 for a single from inverness to london great value and some excellent loco haulage????????????

 

[Caleb2010]

If it was northbound on a Monday night you'll have got the Inverness crew who are without a doubt the best on the railway, and on top form are like an advert for Visit Scotland. There's nothing wrong with the London lot (they work opposing nights so they end up at base for the weekend) but the teamwork from the Inverness guys is so good because it's the same small group who work together all the time, and they get to know the regulars as friends.

Northbound you get them Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I've heard of people who make their business travel plans around this pattern.

I went northbound Tuesday this week and back Wednesday and the London Crew on this duty were excellent. In fact all the crews i've met so far since the Serco takeover have been brilliant. They all make the best use of the careworn stock and equipment they're using.

 

[work-traveller]

A few years ago I travelled solo on the Fort William sleeper (meeting friends at Tyndrum), so to ensure I got a cabin to myself I paid the supplement for a solo cabin. However, the 'new' service only seems to offer standard (with a chance of having to share) or first (at a lot more cost). So to questions really:

1. Is the single supplement still available?
2. If the journey being taken was Crewe to Newtonmore on a Thursday evening, what might be the chance of having to share? I'd assume they'd only lump you in with someone if they were also getting on at Crewe and taking the route to Inverness as well.

 

[Clansman]

A few years ago I travelled solo on the Fort William sleeper (meeting friends at Tyndrum), so to ensure I got a cabin to myself I paid the supplement for a solo cabin. However, the 'new' service only seems to offer standard (with a chance of having to share) or first (at a lot more cost). So to questions really:

1. Is the single supplement still available?
2. If the journey being taken was Crewe to Newtonmore on a Thursday evening, what might be the chance of having to share? I'd assume they'd only lump you in with someone if they were also getting on at Crewe and taking the route to Inverness as well.

1. No Idea

2. You'll most likely have a berth to yourself. I travelled on the Inverness Sleeper from Crewe to Inverness last Thursday night (05/01) and it was dead. Only 2 people and a family of 3 got on at Crewe - the family was in the seated coach. Got a berth to myself plus no one was in the adjacent one either

 

[cf111]

A few years ago I travelled solo on the Fort William sleeper (meeting friends at Tyndrum), so to ensure I got a cabin to myself I paid the supplement for a solo cabin. However, the 'new' service only seems to offer standard (with a chance of having to share) or first (at a lot more cost). So to questions really:

1. Is the single supplement still available?
2. If the journey being taken was Crewe to Newtonmore on a Thursday evening, what might be the chance of having to share? I'd assume they'd only lump you in with someone if they were also getting on at Crewe and taking the route to Inverness as well.

There's a tab on the sleeper website (https://www.sleeper.scot/) for berth supplements.

 

[Hadders]

The useless Serco have removed the berth supplement for solo occupancy of a standard berth.

 

[najaB]

The useless Serco have removed the berth supplement for solo occupancy of a standard berth.

Which I don't mind as much as the increase in price of the shared supplement to the price of the former solo supplement.