Caledonian Sleeper discussion

[roversfan2001]

Now taking bets......1s26 leaves 75 to 78 mins late....

I reckon it'll be 81

 

[TimboM]

If it gets going fairly soon, has a good run and 86101 is still capable of something in the 100 mph region, could well make Glasgow on time (or thereabouts).

Few ifs in there of course...

 

[theironroad]

Well,all bets off as doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon

Edit: Well a nice round 90L off at 00:20

 

[Scotrail84]

Well,all bets off as doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon

On the move now. 90 late. Struggling to get up the bank from Euston.

 

[TimboM]

On the move now. 90 late. Struggling to get up the bank from Euston.

You see, should T'n'T them! :roll:

 

[Scotrail84]

You see, should T'n'T them! :roll:

Aye good one.......:roll:

 

[MylesHSG]

Ok, ok. I was wrong in my thinking to TnT the sleeper. Was just a thought that I decided to put on a public forum!

Looks like an interesting night last night. Thank goodness they got the northbound sleepers away in the end, would have been a bit of a nightmare if all 4 sets were down at Wembley.

 

[A Challenge]

The Highland has made up time up to Edinburgh, but is there any reason why it uses the second pass at Prices Street Gardens and not at Haymarket (they are scheduled through the same platforms) on RTT, I'm thinking the delays must be related to this?

 

[TimboM]

Ok, ok. I was wrong in my thinking to TnT the sleeper. Was just a thought that I decided to put on a public forum!

Looks like an interesting night last night. Thank goodness they got the northbound sleepers away in the end, would have been a bit of a nightmare if all 4 sets were down at Wembley.

Would've been a nightmare for passengers, but would have been some interesting weekend ECS moves.

Talking of T'n'T presumably the 5S26 ECS move back to Polmadie this morning was T'n'T Class 86s (86401 / 86101) - must've been a while since that happened!?

 

[TimboM]

Also in the news today, Caley Sleeper 73971 has been released from Brush works with the new coupler arrangement - same set up as the ROG 37s and is currently on test on the Great Central.

That will be going to the Czech Republic to meet up with the completed vehicles. There are only 5 complete vehicles with everything fitted. Another 30 are just body shells just now. So only another 40 to build in time for an April launch??

There's an STP path gone in for what appears to be a 73/9 move from Craigentinny to Loughborough on Tuesday (0Z73 - clue is in the headcode ):

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R00601/2017/07/04/advanced

May have missed something but cannot see any other obvious paths going the other way from Loughborough Brush and/or to Craigentinny between now and then, or in the few days following.

Assuming 73971 now goes off to the Czech Republic for testing with the new stock, this would then mean they're down to just two 73/9s in Scotland (i.e. 73967 and 73969 are already in Loughborough, 73971 on test, one more goes in on Tues).

Leaves things a bit tight if that is the case. There's on-hire Colas 47749 at Polmadie currently doing the odd stock move, so there's potentially some cover there. And of course the DB 67 will continue doing the Inverness run. But could be a bit thin on the ground diesel traction wise?

 

[GW43125]

You see, should T'n'T them! :roll:

If you need extra oomf then double heading would probably be the better option.

I'm aware it's cold outside so I'll make sure the door is closed behind me.

 

[TimboM]

If you need extra oomf then double heading would probably be the better option.

I'm aware it's cold outside so I'll make sure the door is closed behind me.

Good idea - 13,500hp across 12 driving axles - should just about do it: https://flic.kr/p/RwPggQ

 

[Kite159]

Looking at the sleeper website, it seems they have arranged a deal for an express bus to Oban from Crianlarich for passengers wanting to reach Oban a couple hours earlier

 

[Scotrail84]

Looking at the sleeper website, it seems they have arranged a deal for an express bus to Oban from Crianlarich for passengers wanting to reach Oban a couple hours earlier

Yes, bus will only run on an as required basis.

 

[Sarahs_Railway]

92 018 stabled on Mid Road at EDB this weekend.
Pic as ever at link below
https://www.flickr.com/photos/149563882@N07/

 

[Sarahs_Railway]

There's an STP path gone in for what appears to be a 73/9 move from Craigentinny to Loughborough on Tuesday (0Z73 - clue is in the headcode ):

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R00601/2017/07/04/advanced

May have missed something but cannot see any other obvious paths going the other way from Loughborough Brush and/or to Craigentinny between now and then, or in the few days following.

Assuming 73971 now goes off to the Czech Republic for testing with the new stock, this would then mean they're down to just two 73/9s in Scotland (i.e. 73967 and 73969 are already in Loughborough, 73971 on test, one more goes in on Tues).

Leaves things a bit tight if that is the case. There's on-hire Colas 47749 at Polmadie currently doing the odd stock move, so there's potentially some cover there. And of course the DB 67 will continue doing the Inverness run. But could be a bit thin on the ground diesel traction wise?

This might be worth a wee look down the ECML for a good location for a photograph. Early morning - probably good sunlight from the east though this summer that is not a gimme....

 

[TimboM]

92 018 stabled on Mid Road at EDB this weekend.
Pic as ever at link below
https://www.flickr.com/photos/149563882@N07/

Will probably mean it's on the Up Highlander (1M16) later.

92033 is on the Down Highlander (1S25) and for fans of what is probably GBRf's last operational Triple Grey (for now) Class 92, 92044 is on the Down Lowlander (1S26).

I'm assuming 86101 will return south tonight with 1M11, with 90049 on the Carstairs/Waverley circuit. But the ones north of the border could switch around yet.

92023 also headed back to Willesden this evening after more than 2 months away from the Sleepers (including a visit to Loughborough Brush).

 

[PaxVobiscum]

In case it's of interest to anyone: 86401 took the Lowland ECS into Glasgow Central tonight and 86101 is taking the Glasgow portion out.

 

[Mag_seven]

In case it's of interest to anyone: 86401 took the Lowland ECS into Glasgow Central tonight and 86101 is taking the Glasgow portion out.

Makes you wonder when the last time there were 86's at both ends of a train at the Central?

 

[TimboM]

Makes you wonder when the last time there were 86's at both ends of a train at the Central?

I was thinking that - did it ever happen when the 87/86s were doing more regular turns when the 92s were pulled off the Sleeper?

 

[Lrd]

I'm getting the Up Highlander from Falkirk Grahamston to Preston tonight, does anybody know which end of the train the seated coach will be?

Thanks in advance

 

[Bodiddly]

I'm getting the Up Highlander from Falkirk Grahamston to Preston tonight, does anybody know which end of the train the seated coach will be?

Thanks in advance

At the very rear.

 

[Lrd]

At the very rear.

Cheers

 

[delt1c]

I was thinking that - did it ever happen when the 87/86s were doing more regular turns when the 92s were pulled off the Sleeper?

Rember back around 98 travelled southbound from Glasgow central to Euston 86 on Front and 87 on the back

 

[jopsuk]

I'm getting the Up Highlander from Falkirk Grahamston to Preston tonight, does anybody know which end of the train the seated coach will be?

Thanks in advance

it'll be at the rear at Falkirk; from Edinburgh onwards it'll be in the middle of the train and if you were facing the direction of travel you'll now be facing backwards with the sleeper carriages from Inverness on the rear

 

[TimboM]

There's an STP path gone in for what appears to be a 73/9 move from Craigentinny to Loughborough on Tuesday (0Z73 - clue is in the headcode ):

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R00601/2017/07/04/advanced

This might be worth a wee look down the ECML for a good location for a photograph. Early morning - probably good sunlight from the east though this summer that is not a gimme....

The path for 73/9 move from Craigentinny to Loughborough Brush in for today has been cancelled "at Customer's request" - not all that surprising given it'd leave them pretty short on diesel options. Probably wait for one of the ones that's in to come out first before sending in whichever one it was that was due to head south.

 

[Lrd]

Forgot to mention last night but the southbound Inverness portion was hauled by 67018 instead of a 73. Also the seated coach was dead with no power, lights, air con etc so I was upgraded to a solo berth

 

[TimboM]

Forgot to mention last night but the southbound Inverness portion was hauled by 67018 instead of a 73. Also the seated coach was dead with no power, lights, air con etc so I was upgraded to a solo berth

Good stuff with the upgrade!

The Inverness portion has been c.98% 67-hauled since the beginning of the year since 73969 was bashed-up in a shunting incident in Craigentinny in December and a DB 67 is being loaned to GBRf as a 'courtesy loco'. 73969 is still in Loughborough. The Inverness needs 2x 73s, so with two needed for the other two portions and there only being 3x 73/9s in operation north of the border currently, the 67 is a necessity.

The DB red/maple leaf 67018 was swapped-in for the more drab EWS-liveried 67030 on Sunday night.

 

[Lrd]

Good stuff with the upgrade!

The Inverness portion has been c.98% 67-hauled since the beginning of the year since 73969 was bashed-up in a shunting incident in Craigentinny in December and a DB 67 is being loaned to GBRf as a 'courtesy loco'. 73969 is still in Loughborough. The Inverness needs 2x 73s, so with two needed for the other two portions and there only being 3x 73/9s in operation north of the border currently, the 67 is a necessity.

The DB red/maple leaf 67018 was swapped-in for the more drab EWS-liveried 67030 on Sunday night.

Thanks for explaining. That would be why I had a 66 + 73 on the Inverness late last year/early this year.

I do try and keep up with this thread, honest!

 

[TimboM]

Thanks for explaining. That would be why I had a 66 + 73 on the Inverness late last year/early this year.

I do try and keep up with this thread, honest!

It's difficult to keep up with the saga of the 73s sometimes, don't worry!

The 66 + 73 combos were when the 73/9s were first out after their rebuilds and there were issues with the alternators that had been fitted (as I understand it). They ended up using 66s for the traction, but as they have no ETS the 73s were there in glorified "ETHeL" mode.

The 73s then went through Brush and got the Alternator fixed and can work solo now, but the mishap to 73969 and another couple being in Brush at the moment (it would appear to have the Delner new couplings fitted) has meant they're not at a full strength.

At some point in the future you will get 2x 73/9s on the Inverness - not sure when though...!

(And just to confuse matters there was one of the Royal Scotsman 66s on the front of the 67 on the Inverness (southbound) on Friday night, but AFAIK that was just a loco positioning move to get the 66 to Craigentinny for onward transfer to Doncaster early this week.)