Caledonian Sleeper discussion

[Blindtraveler]

Never does the seated coach break when Im on it!

 

[JohnR]

A new train?? :?

I dont think so - because you can buy the family ticket now. But the so-called benefits seem to be fairly limited to being able to book two adjoining compartments. Yet using a railcard gives you a big discount anyway.

 

[TimboM]

Never does the seated coach break when Im on it!

You're obviously not pulling the right plug out before you board

 

[TimboM]

Some interesting loco moves today in/around Glasgow:

10:30 [0Z47] - Colas 47749 went from Polmadie to Mossend, I think with 92010 (having recently come off the Lowlander stock) - the 92 certainly seems to have been in Mossend today and can't see any other way it would have got there.

12.25 [0Z66] - DRS 66301 moved from Motherwell TMD to Polmadie (a. 12:50)
13:24 [5Z47] - 66301 then headed to Glasgow Springburn Works (where the sleeper coaches get repaired I believe)
15:10 [5Z48] - 66301 returned with one coach in tow (there's a VSTP in later tonight for an ECS move to Waverley in time for the Down Highlander's arrival, so guessing there'll be a coach swap)

20:08 [0Z92] - not 100% confirmed, but most probably 92010 returned light engine from Mossend (92010 was showing on TOPS as being in Mossend at 7pm and the headcode suggests a 92 loco move).

Arrived back at Polmadie at 20:28 and then presumably went straight on the back of the Lowlander ECS, as that left Polmadie at 20:51 (the only other A/C locos there are 90049 which is showing allocated to the Edinburgh portion ECS and 86401 most probably at the other end of the ECS, which would mean 92010 is the 1M11 loco).

47749 normally does the Springburn Works return run so interesting why it appears to have been taken to Mossend and the 66 brought in instead - possible fault with the 47? Also TOPS had it back at Polmadie just before 7pm, but can't see any workings for it to have got back by then, so suspect that's a TOPS "funny" and it's still at Mossend?

And what was 92010's role in it - was it used to take the 47 there? Was cutting it a bit fine to get back for tonight's working.

66301 meanwhile is apparently back at Polmadie this evening - covering for the 47?

Not sure if anyone knows more...?

 

[Blindtraveler]

LRD reported the Inverness seats as failed on last nights up, could be that Wembly have mislayed the nice big hammer they hit broken sleaper vehicles with to make it go again so the faulty coach is returning North to be swapped at EDB and the faulty one going to Springburn for the attention of some big Scottish fitter and his crowbar.

 

[gsnedders]

Total aside, but went past the track into the Springburn Works today and holy cow that's pretty overgrown for something that still sees use!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Sounds like the 156 refurbs, low quality. Youd think weed killer and a strimmer wouldnt be beyond even them though?

 

[TimboM]

Total aside, but went past the track into the Springburn Works today and holy cow that's pretty overgrown for something that still sees use!

Illustrative photo (Credit: Gordon Thomson) from a couple of weeks ago - you can just about see 47749 hiding in the bushes behind the Scotrail 156! https://flic.kr/p/UVkXYq

 

[TimboM]

LRD reported the Inverness seats as failed on last nights up, could be that Wembly have mislayed the nice big hammer they hit broken sleaper vehicles with to make it go again so the faulty coach is returning North to be swapped at EDB and the faulty one going to Springburn for the attention of some big Scottish fitter and his crowbar.

Could be, although you'd hope they'd have fixed it at Wembley. Also, I thought the Up Highlander stock then goes on the Down Lowlander the next night, although that might have ceased now as the reason for it in the past was to get all sets through Inverness regularly back in the Scotrail days when that was the main depot for the coaches.

A faulty coach swap isn't all that uncommon, nor is the 47 (usually) having a day trip to Springburn Works from Polmadie to swap a coach or two around - the unusual thing was the involvement of the DRS 66 and what appears to be 92010 having a day out to Mossend Yard.

 

[gsnedders]

Illustrative photo (Credit: Gordon Thomson) from a couple of weeks ago - you can just about see 47749 hiding in the bushes behind the Scotrail 156! https://flic.kr/p/UVkXYq

And that 47 must be holding some of the bushes out of the way on both side, to say nothing of the growth in the ballast in the four foot!

 

[Far north 37]

Could be, although you'd hope they'd have fixed it at Wembley. Also, I thought the Up Highlander stock then goes on the Down Lowlander the next night, although that might have ceased now as the reason for it in the past was to get all sets through Inverness regularly back in the Scotrail days when that was the main depot for the coaches.

A faulty coach swap isn't all that uncommon, nor is the 47 (usually) having a day trip to Springburn Works from Polmadie to swap a coach or two around - the unusual thing was the involvement of the DRS 66 and what appears to be 92010 having a day out to Mossend Yard.

another strange movement today

 

[TimboM]

And that 47 must be holding some of the bushes out of the way on both side, to say nothing of the growth in the ballast in the four foot!

Another pic (same photographer) - surprised 47749 could even find the Mk3 coach in that undergrowth! https://flic.kr/p/VWPJRb

With the warm(ish) wet weather it was probably grown a fair bit more when you saw it today. The DRS 66 probably trimmed the bushes a bit mind you.

 

[TimboM]

another strange movement today

Aye - although Polmadie and Mossend are only 20 mins apart, not however far apart Wembley and Dollands Moor are!

Also, I can see some logic in this. My guess would be the 47 has failed, but is beyond Polmadie's gift to fix (bearing in mind it's nominally a 'carriage depot') - so needs to go to Mossend (or needs to go there for some other unplanned reason). 92010 and 86401 are the options to take it, with 92010 preferred probably because 86401 as the lead loco on the evening's ECS is needed earlier in the afternoon/evening to hook up to the stock and power it up than 92010 that will be dead-on-rear going into Glasgow Central.

There's a coach that's needed out of Springburn to get on the Highlander tonight though ASAP, so with 47749 unavailable, a 66 is spot-hired from DRS to do the honours.

That's my theory anyway, but usually when someone explains what actually was going on you find out you were only half right!

 

[Far north 37]

very possible id possibly imagine though the 47 would be sent to edinburgh as they have looked after a good range of locos over the last few years and they are where the cs class 73s are allocated, although mossend is made up probably of ex motherwell men who would have great class 47 experience and many other locos i believe they only have a basic servicing point at mossend and cant carry out much there at all.

i was thinking this maybe a route learning trip for an upcoming diversion to carstairs through mossend yard but we could both be right or wrong��

 

[TimboM]

very possible id possibly imagine though the 47 would be sent to edinburgh as they have looked after a good range of locos over the last few years and they are where the cs class 73s are allocated, although mossend is made up probably of ex motherwell men who would have great class 47 experience and many other locos i believe they only have a basic servicing point at mossend and cant carry out much there at all.

i was thinking this maybe a route learning trip for an upcoming diversion to carstairs through mossend yard but we could both be right or wrong��

Aye - the 47 was at Craigentinny for some work (wheel turning I think) recently. Might just have gone to Mossend as a staging post for somewhere else.

If it was route learning, why take the 92 along for a ride and risk it not being back for the evening working?

Could also be that it was 92010 that needed to go there for some reason for a fix and 47749 took it, but that would seem a bit odd (i.e. if it was something that couldn't be sorted at Polmadie then probably not something Mossend could do...?). Also if 92010 was bust, 90049 could've worked 1M11 and 47749 (if "fit") could've done the Carstairs/Edinburgh circuit and taken 92010 with it to Waverley with the ECS to go to Craigentinny. It could've also fitted in the Springburn return shuttle before then too, which points the finger more at 47749 than 92010..?

Anyhow, someone will pop up with the actual answer no doubt and quash all the wild speculation!

Will be interesting to see what does the midnight ECS Polmadie-Waverely return workings for the coach swap - presumably either 66301 or 86401.

 

[Far north 37]

Aye - the 47 was at Craigentinny for some work (wheel turning I think) recently. Might just have gone to Mossend as a staging post for somewhere else.

If it was route learning, why take the 92 along for a ride and risk it not being back for the evening working?

Could also be that it was 92010 that needed to go there for some reason for a fix and 47749 took it, but that would seem a bit odd (i.e. if it was something that couldn't be sorted at Polmadie then probably not something Mossend could do...?). Also if 92010 was bust, 90049 could've worked 1M11 and 47749 (if "fit") could've done the Carstairs/Edinburgh circuit and taken 92010 with it to Waverley with the ECS to go to Craigentinny. It could've also fitted in the Springburn return shuttle before then too, which points the finger more at 47749 than 92010..?

Anyhow, someone will pop up with the actual answer no doubt and quash all the wild speculation!

Will be interesting to see what does the midnight ECS Polmadie-Waverely return workings for the coach swap - presumably either 66301 or 86401.

maybe the 92 was the only thing they had as insurance to get it there im sure it would of been able to make back in plenty time for the sleepers.

anyway as you say to much speculation but its not often you see a drs loco on caledonian sleeper stuff maybe its down to railcare to organise locos for these workings.

 

[TimboM]

anyway as you say to much speculation but its not often you see a drs loco on caledonian sleeper stuff maybe its down to railcare to organise locos for these workings.

I'm fairly sure it's up to GBRf - the Colas 47 is on (long-term) hire to them; I believe in exchange for Colas being able to call on a couple of GBRf's 66s down South as and when they require them.

I expect GBRf will have put a call in to DRS asking nicely if they had a handy diesel loco they could hire (if that's how it works!)

DRS working Sleeper stock is unusual, but a DRS 66 was put on the front of the Sleeper at Crewe a few weeks back when the wires were down at Preston and I believe one was also used when the wires went down again near Preston and one of the Sleepers needed a tow back into a station (Carlisle IIRC). DRS also helped GBRf out when 92032 failed a couple of months back on the china clays, so I think there must be a pretty decent relationship between GBRf and DRS.

In fact, with all the hiring in of locos GBRf have had to do for the sleeper I think they have all the other FOCs on speed dial now!

 

[Far north 37]

I'm fairly sure it's up to GBRf - the Colas 47 is on (long-term) hire to them; I believe in exchange for Colas being able to call on a couple of GBRf's 66s down South as and when they require them.

I expect GBRf will have put a call in to DRS asking nicely if they had a handy diesel loco they could hire (if that's how it works!)

DRS working Sleeper stock is unusual, but a DRS 66 was put on the front of the Sleeper at Crewe a few weeks back when the wires were down at Preston and I believe one was also used when the wires went down again near Preston and one of the Sleepers needed a tow back into a station (Carlisle IIRC). DRS also helped GBRf out when 92032 failed a couple of months back on the china clays, so I think there must be a pretty decent relationship between GBRf and DRS.

In fact, with all the hiring in of locos GBRf have had to do for the sleeper I think they have all the other FOCs on speed dial now!

i remember a drs 66 hauled the sleeper from inverness not to long ago think even the video is on you tube.

 

[TimboM]

STP light engine path gone in for a possible Class 73 release from Loughborough Brush tomorrow - 0Z73 Loughborough Brush to Doncaster Decoy Yard

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R02004/2017/07/06/advanced

 

[Tadman]

Greetings - I'm an American and recently traveled to Aberdeen and back for a meeting via sleeper. I noticed there are no souvenirs for sale of any type. Does anybody know where one could buy a hat, poster, necktie, etc... from the recent marketing campaign by Serco?

Also, anybody wish to ship me a box of haggis? That was good food.

 

[Clansman]

Greetings - I'm an American and recently traveled to Aberdeen and back for a meeting via sleeper. I noticed there are no souvenirs for sale of any type. Does anybody know where one could buy a hat, poster, necktie, etc... from the recent marketing campaign by Serco?

Also, anybody wish to ship me a box of haggis? That was good food.

Welcome to the forum, hope you enjoyed the Sleeper

The only merchandise of any type I can think of are the free amenities you get onboard, such as eyeshades, towel (with the logo on), and an Arran Aromatics kit consisting of moisturiser, soap, pillow spray, a booklet about the sleeper and earplugs.

I'm sure if you contact them directly via Email or Twitter they'd be able to inform you on these things, as well as if they're able to make concessions and help you out with some freebies.

I can't remember where they source they're Haggis from although I'm positive that information is provided on their website. P.S, isn't the Haggis used on the Sleeper technically classed as illegal in the US, due to the ingredients?

Other than that there's the Hornby model railway Sleeper set, although it's a bit on the pricey side.

 

[InOban]

You're correct that it is illegal to import genuine haggis into the US, only a vegetarian substitute. The issue arises every year at Burn's Supper time. Take your chance to enjoy the real thing.

 

[jopsuk]

The key banned ingredient is apparently sheeps lungs- US law prohibits sale of sheeps lung for human consumption whether imported or not

 

[trainophile]

Welcome to the forum, hope you enjoyed the Sleeper

The only merchandise of any type I can think of are the free amenities you get onboard, such as eyeshades, towel (with the logo on), and an Arran Aromatics kit consisting of moisturiser, soap, pillow spray, a booklet about the sleeper and earplugs.

I'm sure if you contact them directly via Email or Twitter they'd be able to inform you on these things, as well as if they're able to make concessions and help you out with some freebies.

I can't remember where they source they're Haggis from although I'm positive that information is provided on their website. P.S, isn't the Haggis used on the Sleeper technically classed as illegal in the US, due to the ingredients?

Other than that there's the Hornby model railway Sleeper set, although it's a bit on the pricey side.

There was a notice in my cabin saying please leave the towel when you leave the train. I don't think they are intended as souvenirs.

 

[Clansman]

There was a notice in my cabin saying please leave the towel when you leave the train. I don't think they are intended as souvenirs.

You're right. I was more referencing to the range of things available rather than listing everything you can just take from the berth. That being said, if they contact Caledonian Sleeper they may be able to see if they can obtain them somehow, seeing as the user is requesting for things such as those provided on board.

 

[adrock1976]

Does anybody know which Class 73 (if it was that) was on the 04:50 Edinburgh Waverley - Fort William portion this morning (Saturday 8 July)?

 

[Sarahs_Railway]

It had never crossed my mind that the reverse at Wembley was undone by approaching EDB from the east. That's a fortuitous fluke!

When diverted via the ECML it's in the correct formation leaving Euston, goes into reverse formation leaving Wembley but then rights itself by entering Waverley from the east.

 

[TimboM]

does anybody know which class 73 (if it was that) was on the 04:50 edinburgh waverley - fort william portion this morning (saturday 8 july)?

73966

 

[adrock1976]

73966

Thank you very much.

I might try an attempt at grabbing it for haulage on the way back down Sunday, depending how I am feeling.

 

[TimboM]

Thank you very much.

I might try an attempt at grabbing it for haulage on the way back down Sunday, depending how I am feeling.

No problem.