Caledonian Sleeper discussion

[JB1601]

Someone on here will probably know exactly, but it's not very wide...! There's some info on the seat61 site here: https://www.seat61.com/CaledonianSleepers.htm#Whats_the_Caledonian_Sleeper_like (section on 'Children...' further up the page) including a recommendation of a travel cot/bubble that fits in the berth (it's out of stock on Amazon, though, but should give an idea of dimensions that can be accommodated* - and other similar/newer options on the market):



The page also provides dimensions of the beds (67cm wide) and has pics of the berths (including a link to a 'panorama' shot) where you can get a good feel of the floor space relative to the bed.

*I believe the Samsonsite Travel Bubble that fits the space has/had a footprint of 60cm wide x 96cm long.

Thanks for this. We've got a travel cot that is 60cm wide but looking at it I couldn't see how it would fit in the aisle space based on what I could recall from my previous sleeper trips. If Mr 61 reckons it does then I guess it is just a snug fit!

 

[TimboM]

Thanks for this. We've got a travel cot that is 60cm wide but looking at it I couldn't see how it would fit in the aisle space based on what I could recall from my previous sleeper trips. If Mr 61 reckons it does then I guess it is just a snug fit!

No problem.

Yes, looking at the 'panorma' photo and getting a birds eye view of the bed, I'd have said the floor space was approx. 45-50cm alongside the bed, but as you say, if Mr Seat61 says so...

In practice, though, I'm assuming there's a fair bit of give in the sides of those pop-up cots, so if the (more rigid) base is a bit wider it can presumably go under the bed a little and then the top part just gets squeezed in the space between bed and berth wall (if that makes sense).

 

[Scotrail84]

92 014 on 1S25

92 018 on 1S26

 

[copernicium112]

92033 was stabled at Edinburgh today

 

[47271]

Huffing and puffing over carriage of firearms continues...

Highland MSP calls on sleeper boss to follow public sector’s lead in firearms ban

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/f...o-follow-public-sectors-lead-in-firearms-ban/

A Highland politician has hit out at a train company boss for allowing licenced firearms to be carried on the famous Caledonian Sleeper.

John Finnie MSP said he was “troubled” when Rupert Soames, chief executive of Serco – which runs the sleeper service – said that lawful guns could be taken on board.

ScotRail recently banned all firearms on its trains after a licenced gun was left unattended, a move that caused anger among gun users.

And now, Scottish Green Party member Mr Finnie – a former police officer – is calling on Serco to follow ScotRail’s lead.

Mr Finnie said: “I am troubled by the flippant comments made by the Serco chief executive promoting the carrying of firearms on board trains.

“I think many of my constituents would be extremely uncomfortable to be seated next to someone carrying a shotgun headed for a shooting jolly in the Highlands.

“I very much welcome the ban introduced on board Scotrail trains and Serco should look to the public sector as it is ensuring that community safety is at the forefront in this matter.

“I have written to Humza Yousaf, the Transport Minister, to ask that Serco mirrors Scotrail’s firearms ban on the Caledonian Sleeper.”

Mr Soames wrote on social media in the past few days: “Worried about Scotrail Fireams ban? Relax @CalSleeper welcomes responsible customers with licensed firearms.”

The Caledonian Sleeper Guest Charter confirms that, with an up-to-date firearms certificate and letter of authority, firearms can be taken onboard. The guest must stay with the weapon at all times.

Peter Glenser, chairman of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, said: “The operators clearly recognise the benefits to their brand and Scotland of welcoming responsible, safety-conscious shooters on their trains.

“It is estimated that £155 million per year is injected into Scotland’s economy by country sports tourism. With the ‘Glorious Twelfth’ just a couple of weeks away, it is fantastic news that the sleeper is happy to help maintain the tradition of shooters making their way to Scotland on the train.

“We continue to work towards ScotRail reversing its decision and hope it will eventually adhere to the national guidelines which allow a certificate holder to lawfully transport an unloaded gun with the train company’s permission.”

David Lister, ScotRail Alliance Safety and Sustainability Director, said: “The safety and security of our customers and staff is our number one priority. Following an incident earlier in the year, when a customer left a firearm unattended on a train, we reviewed our policy and decided that the best way to keep our customers and staff safe is to ban all firearms on ScotRail services. We are confident that this is a decision that will have the support of the vast majority of staff and customers.”

 

[Tim R-T-C]

Surely a compromise would be to have firearms checked into a secure cabinet and released only at the passenger's final destination.

 

[TimboM]

92 014 on 1S25

92 018 on 1S26

There are paths in for tomorrow for a F/liner 90 swap - guessing it's 90045 going back to Crewe Basford Hall as it's due an exam:

0Z92 Crewe Basford Hall (09:46) - Willesden TMD (13:24)
0Z86 Willesden TMD (14:43) - Crewe Basford Hall (18:48)

Could always tag 90047 along for the ride too given that has been misbehaving recently and ask for a better one

 

[najaB]

Surely a compromise would be to have firearms checked into a secure cabinet and released only at the passenger's final destination.

The issue is that Serco would then be responsible for the weapon. Meaning that the hosts/guards would have to hold firearms licences and so on.

 

[TimboM]

Huffing and puffing over carriage of firearms continues...

https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/f...o-follow-public-sectors-lead-in-firearms-ban/

Mr Finnie (MSP) clearly has a good knowledge of the Sleeper...

Mr Finnie said: “I am troubled by the flippant comments made by the Serco chief executive promoting the carrying of firearms on board trains.

“I think many of my constituents would be extremely uncomfortable to be seated next to someone carrying a shotgun headed for a shooting jolly in the Highlands."

Seated...? on a sleeper...?

Also accuses Rupert Soames of being flippant that uses the phrase "someone carrying a shotgun headed for a shooting jolly..."

I suspect the vast majority of very responsible shotgun owners would take umbrage to the flippant tone he is using too.

 

[Far north 37]

Mr Finnie (MSP) clearly has a good knowledge of the Sleeper...



Seated...? on a sleeper...?

Also accuses Rupert Soames of being flippant that uses the phrase "someone carrying a shotgun headed for a shooting jolly..."

I suspect the vast majority of very responsible shotgun owners would take umbrage to the flippant tone he is using too.

being going on for years with not one hint of trouble or not even anyone noticing probably now scotrail introduced there ban everyone jumping on the bandwagon

 

[MylesHSG]

Don't necessarily agree with blood sports, but as an employee who's job potentially relies on the success of the Sleeper I think they have taken the right stance.

 

[TimboM]

There are paths in for tomorrow for a F/liner 90 swap - guessing it's 90045 going back to Crewe Basford Hall as it's due an exam:

0Z92 Crewe Basford Hall (09:46) - Willesden TMD (13:24)
0Z86 Willesden TMD (14:43) - Crewe Basford Hall (18:48)

Could always tag 90047 along for the ride too given that has been misbehaving recently and ask for a better one

90045 is going up on the earlier STP north to Crewe (0Z90 - left Willesden about 15 mins ago). So either the other path (North at least) won't be used, or they're swapping 90047 as well (although you'd think they'd run both up together and save a driver/path if they were doing that - unless F/Liner want this one there ASAP so they can get to work on it, means it arrives c.10:30 rather than c.18:45).

EDIT: the return path for the replacement 90 is now in as VSTP - 0Z91 http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O15376/2017/07/27/advanced. Looks like the other paths (going the other way, i.e. 0Z92 Crewe->Willesden/0Z86 Willesden->Crewe) won't be used.

 

[InOban]

Mr Finnie (MSP) clearly has a good knowledge of the Sleeper...



Seated...? on a sleeper...?

Also accuses Rupert Soames of being flippant that uses the phrase "someone carrying a shotgun headed for a shooting jolly..."

I suspect the vast majority of very responsible shotgun owners would take umbrage to the flippant tone he is using too.

Presumably when they visit the lounge car for some lubrication they are legally required to take their gun(s) with them? It's so long since I used the sleeper, I can't remember whether passengers can lock their compartment.

 

[TimboM]

Presumably when they visit the lounge car for some lubrication they are legally required to take their gun(s) with them? It's so long since I used the sleeper, I can't remember whether passengers can lock their compartment.

Passengers cannot lock their berths (from the outside) themselves IIRC, however they can ask the Host to lock them for them. The CS Customer Charter (quoted earlier) requires them to have their gun with them at all times (and perhaps the law does too?) - so yes, strictly speaking they should take them to the lounge car if they are visiting it for lubrication.

Not sure how often that happens in practice, though.

I still find the MSP's tone (hypocritically) flippant...

 

[47271]

Yes you can lock your compartment, it needs a member of crew to open it up for you. The new trains will have hotel style keycards.

You could just step aboard a Scotrail train with a cased shotgun, joining the sleeper involves checking in with a host and going through paperwork, the two environments aren't really comparable.

I've always known about the sleeper's rules because they make them explicit. Until the 'lost property' incident highlighted the issue, commonsense would have told me that Scotrail didn't allow firearms on board.

 

[47271]

Passengers cannot lock their berths (from the outside) themselves IIRC

Not quite - you turn the knob on the inside as you leave the berth and that's it locked. You only need a key to unlock.

 

[fludgbe]

has there been any information on when new trains will enter service? thnaks

 

[TimboM]

has there been any information on when new trains will enter service? thnaks

The official line (as per the CS website) is still that they'll be in service from April 2018, with initial deliveries and testing commencing this Autumn. Not heard whether that timetable's being adhered to/realistic though.

 

[Leisurefirst]

The official line (as per the CS website) is still that they'll be in service from April 2018, with initial deliveries and testing commencing this Autumn. Not heard whether that timetable's being adhered to/realistic though.

I'd like to know how CS can get away with scrapping some (Two Together for
example) discounts for the cabins next year when the May 2017 leaflet vaild until September 2017 still advertises
"1/3 off Caledonian Sleeper services when boarding before 4:30".
As does their own website...
"Two Together - Get a Two Together Railcard for you and the person you travel with most, and you'll both enjoy 1/3 of rail fares when you get away together."

I've e-mailed and called them about this and received the same type of reply, that next year its new trains and "a different product", that they're selling a "room" not a ticket!

Surely if I have just bought a 2T railcard I should be entitled to the discount for a year from issue (though I noticed the small print indicates T&Cs can change.)

Best of all you go to book at the non-discounted prices and get a disclaimer stating that it's a transition period and you're not guaranteed a new train!

 

[leightonbd]

I'd like to know how CS can get away with scrapping some (Two Together for
example) discounts for the cabins next year when the May 2017 leaflet vaild until September 2017 still advertises
"1/3 off Caledonian Sleeper services when boarding before 4:30".

I'm prepared to believe I may have misunderstood your post, but how do you board the CS before "4:30"? Most of us board at hours ranging from 9 to 11.

 

[Darandio]

I'm prepared to believe I may have misunderstood your post, but how do you board the CS before "4:30"? Most of us board at hours ranging from 9 to 11.

Which is several hours before 4:30. I assume it is supposed to mean 04:30, being the standard end of day* for tickets.

*Or something to that effect.

 

[Leisurefirst]

I'm prepared to believe I may have misunderstood your post, but how do you board the CS before "4:30"? Most of us board at hours ranging from 9 to 11.

Just quoting from the railcard website (and leaflet IIRC).

Presumably means you don't get the discount if you are a day passenger boarding between 04.30 & 09.29 Mon to Friday on the Fort William service so yes if you're travelling from England to Scotland or vice versa you would have boarded before 04.30.

 

[Scotrail84]

Just quoting from the railcard website (and leaflet IIRC).

Presumably means you don't get the discount if you are a day passenger boarding between 04.30 & 09.29 Mon to Friday on the Fort William service so yes if you're travelling from England to Scotland or vice versa you would have boarded before 04.30.

The berth for two ticket when the new trains start is already heavily discounted £160 for two people is it not?

 

[Scotrail84]

90 049 and 047 both stabled at Willesden

 

[TimboM]

90 049 and 047 both stabled at Willesden

Full house sleeper-liveried 92s last night for first time since early June (there's been other all-92 nights, but with Triple Grey 92044 involved).

1S25 - 92033
1S26 - 92010
1M11 - 92018
1M16 - 92014
1C11/1B26 - 92023

Suspect 90047 is in the naughty corner at Willesden after its recent two failures. Due an exam in 4 days apparently so likely to get swapped before it works again on this stint at least.

 

[Scotrail84]

Full house sleeper-liveried 92s last night for first time since early June (there's been other all-92 nights, but with Triple Grey 92044 involved).

1S25 - 92033
1S26 - 92010
1M11 - 92018
1M16 - 92014
1C11/1B26 - 92023

Suspect 90047 is in the naughty corner at Willesden after its recent two failures. Due an exam in 4 days apparently so likely to get swapped before it works again on this stint at least.

Was at the the London end panned up with TL on tied on to 049

 

[TimboM]

Was at the the London end panned up with TL on tied on to 049

TL = Tail Lights?

 

[TimboM]

90 049 and 047 both stabled at Willesden

Looks like they've stayed there tonight too, with the 5x 92s working the services again (same allocations by the looks of it, but opposite directions where relevant).

 

[Scotrail84]

TL = Tail Lights?

Yes. Tail lights.

 

[fgwrich]

Booked on one of the Sunday night services in a few weekends time, are there any of the Sunday night Sleeper Diversions still running?