Caledonian Sleeper discussion

[Gonzoiku]

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

Took a look at brfares.com for London-Inverness in December. There are some strange fares showing, such as First Class sharing, at handsome prices. Could this be an inkling of what is to come?

GZ

 

[TimboM]

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

The regular Sunday night diversions have now ended. The next significant alterations are on the late August Bank Holiday weekend (some trains going to/from Kings Cross; three services on some nights with the Highlander split into two etc.)

So as long as you're not going on this weekend, should be pretty much 'normal' - although I think Sunday services quite often depart a bit early (c.30 mins) to allow for engineering.

 

[Scotrail84]

The regular Sunday night diversions have now ended. The next significant alterations are on the late August Bank Holiday weekend (some trains going to/from Kings Cross; three services on some nights with the Highlander split into two etc.)

So as long as you're not going on this weekend, should be pretty much 'normal' - although I think Sunday services quite often depart a bit early (c.30 mins) to allow for engineering.

1M11 goes via Birmingham on a Sunday.

 

[Clansman]

Sorry if this has already been answered on other pages, but I noticed that bookings for services operated by the new trains (April 18th onwards) show the berths as "Classic Solo" and "Classic Shared", rather than "First Class" and "Standard Class".

Any reason why this is? Or is it just a fail-safe measure for passengers in case the Mk5s have teething problems and they need to swap services with the Mk3s? It doesn't mention double beds or any of the provisions the Mk5s will have, which is odd for a service which is scheduled to be operated by them.

 

[Scotrail84]

Sorry if this has already been answered on other pages, but I noticed that bookings for services operated by the new trains (April 18th onwards) show the berths as "Classic Solo" and "Classic Shared", rather than "First Class" and "Standard Class".

Any reason why this is? Or is it just a fail-safe measure for passengers in case the Mk5s have teething problems and they need to swap services with the Mk3s? It doesn't mention double beds or any of the provisions the Mk5s will have, which is odd for a service which is scheduled to be operated by them.

No first or std class. Just all under the same names. I.e. Classic solo classic shared.

 

[TimboM]

Possible switch of the DB 67 on the Inverness portion in the offing...
VSTP in for a light loco move from Mossend Yard to Polmadie depot this evening. 67020 is at Mossend currently with "GBRF" in the 'NEXT' column on TOPS.

(UPDATE: 67020 was on the light loco move and then reported as having gone from Polmadie to Waverley on 5C11 (Lowlander Edinburgh portion ECS) with 92023 - most likely getting switched with 67018 when it comes in from Inverness later.)


Also an STP in for possible 73/9 release from Loughborough Brush on Tuesday: 0Z73 Loughborough Brush-Craigentinny http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R01675/2017/08/01/advanced - 73966 and/or 73967 with Dellners fitted perhaps?

 

[Altnabreac]

Sorry if this has already been answered on other pages, but I noticed that bookings for services operated by the new trains (April 18th onwards) show the berths as "Classic Solo" and "Classic Shared", rather than "First Class" and "Standard Class".

Any reason why this is? Or is it just a fail-safe measure for passengers in case the Mk5s have teething problems and they need to swap services with the Mk3s? It doesn't mention double beds or any of the provisions the Mk5s will have, which is odd for a service which is scheduled to be operated by them.

Suspect it suits modern business HR policies. My wife uses the Caledonian Sleeper fairly regularly and while 1st class travel is not permitted, a solo cabin is. This can get complicated arguing with HR people explaining that 1st class is cheaper, especially if the alternative is a hotel room as well as a train ticket.

Just calling it Solo is much more sensible and makes life easier for business travellers like my wife to use the sleeper rather than day trains.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yeah, makes sense for it to be a Standard class train with additional accommodation categories.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Looks like shared berths have gone on new stock unless your party has 2 in.

 

[LeylandLen]

Just saw a 92 (92033 ?? ) light engine 0S96 away from Euston back to Wembley. Doesnt it usually stay at Euston to take lowlander out ? I see 5S96 still not departed Wembley thats ECS for Lowlander

 

[TimboM]

Just saw a 92 (92033 ?? ) light engine 0S96 away from Euston back to Wembley. Doesnt it usually stay at Euston to take lowlander out ? I see 5S96 still not departed Wembley thats ECS for Lowlander

It'd have been 92010 (033 is on the Highlander).

Yes, it'd usually stay there for the Lowlander, so suggests some problem. ECS still not left* (80 Late and counting now departing Wembley).

Would've thought 86101 was on the ECS. Bit odd that 92010 was sent back as usually they dig another loco out of Willesden if the ECS loco fails (90047 and 049 are there). And if 92010 had a problem you'd think they'd still send the stock in and then run another loco (e.g. one of the 90s) down from Willesden.

010 was sat outside the station after 1S25 left (rather than in the Up Carriage Sidings) waiting for the ECS, though, so perhaps was "in the way" and sent back to Willesden/Wembley - although again it's a bit odd as couldn't it just be sent back into the Engine Sidings adjacent to P15 to wait?


*UPDATE: 5S96 finally appeared on signalling diagrams in Wembley depot. Departed 81 Late. Still should be fine for 23:28 departure of 1S26 from Euston though.

 

[TimboM]

86101 just took the ECS in to Euston, with 92010 attached on the rear.

The Highlander ECS also went in with 92033 already attached on the rear (usually it is brought onto the ECS once it's got into Euston either direct from Willesden or from the Euston Engine Sidings).

Maybe lack of shunting staff at Euston meant the 92 had to head back to Wembley to be hooked up there? Alternatively, the Lowlander is using P15 (as did the Highlander) and not a lot seems to be arriving/departing from the lower-numbered platforms, so maybe some are out of use for engineering or whatever...?

 

[godfreycomplex]

86101 just took the ECS in to Euston, with 92010 attached on the rear.

The Highlander ECS also went in with 92033 already attached on the rear (usually it is brought onto the ECS once it's got into Euston either direct from Willesden or from the Euston Engine Sidings).

Maybe lack of shunting staff at Euston meant the 92 had to head back to Wembley to be hooked up there? Alternatively, the Lowlander is using P15 (as did the Highlander) and not a lot seems to be arriving/departing from the lower-numbered platforms, so maybe some are out of use for engineering or whatever...?

Looks to me as if Platforms 1-5 & lines A+B are in a T3 from about 21:30 onwards

 

[TimboM]

Looks to me as if Platforms 1-5 & lines A+B are in a T3 from about 21:30 onwards

Probably explains the somewhat unusual movements then. The Highlander normally goes from P1, with the loco that's brought in the ECS then running round to P15 when the Lowlander ECS comes in (shortly after the Highlander leaves).

The Lowlander ECS was due in at 2050 (before the T3) so perhaps a slight delay for some reason needed a re-plan and the loco having to be attached at Wembley.

I'm guessing it's HS2 prep work...?

 

[godfreycomplex]

Probably explains the somewhat unusual movements then. The Highlander normally goes from P1, with the loco that's brought in the ECS then running round to P15 when the Lowlander ECS comes in (shortly after the Highlander leaves).

The Lowlander ECS was due in at 2050 (before the T3) so perhaps a slight delay for some reason needed a re-plan and the loco having to be attached at Wembley.

I'm guessing it's HS2 prep work...?

Presumably.
The backing out roads are shut at the moment so with only 3 lines exiting Euston instead of the normal 5/6 (if you count E and X separately) there may not have been the spare capacity required for a shunt; even on a Sunday evening; hence....

 

[TimboM]

<deleted>

[Commenting that looked on RTT (and other systems) like 1B26 didn't split at Carstairs, but presumably a system "funny" as has reappeared now (on time).]

 

[LeylandLen]

Probably explains the somewhat unusual movements then. The Highlander normally goes from P1, with the loco that's brought in the ECS then running round to P15 when the Lowlander ECS comes in (shortly after the Highlander leaves).

The Lowlander ECS was due in at 2050 (before the T3) so perhaps a slight delay for some reason needed a re-plan and the loco having to be attached at Wembley.

I'm guessing it's HS2 prep work...?

Looking at RTT for the following Sundays up to the closure of Euston at the end of the month, it seems this procedure will be repeated using only platform 15 on Sundays whereas platform 1 is used Mon to Fri so assume its all to do with closing platforms 1-5 late Sunday for HS2 prep work

 

[Mag_seven]

Also an STP in for possible 73/9 release from Loughborough Brush on Tuesday: 0Z73 Loughborough Brush-Craigentinny http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R01675/2017/08/01/advanced - 73966 and/or 73967 with Dellners fitted perhaps?

Cancelled (after yours truly wasted 2 hours this morning festering around the Loughborough area hoping to see it)

 

[Sleepy]

No first or std class. Just all under the same names. I.e. Classic solo classic shared.

Seems to work well for GWR on Night Riveria with no 1st berths.........

 

[JStrainspotter]

Does anyone know if the new trains will have single and double berths with connecting doors?

Me and my parents are thinking of going to visit a friend up in Scotland and it would be good if we could get joining berths.

 

[TimboM]

Cancelled (after yours truly wasted 2 hours this morning festering around the Loughborough area hoping to see it)

Grrr...!! Sorry - I feel partly responsible. Not that there's any guarantee of these releases from Loughborough ever happening in line with the various paths that go in.

Talking of which, I reckon this (0Z74) is another stab at it tomorrow morning - I'll leave it up to you if you want to go and hang round the Loughborough area

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O16617/2017/08/02/advanced


Also a light engine STP - 0Z73 - from Craigentinny to Brush arriving c.4pm http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/R01676/2017/08/02/advanced which would presumably be one coming the other way (for Dellners?) - although this may have been tied into the one that got cancelled today, so may not run (and likewise be bumped a day).

 

[TimboM]

Does anyone know if the new trains will have single and double berths with connecting doors?

Me and my parents are thinking of going to visit a friend up in Scotland and it would be good if we could get joining berths.

If you go on the CS website, when booking the coaches/berths come up showing the layout of the new stock (in diagrammatic form at least) if you're booking for after its due to come into service (April 2018).

Have a look on here, but pretty sure there are some with connecting doors, but think they're doubles/twins with doubles/twins, not a single + double/twin combo (if that's what you're after?)

 

[Mag_seven]

Grrr...!! Sorry - I feel partly responsible. Not that there's any guarantee of these releases from Loughborough ever happening in line with the various paths that go in.

Don't worry this was not a go at you - I would have seen the path on RTT anyway. Its not the first time I've been "stung" by a path in RTT that never happened and I don't imagine it will be the last. STP paths tend to be a bit unreliable and subject to last minute cancellations!

 

[JStrainspotter]

If you go on the CS website, when booking the coaches/berths come up showing the layout of the new stock (in diagrammatic form at least) if you're booking for after its due to come into service (April 2018).

Have a look on here, but pretty sure there are some with connecting doors, but think they're doubles/twins with doubles/twins, not a single + double/twin combo (if that's what you're after?)

Yes, that is what I was looking for. the website's actually very good, it offered me 3 single berths on the new train.

 

[Clansman]

If you go on the CS website, when booking the coaches/berths come up showing the layout of the new stock (in diagrammatic form at least) if you're booking for after its due to come into service (April 2018).

Have a look on here, but pretty sure there are some with connecting doors, but think they're doubles/twins with doubles/twins, not a single + double/twin combo (if that's what you're after?)

On the subject of the layouts on the website, the difference between these is certainly interesting...

 

[JStrainspotter]

On the subject of the layouts on the website, the difference between these is certainly interesting...

Yes, I was offered those when looking for 3 seats. Better than a single and double!

 

[TimboM]

Don't worry this was not a go at you - I would have seen the path on RTT anyway. Its not the first time I've been "stung" by a path in RTT that never happened and I don't imagine it will be the last. STP paths tend to be a bit unreliable and subject to last minute cancellations!

It's OK, tongue was firmly in cheek

I tend to find the VSTP's a little more reliable (in the sense they're put in at that short notice then there must be a strong intention of running it and less time for plans to change).

 

[Far north 37]

i must imagine the obligation from vtec to provide a class 67 because of the class 73 that was in for collision repairs surely must of expired a while ago now.

 

[TimboM]

i must imagine the obligation from vtec to provide a class 67 because of the class 73 that was in for collision repairs surely must of expired a while ago now.

73969 is still in Loughborough getting sorted, so I don't see why it should've expired? I don't know the ins and outs of the arrangement clearly, but I'd expect the "courtesy" loco stays until the damaged one is fixed.

The presence of 67020 (having just replaced 67018) would also suggest that it's not expired.

 

[Far north 37]

id imagine front end collision repairs in what was probably a slow speed accident would not take what nearly 8 months now im sure virgin trains would be looking for that repairs to be be done long before now.
i would say its having other mods and repairs done by gbrf now and they have kept the loco hire agreement.