Caledonian Sleeper discussion

[TimboM]

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.

That's possible, yes. They were certainly going to do the Dellner mods whilst it was there.

By the same token, though, if you smashed up my car in the car park and my garage were already maxed out fixing/modifying about 20 of my other cars (e.g. 12x 92s, 6x 73/9 + other 73s) I wouldn't have you dictate to me how quickly the damage you caused got fixed and its priority vs other work, nor whether it was or wasn't tied in with other work due on that car (which may or may not be further complicated by the damage you'd caused). I'd also make sure you provided me with a courtesy car for the duration.

There's also potential hold-ups around who's paying for what particularly if repairs are combined with the structural re-work needed for the Dellner couplings (which would make sense from a practical perspective). VTEC (or their insurers) would presumably want to be confident they were only paying for the damage.

Also, I believe that given where the collision was (middle/front of cab) where a lot of the controls are there was some pretty significant damage to key components internally - some of these may not be readily available and may need rebuilding/repair and/or specialist attention etc. From a bodywork/structural perspective alone the whole front end was stoved in.

https://flic.kr/p/UqdkWa (Photo credit: Simon Parker)

Accept there needs to be a level of reasoanableness from GBRf, but VTEC aren't really in a great position to demand what gets done when etc.

 

[BRX]

Report from a friend travelling on the southbound aberdeen train last night that the heating in the seated coach was out yet again...so free upgrade to a berth.

 

[Scotrail84]

Report from a friend travelling on the southbound aberdeen train last night that the heating in the seated coach was out yet again...so free upgrade to a berth.

9803 has bother with the internal doors, A/C system needs gassed as well. Coach cant retain the heat.

9807's MA had a flashover at Crewe on Friday night, That coach has been removed and replaced by 9810 while it goes for repairs.

 

[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).

73967 has been released and is now at Doncaster Decoy Yard. I suspect with Dellners fitted, but not seen any confirmation of that.

Somewhat unsurprisingly the STP for one coming the other way was cancelled. Suspect they'll get 967 repatriated first before they despatch the next one.

 

[GW43125]

Information of which you're probably aware: CS liveried 92033 is currently in the Klondike at Waverley. Makes a change from the FL grey 90 that was there last time I was here!

 

[TimboM]

Information of which you're probably aware: CS liveried 92033 is currently in the Klondike at Waverley. Makes a change from the FL grey 90 that was there last time I was here!

You must've been 'unlucky' last time as it's been 92s on the Highlander (and thus stabled at Waverley during the day) for about 95% of the time last couple of months.

Thankfully (from an aesthetics point of view) the shabby grey 90s are back with Freightliner for exams etc. (including 90047 which failed twice last week) and there's now two smartly presented Freightliner Powerhaul ones on the current hire-in stints (90042/049).

049 was switched to the Carstairs/Edinburgh circuit last night; 042 came down from Crewe on the latest swap yesterday afternoon and not been out yet.

 

[GW43125]

You must've been 'unlucky' last time as it's been 92s on the Highlander (and thus stabled at Waverley during the day) for about 95% of the time last couple of months.

Thankfully (from an aesthetics point of view) the shabby grey 90s are back with Freightliner for exams etc. (including 90047 which failed twice last week) and there's now two smartly presented Freightliner Powerhaul ones on the current hire-in stints (90042/049).

049 was switched to the Carstairs/Edinburgh circuit last night; 042 came down from Crewe on the latest swap yesterday afternoon and not been out yet.

I haven't been here since November! Came in on a 225-still need to do the sleeper!

 

[TimboM]

I haven't been here since November! Came in on a 225-still need to do the sleeper!

Ah - the 92s were only really starting to get back onto the Sleepers back then IIRC.

 

[GW43125]

Ah - the 92s were only really starting to get back onto the Sleepers back then IIRC.

The only two locos I saw parked in the Klondike that week were 90s- 046 in FL grey and 048 in FL green if memory serves me correctly

 

[TimboM]

The only two locos I saw parked in the Klondike that week were 90s- 046 in FL grey and 048 in FL green if memory serves me correctly

Sounds about right, although 046 would've been the green one (older/standard F/liner green livery) and 048 the grey.

 

[GW43125]

Sounds about right, although 046 would've been the green one (older/standard F/liner green livery) and 048 the grey.

Seems like memory didn't serve correctly.

 

[Silver Cobra]

In case anyone is interested, 92018 hauled the northbound lowland last night. Spotted it parked up with the sleeper at Glasgow Central just now while waiting for my XC service to Edinburgh.

 

[Scotrail84]

Tonights Northbound Highlander is sold out.

 

[adrock1976]

Tonights Northbound Highlander is sold out.

Is that for all three portions?

I can understand the Fort William portion being sold out at this time of year.

 

[Blindtraveler]

There is clearly a bigger apitite for getting drenched and eaten alive by midges than I thought.

 

[marks87]

I think the Edinburgh Festival also drives a lot of traffic to places other than Edinburgh.

People either staying outside the city (Fife etc.), or venturing to the Highlands to get the full Scottish experience.

 

[47271]

I think the Edinburgh Festival also drives a lot of traffic to places other than Edinburgh.

People either staying outside the city (Fife etc.), or venturing to the Highlands to get the full Scottish experience.

Judging by the number of people and enormous suitcases rammed on Highland Main Line Scotrail services this week, then I'd agree with that.

The Inverness section of the Highlander goes clean pretty regularly, it's the Aberdeen bit that they find toughest to fill.

 

[Scotrail84]

Is that for all three portions?

I can understand the Fort William portion being sold out at this time of year.

The whole train. Ft William is missing coach X as well.

 

[Bungle965]

The whole train. Ft William is missing coach X as well.

Looks like there are some problems with the coaches this evening. CS Twitter page has sent out a tweet saying.

We are really sorry for the disruption to your journey tonight. We appreciate that alternative transport is far from ideal, but the failure of some of our coaches has meant we have had to take this action. We are working hard with the suppliers and investing heavily to keep an old fleet going until our new fleet comes on board next year. Our Guest Service Team will be in contact with you to discuss further.

Sam

 

[TimboM]

The whole train. Ft William is missing coach X as well.

Saw some kerfuffle about that on Twitter. Some very irate Guardian writer is venting his spleen as has been bumped onto the Lowlander instead as a result (although is phrasing that as "put on a midnight train") and told they'd be getting road replacement in the morning from Glasgow instead. Ruined his holiday before it's started apparently.

CS have offered a response on Twitter (although don't seem to have actually managed to do it as a reply to him!?):

"We are really sorry for the disruption to your journey tonight. We appreciate that the alternative transport is far from ideal, but the failure of some of our coaches has meant we have had to take this action. We are working hard with suppliers and investing heavily to keep an old fleet going until our new fleet comes on board next year...."

 

[TimboM]

Looks like there are some problems with the coaches this evening. CS Twitter page has sent out a tweet saying.

Sam

This was a response to the bloke I've referred to above, although they've managed just to send it out as a 'normal' tweet rather than replying to his specifically.

Also, the customer's Twitter rant was just before 11.30am and they've only responded at 7.00pm; meanwhile all the usual Serco/CS haters have jumped on board...

CS need to up their social media game somewhat!

 

[johnr57]

I am booked on the CS northbound highlander in November this year. will be travelling down from york early morning to conduct some business during the day. Is there somewhere at Euston where i can leave my luggage please - its a long time since ive been on the N/B and cant remeber if that sort of facility was provided

many thanks in advance

 

[TimboM]

I am booked on the CS northbound highlander in November this year. will be travelling down from york early morning to conduct some business during the day. Is there somewhere at Euston where i can leave my luggage please - its a long time since ive been on the N/B and cant remeber if that sort of facility was provided

many thanks in advance

There's a Left Luggage place on the main station concourse at Euston. Take a look at National Rail's Euston page: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/EUS/details.html (under Staffing and General Services) - it's at the top of P16-18.

 

[johnr57]

There's a Left Luggage place on the main station concourse at Euston. Take a look at National Rail's Euston page: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/EUS/details.html (under Staffing and General Services) - it's at the top of P16-18.

many thanks - thats great thank you

 

[BRX]

"Investing heavily" in the existing fleet is not exactly the impression I've had the last couple of times I've been on board...

 

[Blindtraveler]

Likewise, last journey for me was Feb and Edinburgh seats heating failed after the guard had buggered off and there was no buffet iether.


Still, cudos that they are trying to keep it going, this will hopefully be the last summer season with the BR vintage stock which from their POV will be a good thing

 

[Scotrail84]

Likewise, last journey for me was Feb and Edinburgh seats heating failed after the guard had buggered off and there was no buffet iether.


Still, cudos that they are trying to keep it going, this will hopefully be the last summer season with the BR vintage stock which from their POV will be a good thing

I wouldn't bet on it.

 

[GW43125]

I wouldn't bet on it.

When are they hoping to have finished with the old stock?

 

[47271]

When are they hoping to have finished with the old stock?

'2018' is all they say. The changeover will be a slow process I reckon.

 

[TimboM]

'2018' is all they say. The changeover will be a slow process I reckon.

It says more specifically "April 2018" on their website and that's the date they stick to on Twitter when asked (and has been all along).

As Scotrail84 says, though - I'll believe it when I see it/them all fully in service on 1 April 2018 (or even 30 April...!)