Caledonian Sleeper discussion

[pitdiver]

Although the full breakfast might be underwhelming (I suggest getting the bacon roll) it's worth having the evening meal in the lounge car, one of the pleaaures of using the service. When it's busy, you just have to come back an hour or so later after the first sitting have had their meals. It usually quietens down considerably. I've always been able to get something to eat, even if sometimes a couple of things on the menu have sold out.

What sort of time would you advise for a "Second Sitting", am I right in assuming they serve throughout the night?

 

[BRX]

What sort of time would you advise for a "Second Sitting", am I right in assuming they serve throughout the night?

No, they tend to politely chuck people out at a certain point maybe some time soon after midnight (on the southbound Fort William train the lounge car gets detached at Edinburgh anyway). I'd say simply try about an hour after departure. It'll often be quite busy on departure, but while some people will linger with drinks etc for some time after finishing their dinner, quite a lot of people just eat and then go to bed. On the train south from Fort William, because the Lounge car only serves 3 or 4 sleeper carriages instead of 8 it's less usual for it to be so busy you have to wait for a seat (in my experience).

 

[Caleb2010]

I've seen a post of Facebook from someone that claims to have seen a 92 heading towards Edinburgh (with the empties) with a Colas 47 tagged onto the rear. I've seen nothing more than that though.

If that info's correct, it'll likely be 749 as that worked 5M11 last night and is the only active 47 still running around in the Colas livery (739 at Eastleigh, 727 no longer in the livery). I'd also assume the 92 was 028 and has gone over for 1M16 later.

Yes. A very smart 92 028 bought the Highland into Euston this morning!

 

[Highlandspring]

73968 is hauling 92038 from Craigentinny to Polmadie tonight as 0Z73, 2210 departure.

 

[sd0733]

92023 and 92032 are in the holding sidings at Crewe this morning. 023 has it's Dellner kit on

 

[TimboM]

92023 and 92032 are in the holding sidings at Crewe this morning. 023 has it's Dellner kit on

Both heading to Wembley IC Depot shortly on this (0Z92):
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O81580/2018/03/16/advanced

 

[JModulo]

Tonight so far...
1C11 : 90046
1M11 : 90016
5M11 : 92038

 

[pitdiver]

I know this sounds a most stupid question but do the doors of the sleeper cabins have the berth numbers on them. My booking is for Coach F 07U & F07L Northbound and Coach E 09U & 09L Southbound.
In addition do they accept cards in the lounge cars or is it cash only?

 

[hexagon789]

On the highlander tonight. Orders straight in for tomorrow. Surprised to find my Pot of Tea and Breakfast only came to £3.50. Attendant told me the tea is free. Bargain ( I hope)

Yep, tea is free. I had a coffee when I used the CS in 2012 and the Continental breakfast was £3 I think.

 

[hexagon789]

I know this sounds a most stupid question but do the doors of the sleeper cabins have the berth numbers on them. My booking is for Coach F 07U & F07L Northbound and Coach E 09U & 09L Southbound.

Should do, if you do get stuck just ask the attendant, I've always found them very helpful.

One guy even gave me the bottles of water from an unoccupied compartment, I wasn't going to say no to that!

 

[JModulo]

I In addition do they accept cards in the lounge cars or is it cash only?

Cash and Card, although I like having cash to hand as their card machines can be a bit iffy sometimes.

 

[pitdiver]

With regards to asking the attendant. I thought they no longer waited at the doors to the coaches but checked tickets at the entrance to the platform. All these questions, am I worrying unnecessarily?

 

[alistairlees]

I know this sounds a most stupid question but do the doors of the sleeper cabins have the berth numbers on them. My booking is for Coach F 07U & F07L Northbound and Coach E 09U & 09L Southbound.
In addition do they accept cards in the lounge cars or is it cash only?

Yes, there are numbers next to the doors. The host will show you to your room if you have not travelled before, and explain how stuff (like the door lock!) works.

The lounge cars have card machines. The card machines have always worked fine for me. If they don't it's not really your fault is it?

Enjoy your trip!

 

[alistairlees]

With regards to asking the attendant. I thought they no longer waited at the doors to the coaches but checked tickets at the entrance to the platform. All these questions, am I worrying unnecessarily?

At Euston the Duty Manager checks tickets at the entrance to the platform. The hosts are waiting by the doors to the train; there is one host per two sleeping coaches.

 

[pitdiver]

Cheers guys for all you answers

 

[cj_1985]

Are we any the wiser as to what will be working the ECS moves once the new stock is introduced... ?
considering that I've read on here that the platforms can't accommodate a full rake with a 92 at either end, and the 86s and 87 can't haul the new stock without a coupling mod... be it either something like the class 73/92 solution, or an emergency coupling- if they could still be used at full line speed from Wembley.

 

[87015]

They do it with a 92 on each end at Euston most days at the moment, 86/87 out of service.

 

[ScottDarg]

They do it with a 92 on each end at Euston most days at the moment, 86/87 out of service.

Glasgow Central can also handle a 92 at each end fine I believe - though that's usually only load 8.

5S95 Highlander empties in Euston is more often than not 2 92s given the ECS loco goes on to lead 1S26 north.

 

[cj_1985]

They do it with a 92 on each end at Euston most days at the moment, 86/87 out of service.

I thought that a rake with a 92 at either end would foul the/a signal.

oh well, sorry for the disturbance

 

[JModulo]

I thought that a rake with a 92 at either end would foul the/a signal.

oh well, sorry for the disturbance

For now with the mk2/3s, but wont a full rake of MK5s be longer though and therefore as suggested foul the signal when TnT 92s?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

For now with the mk2/3s, but wont a full rake of MK5s be longer though and therefore as suggested foul the signal when TnT 92s?

I don't think so as the Mk5s, while they are two meters longer than the Mk2s, are a meter shorter than the Mk3. So the overall train length will be roughly as it is now.

 

[hexagon789]

For now with the mk2/3s, but wont a full rake of MK5s be longer though and therefore as suggested foul the signal when TnT 92s?

As others have noted the Mk5s are deliberately shorter to compensate, the Mk3s are 23m, Mk2fs 20.18m. The Mk5s are 22m.

 

[DanNCL]

Does anyone know which loco hauled the Northbound Lowland sleeper on Monday night?

 

[Caleb2010]

I’m fairly sure that 92 038 bought the Highland stock into Euston- so I’d guess that!

 

[DanNCL]

I’m fairly sure that 92 038 bought the Highland stock into Euston- so I’d guess that!

Brilliant, thanks!

 

[ScottDarg]

I’m fairly sure that 92 038 bought the Highland stock into Euston- so I’d guess that!

038's not been near London since June last year - not been south of Crewe since leaving Brush last month I don't think.

Does anyone know which loco hauled the Northbound Lowland sleeper on Monday night?

92043 worked 1S26 North on Monday Night/Tuesday Morning

 

[TimboM]

038's not been near London since June last year - not been south of Crewe since leaving Brush last month I don't think.

92043 worked 1S26 North on Monday Night/Tuesday Morning

Correct on all counts, Scott!

Pretty sure 038 is also set up for Mk5 1.5kv ETS, so currently would need a mod back to "classic" 850v ETS (and different jumper cables) to work a Class 1 service. Hence at the moment 038 is doing Mk5 testing at Polmadie and Polmadie-Glasgow ECS moves only.

 

[Caleb2010]

That's the one, I don't know what gave me the idea it was 038, yes it was 043

My apologies - didn't mean to give false info!

 

[ScottDarg]

5M11: 92038
1M11: 90047

 

[ScottDarg]

92023 working (what I believe to be) its first Class 1 service since leaving Brush. Came in to Glasgow Central on the rear of 5C11 before heading out again to Edinburgh for 1C11.

92038 worked 5M11, 90047 at the other end to take 1M11 to London.