Caledonian Sleeper Mk5 Discussion

[61653 HTAFC]

True enough.

Although with fewer passengers than a conventional train, the door-to-passenger ratio, even with half as many doors, is higher.

In any case, are there any examples of LHCS that has only one door at each end? Even on a non-splitting service it would limit flexibility.

Nightstar stock?

 

[TimboM]

Interesting to note that the Vectron doesn't look massive next to the coach.

I thought that too - almost UK gauge?

 

[ScottDarg]

As we're getting closer to these coming to the UK (hopefully), would anyone be able to shed some light on how the route clearance process works for coaching stock?

I understand how clearance is gained for new stock, what I'm wondering is if assumptions can be made in gaining clearance.

In terms of the Mk.5s, would it be acceptable to assume that if they can be cleared for the West Highland Line (WHL) and handle the relatively tight curves there, then they should also be able to handle the ECML no bother, and as such gain route clearance without the usual procedures? Or is it the case that assumptions cannot be made and the usual procedures must be followed before they can be cleared for a route?

Hopefully that makes sense.

 

[route:oxford]

In terms of the Mk.5s, would it be acceptable to assume that if they can be cleared for the West Highland Line (WHL) and handle the relatively tight curves there, then they should also be able to handle the ECML no bother, and as such gain route clearance without the usual procedures? Or is it the case that assumptions cannot be made and the usual procedures must be followed before they can be cleared for a route?

Hopefully that makes sense.

Aren't some of the curves on the ECML (which I guess it would only generally use on diversions), tighter than on the WHL?

I'm thinking of the bridges at Newcastle in particular.

 

[InOban]

Some of the curves on the WHL have check rails and 20/25mph limits. I think that's why 170 and similar are excluded - the wheelbase of the bogies is too high.

 

[Clansman]

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Looks good - on the suite, is that curved mirror fitted to the inside of the door?

Do you have any images of the "classic solo" grade cabins please?

 

[Clansman]

Looks good - on the suite, is that curved mirror fitted to the inside of the door?
Do you have any images of the "classic solo" grade cabins please?

It's actually the accessable berth with the sliding door open, so what you are percieving to be a mirror is actually a rendering of the corridor and vestibule.

Suites

Classic

 

[Bletchleyite]

*Very* nice.

Still a shame the pods weren't feasible, though the seats look decent (unlike GWR) and the decor is very stylish.

 

[Iskra]

Wow, that looks amazing can't wait to try it. I have however booked a sleeper trip in January for one last go on the old stock!

 

[jopsuk]

is that the final materials? Because those look to me like (Very good) renders

 

[BRX]

They are renders.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It's actually the accessable berth with the sliding door open, so what you are percieving to be a mirror is actually a rendering of the corridor and vestibule.

Thank you. Looks good - and I am please to see that they have kept the head end the proper way round, unlike the refurbished GWR Mk3s.

So the other image was the accessible - presumably as it has a double it will be sold as a suite at short notice if there are no accessible bookings made?

Nice to see the classic retains the ability to create a family room.

 

[williamn]

Sorry if covered elsewhere but do we know when these are entering service? Doing some dummy bookings on the website seems to suggest April. I'd like to get a last ride on the old stock before it disappears!

 

[TimboM]

Sorry if covered elsewhere but do we know when these are entering service? Doing some dummy bookings on the website seems to suggest April. I'd like to get a last ride on the old stock before it disappears!

April was the original planned date, but things are running behind somewhat - there's been test run paths in the WTT for weeks (months?) now and no stock has yet to reach the UK. I would suggest it's now highly unlikely it'll be new stock by April.

There'll be lots of publicity and fanfare as we near the new stock entering service and the "launch" date becomes ever more firmer, so you should get plenty of warning as to when chances of riding the last stock will run out.

 

[USRailFan]

I think most loco hauled sets in the UK have at least one, though now typically in fixed formations with a door physically still there either locked or not for passenger use, HSTs with the guard's compartment in the TGS and both Mk4 and many Mk3 buffets, although I don't think either were initially designed like that.

It is pretty common on the Continent for dining and sleeping cars to only have a vestibule at one end. Some dining cars even are without vestibules completely. In the US, virtually all single-deck long-distance coaching Stock had only one vestibule since at least the 1940s.

 

[BRX]

Lots of articulated stock only has one vestibule per carriage - eg. the Eurostar (both old and new).

 

[USRailFan]

Lots of articulated stock only has one vestibule per carriage - eg. the Eurostar (both old and new).

True, although I read the post I quoted as concerning loco-hauled Stock, where one vestibule at each end has been the norm (for long-distance use), With the exceptions I mentioned.

 

[ScottDarg]

It's been noted by @87015 over in the main Sleeper thread that the Velim set is on the move:

In actual matters, some (the?) new coaches are on the move today, heading north from Velim towards Dresden and beyond.

The CS Twitter Team are pretty confident that they'll be in service in the Spring, with responses such as this to those asking when they'll be introduced:

Hi Simon, we don’t have an exact date but they are expected from Spring 2018. EM

https://twitter.com/CalSleeper/status/950024788533268482

 

[marks87]

I wonder if they're headed for a boat bound for South Tees Docks.

As posted earlier in the thread, there's early morning paths from there to Polmadie that have been in the system (then cancelled) since around August, which suggests that's where they'll enter the UK.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H36685/2018/01/10/advanced

 

[ScottDarg]

I wonder if they're headed for a boat bound for South Tees Docks.

As posted earlier in the thread, there's early morning paths from there to Polmadie that have been in the system (then cancelled) since around August, which suggests that's where they'll enter the UK.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H36685/2018/01/10/advanced

Wondering the same, I guess it's a matter of waiting now.

If they do arrive within the next few weeks, I reckon Spring is rather optimistic of them. There was about 6 months between the original delivery date and entry into service, which I can only assume would've been fully occupied by testing/training.

Assuming it's still 6 months testing, I reckon July/August is a more realistic entry into service. That assumes it's a faultless period of testing.

Should also note additional paths which I've been told are backups for Tees Dock:

• http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H36746/2018/01/09/advanced
• http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/H80168/2018/01/09/advanced

 

[hawk1911]

I'm looking to use the sleeper in April, so I thought I'd use the website to see what my options are.

It seems that after the 23rd February there are no 1st class options as such, just a choice between 'Classic Solo', 'Classic Shared' and 'Seated'.

It then states "Please be aware that you are booking to travel during a planned transition period while we introduce our new trains. As a result, we cannot guarantee whether you will be travelling on our new train or current train".

I think I'll hang on for a while to see if there is more clarity as, if the opportunity is there, I'd like to book one of the new en suite 'Club Rooms'.

 

[captainbigun]

There's no way the new stock will be in traffic in April, or anytime 1st half for that matter. There's loads of acceptance testing to do and it's not reached these shores yet.

They've altered the ticketing to avoid pain down the line when they are running a split fleet.

 

[hawk1911]

There's no way the new stock will be in traffic in April, or anytime 1st half for that matter. There's loads of acceptance testing to do and it's not reached these shores yet.

They've altered the ticketing to avoid pain down the line when they are running a split fleet.

I'm sure you are right. Maybe, I'll get a chance to sample the improved facilities towards the end of this year.

 

[xotGD]

Doesn't Spring arrive around the end of June in the far north of Scotland?

 

[snakeeyes]

Why wouldn't they come through the channel tunnel rather than ship?

 

[BRX]

Why wouldn't they come through the channel tunnel rather than ship?

This was discussed a few pages back... I think the conclusion was that the plant where they are manufactured is some distance from a standard gauge line and therefore it's easier to ship them out by road/sea.

 

[ScottDarg]

Why wouldn't they come through the channel tunnel rather than ship?

This was discussed a few pages back... I think the conclusion was that the plant where they are manufactured is some distance from a standard gauge line and therefore it's easier to ship them out by road/sea.

I believe the first rake that was at Velim was supposed to come through the tunnel with the rest coming by ship.

 

[Clansman]

Doesn't Spring arrive around the end of June in the far north of Scotland?

It never begins. Just continuous cycle of winter aside from the annual 2 weeks of Indian temperatures every May.

 

[Rob F]

Some of the curves on the WHL have check rails and 20/25mph limits. I think that's why 170 and similar are excluded - the wheelbase of the bogies is too high.

So how did a Co-Co class 37 manage?

Rob