Caledonian Sleeper, your views!

[Bodiddly]

I wouldn't mind throwing this one open to the forum. Have you had personal experience of travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper? If so, what are your thoughts about your trip and what would you change about the service? My change would definitely be in-cabin Wifi and plug points. There is a refurbishment programme on the horizon, so what would you like to change?
Did you find it comfortable and relaxing or were you up all night? This is only for the Anglo Scottish routes as the Cornish is a different kettle of fish. Over to you guys!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Used it many times, very relaxing - no problems sleeping. Usually just get straight into the cabin as soon as boarding opens and settle down around departure time, lights out. ZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...........

What I'd most like to change about the cabins would be greater light proofing - far too much stray lights seeps in under the door and in the summer through the window blinds... they need blackout quality fabric.

 

[David Goddard]

Don't they supply sleeping masks if needed?

 

[cjp]

I wouldn't mind throwing this one open to the forum. Have you had personal experience of travelling on the Caledonian Sleeper? If so, what are your thoughts about your trip and what would you change about the service? My change would definitely be in-cabin Wifi and plug points. There is a refurbishment programme on the horizon, so what would you like to change?
Did you find it comfortable and relaxing or were you up all night? This is only for the Anglo Scottish routes as the Cornish is a different kettle of fish. Over to you guys!

Cheaper fares?

But I guess they charge what the market will stand - and why not.

I sleep fine and a continental adaptor lets me top up my phone or laptop.

 

[Tracked]

used it a couple of times last year, the only thing I'd change is the seating in the Mk2's, I got the single seat by the vestibule door both times and it was only any good if you liked playing footsy with the person opposite

 

[Liam]

used it a couple of times last year, the only thing I'd change is the seating in the Mk2's, I got the single seat by the vestibule door both times and it was only any good if you liked playing footsy with the person opposite

Try and get a double and use it as a bed.

 

[IanXC]

In the possible refurbishment programme I think other than power points, the best improvement would be inter coach doors, as recently fitted to Chiltern's Mark 3s. That would do a lot for draft and noise reduction.

 

[Tracked]

Try and get a double and use it as a bed.

apparently, luggage racks are nearly as uncomfortable as Northern's 3+2 Pacer seating

 

[EltonRoad]

I'd like to see two main improvements:

1) better soundproofing between cabins (where there's an interconnecting door) and corridor, as well as fewer things that can rattle
2) freshly prepared food in the lounge car for both dinner and breakfast

Otherwise it is a comfortable way to travel and cuts out a lot of the tedium of daytime travel.

 

[bkhtele]

Excellent service, better maintainence of equipment to avoid random noises owing to faults. Boarding a little earlier, often delayed at Euston, all allowed to remain in cabins in morning at Glagow until time in brochure.

Really like lounge car and bar service.

 

[Hardcastle]

Have a good nightcap before you board forget about wifi its a sleeper service after all sleep well Zzzzzzzzzzz.

 

[Bodiddly]

I'd like to see two main improvements:

1) better soundproofing between cabins (where there's an interconnecting door) and corridor, as well as fewer things that can rattle
2) freshly prepared food in the lounge car for both dinner and breakfast

Otherwise it is a comfortable way to travel and cuts out a lot of the tedium of daytime travel.

Had a nightmare journey a few weeks back when the cabin next to me was taken by a mother with young kids. The kids were noisy enough but the mother didn't stop shouting at them from around 6am onwards. Inverness 2 and a half hours later and I couldn't wait to get off. Better soundproofing is a must, but letting people know every word can be heard by their neighbours might work!

 

[Optimo]

Generally, am a big fan. Even though the trains are a little tired, it does feel like a welcome blast from the past. Being able to leave work in London in the evening, and wake in Aviemore soon after, is a delight.

Sleeping wise, the cabins are too cramped for anyone of average and above height but are just adequate. Travelling as a couple is fine. Travelling solo, with the randomness of sharing with a strangers, takes a bit of getting used to.

On the occasion I travelled EUS-Aviemore in the 'reclining' seats, it was a false economy - constantly playing footsie, noisy, pax boarding in the small hours disrupting what sleep was possible. I've train travelled in lots of places (Egypt, India) and was easily the most uncomfortable journey for the money.

Diner car could do with more staff/choice/room - it's instantly full upon departure at Euston. The poor service chap in there last time I travelled was unable to serve everyone (maybe 20 people?) in the 40 mins we were in there. Totally missing easy money. Barring passengers from eating their own food in there is fine if there is the possibility of getting served, but after waiting 40 mins, we ate our sandwiches and bottle of wine on the padded seats, then retired.

Not sure what the refurb will bring, but price wise they surely cannot put the prices up any more. A late-ish booking last year for two returns from EUS-Aviemore did not leave much change from £500 (£476 I think?). It is a long way I guess, but that was just do-able for me (good salary, disposable income) but I could have bought and insured a beater of a car for a week and driven us up and back for that (did look in to flying too, which wasn't far of the price either).

The difficulty in finding the old 'bargain berths' is also a bug-bear - I'd be inclined to periodically check and scoot up for a few days for a break if it was ever possible to find reasonable prices. Alas, whoever runs the web booking process seems to delight in obfuscating the process to such a degrees as to actually lose the franchise custom.

 

[Soyyo]

I would like to see these improvements:

1) More lounge/restaurant car space as these are always full on departure - though if you get a seat this is a most fantastic way of starting a long journey.
2) An extra car for Fort William as it is sometimes impossible to get on. More seats might also mean that there are more bargain berths on this section.
3) Sound proofing between cabins, I had to ask a guy to stop playing his guitar last time I went up.
4) A breakfast car on the Fort William northbound, as it doesn't arrive till mid morning. This would be amazing, especially if one of those old observation cars could be found!!

Realise that all this is in an ideal world and practically may all be impossible!

 

[EltonRoad]

There is a lounge car on the FW train, it gets put on at Edinburgh at 4.50 am.

 

[cjp]

There is a lounge car on the FW train, it gets put on at Edinburgh at 4.50 am.

And very pleasant it is too

 

[CallySleeper]

I would like to see these improvements:

1) More lounge/restaurant car space as these are always full on departure - though if you get a seat this is a most fantastic way of starting a long journey.
2) An extra car for Fort William as it is sometimes impossible to get on. More seats might also mean that there are more bargain berths on this section.

4) A breakfast car on the Fort William northbound, as it doesn't arrive till mid morning. This would be amazing, especially if one of those old observation cars could be found!!

Realise that all this is in an ideal world and practically may all be impossible!

4) As per EltonRoad's response.

1) The train cannot be made any longer than it already is, so you would be sacrificing bed space.

2) What do you mean by extra car? Sleeper Car or Lounge? It's a fine balance to split the full train into three portions. SR will have their reasons behind the quota which is currently set, of which is the deep clean/maintenance programme.

If Lounge Car, then as 1) above.

 

[SWT_USER]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread somewhat but it doesn't seem worth starting a new one. What is the cheapest way to guarantee a cabin to yourself on the sleeper, and how much? I've had a look at the Scotrail site but still not sure. I have a YP Railcard.

 

[CallySleeper]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread somewhat but it doesn't seem worth starting a new one. What is the cheapest way to guarantee a cabin to yourself on the sleeper, and how much? I've had a look at the Scotrail site but still not sure. I have a YP Railcard.

Would depend specifically on where you're planning on travelling. But for what it's worth, probably a 1st class ticket over standard open + supplement.

Edit: where, also when if possible.

 

[43167]

Done the Cally sleepers on the odd occasion, most recently in November on the Lowland from Edinburgh in the seating coach.

 

[EltonRoad]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread somewhat but it doesn't seem worth starting a new one. What is the cheapest way to guarantee a cabin to yourself on the sleeper, and how much? I've had a look at the Scotrail site but still not sure. I have a YP Railcard.

Buy a Solo supplement, about £59 on top of standard ticket. They are limited, especially on FW train, so book early.

 

[SWT_USER]

Buy a Solo supplement, about £59 on top of standard ticket. They are limited, especially on FW train, so book early.

Thanks, was looking at 25th March and to Fort William. What confused me was the 'Supplements may be available' where most of the fares don't seem to offer any so it looks as though the 1st class fare is a few pounds more expensive but you get the food voucher and the zone 1 tube fare which then make it effectively cheaper than standard fare + solo supplement.

 

[Ebore]

For what it's worth I took the sleeper to Fort William around the same date last year and the train (at least the FTW portion) was half empty. I had no problem getting a berth to myself on a Bargain Berth ticket.

 

[CallySleeper]

For 25th March, Euston - Fort William, I've got:

Off Peak Single £104.50*
+ Solo Supp £61.20
= TOTAL £165.70.

This is the single price from London U1+2. The single from London Terms is £102.50, but for some reason there wasn't any supp availability with this ticket.

OR

Sleeper First Single = £169.80

For this price you should in theory get a refreshment voucher for use in the Lounge Car, and a complementary hot or continental breakfast in the morning. I would absolutely recommend this on the FTW route. (Go for the continental option!)

You may also get a ticket for UZ1+2 travel, however I'm not sure how this works in practice, whether it's a travel card, a single ticket, or if you even get anything if travelling from London.

In conclusion, then, I'd go for First Class - you get more food for your money!

 

[EltonRoad]

I agree, if the difference is so small then go for First Class. You can also use the showers at each end, and the cabin is more roomy with the top bunk folded away.

If you're booking it using the ScotRail web site, use 'Zone U12* Lndn' as the origin. The price is the same as specifying Euston ('London Terminals') but the ticket is then coded to open the Underground gates and includes the + symbol, so no disputes at the barriers!

In my experience, on the FW train, there's one Solo supplement berth available per train, and it often gets sold out.

 

[12CSVT]

Sorry to hi-jack the thread somewhat but it doesn't seem worth starting a new one. What is the cheapest way to guarantee a cabin to yourself on the sleeper, and how much? I've had a look at the Scotrail site but still not sure. I have a YP Railcard.

Would booking from Watford Junction to some shack in the middle of nowhere work (eg Dalwhinnie, Corrour) ?

 

[cjp]

Would booking from Watford Junction to some shack in the middle of nowhere work (eg Dalwhinnie, Corrour) ?

no guarantee and you have to pay for the other bits

 

[SWT_USER]

Thanks all, looks like 1st class is the best option. What do you get for the refreshment voucher - how much is it worth?

 

[EltonRoad]

£2.50, can use on anything from the lounge car.

 

[DarloRich]

I love the sleeper, it is a fantastic service. It essentially buys me up to two days extra holiday without having to take them off as if you travel for the weekend you can leave Thursday night and have from 0800 Friday until 2345 on Sunday in Glasgow/Edinburgh etc whilst still arriving for work at the usual time! That said it is not the right vehicle for short notice travel due to the costs.

I also really like the lounge car as it allows a very relaxed form of travel that said i would not over imbibe the alcohol as waking up and recalling you are on a mkIII with the toilet at the end of the corridor is not fun!

I always get a first Class berth. Always! I also would suggest getting a berth that is not over the bogies or next to the lounge car as my last one was! That was the least comfortable nights sleep i have had on the sleeper, but i still slept.

The sound proofing could do with an improvement and the interior doors need better draft seals and some kind of silent running mode but other wise it is fine!

I would like better power points on the train and can see the need/desire for WIFI on the Highland portions but I am not sure you have the time to use such facilities on the Lowland sleeper