Caledonian Sleeper

[BRX]

For Horsham it should be quite easy now - with the new Thameslink services direct to St. Pancras. Still a long journey but essentially just one change to get to Inverness and no need to mess about with the underground etc.

 

[Essexman]

It seems that although the sleeper is often the most time efficient way to travel, it is pricing itself out of the market for many leisure travellers. It's a shame that the Bargain Berths aren't still available.

 

[vlad]

I am taking the Highlander soon and looking forward to it! What time is food served to northbound and when does breakfast start southbound? I am boarding and disembarking at Crewe.

If it helps, I was drinking in the lounge from London to Lancashire last time I was on the northbound Highlander. We were pretty much the only people left in the lounge and so I think the steward was wanting to get rid of us!

You'll need to bear in mind that if it's been busy your choice of food will be what they've got left or nothing.

 

[MrEd]

I am taking the Highlander soon and looking forward to it! What time is food served to northbound and when does breakfast start southbound? I am boarding and disembarking at Crewe.

I did the Highlander northbound from Crewe to Fort William on a quiet Monday night back in September. The staff seemed very happy to serve me in the lounge and (perhaps surprisingly) every hot dish on the menu was available, although the train was only half full or so (Monday night is perhaps the quietest night northbound). I had time for a haggis, a cheesecake and a couple of drinks before closing time (which was, and usually is, when the train got to Preston just before 1am). Two other travellers came in at Crewe too and had some soup and sandwiches. Bear in mind that southbound, the train gets to Crewe *very* early (around 5.30am but can run early) so they'll be waking you at 4.45am or perhaps earlier; you may just want a cup of tea or something.

 

[al78]

From Horsham, I'm afraid it's almost a no brainer and I'd fly if price was right. Only downside if camping is that you can't take any gas cannister on board (checked or cabin) , but Inverness has plenty of places to buy them as long as it's not sa very late arrival.

Ah, yes I hadn't thought of the issue of gas canisters and flying. That tips the balance toward getting the train, although as you say, a gas canister could be purchased in Inverness.

For Horsham it should be quite easy now - with the new Thameslink services direct to St. Pancras. Still a long journey but essentially just one change to get to Inverness and no need to mess about with the underground etc.

I didn't know it was now possible to get from Horsham to St Pancras direct, I have always in the past changed at Three Bridges for that service, thanks for the info.

 

[Kite159]

I note that the little pack of earplugs & blindfold is no longer provided in the (freezing cold with intermittent heat) seated portion

 

[Deafdoggie]

Are any of the Mark III sleeper carriages transfering to the Night Riviera? An extra 4 coaches would be enough to make all services 6 sleeper, 2 seated and 1 lounge and have 2 spares. I think that is the longest all platforms can fit. I doubt they will be worth much more than their scrap value once the new fleet is in service.

The Night Riviera is now fully refurbished, and will be gaining an extra coach in each set for the summer. It is already longer than some platforms (Hayle for example) so is unlikely to grow anymore after that. It is not gaining any extra carriages from the Scottish Sleeper.

 

[berneyarms]

The Night Riviera is now fully refurbished, and will be gaining an extra coach in each set for the summer. It is already longer than some platforms (Hayle for example) so is unlikely to grow anymore after that. It is not gaining any extra carriages from the Scottish Sleeper.

Not quite fully refurbished yet - one buffet still in the works!

 

[VT 390]

I have just read that the new trains will enter service on 2nd June is this on all services on just some?

 

[Mag_seven]

I have just read that the new trains will enter service on 2nd June is this on all services on just some?

Initially the Lowlander.

 

[VT 390]

Initially the Lowlander.

Do you know when they will operate the Highland services?

 

[Mag_seven]

Do you know when they will operate the Highland services?

According to their website, it's "shortly after":

The launch of the Lowland service between London, Glasgow and Edinburgh, which we had hoped to be in the Autumn of 2018, has been put back to Spring 2019, with the Highland service to Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen following shortly after.

https://www.sleeper.scot/news/317-update-on-the-introduction-of-the-new-caledonian-sleeper-trains

 

[berneyarms]

Do you know when they will operate the Highland services?

The simple answer is when they have the stock available and staff fully trained up.

 

[VT 390]

I am looking at buying sleeper tickets from Euston to Fort William this summer around mid July.
currently tickets for these dates are shown as the new sleeper trains (which is what I want to travel on), if I booked the tickets now and there was a further delay in introducing the new trains on the Highland route and the date I booked was operated by the current stock would I be able to get a refund?

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Hooray! Sleeper thread is back. Let's hope this version doesn't get shut down. The last one was one of the most interesting threads on here.

Agreed - and this one is doing well too! Carry on, chaps.

(In the interests of equality, the term "chaps" should be taken to include everybody) .

 

[alistairlees]

I am looking at buying sleeper tickets from Euston to Fort William this summer around mid July.
currently tickets for these dates are shown as the new sleeper trains (which is what I want to travel on), if I booked the tickets now and there was a further delay in introducing the new trains on the Highland route and the date I booked was operated by the current stock would I be able to get a refund?

You should be fine for new trains. Last time they were delayed they offered refunds though I think. Obviously that is no guarantee of what would happen if the new trains were to be delayed again.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

I am looking at buying sleeper tickets from Euston to Fort William this summer around mid July.
currently tickets for these dates are shown as the new sleeper trains (which is what I want to travel on), if I booked the tickets now and there was a further delay in introducing the new trains on the Highland route and the date I booked was operated by the current stock would I be able to get a refund?

I am quite sure that Caledonian Sleeper would tell you that you would need to book the Flexible Fares option:

• Cancellation
  Fixed Tickets: These are our best value fares, there are no refunds, changes or upgrades available on our fixed tickets.
  
  Flexible Fares: If you need to cancel or change your booking, our Flexible ticket is the best option. Refunds are available up to midday 2 days before you are due to arrive at your destination. Applications made after that point are not refundable. We do not charge an admin fee for refunds on Flexible tickets. If you need to change your plans, refund your ticket and purchase a new one for your new journey.

 

[alangla]

It is not gaining any extra carriages from the Scottish Sleeper.

Don’t think it’s been mentioned on this thread but a load of Cal Sleeper stock that was due major exams was taken straight to Booths this week. Looks like no chance of any of the stock going anywhere else

EDIT-just spotted details of this one on the Mk5 thread. Apols

 

[pitdiver]

I am planning a trip to Orkney in the summer. As a Priv ticket holder I was hoping to get the sleeper to either Inverness or Aberdeen. However because of the timings of the Sleepers arriving in both the journey would have taken about 23 hrs. So we have decided to fly Via Luton and Aberdeen. Even with priv rates it's still cheaper and quicker the way we are going. Total journety time door to door about 8 hrs this includes a 3 hr stopover in Aberdeen.

 

[VT 390]

On the Highland sleeper I just read that 8 coaches go to Inverness, 6 to Aberdeen, 2 to Fort William with 2 seated coaches attaching at Edinburgh for Fort William. Does this mean that the Fort William section does not have a lounge car for sleeper passengers?

 

[31160]

Any sign of the 67 going back to DB yet?

 

[alistairlees]

On the Highland sleeper I just read that 8 coaches go to Inverness, 6 to Aberdeen, 2 to Fort William with 2 seated coaches attaching at Edinburgh for Fort William. Does this mean that the Fort William section does not have a lounge car for sleeper passengers?

The Fort William sleepers have both a lounge car and a seated coach attached at Edinburgh. From Euston to Edinburgh Fort William passengers use the Aberdeen lounge car.

 

[Hooligan]

Any sign of the 67 going back to DB yet?

I've heard its staying until Mark 5 coaches come in.

 

[Mike395]

Just popping in to confirm that we've had a discussion as a staff team and we'll be letting this thread continue (The previous thread was getting a bit unwieldy so we'll let this new one run rather than reopen the old one though ) - note this is a specific exception for the Cally Sleeper as it's so interesting operationally, it's not a general relaxation on our policy regarding master threads.

Also, please note that any discussion relating to the Mark 5s themselves should be put in the appropriate thread within Traction and Rolling Stock, not here. (I'm on mobile, will come back and edit this post tomorrow with the appropriate link if I remember )

 

[Journeyman]

It seems that although the sleeper is often the most time efficient way to travel, it is pricing itself out of the market for many leisure travellers. It's a shame that the Bargain Berths aren't still available.

It's worth pointing out that they were only available in tiny quantities, though, so your chances of getting them weren't good. I never managed to get a £19 one, apparently they were only available midweek and there was a grand total of one per train at that price.

 

[Journeyman]

On the Highland sleeper I just read that 8 coaches go to Inverness, 6 to Aberdeen, 2 to Fort William with 2 seated coaches attaching at Edinburgh for Fort William. Does this mean that the Fort William section does not have a lounge car for sleeper passengers?

It does. The two coaches added/removed at Edinburgh are a lounge car and a seated brake vehicle.

 

[philjo]

Does anyone have details of what amendments the sleepers are doing over Easter when Euston is closed? Presumably they are running from Kings Cross again?
If I do a search on the sleeper booking site for Maundy Thursday to Edinburgh, it shows departure from London at 21:34 and arrival in Edinburgh is 05:18 so is running a couple hours earlier than normal.
I assume you could stay on board until the normal arrival time?

 

[_toommm_]

Just popping in to confirm that we've had a discussion as a staff team and we'll be letting this thread continue (The previous thread was getting a bit unwieldy so we'll let this new one run rather than reopen the old one though ) - note this is a specific exception for the Cally Sleeper as it's so interesting operationally, it's not a general relaxation on our policy regarding master threads.

Also, please note that any discussion relating to the Mark 5s themselves should be put in the appropriate thread within Traction and Rolling Stock, not here. (I'm on mobile, will come back and edit this post tomorrow with the appropriate link if I remember )

There we are:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/caledonian-sleeper-mk5-discussion.125156/

 

[Kite159]

Does anyone have details of what amendments the sleepers are doing over Easter when Euston is closed? Presumably they are running from Kings Cross again?
If I do a search on the sleeper booking site for Maundy Thursday to Edinburgh, it shows departure from London at 21:34 and arrival in Edinburgh is 05:18 so is running a couple hours earlier than normal.
I assume you could stay on board until the normal arrival time?

Those timings seem to suggest the sleeper on the Thursday will be going via the ECML.

 

[theironroad]

Does anyone have details of what amendments the sleepers are doing over Easter when Euston is closed? Presumably they are running from Kings Cross again?
If I do a search on the sleeper booking site for Maundy Thursday to Edinburgh, it shows departure from London at 21:34 and arrival in Edinburgh is 05:18 so is running a couple hours earlier than normal.
I assume you could stay on board until the normal arrival time?

All a bit confusing..... I see those times you mentioned on the sleeper.scot website but says from Euston. The nres app doesn't allow me to search beyond 14/4 which doesn't help and RTT shows normal weekday timings, is lowalnder close to midnight.

I guess it's another fine example of NR not confirming timetables yet. Annoying since Easter is a very busy time for rail travel.