Caledonian Sleeper

[Merseysider]

I thought alcohol was banned from all trains in Scotland during the pandemic? It is certainly still banned on all Scotrail services currently (and LNER too I think). I believe that CS have also currently banned it in the seated coach - although this may change.

As far as I know alcohol may still be consumed on Avanti, XC and TPE. (Edit: Avanti are serving me wine right now on the ex-GLC)

Yes, there is a complete ban on consumption on Scotrail services, but in all practicality, if you’re discreet about it & it’s a sensible time nobody seems to care.

Bringing it back on topic, I’ve not heard anything from CS regarding an alcohol ban & I’ve a booking with them next week.

 

[D6130]

I thought alcohol was banned from all trains in Scotland during the pandemic? It is certainly still banned on all Scotrail services currently (and LNER too I think). I believe that CS have also currently banned it in the seated coach - although this may change.

I purchased a can of beer from the buffet - and started to consume it before crossing the border - on the 13 30 LNER service from Edinburgh the day before yesterday, with no issues.

 

[185143]

I purchased a can of beer from the buffet - and started to consume it before crossing the border - on the 13 30 LNER service from Edinburgh the day before yesterday, with no issues.

I purchased a beer on a CrossCountry train just after Motherwell and drank it between there and Edinburgh, where I alighted.

 

[najaB]

Yes, there is a complete ban on consumption on Scotrail services, but in all practicality, if you’re discreet about it & it’s a sensible time nobody seems to care.

Indeed. This time last year they were policing it quite strictly, but now you just need to not be too obvious about it. That said, I rarely drink alcohol on trains so it's not really affected me one way or the other.

 

[Grumpy Git]

Indeed. This time last year they were policing it quite strictly, but now you just need to not be too obvious about it. That said, I rarely drink alcohol on trains so it's not really affected me one way or the other.

Sounds like a stiff whisky is needed as a minimum before embarking on a CS adventure?

 

[Bald Rick]

Sounds like a stiff whisky is needed as a minimum before embarking on a CS adventure?

Better selection on board. But if you have too many you won’t sleep well! (So ‘a friend’ tells me)

 

[Merseysider]

Sounds like a stiff whisky is needed as a minimum before embarking on a CS adventure?

I’ve always partaken of their whisky/whiskey selection onboard and always slept fine - if it works don’t fix it

 

[Bald Rick]

I’ve always partaken of their whisky/whiskey selection onboard and always slept fine - if it works don’t fix it

If you want whiskey onboard, take your own!

CS is a whisky joint.

 

[fgwrich]

If you want whiskey onboard, take your own!

CS is a whisky joint.

Thank you, nice to see the correct term for Scotch being mentioned. If you want the stuff with an E, you'll need to turn left at the border and cross the Irish Sea for that!

Now, I'll take a Tomatin or a Highland Park please! (Both served on the sleeper by the way)

 

[Happilyretired]

Though of course SRPS railtours are operated by West Coast Railways, so technically the TOC is English.

The Railtours are planned, marketed and sold by SRPS using their rolling stock and volunteers. West Coast Railways provide the loco, driver and guard. Does that then make them the operator?

 

[_toommm_]

The Glasgow service is starting from Watford tonight due to an issue with a coupler on a coach, with the Edinburgh service starting from Euston with a delay.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The Glasgow service is starting from Watford tonight due to an issue with a couple on a coach, with the Edinburgh service starting from Euston with a delay.

As in the two portions are running separately? Unusual!

 

[_toommm_]

As in the two portions are running separately? Unusual!

It was two separate tweets, a minute apart. Not sure if it’s just conflicting info but the way they’re worded implies what you’ve said:

Edinburgh portion:

https://twitter.com/calsleeper/status/1423711868108132357?s=21

Glasgow portion:

https://twitter.com/calsleeper/status/1423711611295080456?s=21

 

[greatkingrat]

There is a 2353 Euston - Rugby train in the system operated by CS, so it looks like the two portions will be joining at Rugby for some reason?

Realtime Trains - 0Z96 2353 London Euston to Rugby

Realtime Trains is an independent source of live realtime running information for the Great British railway network.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Merseysider]

If you want whiskey onboard, take your own!

CS is a whisky joint.

Having looked up the difference (ignorant me!), it appears you’re spot on! I’ve always found they’ve had a good selection available, though I didn’t travel during the height of the pandemic.

 

[Bald Rick]

Now, I'll take a Tomatin or a Highland Park please! (Both served on the sleeper by the way)

Tomatin is, at least, very local to the Highlander. Although I’d say that Dalwhinnie edges it on the ‘whisky distilled within a mile of the route of the Caley’

The Glasgow service is starting from Watford tonight due to an issue with a couple on a coach,

Second time tonight I’ve read the first half of a post out of context. I read that as a stroppy pair of passengers, and had visions of the Krankies having had too much Buckie and wrestling in the club car.

 

[_toommm_]

Tomatin is, at least, very local to the Highlander. Although I’d say that Dalwhinnie edges it on the ‘whisky distilled within a mile of the route of the Caley’




Second time tonight I’ve read the first half of a post out of context. I read that as a stroppy pair of passengers, and had visions of the Krankies having had too much Buckie and wrestling in the club car.

Autocorrect on iOS will be the death of me - it’s absolutely awful!

Original post corrected to coupler.

 

[fgwrich]

Tomatin is, at least, very local to the Highlander. Although I’d say that Dalwhinnie edges it on the ‘whisky distilled within a mile of the route of the Caley’


Second time tonight I’ve read the first half of a post out of context. I read that as a stroppy pair of passengers, and had visions of the Krankies having had too much Buckie and wrestling in the club car.

Lounge car re-opened with tonights entertainment?

As for the Tomatin, it is probably the closest to the route of the Caley - the Distillery edges the Highland Mainline, while Dalwhinnie is also very very close. Auchentoshan is probably the third closest at Dalmuir, while Edradour is within 2 miles of the HML at Pitlochry.

As you might have guessed, I am rather a fan of a Single Malt or two! Speaking of which, are they supplying the miniatures with the room service?

​

 

[davidgiles]

The Glasgow service is starting from Watford tonight due to an issue with a coupler on a coach, with the Edinburgh service starting from Euston with a delay.

Seems the Down Glasgow is caped at Motherwell too.

 

[Grumpy Git]

while Edradour is within 2 miles of the HML at Pitlochry

​

Yes please, make it a large one.

 

[alistairlees]

Seems the Down Glasgow is caped at Motherwell too.

It will be unable to get out of Glasgow Central if it runs there; the coupler at the rear of the Glasgow portion is broken.

 

[Merseysider]

6 hours and 46 minutes of sleep for their guests, at most. I’d imagine most of them will get about 4 hours sleep max.

Again, it comes back to the earlier POV that even if not delayed at final destination, compensation should nonetheless be in order.

 

[Bald Rick]

6 hours and 46 minutes of sleep for their guests, at most. I’d imagine most of them will get about 4 hours sleep max.

Again, it comes back to the earlier POV that even if not delayed at final destination, compensation should nonetheless be in order.

The stock is due in to Watford just before midnight (although whether that happens or not, who knows), so one imagines a good 7 hours in bed is doable.

Update, it arrived Watford 2350.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I'd happily accept a few miniatures as discussed above. As to the couple or coupler error comment, I was conjuring up visions of a pair of randy teenagers who had somehow infiltrated the depot and decided to spend the day doing the coupling thing in one of the club double rooms

 

[sufian123]

Does anyone know 6th august HL SB letter formations please.

 

[alangla]

As in the two portions are running separately? Unusual!

This does appear to be what has happened. Traksy is currently showing 1B26 sitting in the platform at Carstairs, 1Z11 in the loop and 0S26 approaching Motherwell. RealTimeTrains shows 1S26 as running from Euston to Carstairs and terminating there due to a train fault and an additional VSTP 1Z11 from Watford to Motherwell. Looks like 1Z11 is being held to time, so an 0745 kick-out time at Motherwell. The thing I’m most surprised at in all this is that despite their staffing issues, they’ve found the additional guards needed to make 1Z11 happen.

 

[Bletchleyite]

This does appear to be what has happened. Traksy is currently showing 1B26 sitting in the platform at Carstairs, 1Z11 in the loop and 0S26 approaching Motherwell. RealTimeTrains shows 1S26 as running from Euston to Carstairs and terminating there due to a train fault and an additional VSTP 1Z11 from Watford to Motherwell. Looks like 1Z11 is being held to time, so an 0745 kick-out time at Motherwell. The thing I’m most surprised at in all this is that despite their staffing issues, they’ve found the additional guards needed to make 1Z11 happen.

Strikes me as quite a good piece of operations vs cancelling outright, and 0745 is not too bad if they were told in advance.

 

[alangla]

Strikes me as quite a good piece of operations vs cancelling outright, and 0745 is not too bad if they were told in advance.

Looks like it was an 0723 arrival at Motherwell in the end, 0732 departure of the empties. Units to Glasgow left at 0728 via Whifflet (cross platform change) or 0745 direct from the same platform, both would have got into central about 0800-0810. Hard to see how it could have been done better in the circumstances really.

 

[CW2]

Looks like it was an 0723 arrival at Motherwell in the end, 0732 departure of the empties. Units to Glasgow left at 0728 via Whifflet (cross platform change) or 0745 direct from the same platform, both would have got into central about 0800-0810. Hard to see how it could have been done better in the circumstances really.

Agreed. I've been critical of Caledonian Sleepers in the past, but in this instance I think they've done well to come up with these very short notice alterations to minimise the inconvenience to the passengers / guests. Well done!

 

[185143]

Now this is good to see.

Perfectly fine to criticise when it's a shambles, but I'd echo the previous comments that they do seen to have done well last night. Good on them.