Caledonian Sleeper

[Chrism20]

I did wonder if they should perhaps consider doing that. Or even making changes to the Highlander to free up a half-set - perhaps run Aberdeen via Inverness, or Inverness via Aberdeen, instead of the present split? (The FW short set is perhaps less useful, though a "day" Mk2 BSO could be hired to be used on that to free up a proper Sleeper one as it has been in the past)

Isn’t the line shut somewhere around Inverurie at the moment for engineering works.

It’s highly unlikely they would attempt it anyway but the closure would completely rule it out.

 

[hwl]

Or perhaps put all 4 takes of mk5 of the low anders with 2 sets each at Polmadie and Wembley to act as an insurance policy and allow the most troublesome coaches to be swapped out and have more time for rectification work...

 

[Scotrail84]

I suppose that would depend which portion is more lucrative. Isn't the Aberdeen rather quiet these days, hence FW usually getting the longer "half set"? (A strange change in fortunes!)

They will not be splitting up the highlander to run half a lowlander. Locos, drivers and guards puts paid to that.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Or perhaps put all 4 takes of mk5 of the low anders with 2 sets each at Polmadie and Wembley to act as an insurance policy and allow the most troublesome coaches to be swapped out and have more time for rectification work...

Have they all been delivered? If so I guess they have twice as many coaches as they need, so if the Highlander keeps the Mk3s for the foreseeable (doing any overhauls needed to keep them reliable) they should be able to handle it.

I do hope it settles down soon, though, otherwise they might find the whole thing financially collapsing around them. I wonder do the Canadians need any more sleeper vehicles?

 

[Bletchleyite]

They will not be splitting up the highlander to run half a lowlander. Locos, drivers and guards puts paid to that.

All of those can be hired in if necessary.

 

[Scotrail84]

All of those can be hired in if necessary.

No they can't.

 

[Bletchleyite]

No they can't.

Why can they not?

 

[Scotrail84]

Why can they not?

There are so many things that prevent it. I am not going to list all of them. It doesn't make sense to split up highlander which will be heavily booked to make up half a lowlander. Robbing Peter to pay Paul.

 

[87015]

Waverley portion caped tonight, buses at 2350.

 

[ajrm]

They will not be splitting up the highlander to run half a lowlander. Locos, drivers and guards puts paid to that.

Not to mention the fact that you'd have to do something about the passengers boarding or alighting at the 12 intermediate stops on the Inverness portion or the 8 intermediate stops on the Aberdeen portion...

 

[Bletchleyite]

Waverley portion caped tonight, buses at 2350.

I guess that means half the coaches were in a state to be used with minor attention?

 

[Essexman]

Interesting that they’ve cut Edinburgh not Glasgow. I would have thought Edinburgh would be busier this time of year.

 

[WesternLancer]

Having been in similar scenarios the "customer" (Transport Scotland) will most certainly be holding Serco's feet to the fire on this and any response of "it was CAF's fault" or "it was XYZ's sub-contractor's fault" would get very short shrift. If any such response/excuse was offered up, the customer/client would quickly point out they are Serco's sub-contractors to select/manage and it's Serco's responsibility to deliver the service to TS / the passengers.

That said, as mentioned a few times by other posters, it's pretty apparent Transport Scotland are culpable in a lot of this via their franchise requirements and putting pressure to get the stock into service when clearly it was/is not ready. They would never admit that though - but that's client/customer prerogative... the customer is always right!

V good analysis of course - but then TransScotland could justifiably say - you bid saying you would do this and deliver it by Y - which has not happened. Even if TS is then not helping, if it was part of the bid spec (new stock by Y) that a bidder said they could deliver it's not then the customers fault if that is months behind schedule.

After all TS and the politicos also have people holding their feet to the fire - viz the media, the voters/taxpayers, their political opposition.

But it's not a recipe for success...

 

[WesternLancer]

I suppose that would depend which portion is more lucrative. Isn't the Aberdeen rather quiet these days, hence FW usually getting the longer "half set"? (A strange change in fortunes!)

Aberdeen northbound was fully booked on a sunday when I used it a few weeks ago - tho that will be a busy night I expect.

 

[GW43125]

Interesting that they’ve cut Edinburgh not Glasgow. I would have thought Edinburgh would be busier this time of year.

Edinburgh would still require a shunt and run-round at Carstairs. Glasgow is just drive forward.

Remember also the stock lives at Polmadie (Glasgow).

 

[Bletchleyite]

Edinburgh would still require a shunt and run-round at Carstairs

Er, why? VTWC and TPE services run from the WCML to Edinburgh with no reverse.

 

[GW43125]

Er, why? VTWC and TPE services run from the WCML to Edinburgh with no reverse.

However the sleeper calls at Carstairs. VTWC/TPE do not.

 

[Bletchleyite]

However the sleeper calls at Carstairs. VTWC/TPE do not.

Ah, yes. They could drop the stop, though, and allow day train travel back. I doubt it's heavily used. They drop the WCML stops lightly enough when there is a diversion.

 

[MylesHSG]

So of the 7 mk5's that arrived at Wembley in the early hours only 2 of the coaches need to go to the lathe.

 

[6Z09]

Why can they not?

They dont exist?
No spare Locos or staff hanging about waiting on a job.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They dont exist?
No spare Locos or staff hanging about waiting on a job.

I'm not suggesting they do it in the middle of the night.

 

[Kendalian]

Just been reading CS Twitter feed. Not a pretty place....

LNER not accepting CS tickets for early morning (or any time) so the best CS can offer its guests is an overnight coach from Euston to Edinburgh.
It's just not good enough from the "hotel on wheels" that CS claim to be. If LNER won't accept their tickets, then CS should fund the tickets now for anyone not fancying the coach and sort it out later with LNER.

Don't you just love the fragmented, disjointed railway of today...ooh to be back in the golden age of BR

 

[Scotrail84]

So of the 7 mk5's that arrived at Wembley in the early hours only 2 of the coaches need to go to the lathe.

So only 5 vehicles that can be used tonight then?

 

[marks87]

Just been reading CS Twitter feed. Not a pretty place....

LNER not accepting CS tickets for early morning (or any time) so the best CS can offer its guests is an overnight coach from Euston to Edinburgh.

Don't you just love the fragmented, disjointed railway of today...ooh to be back in the golden age of BR

For the seats that's an issue, but surely those with "room" tickets would be entitled to a full refund, which they could use for a walk-up single fare. It doesn't address the overnight issue, granted - but then neither does ticket acceptance.

 

[Bletchleyite]

LNER not accepting CS tickets for early morning (or any time)

You could of course take your refund and use it to purchase one. An Anytime Single is cheaper than any CS room.

 

[Kendalian]

For the seats that's an issue, but surely those with "room" tickets would be entitled to a full refund, which they could use for a walk-up single fare. It doesn't address the overnight issue, granted - but then neither does ticket acceptance.

CS are offering full refunds yes, but when? 2, 3, 4 weeks time? Not everyone can pull out a credit card to buy a new ticket tonight and hope the refund comes through eventually....hence why CS should be offering replacement tickets instead tonight/tomorrow to those needing them

 

[Bletchleyite]

CS are offering full refunds yes, but when? 2, 3, 4 weeks time? Not everyone can pull out a credit card to buy a new ticket tonight and hope the refund comes through eventually....hence why CS should be offering replacement tickets instead tonight/tomorrow to those needing them

They are offering such people the bus - completely free, too - so nobody is actually stranded. I do see the point though.

 

[MylesHSG]

So only 5 vehicles that can be used tonight then?

They are doing the turning this afternoon so I think they hope to be done for this evening's service.

 

[BRX]

For the seats that's an issue, but surely those with "room" tickets would be entitled to a full refund, which they could use for a walk-up single fare. It doesn't address the overnight issue, granted - but then neither does ticket acceptance.

It would effectively mean that CS have forced you to buy a full-price walk-up ticket getting you where you want significantly later than you should have been. A single from London to Glasgow could easily be as much as, or more than, a 'room' price bought in advance.

I don't think it's at all reasonable to expect people to accept an overnight coach as an alternative (except perhaps those who booked to travel in seats).

 

[Struner]

I can tell you No, it isn't acceptable for people who booked seats.