Caledonian Sleeper

[vlad]

The bog seat looked a bit stiff!

That's nothing a little WD40 won't fix.

 

[MotCO]

I use delner couplers on emus and they can be pretty smooth.

Don't the birds object?

 

[theironroad]

Don't the birds object?

Believe me, they don't have time to object......... It's all over pretty quick..

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The bog seat looked a bit stiff!

It's intended to be, so that nobody drops it onto the pan.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Here's my images of the Mk5 interiors from Wednesday's trip. Amongst other things, just look at how many sockets there are, both standard and USB, and note the pin coded mini safes in the seated portion - one for each passenger.

 

[mirodo]

What is the situation with regards to shower provision for those in Classic rooms? Are the showers at (e.g.) Glasgow included in the cost of the ticket as now or would one have to pay extra? The website doesn't appear to mention anything, just "in-room washbasin".

 

[Bletchleyite]

Here's my images of the Mk5 interiors from Wednesday's trip. Amongst other things, just look at how many sockets there are, both standard and USB, and note the pin coded mini safes in the seated portion - one for each passenger.

The safes are a great idea, but do mean quite a small luggage rack. Is there provision elsewhere? The FW seats carry a lot of people with big rucksacks.

 

[TimboM]

What is the situation with regards to shower provision for those in Classic rooms? Are the showers at (e.g.) Glasgow included in the cost of the ticket as now or would one have to pay extra? The website doesn't appear to mention anything, just "in-room washbasin".

Classic is equivalent to Standard on the current/old trains, which does not include a shower token.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Classic is equivalent to Standard on the current/old trains, which does not include a shower token.

It's only a fiver anyway. I've used the ones at Glasgow Central when not using the Sleeper (basically to avoid stinking out a 5 hour VTWC journey for the other passengers, as I'd been staying in the CIC hut on Ben Nevis which has no showers as the water supply is a stream outside) - they are really quite nice, not at all like stereotypical station bogs. The FW ones are decent and worth the money too.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

What is the situation with regards to shower provision for those in Classic rooms? Are the showers at (e.g.) Glasgow included in the cost of the ticket as now or would one have to pay extra? The website doesn't appear to mention anything, just "in-room washbasin".

There are three berth grades on the new trains:

Classic: Pretty much how the Mk3 cabins are, but much improved.

Club: Basically a classic with an en-suite toilet and shower.

Suite: The full works with a double bed as well.

The safes are a great idea, but do mean quite a small luggage rack. Is there provision elsewhere? The FW seats carry a lot of people with big rucksacks.

There is, yes.

 

[GodAtum]

The prices are bloody expensive!!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The prices are bloody expensive!!

£45 seated is less than most of the daytime trains!

Classic berths at £140 ( or £170 if there's two of you travelling together ) - comparable to daytime travel + a hotel for the extra night you'd need at the other end if you were travelling daytime and still wanted to spend as much time exploring; remember you're paying for the accommodation for the night as well as the journey.

Yes, the Club and Suites are priced higher but then they are a much higher standard than the Classic - that's the whole point of them.

 

[dtaylor84]

£45 seated is less than most of the daytime trains!

Classic berths at £140 ( or £170 if there's two of you travelling together ) - comparable to daytime travel + a hotel for the extra night you'd need at the other end if you were travelling daytime and still wanted to spend as much time exploring; remember you're paying for the accommodation for the night as well as the journey.

Yes, the Club and Suites are priced higher but then they are a much higher standard than the Classic - that's the whole point of them.

Except a hotel would come with a shower without paying for a "much higher standard".

 

[Clansman]

What is the actual point (when referencing to space avaiblable) of having 'classic' non en-suite berths, when the space of not having en-suite is pretty much used up anyway when providing two toilets in the vestibules to compensate (assuming they will be provided in each carriage, that is)?

 

[trebor79]

These do look very nice. I shall have to find some pressing reason to travel to Scotland in the next year or so...

 

[Bletchleyite]

What is the actual point of having 'classic' non en-suite berths, when the space of not having en-suite is pretty much used up anyway when providing two toilets in the vestibules to compensate (assuming they will be provided in each carriage, that is)?

Price differentiation.

 

[Journeyman]

What is the actual point of having 'classic' non en-suite berths, when the space of not having en-suite is pretty much used up anyway when providing two toilets in the vestibules to compensate (assuming they will be provided in each carriage, that is)?

You can still fit in an extra couple of compartments doing it that way. I'd be more than happy to travel in a classic as well, it's a lot cheaper. The only really important thing for me in the past was getting a cabin to myself and not sharing with a stranger, and I was happy to pay the premium for that. It's not an issue on the new trains, as sharing has been abolished.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

You can still fit in an extra couple of compartments doing it that way.

That's true, but I think it's actually three additional rooms, not two, and having the different category does give flexibility for the individual's budget.

Leaving the room to go for a wee in the night is less hassle as well for Classic passengers; the doors will be operated with smart individually coded cards like the doors to hotel rooms, so you no longer have to either risk leaving it unlocked while you are out or find the attendant to let you back in again.

 

[Furrball]

Here's my images of the Mk5 interiors from Wednesday's trip. Amongst other things, just look at how many sockets there are, both standard and USB, and note the pin coded mini safes in the seated portion - one for each passenger.

Where are you to place items that you have plugged in?

In solo rooms there seems to be a small shelf but cannot see anything in this image.

The old covered sink cover and section at the end of the bed provided a good area. Other than sitting with laptop on knee don't see a way of working in new room.

Is there a table/flat surface anywhere in the cabin?

 

[Clansman]

Where are you to place items that you have plugged in?

In solo rooms there seems to be a small shelf but cannot see anything in this image.

The old covered sink cover and section at the end of the bed provided a good area. Other than sitting with laptop on knee don't see a way of working in new room.

Is there a table/flat surface anywhere in the cabin?

The top of the power unit is used as a mini shelf for portable devices, and underneath the sink there is a pull-out foldable table, which is what the white drawer is in photos.

Although the lack of 'bar' across from the sink to the wall, over the end of the bed, is in my opinion a bit of an oversight by the designers. It is a highly useful feature to have onboard.

 

[BRX]

You can still fit in an extra couple of compartments doing it that way. I'd be more than happy to travel in a classic as well, it's a lot cheaper. The only really important thing for me in the past was getting a cabin to myself and not sharing with a stranger, and I was happy to pay the premium for that. It's not an issue on the new trains, as sharing has been abolished.

It was never an issue, as there was always the option of not sharing.

 

[47271]

Although the lack of 'bar' across from the sink to the wall, over the end of the bed, is in my opinion a bit of an oversight by the designers. It is a highly useful feature to have onboard.

I agree, but it wasn't an oversight as far as the basin is concerned apparently. Too many new or occasional passengers complained that there was no sink in the room that they took the decision to leave it uncovered. You and I may think that's daft, but it's what happened.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Peter Mugridge said: ↑
Here's my images of the Mk5 interiors from Wednesday's trip. Amongst other things, just look at how many sockets there are, both standard and USB, and note the pin coded mini safes in the seated portion - one for each passenger.

Where are you to place items that you have plugged in?

In solo rooms there seems to be a small shelf but cannot see anything in this image.

Which image are you referring to please?

As you quoted the part of my post that relates to the sit up all night bit, I am answering for that image... each seat has a pull down table in front of it, fitted to the back of the seat in front.

 

[VT 390]

There are three berth grades on the new trains:

Classic: Pretty much how the Mk3 cabins are, but much improved.

Club: Basically a classic with an en-suite toilet and shower.

Suite: The full works with a double bed as well.






.

Though one of the other benefits of the club room compared to classic is that it includes first class lounge access, shower access and I think breakfast is included as well

 

[gazthomas]

Having been on the sleeper many times I'm looking for my next trip to Inverness, already planned for September (I hope the Highland will be using the mark 5's by then of course!)

 

[Essexman]

I still have 6 tickets left on a Flexipass. These were booked as being first class not standard but am I correct that they will allocate the more basic cabins not en suite ones?
If so is there provision to pay more and upgrade?

 

[alistairlees]

I still have 6 tickets left on a Flexipass. These were booked as being first class not standard but am I correct that they will allocate the more basic cabins not en suite ones?
If so is there provision to pay more and upgrade?

Do you mean you have booked 4 tickets for a journey on or after 2 June? I’m not sure what you mean to be honest.

 

[ajrm]

£45 seated is less than most of the daytime trains!

Classic berths at £140 ( or £170 if there's two of you travelling together ) - comparable to daytime travel + a hotel for the extra night you'd need at the other end if you were travelling daytime and still wanted to spend as much time exploring; remember you're paying for the accommodation for the night as well as the journey.

Yes, the Club and Suites are priced higher but then they are a much higher standard than the Classic - that's the whole point of them.

I think a lot of the people complaining about the cost are blissfully unaware of the cost of a hotel stay in London. Even so-called 'budget' hotels can be very expensive. To give an example, I've paid £185 for a berth from London to Dundee on 21 May—and yes, I'm not all that happy that it's much more than I used to pay for a shared berth. But looking at the Travelodge website for a room that night, it's quoting £199 for a room at Covent Garden, Euston, King's Cross, Southwark, Tower Bridge... then add £55 (standard) or £106 (first) for a single on the 1000 from King's Cross in the morning.

Now I could get the hotel price down to double figures by staying in Finsbury Park or Ilford, but that's less convenient or attractive. And these prices are nearly six weeks away. So in this particular case the sleeper is cheaper (and right now CS are selling a standard solo for £140 on the 21st), and it also saves a whole day compared to overnight in London and spending the whole of the next working day travelling.

If you're travelling for leisure, not fussy about a particular date and planning months ahead then obviously a hotel room can be quite a bit cheaper, but business travellers often don't have that luxury.

 

[JohnMcL7]

I think a lot of the people complaining about the cost are blissfully unaware of the cost of a hotel stay in London. Even so-called 'budget' hotels can be very expensive. To give an example, I've paid £185 for a berth from London to Dundee on 21 May—and yes, I'm not all that happy that it's much more than I used to pay for a shared berth. But looking at the Travelodge website for a room that night, it's quoting £199 for a room at Covent Garden, Euston, King's Cross, Southwark, Tower Bridge... then add £55 (standard) or £106 (first) for a single on the 1000 from King's Cross in the morning.

I'm not 'blissfully unaware' at all as I've actually used both options, if I'm travelling by air and taking late night or early morning flights then it's much more convenient and a lot cheaper to stay at hotels near the airports. Last year my return flights from Inverness and five day car hire for an Astra sized car were £140 and then I paid £40 a night at both sides in a Travelodge for a total cost of £220 and that was flying late down (actually after the sleeper left) and flying back up early morning so I didn't lose time compared to the sleeper either.

I find the opposite of what you've said, I can usually get flights and hotels late on for cheap whereas the only way to get cheap train fares is to book months in advance and be flexible about dates. In the case above it was all last minute booking and for the second hotel night I booked it online ten minutes before going there as other plans had fallen through, aside from most of the train prices being crazy (the sleeper was at best 50% more expensive and that's including the car hire on the air fares) I couldn't get my bike on any of the trains either.

I've just checked some dates on the new sleeper and it looks like without the car hire it's going to be around triple the prices of a plane and travelodges which may not be the greatest out there but they're a lot more comfortable than sleeping on a train. I would actually like to use the sleeper but it's hard to swallow paying a massive premium for it when it's worse then alternative. Last time I took the sleeper I had to go the seated approach at a hefty £150 return but I justified it to myself that it would be more convenient than staying in hotels and boy was that an expensive mistake, it was bad enough it was thoroughly unpleasant but knowing I'd paid more for that than a quick and convenient flight took the biscuit. I was really hoping they'd be able to offer a better option for solo travelers between a seat and a cabin as that's partially what makes the cost so high for me but sadly not.

I don't get this 'hotel on wheels' concept when most people are really just using it to sleep, I could understand if the train travelled a significant portion of the day but when it's leaving late at night and arriving first thing in the morning it doesn't make much sense. I would like to use the sleeper but I can't justify paying hundreds more for it when it's quicker and cheaper to use flights and a hotel where I'll also sleep a lot better. I do want to try the new sleeper but I think when it comes down to it I'm not going to waste a few hundred quid on it.

 

[theironroad]

I think a lot of the people complaining about the cost are blissfully unaware of the cost of a hotel stay in London. Even so-called 'budget' hotels can be very expensive. To give an example, I've paid £185 for a berth from London to Dundee on 21 May—and yes, I'm not all that happy that it's much more than I used to pay for a shared berth. But looking at the Travelodge website for a room that night, it's quoting £199 for a room at Covent Garden, Euston, King's Cross, Southwark, Tower Bridge... then add £55 (standard) or £106 (first) for a single on the 1000 from King's Cross in the morning.

Now I could get the hotel price down to double figures by staying in Finsbury Park or Ilford, but that's less convenient or attractive. And these prices are nearly six weeks away. So in this particular case the sleeper is cheaper (and right now CS are selling a standard solo for £140 on the 21st), and it also saves a whole day compared to overnight in London and spending the whole of the next working day travelling.

If you're travelling for leisure, not fussy about a particular date and planning months ahead then obviously a hotel room can be quite a bit cheaper, but business travellers often don't have that luxury.

I like Travelodge but anything more than £50 then I'm breaking a sweat.

However, I'm happy to accept that if you're not prepared to stay in those ghettos of Ilford and Finsbury park then we have different approaches to life lol .

I've seen prices of £200+ for the lowlander from London to Glasgow , which for most people paying their own way isn't sustainable.

At least in yesterday's BBC report about the sleeper , serco were up front that they were trying to be a hotel on wheels.