Caledonian Sleeper

[_toommm_]

Inverness to Euston delayed.

30 down now.

 

[Kendalian]

Its interesting to read about how CS staff and crew deal with late running services. Dont forget the people who have to service the 3 portions on Highlander ; bed linen has to be collected and washed, litter collected and removed as well as uneaten food. If its your job to collect it on arrival, usually breakfast time, are you going to wait and wait ? They might have more than one job with families to consider. No doubt there could be a few issues with the toilets ; never a pleasent job cleaning those after such a long period in use.

Pay the staff overtime for their wait, then they will be feeling flushed.

I'll get my coat

 

[PaxVobiscum]

If I expressed any appreciation for the above comment it would be empty tanks.

 

[island]

Do people opt out of the WTD as standard on the railway? Surprised the unions go for that. I'm opted out, but the company doesn't take the mick so I see no need to be in it for me.

The daily rest provision is not applied to people where their job duties make it impracticable or the role involves travel. There are some other variations too.

 

[_toommm_]

So where do, for example, the Fort Bill crew sleep? Do they have a Depot or somewhere in the Sidings, or is there an agreement with a local hotel?

 

[island]

If RTT is reliable and 1A25 arrives in Aberdeen at 15:00, my guess is that the southbound Aberdeen portion (1B16) will not be able to leave until well past midnight tonight (assuming the London hosts and team leader are still on board- I presume they would have to be) if it is not cancelled outright, unless a contingency crew can be found. 1M16 may similarly be around an hour down leaving Inverness, I think, but should run, and 1B01 will depend on the availability of sufficient crew at the Fort William end. I’ll be interested to see how CS deal with this, but I’d be prepared for disruption.

They seem to have sorted something as the southbound Aberdeen portion left on time at 2143. Southbound Inverness portion left 30L but had already made up 10 by Aviemore and is expected to leave Waverley on time.

 

[MrEd]

So where do, for example, the Fort Bill crew sleep? Do they have a Depot or somewhere in the Sidings, or is there an agreement with a local hotel?

Do you mean the Fort William crew (one host and one team leader) who work the lounge car and coaches D and E between Fort William and Edinburgh? If so, they have a 3.5-hour or so PNB in Edinburgh Waverley between the arrival of 1B01 and the departure of 1Y11; I don’t think that they sleep anywhere officially; they perhaps just go to a mess room somewhere in Waverley (although some of the Fort William crew have told me that they bring a sleeping bag and try to get a couple of hours’ rest while at Waverley; I’m not entirely sure where this is but I don’t think it’s a hotel).

The Fort William host who works coaches F and G on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights south (and Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights north) lodges in the Premier Inn on Euston road with the rest of the Scottish crews while in London.

The London host who works coaches F and G on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights north has lodgings at a hotel in Fort William on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between the arrival of 1Y11 and the departure of 1B01 that night. I believe that the Alexandra Hotel was used for this purpose in the past; I’m not sure which hotel they use now, it may be the same one. I only know this because I once remember one of the London hosts complaining loudly to the Fort William guard about the food there, and the guard just rolling his eyes (I have eaten there and can honestly say the food’s perfectly decent )

 

[MrEd]

They seem to have sorted something as the southbound Aberdeen portion left on time at 2143. Southbound Inverness portion left 30L but had already made up 10 by Aviemore and is expected to leave Waverley on time.

I’d be interested to see what crewing arrangements they’ve made for each of the three portions; this would be interesting to see. I’m not 100% sure about how crewing arrangements are affected at times of severe disruption so I’d be interested to hear what happens.

 

[marks87]

Northbound Lowlander boarding delayed. The stock has only just arrived.

It’s slightly better than the last time I was here 8 years ago, but Euston is still a soulless place. And nowhere near enough seats.

 

[Highlandspring]

Do you mean the Fort William crew (one host and one team leader) who work the lounge car and coaches D and E between Fort William and Edinburgh? If so, they have a 3.5-hour or so PNB in Edinburgh Waverley between the arrival of 1B01 and the departure of 1Y11; I don’t think that they sleep anywhere officially; they perhaps just go to a mess room somewhere in Waverley (although some of the Fort William crew have told me that they bring a sleeping bag and try to get a couple of hours’ rest while at Waverley; I’m not entirely sure where this is but I don’t think it’s a hotel).

In a previous job on the railway when the sleeper was still with First I found myself one night sleeping in the quiet room of the bothy in the Ops Depot (platform 4) at the Waverley in the company of the Perth conductor for 1M16/S25 and the Fort William attendant. Got a few free microwave sleeper breakfasts out of it too!

 

[MrEd]

In a previous job on the railway when the sleeper was still with First I found myself one night sleeping in the quiet room of the bothy in the Ops Depot (platform 4) at the Waverley in the company of the Perth conductor for 1M16/S25 and the Fort William attendant. Got a few free microwave sleeper breakfasts out of it too!

That sounds like a craic-tastic few hours (if you weren’t too tired!) Some of those Fort William staff could tell amazing stories (my favourite being that of the poor lass who was meant to be going to Aberdeen but ended up sleeping with a guy she fancied who was going to Fort William, and ended up in a mad panic at Crianlarich with only her nightdress, while her luggage pulled into Aberdeen), and the Perth night shift conductors could tell a tale or two! Sleeper crew banter is the best.

I remember those First Group microwave breakfasts! You know I always thought they tasted nice all put together inside a morning roll

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Northbound Lowlander boarding delayed. The stock has only just arrived.

It’s slightly better than the last time I was here 8 years ago, but Euston is still a soulless place. And nowhere near enough seats.

I'm beginning to think that if I use it again I should get myself a shooting stick to save having to sit on a case.

 

[marks87]

Now on board. Is it the norm for solo classic berths to have the top bunk folded out?

 

[FQTV]

Typed down but meant up. The perils of trying to do three things at once.

A most succinct and apposite summary of the Caledonian Sleeper’s current operation.

 

[Highlandspring]

Just a simple human error. If it’s a problem then next time I’ll not bother posting what I know at all.

 

[Bald Rick]

Now on board. Is it the norm for solo classic berths to have the top bunk folded out?

Yes..

 

[marks87]

Yes..

Thanks. For the record, it’s not an issue - I was just wondering if given the delay boarding they deprioritised more trivial things.

Not a bad first impression. It’s a bigger room than I paid €130 for in Amsterdam a couple of week ago (albeit not en suite).

 

[theironroad]

Yes..

Though now sharing with a stranger has been abolished. I see no reason why the bunk not in use couldn't be stowed away.

 

[Bald Rick]

Not a bad first impression. It’s a bigger room than I paid €130 for in Amsterdam a couple of week ago (albeit not en suite).

In a hotel? Wow.

On the sleeper I expected a small room, and I wasn’t disappointed! I thought everything was excellent though. In particular the Schiehallion in the lounge car.

 

[Bald Rick]

Though now sharing with a stranger has been abolished. I see no reason why the bunk not in use couldn't be stowed away.

Usual reason, the bed is made up and ready to be used for the passengers the next night, and the bed can only be stowed without the mattress and bedding, which otherwise needs storing somewhere on board.

Personally I didn’t have a problem with it; indeed I quite liked having the choice of beds.

 

[alistairlees]

Yes..

No, not on the lowlander (new stock).

 

[Bald Rick]

No, not on the lowlander (new stock).

It was on mine!

 

[alistairlees]

Usual reason, the bed is made up and ready to be used for the passengers the next night, and the bed can only be stowed without the mattress and bedding, which otherwise needs storing somewhere on board.

Personally I didn’t have a problem with it; indeed I quite liked having the choice of beds.

This is the highlander to which you refer. All highlander stock is now with all beds permanently down.

 

[alistairlees]

It was on mine!

Sorry to hear that. It wasn’t when I last travelled on the lowlander a couple of months ago.

 

[theironroad]

Usual reason, the bed is made up and ready to be used for the passengers the next night, and the bed can only be stowed without the mattress and bedding, which otherwise needs storing somewhere on board.

Personally I didn’t have a problem with it; indeed I quite liked having the choice of beds.

To be fair it had its uses. I often booked late and was often able to get solo use of duo, I usually used the top to sleep and store my bag etc on the bottom , after using the duvet as a sheet as I found the actual sheets itchy.

I only really use lowlander, but have avoided it for a few months due to unreliability, but might venture soon....

 

[marks87]

In a hotel? Wow.

On the sleeper I expected a small room, and I wasn’t disappointed! I thought everything was excellent though. In particular the Schiehallion in the lounge car.

To be clear, I meant the sleeper room isn’t en suite - not sure if that was the target of your “wow” or the comment on the size! It was my own fault in Amsterdam - it was a work trip that I extended for leisure but forgot to book a hotel until the last minute

Anyway to stay on topic...a bit of noise from either side which will hopefully calm down once people fall asleep. The noise from the toilet flushing is also a bit loud though.

A smooth pull-away but there’s definitely no escaping the fact I’m on a train. Distinctly less creaking than I remember from the last time I travelled in the Mk3s, though.

I like the cradles for holding phones etc. while charging, but (and this is a trivial thing in the grand scheme) a small hook just above the cradle in line with the panel would be handy to keep the cable out of the way. I can see myself waking up in the night and just seeing this “thing” swinging above my head and wondering what the...it is

I won’t be sampling the lounge club car unfortunately. Lowlander leaves too late for that for me. I also don’t want to squeeze all the way along to be turned away because it’s full and I’m not in a double/club room (although being next to the Glasgow portion could I in theory go to that one instead for takeaway? I won’t, but just curious if that’s an option for those at the far end of the Edinburgh).

But so far so good, though, IMO. I’ll report back in the morning...hopefully from Edinburgh (I’m sure you’ll all be on tenterhooks ).

Edit: blimey, the reading light is intense. They could probably see that from the moon if I opened the blind.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

This is the highlander to which you refer. All highlander stock is now with all beds permanently down.

Even in first class? Thought that was supposed to be one of the first class benefits having a bit more space with it folded away?

 

[Crepello]

... the poor lass who was meant to be going to Aberdeen but ended up sleeping with a guy she fancied...

Sheesh, maximum respect! I can only assume both were accomplished at yoga, or had good physiotherapists.......

Back on topic - both bunks down (and made) when I did the Highlander two weeks ago. Didn't try to fold the upper as it made for good storage space.

Also had a toiletry kit and embroidered towel - which I believe are 1st Class trappings; didn't get them last year when I rode the Highlander with family. Wondered if the the 1st/Std distinction was absorbed into the 'classic' service level. Anyways, wonderful trip, glum that I didn't discover the pleasures of CS until after I'd emigrated!

Personally I'll miss the Mk 3s, having grown up on them. I gather the traincrews won't share my nostalgia!

 

[marks87]

An early arrival into Waverley.

I managed a decent nights sleep. I woke up a couple of times, once when I could have sworn we’d already reached Carstairs because I was sure we were going the other way. We hadn’t because we weren’t

One gripe was the tap in the room losing pressure, but otherwise pretty uneventful. I’d definitely do it again.

 

[47271]

@alistairlees - only this morning I've had this subject highlighted to me locally on Speyside.

The current arrangement on the Highlander whereby all berths are made up as 'Classic' twins is generating quite a bit of irritation amongst Flexipass regulars who have been summarily re categorised from First Class to Classic with no alternative product available. Cramped two berth cabins, no inclusive breakfast and no lounge access, a fine end to many years of loyal travel and a ticket that costs £1550 a go.

By contrast if they book on the Lowlander they get automatically upgraded to Club with all of those benefits as a 'thank you". The problem is, they need to use the Highlander on a weekly basis.

It's probably not thought through in the circumstances of delayed introduction of the new stock, rather than deliberately punitive, but it isn't a great recipe for retention of their best customers.