Caledonian Sleeper

ainsworth74 · 8 Oct 2019

Meanwhile I shall miss being able to enjoy the fresh air and views of the run from Fort William towards Glasgow. Nothing like the thrum of a diesel upfront whilst you travel over landscape where the only sign of human habitation is the train and track you're on.

RailUK Forums

pitdiver · 8 Oct 2019

Can't agree more. a great experience not to be missed.

Bletchleyite · 8 Oct 2019

It's a real shame they haven't considered an open-air "observation coach" for the Deerstalker specifically.

Meerkat · 8 Oct 2019

Train version of a beer garden?
Back of the train, retractable roof, open sides, a few picnic tables bolted down the middle.
ORR would love it!

philjo · 8 Oct 2019

So would the midges love the passengers sitting in the open air .....

Could do with a panorama coach like the one I used last month across Austria to Zurich.

Meerkat · 8 Oct 2019

philjo said:
So would the midges love the passengers sitting in the open air .....

They can’t do over 7mph so they might struggle to keep up

InOban · 8 Oct 2019

I'm sure that they would lie in wait at Corrour and Rannoch.

JohnMcL7 · 8 Oct 2019

Is it Wednesday night the last southbound run of the mk3's? I noticed 67004 looking rather lonely this morning in the station without the sleeper carriages although couldn't see if they were just over by the depot.

BRX · 8 Oct 2019

Bletchleyite said:
It's a real shame they haven't considered an open-air "observation coach" for the Deerstalker specifically.

If the Royal Scotsman can have it... why not the sleeper.

al78 · 8 Oct 2019

Meerkat said:
They can’t do over 7mph so they might struggle to keep up

They just need to get in when the train is stationary (i.e. at a station).

xotGD · 8 Oct 2019

Rest assured comrades, I will do my bit at the droplight tomorrow morning, for old time's sake. Unless I get bowled out by a duff!

Meerkat · 8 Oct 2019

al78 said:
They just need to get in when the train is stationary (i.e. at a station).

But in a carriage with no sides they will get blown away as soon as the train leaves.

BRX · 8 Oct 2019

xotGD said:
Rest assured comrades, I will do my bit at the droplight tomorrow morning, for old time's sake. Unless I get bowled out by a duff!

Enjoy it.

I made three 'ode to the droplight' videos last year, in anticipation of the end, which you can find in my sleeper playlist here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkY_mQ1w2B-xYYX6ckwkuRo2z3_mUu7qY

Scotrail84 · 8 Oct 2019

Crepello said:
Bit glum that their final days of Anglo-Scottish Mk 3 service came after such operational difficulties. I'll never forget the pleasures of waking up to the Scottish Highlands, supping a coffee while enjoying fresh air by a droplight window. They were stalwarts in their day, and will be missed. And am I correct in thinking that's the last of Mark 2s in regular service across the network?

ScotRail operate 4 services each week day using Mk2s and will continue to do so for a while yet. They are peak time services on the fife circle. They get the odd run out at weekends as well, things like golf specials when major events/tournaments are on at St Andrews or Carnoustie.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O46691/2019/10/08/advanced
(Starts from Cardenden running ECS from Mossend)

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O46688/2019/10/08/advanced
(Does the full circle)

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G21589/2019/10/08/advanced
(Does the full circle)

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G81791/2019/10/08/advanced
(Terminates at Cardenden. Runs ECS from Cardenden to Mossend)

Steamysandy · 8 Oct 2019

I'm reminded of a very old Giles Cartoon published after a football excursion train had been trashed.
The guard is standing on a line of carflats saying :-This LL keep their tiny minds occupied -- Holding on!

xotGD · 8 Oct 2019

So 90048 is sat at Wembley. Let's see if my luck is in tonight...

SuspectUsual · 8 Oct 2019

Haven’t done the new CS yet, but did the down Night Riviera last night. Twin (bunk) cabin to myself for £89, everything worked as it should, excellent service from the stewards both cabin and lounge. And it was pretty much on time too. Obviously the lack of an en suite toilet might be a deal for some, but 4 toilets per carriage and not that many passengers made it fine.

But one question - who on earth designed that Asda next to Hayle station (and how did it get planning permission)?!

Struner · 8 Oct 2019

SteveM70 said:
[…]
But one question - who on earth designed that Asda next to Hayle station (and how did it get planning permission)?!

Entirely off topic of course, but it did get an architects’ award!

https://www.piratefm.co.uk/news/latest-news/1602062/controversial-supermarket-wins-award/

SuspectUsual · 8 Oct 2019

Struner said:
Entirely off topic of course, but it did get an architects’ award!
https://www.piratefm.co.uk/news/latest-news/1602062/controversial-supermarket-wins-award/

Blimey

TimboM · 8 Oct 2019

JohnMcL7 said:
Is it Wednesday night the last southbound run of the mk3's? I noticed 67004 looking rather lonely this morning in the station without the sleeper carriages although couldn't see if they were just over by the depot.

That’s correct

hexagon789 · 8 Oct 2019

TimboM said:
That’s correct

So all services are Mk5 now then?

TimboM · 8 Oct 2019

hexagon789 said:
So all services are Mk5 now then?

If Wednesday night’s southbounds are the last run of the Mk3s then no...!

hexagon789 · 8 Oct 2019

TimboM said:
If Wednesday night’s southbounds are the last run of the Mk3s then no...!

Sorry, I thought last Wednesday was being referred to :oops:

philjo · 8 Oct 2019

I saw a number of the new sleeper coaches in the sidings opposite Hornsey depot when I was passing after leaving Kings Cross earlier.

Crepello · 8 Oct 2019

BRX said:
Enjoy it.

I made three 'ode to the droplight' videos last year, in anticipation of the end, which you can find in my sleeper playlist here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkY_mQ1w2B-xYYX6ckwkuRo2z3_mUu7qY

Superb!! Thank you hugely much for sharing the memories! Would love to have done the Mk 3s one last time (and to have seen the last-ever Still Game stage show, now on in Glasgow) but home's 5,000 miles away nowadays

Might have to sample the Night Riviera on a future trip over!

47550 · 9 Oct 2019

Slightly off topic but I fancy giving the new CS a go getting off somewhere before Fort William. Decent hotel in walking distance from the station, bit of gentle hiking for a couple of days and good food / hearty fire in the evening. Any recommendations for destination / hotel ? Thanks

185143 · 9 Oct 2019

@47550
Corrour without a doubt. Stay in the Signal Box B&B, the station house has a good fire and an extensive looking food menu for evening meals.

TimboM · 9 Oct 2019

Last northbound Highlander with Class 90 and Mk3s/Mk2s: 90044 on 1S25 through Hartford tonight.

xotGD · 9 Oct 2019

TimboM said:
Last northbound Highlander with Class 90 and Mk3s/Mk2s: 90044 on 1S25 through Hartford tonight.

Alas it was 44 rather than 48.

Pair of 73s on the Aberdeen portion however - 968 and 971.

The seated coach is rather cold.

185143 · 9 Oct 2019

xotGD said:
Alas it was 44 rather than 48.

Pair of 73s on the Aberdeen portion however - 968 and 971.

The seated coach is rather cold.

I'm on the ex Aberdeen tonight, so thanks for the heads up.

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