Caledonian Sleeper

[paul1609]

Not a scientific study but the Aberdeen portion always seemed to have a lot of business use. It's why I used it (until a combination of higher cabin prices and awful seated accommodation pushed me to the air routes).

Interesting, are your trips primarily northbound or southbound? The Aberdeen portion hasnt been particularly attractive to me because of the very early arrival at the intermediate Scottish Stations. If Im using the sleeper its better to get the Lowlander to Edinburgh and then get a Scotrail trip. Its difficult for me to see what the business traffic thats using the Aberdeen portion is.

 

[Norther Monkey]

Interesting, are your trips primarily northbound or southbound? The Aberdeen portion hasnt been particularly attractive to me because of the very early arrival at the intermediate Scottish Stations. If Im using the sleeper its better to get the Lowlander to Edinburgh and then get a Scotrail trip. Its difficult for me to see what the business traffic thats using the Aberdeen portion is.

A mixture of both, and I again caution that my view is merely a perception not a rigorous count.

Certainly some of the traffic was offshore workers heading to/from the Dyce heliports. I agree about the early arrivals at intermediate stations - also applicable to the northern English stations. When I worked near Crewe 0530 (or earlier if running early) was a rude start to the working week!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Certainly some of the traffic was offshore workers heading to/from the Dyce heliports. I agree about the early arrivals at intermediate stations - also applicable to the northern English stations. When I worked near Crewe 0530 (or earlier if running early) was a rude start to the working week!

If a suitably cheap Advance was available on a northbound Avanti (which it likely would be as it's against the peak flow), for Crewe it'd be very tempting just to go to Euston and back to be honest. Or even on LNR where the fares are always cheap and the direct service doesn't take that long now it misses Stoke.

 

[paul1609]

A mixture of both, and I again caution that my view is merely a perception not a rigorous count.

Certainly some of the traffic was offshore workers heading to/from the Dyce heliports. I agree about the early arrivals at intermediate stations - also applicable to the northern English stations. When I worked near Crewe 0530 (or earlier if running early) was a rude start to the working week!

I struggle to see why any off shore workers would use the sleeper, the helicopters tend to leave in 2 tranches in the morning and then lunchtime. The sleeper arrival then taxi to the airport is too late for the morning checkin and with the lunchtime flights you can get the 8 to 9 flights from the Southeast airports straight to Aberdeen Airport. Ive been to Aberdeen Airport numerous times but I wouldnt consider getting the sleeper there. From my experience in the Maritime Industry Id say that some offshore workers use the train generally down to about Newcastle beyond that its all flights.

 

[xotGD]

I would suggest that business travellers on the Aberdeen portion are people with an all-day meeting in Aberdeen or nearby. That was my reason for using it.

Some companies have policies to avoid domestic flying and so travelling overnight means not losing a working day on the journey to/from Aberdeen.

 

[Leisurefirst]

As Caledonian Sleeper couldn't tell me...
Does anybody have experience of having their seated coach booking cancelled...
What happened...
Upgrade to cabin for a fee?
Free upgrade (unlikely)?
Refunded & left to book a cabin at the going rate at that time?

 

[185143]

As Caledonian Sleeper couldn't tell me...
Does anybody have experience of having their seated coach booking cancelled...
What happened...
Upgrade to cabin for a fee?
Free upgrade (unlikely)?
Refunded & left to book a cabin at the going rate at that time?

I do.

They emailed to tell me my booking had been cancelled and a refund was being processed (which it was, quickly). They offered me a unique voucher code for 50% off if I re-booked for a room at the going rate.

They seemed pretty keen that I only rebooked if my travel was essential so I decided they could stuff it and I wouldn't travel.

I've had experience of the seated coach being out of use on the day of travel and had a free upgrade to a room. Given I'd booked before the restrictions had been imposed I really fail to see the difference, which heavily influenced my decision not to travel.

 

[Leisurefirst]

I do.

They emailed to tell me my booking had been cancelled and a refund was being processed (which it was, quickly). They offered me a unique voucher code for 50% off if I re-booked for a room at the going rate.

They seemed pretty keen that I only rebooked if my travel was essential so I decided they could stuff it and I wouldn't travel.

I've had experience of the seated coach being out of use on the day of travel and had a free upgrade to a room. Given I'd booked before the restrictions had been imposed I really fail to see the difference, which heavily influenced my decision not to travel.

Thanks so much, that's really helpful.

 

[adrock1976]

For information, I have spotted 92020 in the siding next to Platform 10 at Edinburgh Waverley facing Newcastle (unsure if this is referred to the Klondike Siding or not).

I don't know if this will be on a Sunday overnight train or not, as this is my first visit to Waverley for a long time.

PS Mods: I am happy for this post to be pulled if it is not yet recommended to post sightings at this moment in time.

 

[TimboM]

For information, I have spotted 92020 in the siding next to Platform 10 at Edinburgh Waverley facing Newcastle (unsure if this is referred to the Klondike Siding or not).

I don't know if this will be on a Sunday overnight train or not, as this is my first visit to Waverley for a long time.

It was in that siding (which is indeed nicknamed the Klondike/Klondyke) last night and the night before (after working the Lowlander empties from Polmadie). That is usually where the Highlander engine sits in between shifts, however 020 has a minor fault, so may or may not be involved on Sunday night.

 

[adrock1976]

It was in that siding (which is indeed nicknamed the Klondike/Klondyke) last night and the night before (after working the Lowlander empties from Polmadie). That is usually where the Highlander engine sits in between shifts, however 020 has a minor fault, so may or may not be involved on Sunday night.

Thank you very much.

 

[route101]

Anyone know why that siding is called Klondyke?

 

[TimboM]

Anyone know why that siding is called Klondyke?

There's been previous discussions on why it may be called that, for example here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/caledonian-sleeper-discussion.118802/post-3288286

 

[6Z09]

Although the Southbound Fort William portion leaves Queen Street low level at 0022.

It does, just be prepared for a very cold wait, the wind blows through the low level platforms, no shelter , and no toilets open.

 

[paul1609]

It does, just be prepared for a very cold wait, the wind blows through the low level platforms, no shelter , and no toilets open.

I've always thought it was very much a trainspotting moment when malt quaffing American Tourists arrived in the real Scotland of The Airdrie line neds eating their Kababs with Buckfast as they await their last train home.

 

[Class800]

In terms of Aberdeen business use, when I worked there for 2 years, there were 2 company directors where i worked who often got the Sleeper down for morning meetings in London - as it saved them having to get a circa 5am flight.

 

[Roger B]

Any news on repairs to 15340 - or gen on when it might be back in service?

A huge thank-you to JonathamH and others for the formation updates posted on this forum. I was wondering whether anyone might be able to provide updates now that CS has reverted to two services per might in each direction? Many thanks

 

[JonathanH]

A huge thank-you to JonathamH and others for the formation updates posted on this forum. I was wondering whether anyone might be able to provide updates now that CS has reverted to two services per might in each direction? Many thanks

I was only reposting information from an io group in a way that allowed comparison of changes in the formations over time.

There have continued to be posts here on a regular basis that detail the stock in use.
https://groups.io/g/coachingstock/messages

 

[Roger B]

I was only reposting information from an io group in a way that allowed comparison of changes in the formations over time.

There have continued to be posts here on a regular basis that detail the stock in use.
https://groups.io/g/coachingstock/messages

Many thanks JonathanH - I've applied to join the group.

 

[BRX]

Have just been having a look at booking options for September. Looks like they've made the seats available again?

 

[TimboM]

Have just been having a look at booking options for September. Looks like they've made the seats available again?

The seats are officially out of use until 31/08/2020, hence why they can be booked 01/09/2020 onwards.

However, I expect their availability will be reviewed nearer the time based on where things are up to virus-wise.

 

[BRX]

The seats are officially out of use until 31/08/2020, hence why they can be booked 01/09/2020 onwards.

Thanks, yes - have just been catching up on what they are currently saying on their website.

Trains to Fort William and Inverness seem to have quite a few sold-out nights in late August/early September now (in various accommodation categories), so it does appear that people are returning to making bookings again.

 

[Essexman]

I haven't used the sleeper since December, which must be the longest for about 15 years.
Still have 11 Flexipass tickets to use - currently expiring March but hopefully will be extended.
Usually about 3/4 of my trips are (partly) for business but I suspect face to face meetings won't be happening for some time, so I may have five trips just for pleasure.
Hoping to make my first trip in September.

 

[Sleeper69]

Fort William cancelled both ways tonight due to flooding/landslide in the Garelochhead area

 

[sdrennan]

Not surprised. The Weather in the West of Scotland today has been abysmal

 

[awsnews]

Fort William cancelled both ways tonight due to flooding/landslide in the Garelochhead area

Twitter

Even if this incident was only a minor one there is also flooding somewhere near Cardross which has resulted in a closure there as well. Wouldn't be surprised if they found further damage before tomorrow morning to further complicate matters.

 

[InOban]

https://twitter.com/NetworkRailSCOT/status/1290723477171961860?s=09

a picture the water flooding across the line at a UWC

 

[Sleeper69]

The unusual sight 1S27 in P2 at Euston this evening, the loco was coming off to run to P1 to haul the unused Fort William set back to Wembley

 

[Speed43125]

Up Inverness highlander (1M16) has been stopped at Dunblane for a good while tonight. Storms not doing CS any favours. Guy at the train also mentioned he found loadings to be only up a little, which I found rather odd really.

EDIT: 0144, has now shunted backwards out of platform 1 across the trailing crossover and has pulled into platform 3. I am presuming the 73s will now run around and the train will head back north.

 

[Swimbar]

Up Inverness highlander (1M16) has been stopped at Dunblane for a good while tonight. Storms not doing CS any favours. Guy at the train also mentioned he found loadings to be only up a little, which I found rather odd really.

EDIT: 0144, has now shunted backwards out of platform 1 across the trailing crossover and has pulled into platform 3. I am presuming the 73s will now run around and the train will head back north.

Passengers from Edinburgh put in two coaches of this mornings LNER Edinburgh- Kings Cross service