I'm sure this thread tends to emphasise the negative views, because not many people post "I went on the sleeper and everything was fine and I have nothing interesting to say about the okayness"
I get that the new lounge is more modern and maybe it is a bit meh. But the old ones, for all the charm of their faded glory, really were not of this era. It was time.
I think I just wish that they'd sell the sleeper as "really good modern sleeper train" (which it is) rather than "hotel on wheels" (which it's clearly not and realistically can't be).
Is that figure counting trips made post-March 2020 when lounge cars have been closed to the public anyway? Or is that from 2019-2020?
2019-2020
I thought that would be the case. As much as some of us liked the Mk2s, they definitely didn’t meet modern regulations in any way, shape or form and had to go. At least I was fortunate to be able to travel on the service when they were still running and have lots of great memories. You cannot escape the fact that they became very unreliable towards the end and were simply not up to the task in the modern world.
I agree that those Mk2 RFBs were particularly shabby towards the end. In their final years they often worked on the Inverness services as well, and were obviously knackered. The ones with the loose seats were perhaps better but still showed their age badly towards the end, particularly as the seat covers and carpets wore threadbare and very little work was done on them as CS knew they were going.
You’ve hit the nail on the head in your last paragraph.I'm sure this thread tends to emphasise the negative views, because not many people post "I went on the sleeper and everything was fine and I have nothing interesting to say about the okayness"
I get that the new lounge is more modern and maybe it is a bit meh. But the old ones, for all the charm of their faded glory, really were not of this era. It was time.
I think I just wish that they'd sell the sleeper as "really good modern sleeper train" (which it is) rather than "hotel on wheels" (which it's clearly not and realistically can't be).
The aircon in the lounge seems to work too well at times, and rather annoying with the vents for them being at the windows beside the tables. My view is they are really nice coaches, and are quite a nice experience but only when they are working properly which in my case hasn't been often.
We're talking about colour temperature, not lux levels.
Its true that a forum like this will tend to attract comments, such as mine about the lounge, that point out faults and failings. However i would stress that overall i am happy with the experience, otherwise i would use other modes of transport as my choice of travel.I'm sure this thread tends to emphasise the negative views, because not many people post "I went on the sleeper and everything was fine and I have nothing interesting to say about the okayness"
I get that the new lounge is more modern and maybe it is a bit meh. But the old ones, for all the charm of their faded glory, really were not of this era. It was time.
I think I just wish that they'd sell the sleeper as "really good modern sleeper train" (which it is) rather than "hotel on wheels" (which it's clearly not and realistically can't be).
The lounge is only unavailable due to COVID, and tourism is meant to be closed anyway.
Takeaway option for the seats, First class had priority access for seating however standard also welcome.
)
Absolute nonsense.
Not very in my experience. I found the actual bit you sit on a little too small, and the foot rest is at the wrong height for me so it was impossible to sit comfortably to the extent I ditched it in favour of a table seat. They look nice, and comfort is subjective in any case. I just found them a bit tricky for me.
It's not nonsense , First Class get priority, so will book their time when the scenic option is there , leaving others the stunning views of suburban Glasgow. .
I have never travelled First Class on CS and I have never not been able to enjoy breakfast in the lounge.
Really,? the Fort William portion?
In my experience too the lounge car is empty in the morning. Probably people trying to snatch a last bit of sleep before turfing out time, whereas if I'm having a poor nights sleep I bit the buller, get up and enjoy a nice breakfast.
I have never had a Club Room and i am usually too occupied with sorting out stuff for the day ahead to want to use it in the morning, however i have found that by visiting the lounge for a drink at about 11pm there was usually enough space that i was not challenged on whether i was 'First Class' including during the Mark 3 days when i was in 'standard class'. However i tend to travel Thursday night so it could be busy on a Friday and since the advent of the new stock i am happy to remain in the room. In the days when standard class meant you could end up sharing i always booked first class. Apart from the advantage of single occupancy i also recall that a half decent breakfast was included as well as use of the First Class lounge. When they abolished 'sharing with a stranger' i still recall a few First Class trips. Cant really remember why i would have paid extra but think it may have been that a) this was all they had left or b) in those days this was the premium you paid for being able to cancel?
