Caledonian Sleeper

[BRX]

So it wasn't due to a locomotive failure on that night, but rather due to one the previous day?

Yes, or rather previous night.

That's what I understood from @JModulo's post #13,131

To provide a full formation lowlander they'd have had to run that aberdeen portion down to london during the daytime somehow, as far as I can see.

 

[Trainbike46]

If one has a valid ticket to travel from Scotland to London (I'm trying not to reveal what I'm up to next month, so as not to spoil the trip report ) but not booked with Caledonian Sleeper, is the best way to make a reservation on the seats to call them, or is there a way to do it online?

I believe the only way is to call them and ask for a seat reservation. That's how I've done it in the past. Unfortunately, the seated portion has a habit of selling out, so I would call as long in advance as possible

 

[Techniquest]

I believe the only way is to call them and ask for a seat reservation. That's how I've done it in the past. Unfortunately, the seated portion has a habit of selling out, so I would call as long in advance as possible

Indeed, I have to make a decision pretty soon. It just depends on what I decide to do while in Scotland, and whether I can stomach the idea of being on the seats all night. I realised recently I can try for a 73/9 which made the option suddenly appealing!

All will be revealed in the big trip report in early November

 

[Trainbike46]

Indeed, I have to make a decision pretty soon. It just depends on what I decide to do while in Scotland, and whether I can stomach the idea of being on the seats all night. I realised recently I can try for a 73/9 which made the option suddenly appealing!

All will be revealed in the big trip report in early November

In my experience the seats are fine!

But then again, I'm one of those people who books myself on a portsmouth-Santander ferry (a 2-night crossing) without booking a cabin, so maybe my standards just aren't very high

 

[Techniquest]

In my experience the seats are fine!

But then again, I'm one of those people who books myself on a portsmouth-Santander ferry (a 2-night crossing) without booking a cabin, so maybe my standards just aren't very high

Brave soul! I wouldn't do such a crossing without a cabin, although now you have brought that ferry to my attention I need to look into it for a future adventure Ideas are already forming!

I recently re-read my 2011 and 2012 ALR trip reports, when I did a lot of seated sleeper journeys, and I noted a lot of displeasure with that. In fairness though, this was when it was still MK2s for the seated sleeper, and *that* brake noise will forever frustrate me whenever I think about it! So I'm having to consider my options carefully.

In case anyone's wondering, part of the reason for considering the sleeper is that the Airbnb I have booked charges extra, and takes cash only, for towels. £1 is nothing much at all for such a thing, granted, but it has me wondering if the seated sleeper is a better option! Let's not spoil the trip report too much more eh, it's going to be an epic read

Anyway, did I read correctly the Inverness portion is now a 67? Or is 67+73 currently during leaf-fall season?

 

[Bletchleyite]

In case anyone's wondering, part of the reason for considering the sleeper is that the Airbnb I have booked charges extra, and takes cash only, for towels. £1 is nothing much at all for such a thing, granted, but it has me wondering if the seated sleeper is a better option! Let's not spoil the trip report too much more eh, it's going to be an epic read

Why not, er, just take a towel with you?

 

[Techniquest]

Why not, er, just take a towel with you?

Primarily, because I don't like the idea of a wet towel in my bag all of the next day. The charging for a towel thing made me wonder just how good the place actually will be, it's not a hostel but it makes it feel like it's what it will be like. If that makes any sense!

That all being said, I think I'll look again at Premier Inn because I'm unconvinced I fancy trying to sleep in a seat all the way to Crewe or Euston!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Primarily, because I don't like the idea of a wet towel in my bag all of the next day. The charging for a towel thing made me wonder just how good the place actually will be, it's not a hostel but it makes it feel like it's what it will be like. If that makes any sense!

That all being said, I think I'll look again at Premier Inn because I'm unconvinced I fancy trying to sleep in a seat all the way to Crewe or Euston!

The actual seats are the same ones used in 1st on all 80x, if that helps.

 

[paul1609]

Brave soul! I wouldn't do such a crossing without a cabin, although now you have brought that ferry to my attention I need to look into it for a future adventure Ideas are already forming!

I recently re-read my 2011 and 2012 ALR trip reports, when I did a lot of seated sleeper journeys, and I noted a lot of displeasure with that. In fairness though, this was when it was still MK2s for the seated sleeper, and *that* brake noise will forever frustrate me whenever I think about it! So I'm having to consider my options carefully.

In case anyone's wondering, part of the reason for considering the sleeper is that the Airbnb I have booked charges extra, and takes cash only, for towels. £1 is nothing much at all for such a thing, granted, but it has me wondering if the seated sleeper is a better option! Let's not spoil the trip report too much more eh, it's going to be an epic read

Anyway, did I read correctly the Inverness portion is now a 67? Or is 67+73 currently during leaf-fall season?

This video gives a objective review of the Caledonian Seats on the return journey and why an overnight megabus is so much better

 

[JModulo]

The actual seats are the same ones used in 1st on all 80x, if that helps.

They aren't.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They aren't.

They definitely are, other than de-minimis things like the shape of the handle and the headrest which LNER has different to others. Pulling up photos of them both alongside one another makes this very clear. Also CS has folding instead of fixed tables. But it's the same basic seat frame and cushion - I believe another one of Fainsa's "fine" products.

 

[185143]

They aren't.

I too am not convinced on that one. Similar, yes, but not the same.

 

[AlterEgo]

They definitely are, other than de-minimis things like the shape of the handle and the headrest which LNER has different to others. Pulling up photos of them both alongside one another makes this very clear. Also CS has folding instead of fixed tables. But it's the same basic seat frame and cushion - I believe another one of Fainsa's "fine" products.

Indeed, Fainsa are the supplier of the CS seats.

 

[Peter Sarf]

There was only one seated (brake) coach so it couldn't split.
CrossCountry provided the Carstairs - Glasgow C part

Are you absolutely sure of that? I thought they were basically multiple units and you couldn't shunt it like that, rather each half set would have to have its seated car/brake.

I'm well aware of that. The first line of the quoted post (sorry, cack handed quoting) suggested the Sleeper had run with the Glasgow and Edinburgh sleepers (but all to Edinburgh) but only one brake coach, which I don't think is possible.

Surely this means there were only a total of eight coaches Northbound ?. Follows there were only eight the previous night Southbound. This is because as I understand it the maximum that one TM coach (I mean the control vehicle) can handle is eight coaches (including itself). So if CS were short of TM coaches then only eight cars could run.

 

[Cheshire Scot]

Surely this means there were only a total of eight coaches Northbound ?. Follows there were only eight the previous night Southbound. This is because as I understand it the maximum that one TM coach (I mean the control vehicle) can handle is eight coaches (including itself). So if CS were short of TM coaches then only eight cars could run.

RTT shows a formation of twelve coaches, 10 sleepers a lounge and a seated car - although curiously in both cases with the non sleeping coaches on the rear despite the reversal at Carstairs!

 

[route101]

This video gives a objective review of the Caledonian Seats on the return journey and why an overnight megabus is so much better

If you have a single seat on CS and the lights are dimmed the sleeper ones.

 

[Bletchleyite]

There is one important reason why the Sleeper is better than a Megabus - you can be sure you won't be squashed up against someone and will have some legroom.

Though that video does demonstrate how "cheap as f..." the coaches are, with that suspension knocking. That needs fixing.

 

[Techniquest]

That video recently popped on my recommendations on YouTube, I haven't watched it yet. I've already decided though that I'm going to stick with the Airbnb, and probably purchase my own towel from a nearby supermarket (saves carrying it to Scotland!) and leave it behind afterwards. Something tells me I'd not like the seated sleeper, so I'm going to stay away from it.

 

[xotGD]

If I do an overnight in a seat, whether train or plane, I expect to get no sleep. If I do doze off, that is a bonus.

If I booked a bed, there is every possibility that I would still get no sleep, but then I'd be frustrated as I would be expecting to sleep.

So, set the bar low to avoid disappointment!

 

[Mainliner]

A commenter on that video said there was a theory that the required seated coaches are deliberately kept bright and cold to “encourage” people to book the beds

 

[kkong]

I've already decided though that I'm going to stick with the Airbnb, and probably purchase my own towel from a nearby supermarket (saves carrying it to Scotland!) and leave it behind afterwards.

I can recommend a microfibre towel like this, which is both small / packable and doesn't get wet like a traditional towel.

Highlander Outdoor | Clothing, Camping Equipment & Tents

Shop the latest outdoor clothing and adventure equipment including tents, rucksacks, and more! We’ve been creating experiences since 1985. Be part of the journey.

highlander-outdoor.com

 

[_toommm_]

If I do an overnight in a seat, whether train or plane, I expect to get no sleep. If I do doze off, that is a bonus.

I’d had a very long day the day before, including a 17-hour railtour (The Ayrliner) and managed about four hours sleep total. My back was killing my the end of the journey.

 

[Peter Sarf]

This video gives a objective review of the Caledonian Seats on the return journey and why an overnight megabus is so much better

Well I can sleep in a seat on a plane for 9 hours. But that rattle - not sure. Think I will stick with the coach.

 

[fgwrich]

Well I can sleep in a seat on a plane for 9 hours. But that rattle - not sure. Think I will stick with the coach.

Having used the seated portion very recently, I can fully agree with the comments in the video. The actual coach design was quite nice (baring the stupid foot rests and window light), but the bogie rattle was horrendous - notable points were Crewe, Preston, Carlisle and most of the paintwork along the West Coast Mainline along with the break squeel. Those bogies are utterly dreadful and really, really let and otherwise good modern coach design down.

 

[Techniquest]

I can recommend a microfibre towel like this, which is both small / packable and doesn't get wet like a traditional towel.

Highlander Outdoor | Clothing, Camping Equipment & Tents

Shop the latest outdoor clothing and adventure equipment including tents, rucksacks, and more! We’ve been creating experiences since 1985. Be part of the journey.

highlander-outdoor.com

That sounds like an ideal solution. That website kept bugging me with ads, begging me to sign up to their website (I rather dislike websites like that!) and kept going on about cookies etc, so I gave up with their site. I like the concept though, so thanks!

 

[Phillip Watts]

I’d had a very long day the day before, including a 17-hour railtour (The Ayrliner) and managed about four hours sleep total. My back was killing my the end of the journey.

I agree, the new seating coaches are not comfortable at all. The old ones were far better, I was on that tour as well. It was a great day out but a very long day as you say.
My first railtour in some years, I used to help out at Riviera Trains years ago as I was a very good personal friend of the owner and got to ride around all over the country on charters for pathfinder etc for free!
Great times.

 

[Cloud Strife]

A commenter on that video said there was a theory that the required seated coaches are deliberately kept bright and cold to “encourage” people to book the beds

Seems quite plausible. The temperature isn't a major issue, but the brightness is really quite unacceptable and needless.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Seems quite plausible. The temperature isn't a major issue, but the brightness is really quite unacceptable and needless.

Seems surprising. The last time this came up for discussion it was pointed out that minimum lighting levels in the various regulations don't allow for seated night train coaches to be any different from day coaches.

 

[Trainbike46]

Seems surprising. The last time this came up for discussion it was pointed out that minimum lighting levels in the various regulations don't allow for seated night train coaches to be any different from day coaches.

On overnight ferries most lights get turned off in the public passenger areas overnight; Why isn't this allowed on rail? Alternatively, why doesn't the cally sleeper ask for an exemption?

 

[Mainliner]

Seems quite plausible. The temperature isn't a major issue, but the brightness is really quite unacceptable and needless.

The temperature is frequently mentioned in comments in various places (“blasting cold air all night”), etc, and it’s one of the reasons I won’t be using the stock as long as that is the case.