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Thanks for that photo, it saves me digging out mine of a similar vintage!Helensburgh Upper Station. Apr'79.
The 'other' station at Helensburgh - 'Upper' , on the West Highland line. 16/4/79.
This picture shows what looks to me like a pretty standard WHL island platform width
Thanks for the picture. Such a shame the building was demolished, it would have been a much better waiting room than currently in situ.Helensburgh Upper Station. Apr'79.
The 'other' station at Helensburgh - 'Upper' , on the West Highland line. 16/4/79.
This picture shows what looks to me like a pretty standard WHL island platform width
I think the story is along these lines. In 1968 when the loop was removed and the signal box closed the idea was that Helensburgh Upper should close along with Craigendoran Upper, Rhu and Shandon when the stopping service to Arrocher was withdrawn but it remained open because it was a useful jumping off point on the Faslane Branch trains. There was hope that the Faslane Branch would be retained to service the new Vanguard nuclear submarines but in 1983 this didn't happen and the Faslane Branch was scrapped and Helensburgh Upper Station Building was demolished. There were again rumours that the station was to close and about this time the sleeper was to be withdrawn. Garelochead station was listed in 1986. In 1988 RETB signalling was introduced with Helensburgh Upper as the border with physical signalling. The filling in of the loop trackbed and landscaping occurred in about 2008.
Thank you, that is really informative. This forum needs a like button!
A station for Faslane has been talked about in recent times but I am not sure how far up anyone's action list or even wish list it is. There was a suggestion electrification might extend to such a station, or even to Garelochhead where a 'Faslane' service might terminate.
It might be parallel but it's not exactly close. A considerable uphill hike to a new station is probably not welcome after a long shift. And how many people at Faslane have start/finish times that coincide with the 6 trains a day service? Can't see many using it.
I think it only applies to those going to/from Fort William as that's the only portion that doesn't have the same seated and guard van coaches throughout.
Even though theres far more seated passengers and luggage going to Fort William than Aberdeen for most of the year!
Shower gel and shampoo are in wall-mounted dispensers. You get a small bar of (quite fragrant, but not unpleasantly so!) Arran soap, and a sleep pack. (and, most importantly, 2 small bars of Mackies chocolate if you're in a Club cabin )
No chocolate on my northbound Highlander last week, although I had received 2 bars on the southbound. And to call it a "toiletries pack" is an insult to the intelligence of those who travelled when it was last operated by ScotRail!
Ah, better start packing* my usual "all eventualities" travel pack then. When I last used the CS in early 2017 it was a rather nice re-usable pack with a decent sized shampoo & shower gel bottle, a CS logo'd flannel, and other things that I can't remember.
Unlike the toiletries pack, I can wholly recommend the Sleeper Lounge at Euston, a significant improvement on the AWC 1st class lounge, not least because you can get decent food and drink to eat in pleasant surroundings (at least, until the Lowlander passengers start to arrive shortly before you leave to board the Highlander). Sausage Wellington and a can of Black Isle Blonde for £15 went down well, and represents extra revenue for CS too.
Sleep pack which is in your photo contains an eyemask and two earplugs (in CS green). No socks, no pillow spray!
Wow thanks for the advice. I take it a normal towel for drying after you wash or shower is still provided? Also I believe the cabins have USB sockets now?
Yes several towels
Yes a couple I think
Yes
Correct
You can press more than once of course, but there is advice to moderate your usage
Yes (it’s quite a nice facility actually, I last used it in 2019, after a day out walking and before getting the train to London)
No problem
@trainophile is going in February, and the timings may well be slightly different then. However, @trainophile you will receive 'pre-trip' emails 4 weeks, 1 week and 2 days before travel updating you on any changes to boarding (or departure) times, however slight. In the meantime planning a journey on the website for the intended day of travel will show the relevant boardng (and departure) time.
Why not join the trains up at Aberdeen instead of Edinburgh?
An earlier departure from Inverness at short notice and missing out all intermediate stops Inv - Edinburgh.
It is already going via Aberdeen tonight because of engineering work on the route via Aviemore. However, doing shunting at Aberdeen would mean considerable delay to the Aberdeen portion and awkward operating at the intermediate stations.
