Caledonian Sleeper

[Scotrail84]

Highlander south part caped tonight because of this mornings issues.

Tuesday 14th January

Fort William to London Euston - this service will depart from Glasgow Central.

This is because of a technical issue with our fleet.

You will be transported by road replacement at the scheduled departure time and taken to Glasgow Central where you will join the service in your booked accommodation.

The service will arrive in London Euston at 07:15.

You are entitled to a 50% refund and this will be processed automatically if you booked directly with us.

Please contact us on Live Chat if you have any questions.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to welcoming you onboard.

---

Inverness to London Euston - this service will depart from Edinburgh Waverley.

This is because of a technical issue with our fleet.

You will be transported by road replacement at the scheduled departure time and taken to Edinburgh Waverley where you will join the service in your booked accommodation.

Arrival time is unaffected. You are entitled to a 50% refund and this will be processed automatically if you booked directly with us.

Please contact us on Live Chat if you have any questions.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to welcoming you onboard.

 

[Deepgreen]

As a slight aside, I'm travelling up to my favourite haunts on the WHL in March and, on checking the Scotrail WHL timetable, I was sad to see that the CS is still not mentioned anywhere in the Scotrail timetable, which also, very unhelpfully, says "Calling at: Crianlarich, Oban, Fort William, Mallaig" on the cover, implying that no other stations are served. I know they are different TOCs, but to exclude the CS workings seems petty and probabaly actually unhelpful to Scotrail by not making additional travel options clear to those who might well use Scotrail's trains once in the area. Privatisation's stupidity in microcosm.

 

[Scotrail84]

As a slight aside, I'm travelling up to my favourite haunts on the WHL in March and, on checking the Scotrail WHL timetable, I was sad to see that the CS is still not mentioned anywhere in the Scotrail timetable, which also, very unhelpfully, says "Calling at: Crianlarich, Oban, Fort William, Mallaig" on the cover, implying that no other stations are served. I know they are different TOCs, but to exclude the CS workings seems petty and probabaly actually unhelpful to Scotrail by not making additional travel options clear to those who might well use Scotrail's trains once in the area. Privatisation's stupidity in microcosm.

You'll probably find that it will CS who don't want to appear on the ScotRail timetable. theres no money for them to be made on daft single fares for 2 or 3 stops on the WHL as they cant sell tickets for intermediate stations on board (unless its changed), guards were still using excess books about 5 years ago but that all stopped. They also do not accept cash under no circumstances which is absolutely baffling. CS is also a reservation only meaning no walk ups can just turn up as they will likely will be refused travel.

CS seem to want everyone to book through their website or telephone system so they keep all the ticket money to themselves and they don't seem keen on open tickets holders booking either because again, theres no money in it for them.

 

[alholmes]

Not a café, but I always head to the Central Hotel when I come off the Sleeper - they sell breakfast to non-residents, and it's got the full works but you can pick and choose which bits you want and how much of each you want, carvery style - you can even go back for seconds without having to pay extra...

Agree with the Central Hotel. I stayed there for a night in late-2023, breakfast was very good quality.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Not a café, but I always head to the Central Hotel when I come off the Sleeper - they sell breakfast to non-residents, and it's got the full works but you can pick and choose which bits you want and how much of each you want, carvery style - you can even go back for seconds without having to pay extra...

How much ?.

 

[Cheshire Scot]

Highlander south part caped tonight because of this mornings issues.




Tuesday 14th January

Fort William to London Euston - this service will depart from Glasgow Central.

This is because of a technical issue with our fleet.

You will be transported by road replacement at the scheduled departure time and taken to Glasgow Central where you will join the service in your booked accommodation.

The service will arrive in London Euston at 07:15.

You are entitled to a 50% refund and this will be processed automatically if you booked directly with us.

Please contact us on Live Chat if you have any questions.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to welcoming you onboard.

---

Inverness to London Euston - this service will depart from Edinburgh Waverley.

This is because of a technical issue with our fleet.

You will be transported by road replacement at the scheduled departure time and taken to Edinburgh Waverley where you will join the service in your booked accommodation.

Arrival time is unaffected. You are entitled to a 50% refund and this will be processed automatically if you booked directly with us.

Please contact us on Live Chat if you have any questions.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to welcoming you onboard.

Interesting there is capacity on the Glasgow Lowlander to accommodate all of the FW route booked passengers, a quiet time of the year on both I suppose.

In terms of road transport I assume nobody has booked to join the FW at Rannoch or worse still at Corrour!

 

[Falcon1200]

Privatisation's stupidity in microcosm.

That is silly, but neither Scotrail nor Caledonian Sleepers is actually privatised any more. And, when initially privatised and for many years afterwards, they were part of the same franchise!

 

[Scotrail84]

Interesting there is capacity on the Glasgow Lowlander to accommodate all of the FW route booked passengers, a quiet time of the year on both I suppose.

In terms of road transport I assume nobody has booked to join the FW at Rannoch or worse still at Corrour!

FTW service will be lucky to have 10 bookings on it Southbound on a Tuesday night mid January, and equally the Lowlander from Glasgow will also be quiet.

As for the Inverness, I dunno why they didn't just get ticket acceptance on the 20:22 Scotrail service from Inverness and get all punters on that and change at Stirling for Edinburgh instead of 4 hours plus on a bus. That service makes all stops to Perth so it could easily pick up sleeper passengers and is very lightly loaded at this time of year.

 

[Bill57p9]

As a slight aside, I'm travelling up to my favourite haunts on the WHL in March and, on checking the Scotrail WHL timetable, I was sad to see that the CS is still not mentioned anywhere in the Scotrail timetable, which also, very unhelpfully, says "Calling at: Crianlarich, Oban, Fort William, Mallaig" on the cover, implying that no other stations are served. I know they are different TOCs, but to exclude the CS workings seems petty and probabaly actually unhelpful to Scotrail by not making additional travel options clear to those who might well use Scotrail's trains once in the area. Privatisation's stupidity in microcosm.

An additional irony being that both ScotRail and CS are run by Transport Scotland.

However it isn't just CS, the ScotRail timetables are precisely that: timetables of ScotRail services only with all other operators blanked. Which leaves a fair few gaps in the Edinburgh to Aberdeen timetable

 

[A S Leib]

However it isn't just CS, the ScotRail timetables are precisely that: timetables of ScotRail services only with all other operators blanked. Which leaves a fair few gaps in the Edinburgh to Aberdeen timetable

Ticket acceptance in case of delays not extending to ScotRail despite nationalisation seems odd as well, and more useful than Southeastern being included until GTR's nationalised, although that's getting off-topic.

 

[BRX]

As a slight aside, I'm travelling up to my favourite haunts on the WHL in March and, on checking the Scotrail WHL timetable, I was sad to see that the CS is still not mentioned anywhere in the Scotrail timetable, which also, very unhelpfully, says "Calling at: Crianlarich, Oban, Fort William, Mallaig" on the cover, implying that no other stations are served. I know they are different TOCs, but to exclude the CS workings seems petty and probabaly actually unhelpful to Scotrail by not making additional travel options clear to those who might well use Scotrail's trains once in the area. Privatisation's stupidity in microcosm.

I made a thread about this last year.

Scotrail omitting other operators' services from timetables

Maybe this has been going on for a while, but it seems that Scotrail's current "paper" timetables completely omit any services that aren't run by Scotrail. This means that anyone using these timetables will get a false impression of what travel options they have. This seems a very...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Peter Mugridge]

How much ?.

Just had a look at my bank book for November; it was £18.50.

Sounds a lot, but it's definitely value for money.

 

[FrodshamJnct]

I asked a Sleeper driver about how they drive and how much they take into account waking passengers etc. He confirmed drivers have the green light to run at full speed the whole way, and generally the fasts on the WCML are good but he said he does slow down in a few places due to curvature/rough track etc.

 

[chuff chuff]

I asked a Sleeper driver about how they drive and how much they take into account waking passengers etc. He confirmed drivers have the green light to run at full speed the whole way, and generally the fasts on the WCML are good but he said he does slow down in a few places due to curvature/rough track etc.

It's been a long while since I drove the sleepers up until they started hiring in the freight guys,but I always drove in a manner that I would appreciate if I was lying in bed.

 

[Deepgreen]

An additional irony being that both ScotRail and CS are run by Transport Scotland.

However it isn't just CS, the ScotRail timetables are precisely that: timetables of ScotRail services only with all other operators blanked. Which leaves a fair few gaps in the Edinburgh to Aberdeen timetable

Yep. The whole mess is going to take at least a generation to sort out, if ever.

 

[47296lastduff]

For breakfast in Glasgow I can heartily recommend La Vita Italian restaurant in George Square (near Queen Street station), opening 0730 daily except Sunday. The breakfast special gives a full Scottish (including Lorne sausage, or choice of "English" sausage, potato scone and much more) with orange juice, toast and hot drink for £13.95. There is the other option of making your own breakfast selection from individually priced items. Service was quick, with generous provision.

 

[Scotrail84]

Euston to Edinburgh cancelled tonight which is not surprising considering the Highlander went south last night with only 5 vehicles which is hardly worth it.

Anyone for Edinburgh now has to board the highlander at 21:15, (if they received comms) and change at either Dalmuir or Stirling and get a ScotRail service back to Edinburgh

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jan 2025 ==

I asked a Sleeper driver about how they drive and how much they take into account waking passengers etc. He confirmed drivers have the green light to run at full speed the whole way, and generally the fasts on the WCML are good but he said he does slow down in a few places due to curvature/rough track etc.

I posted on here already saying this is exactly what happens. And they wonder why the ride quality is so poor.

 

[Falcon1200]

I posted on here already saying this is exactly what happens. And they wonder why the ride quality is so poor.

What is classed as 'full speed' for the Sleepers; Does the 80mph unless running late standard no longer apply?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Full speed is only 87mph on a 125mph mainline, though. That says a lot about the rolling stock/track quality if it's rough well below 125.

 

[Scotrail84]

Full speed is only 87mph on a 125mph mainline, though. That says a lot about the rolling stock/track quality if it's rough well below 125.

If the mk5s travelled at 100mph it would be absolutely unbearable both noise and rough riding.

 

[side effect]

Euston to Edinburgh cancelled tonight which is not surprising considering the Highlander went south last night with only 5 vehicles which is hardly worth it.

Anyone for Edinburgh now has to board the highlander at 21:15, (if they received comms) and change at either Dalmuir or Stirling and get a ScotRail service back to Edinburgh

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jan 2025 ==


I posted on here already saying this is exactly what happens. And they wonder why the ride quality is so poor.

Dosent 1S25 stop at

Euston to Edinburgh cancelled tonight which is not surprising considering the Highlander went south last night with only 5 vehicles which is hardly worth it.

Anyone for Edinburgh now has to board the highlander at 21:15, (if they received comms) and change at either Dalmuir or Stirling and get a ScotRail service back to Edinburgh

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jan 2025 ==


I posted on here already saying this is exactly what happens. And they wonder why the ride quality is so poor.

Can't they get off at Edinburgh when it separates at around 3.30-4am.

 

[Scotrail84]

Dosent 1S25 stop at

Can't they get off at Edinburgh when it separates at around 3.30-4am.

Nope, it's not a passenger stop. In any case, was it nor argued on here barely a week ago that 5:30am was a ridiculous time to be put off a train and onto buses. So is 03:30 ok then?

 

[Deepgreen]

I made a thread about this last year.

Scotrail omitting other operators' services from timetables

Maybe this has been going on for a while, but it seems that Scotrail's current "paper" timetables completely omit any services that aren't run by Scotrail. This means that anyone using these timetables will get a false impression of what travel options they have. This seems a very...

www.railforums.co.uk

Many thanks.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jan 2025 ==

Euston to Edinburgh cancelled tonight which is not surprising considering the Highlander went south last night with only 5 vehicles which is hardly worth it.

Anyone for Edinburgh now has to board the highlander at 21:15, (if they received comms) and change at either Dalmuir or Stirling and get a ScotRail service back to Edinburgh

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jan 2025 ==


I posted on here already saying this is exactly what happens. And they wonder why the ride quality is so poor.

The CS web site says the cancellation is "because of a technical issue with our fleet" - what is the technical issue? It also states that all booked guests can be accommodated on the Fort William working - do they know that there are enough unbooked berths on that train for everyone or are some people expected to travel seated?

 

[side effect]

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Nope, it's not a passenger stop. In any case, was it nor argued on here barely a week ago that 5:30am was a ridiculous time to be put off a train and onto buses. So is 03:30 ok then?

It's entirely within CS's power to make it a passenger stop, though - it is for the Fort William portion (pick up/set down only). However nobody is going to want to get off at 3:30am.

 

[Scotrail84]

It's entirely within CS's power to make it a passenger stop, though - it is for the Fort William portion (pick up/set down only). However nobody is going to want to get off at 3:30am.

Not when the station isn't open it's not. CS do not own the station, its network rails property and its closed from 1am to around 04:30.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not when the station isn't open it's not. CS do not own the station, its network rails property and its closed from 1am to around 04:30.

It's open (after a fashion) to allow people to board the Fort William portion.

 

[Scotrail84]

It's open (after a fashion) to allow people to board the Fort William portion.

Not until around 4:15 - 4:30

In any case everyone for Edinburgh would need to be awake about 3am to be ready to get off. Its farcical to suggest getting them off when the Highlander arrives in to split.

 

[Bletchleyite]

In any case everyone for Edinburgh would need to be awake about 3am to be ready to get off. Its farcical to suggest getting them off when the Highlander arrives in to split.

I certainly don't think it's a good plan to do that, no.

 

[zwk500]

It's open (after a fashion) to allow people to board the Fort William portion.

Is this referring to people moving along the platform from the seated portion of the main train to the carriages that stay in Scotland from/to FW?