Caledonian Sleeper

[Steve Harris]

I have just booked the sleeper from Glasgow to London on September 4th and see it will leave at the earlier time of 2130 rather than the usual 2340. Does that mean I'm going via the ECML?

Reading Post #18573, Yes.

I suggest you read post #18573 in this thread though as it does elaborate further.

 

[Bill57p9]

1M11 2340 Glasgow C-Euston departed Central 122 minutes late last night, and arrived at Euston just 3 minutes late (in fact early on the public arrival time)! 1C11 Edinburgh portion was cancelled (loco failure?) so 1M11 did not have to stop at Carstairs for the attachment.

5 hours 20 minutes Glasgow Central to Euston isn’t a shabby run for a train limited to 87mph.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Reading Post #18573, Yes.

I suggest you read post #18573 in this thread though as it does elaborate further.

18573 is discussing a journey in the other direction.
I Thought that was probably the situation, but RTTs crystal ball doesnt reach that far so I couldnt check that way.
Its quite fortuitous, as we had planned to go a day earlier, but had to reschedule as we messed up the hotel bookings in Scotland

 

[alistairlees]

18573 is discussing a journey in the other direction.
I Thought that was probably the situation, but RTTs crystal ball doesnt reach that far so I couldnt check that way.
Its quite fortuitous, as we had planned to go a day earlier, but had to reschedule as we messed up the hotel bookings in Scotland

4th September will shortly move back to West Coast running leaving at 23.45 and arriving at 07.30 (give or take a few minutes)

 

[norbitonflyer]

4th September will shortly move back to West Coast running leaving at 23.45 and arriving at 07.30 (give or take a few minutes)

(disappointed face)

Why?

 

[alistairlees]

(disappointed face)

Why?

Engineering works cancelled

 

[Steve Harris]

18573 is discussing a journey in the other direction.
I Thought that was probably the situation, but RTTs crystal ball doesnt reach that far so I couldnt check that way.
Its quite fortuitous, as we had planned to go a day earlier, but had to reschedule as we messed up the hotel bookings in Scotland

Considering it's the opposite direction funnily enough what is written (and quoted) in post 18573 still applies though. (As in it's currently booked ECML but will no doubt change back to WCML nearer the date).

 

[Falcon1200]

But question the procedure at Inverness where the Kyle of Localsh departure (potentially a +10 connection?) left at 0855, with the sleeper arriving at 0856 1/2.

Perhaps it was known that there were no passengers on 1S25 wanting the Kyle train?

 

[55002]

Looks like lines closed at minute, Highlander held at Milton Keynes

 

[DaventryRabbit]

Person hit by Train in Leighton Buzzard Area.

 

[Sealink]

I took the seated sleeper from Inverness to Euston on 6th Jan.
Did I imagine it or was it a smoother ride on the ECML?

 

[norbitonflyer]

Engineering works cancelled

When will that be confirmed? (I have ferry connections to arrange)

 

[rower40]

Is there something odd going on with the Fort William and Aberdeen portions? They appear to run only on alternate days. Is this just a glitch in the timetabling systems, or does the service actually slim down in the winter?

 

[alistairlees]

Is there something odd going on with the Fort William and Aberdeen portions? They appear to run only on alternate days. Is this just a glitch in the timetabling systems, or does the service actually slim down in the winter?

It is running on alternate days until 10th February. There is no glitch.

 

[JonathanH]

Is there something odd going on with the Fort William and Aberdeen portions? They appear to run only on alternate days. Is this just a glitch in the timetabling systems, or does the service actually slim down in the winter?

Same as last year. I think it allows for additional fleet maintenance.

While they can reduce formations at times of low demand by removing a 153xx coach from each 8-coach set, it is more difficult to make the other coaches available without reducing the service.

 

[fgwrich]

Same as last year. I think it allows for additional fleet maintenance.

While they can reduce formations at times of low demand by removing a 153xx coach from each 8-coach set, it is more difficult to make the other coaches available without reducing the service.

Indeed, coupled with a lot lower demand on the Aberdeen portion at this time of the year (and potentially for the rest of the year as my North Sea working friends have said).

 

[rower40]

The Up Lowland sleeper (1M11) left Watford Junction this morning running 47 minutes early.
Now I realise that trains don’t have to wait for booked departure time at set-down-only stops, but that’s quite a reduction in the amount of sleep one might expect, if a passenger to Watford has to alight on arrival.
Can such a passenger stay on board to Euston and take a local train back to Watford later?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

The Up Lowland sleeper (1M11) left Watford Junction this morning running 47 minutes early.
Now I realise that trains don’t have to wait for booked departure time at set-down-only stops, but that’s quite a reduction in the amount of sleep one might expect, if a passenger to Watford has to alight on arrival.
Can such a passenger stay on board to Euston and take a local train back to Watford later?

Even if the steward allowed them to remain on board - which I doubt - the passenger would have to buy a fresh ticket to get back to Watford.

Having myself experienced several hour early arrivals at Euston, if I was heading to Watford and didn't want to take the risk of being turfed out ridiculously early I'd personally just book through to Euston and, yes, pay for a ticket back to Watford later.

 

[dmkc]

Regularly drip into this thread and haven't seen this referred to recently but obviously apologies if it has (and a sign post in would be much appreciated)

One of my kiddos has taken a strong liking to all things Harry Potter and as such wants to do a run over Glenfinnan. To make it a bit special intend to look at taking the Jacobite in the summer - which in no way has anything to do with my own preferences **cough**
That's for sorting out at a later point, but for now am curious what the current regime is for accessing the seated coach on the Fort William sleeper as a day / normal ticket holder from a (any) Scottish Station (again nothing to do with my own preferences **cough, cough**)

• Is that still a thing
• What would be the further south Scottish station that can be used to alight
• Is it a booking required job or is 'walk up on the day and prepare to be turned away' the order of the day?

Any insight very much appreciated!

 

[SuspectUsual]

Regularly drip into this thread and haven't seen this referred to recently but obviously apologies if it has (and a sign post in would be much appreciated)

One of my kiddos has taken a strong liking to all things Harry Potter and as such wants to do a run over Glenfinnan. To make it a bit special intend to look at taking the Jacobite in the summer - which in no way has anything to do with my own preferences **cough**
That's for sorting out at a later point, but for now am curious what the current regime is for accessing the seated coach on the Fort William sleeper as a day / normal ticket holder from a (any) Scottish Station (again nothing to do with my own preferences **cough, cough**)

• Is that still a thing
• What would be the further south Scottish station that can be used to alight
• Is it a booking required job or is 'walk up on the day and prepare to be turned away' the order of the day?

Any insight very much appreciated!

As I understand it, yes you can board as a day passenger from one of the Scottish stops, but you need a pre-booked reservation.

I'm not sure if the 2026 Jacobite timetable has been published yet, but last season the morning train was a 15 minute connection from the booked arrival of the sleeper, and there were plenty of occasions when it missed. If your priority is the Jacobite over Glenfinnan if this year's times are similar I'd book the afternoon train to be on the safe side - there's enough to occupy you for three hours in Fort Bill

 

[hexagon789]

As I understand it, yes you can board as a day passenger from one of the Scottish stops, but you need a pre-booked reservation.

I'm not sure if the 2026 Jacobite timetable has been published yet, but last season the morning train was a 15 minute connection from the booked arrival of the sleeper, and there were plenty of occasions when it missed. If your priority is the Jacobite over Glenfinnan if this year's times are similar I'd book the afternoon train to be on the safe side - there's enough to occupy you for three hours in Fort Bill

Realtimetrains suggests the same timings with an advertised arrival at Fort William of the Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston at 1000 and the morning Jacobite leaving at 1015.

(The Sleeper is technically booked to actually arrive 5 mins earlier by the working times, at 0955.)

 

[Bletchleyite]

Even if the steward allowed them to remain on board - which I doubt

If on a dedicated ticket I'd be surprised if they cared, as the fares to/from Watford are I believe the same as Euston on those.

- the passenger would have to buy a fresh ticket to get back to Watford.

That is true.

Having myself experienced several hour early arrivals at Euston, if I was heading to Watford and didn't want to take the risk of being turfed out ridiculously early I'd personally just book through to Euston and, yes, pay for a ticket back to Watford later.

I'd imagine that's what the majority of people would do. The stop at Watford just seems to date back to when Watford Jn was a significant InterCity West Coast stop, which with just 1tph it isn't any more.

 

[norbitonflyer]

If on a dedicated ticket I'd be surprised if they cared, as the fares to/from Watford are I believe the same as Euston on those.



That is true.



I'd imagine that's what the majority of people would do. The stop at Watford just seems to date back to when Watford Jn was a significant InterCity West Coast stop, which with just 1tph it isn't any more.

Nothing to stop you baiing at Watford if you are awake.

 

[AY1975]

On certain Sundays, including this coming Sunday 25th Jan and 5th April (Easter Sunday), if you try to book a ticket via the CS website from Birmingham International, Crewe or Preston, it says no fares available for this date. I presume this means it's going via the ECML on those dates.

 

[Segedunum]

On certain Sundays, including this coming Sunday 25th Jan and 5th April (Easter Sunday), if you try to book a ticket via the CS website from Birmingham International, Crewe or Preston, it says no fares available for this date. I presume this means it's going via the ECML on those dates.

25th Jan the service runs from Euston then reverses in Wembley and via Primrose Hill then up the ECML.

5th April the service runs from King's Cross and operates via the ECML.

 

[kingqueen]

Big problems with the sleeper tonight.Glasgow to Euston will be formed of only a seated carriage and the club car – all sleeper carriages have been removed at Polmadie.Sleeper passengers will be put on Fort William/Inverness portions of the Highlander and Ed portion of Lowlander.

User ChimeWhistle on X, 18:43 tonight

 

[norbitonflyer]

User ChimeWhistle on X, 18:43 tonight

Nothing on the Caledonian's own website about that.

 

[Spartacus]

User ChimeWhistle on X, 18:43 tonight

Given the lack of anything anywhere else and that the empies have all come out of Polmadie I think someones put 2 and 2 tother and made 5, I understand the Fort William's going via Queen Street LL due to a crew change being needed, nothing else.

 

[InvHst]

Apparently no sleeper carriages attached due to wheel flats!

 

[dmkc]

As I understand it, yes you can board as a day passenger from one of the Scottish stops, but you need a pre-booked reservation.

I'm not sure if the 2026 Jacobite timetable has been published yet, but last season the morning train was a 15 minute connection from the booked arrival of the sleeper, and there were plenty of occasions when it missed. If your priority is the Jacobite over Glenfinnan if this year's times are similar I'd book the afternoon train to be on the safe side - there's enough to occupy you for three hours in Fort Bill

Many Thanks for that. Yep likely take the PM and make a trip of it etc.
Looking at 1Y11 on RTt, would I be interpreting correctly that joing at Queen Street would be permitted ?