Caledonian Sleeper

[hexagon789]

Isn't that usually the case when the sleeper is hauled by a 66+73. The 66 doing all the work with the 73 just there to provide power to the coaches?

That was certainly my understanding.

 

[CW2]

I think it varies. I have had instances of the 73 providing traction power in multiple with the 66.

On another note, the ECML seems to have collapsed overnight, and the diverted Caledonian Sleeper services are all hideously delayed. Sunrise over Newcastle wasn't what I envisaged this morning...

 

[Megafuss]

I think it varies. I have had instances of the 73 providing traction power in multiple with the 66.

On another note, the ECML seems to have collapsed overnight, and the diverted Caledonian Sleeper services are all hideously delayed. Sunrise over Newcastle wasn't what I envisaged this morning...

It's never a good sign when I see the back end of the sleeper sticking out of the shed at Newcastle at 0650!

 

[MontyP]

It's never a good sign when I see the back end of the sleeper sticking out of the shed at Newcastle at 0650!

What has happened with the Aberdeen and Ft William portions this morning? I see that the Inverness train finally left Edinburgh at 0845, 265 mins down. RTT still showing the other two portions as "At Platform", are they now cancelled?

 

[DelW]

On another note, the ECML seems to have collapsed overnight, and the diverted Caledonian Sleeper services are all hideously delayed. Sunrise over Newcastle wasn't what I envisaged this morning...

What has happened with the Aberdeen and Ft William portions this morning? I see that the Inverness train finally left Edinburgh at 0845, 265 mins down. RTT still showing the other two portions as "At Platform", are they now cancelled?

I think this thread provides answers to that

Major disruption through Retford (16/04/2026) and residual effects over following days

All East Coast services being held at York, nothing has moved since about 2000 and it's now 2145. Is anyone on one of the actual affected trains? There's a conspicuous absence of staff at York but apparently coaches have been ordered...

www.railforums.co.uk

At least the CS passengers were expecting to spend the night on a train ... unlike many others last night

 

[zwk500]

What has happened with the Aberdeen and Ft William portions this morning? I see that the Inverness train finally left Edinburgh at 0845, 265 mins down. RTT still showing the other two portions as "At Platform", are they now cancelled?

Both portions still showing on berth maps (signalmaps.co.uk), in platforms 19 and 2 as it happens.

Currently creating an interesting situation for the GBRf Royal Scotsman from Dundee, which is decently long and going on to Craigentinny to stable, so is waiting for a suitable platform to free up.

 

[hexagon789]

Both portions still showing on berth maps (signalmaps.co.uk), in platforms 19 and 2 as it happens.

Currently creating an interesting situation for the GBRf Royal Scotsman from Dundee, which is decently long and going on to Craigentinny to stable, so is waiting for a suitable platform to free up.

Aberdeen portion now left Edinburgh Waverley, 334 late.

There are two trains behind the Scotsman at Haymarket, so presumably waiting the Fort William leaving too, so it can enter 19/2.

 

[Caleb2010]

I’m on the sleeper tonight from Inverness and have been looking at traction - according to RTT the incoming portion from Edinburgh is load 8 with a single 73 (73970] hauling it. But the Aberdeen portion has load 4, and is also hauled by 73970.

Any have an idea as to what is in Inverness for tonight?

Edit; it appears 66743 and 73968 are on the Inverness portion (according to the TRUST feed on Railcam anyway)

 

[Bill57p9]

Makes more sense. A single 73/9 on it's own with load 8 would be somewhat "optimistic".
The Aberdeen portion seems to often be a single 73/9 apart from left fall season, though that is of course the least demanding diagram.

 

[ilovepotatoes]

I know it’s been discussed before but can’t find it, I want to get the 0450 from Edinburgh to spean bridge, how do you get into the station before 5am? Thanks

 

[PG]

I know it’s been discussed before but can’t find it, I want to get the 0450 from Edinburgh to spean bridge, how do you get into the station before 5am? Thanks

According to National Rail Enquiries the station opens at 0400 so at least one of the entrances should be open.

 

[Sealink]

In planning my journey on the Sleeper tomorrow, there are a few additions to the menu!

Sea bass with a pea velouté and baby potatoes £18
Plant-based burger in a Schär roll with chips £15
Twice cooked chips £5

 

[styles]

In planning my journey on the Sleeper tomorrow, there are a few additions to the menu!

Sea bass with a pea velouté and baby potatoes £18
Plant-based burger in a Schär roll with chips £15
Twice cooked chips £5

Fish sounds great, not sure about the Schär bread.

 

[D6130]

Fish sounds great, not sure about the Schär bread.

Schär and Schär alike!

 

[Bletchleyite]

Fish sounds great, not sure about the Schär bread.

It appears just to be an attempt to cover gluten free and vegan in one go. Personally I appreciate there being a GF option!

 

[gabrielhj07]

In planning my journey on the Sleeper tomorrow, there are a few additions to the menu!

Sea bass with a pea velouté and baby potatoes £18
Plant-based burger in a Schär roll with chips £15
Twice cooked chips £5

Fiver for a handful of chips!

 

[SuspectUsual]

Fiver for a handful of chips!

A hefty proportion of their customers are either on expenses or what our kids used to call “holiday money” (like £2 in holiday money is only £1 in real money). Neither of those groups will balk at spending a fiver on some chips

 

[Bletchleyite]

A hefty proportion of their customers are either on expenses or what our kids used to call “holiday money” (like £2 in holiday money is only £1 in real money). Neither of those groups will balk at spending a fiver on some chips

Anybody who has paid over £200 for a cabin will pay a fiver for chips (which is not an atypical price for them in a gastropub these days). Anybody in the seats will have popped to Aldi/Lidl and brought their own budget provisions.

 

[D6130]

Fiver for a handful of chips!

Ah, but....they're twice-cooked!

 

[styles]

Fiver for a handful of chips!

I don't think that's particularly bad? It's about on part with what you'd pay in a restaurant for a side of chips.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Ah, but....they're twice-cooked!

Only £2.50 per cooking, nothing to see here

 

[Bletchleyite]

Ah, but....they're twice-cooked!

Do it right the first time and there's no need to do it again

 

[SuspectUsual]

Of course, "twice-cooked" is such a synonym for "reheated", isn't it?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Of course, "twice-cooked" is such a synonym for "reheated", isn't it?

It is when a chippy does it, but if you do it intentionally it means you do a longer cook at a lower temperature than a shorter cook at a higher one, which results in a fluffy inside and a crispy outside. I've never seen the point in three though!

Are they oven chips on CS anyway so that would be a third?

 

[sh24]

Thrice cooked is parboil, low temperature fry and then high temperature fry.

 

[styles]

Twice cooked chips ≠ just reheated chips.

 

[LickeyIncliner]

Who would have thought a discussion of on-train catering could get into recipes for gourmet chips ?

More seriously, is anything actually deep-fried on trains ? I have a fairly robust attitude to 'elf 'n' safety, but that sounds a horrendous risk.

 

[JamieL]

I don't think that's particularly bad? It's about on part with what you'd pay in a restaurant for a side of chips.

Ah yes but you are missing the CS factor - namely that CS is the service that some love to hate!

 

[SuspectUsual]

Who would have thought a discussion of on-train catering could get into recipes for gourmet chips ?

More seriously, is anything actually deep-fried on trains ? I have a fairly robust attitude to 'elf 'n' safety, but that sounds a horrendous risk.

But it's a hotel!!

 

[hexagon789]

Who would have thought a discussion of on-train catering could get into recipes for gourmet chips ?

More seriously, is anything actually deep-fried on trains ? I have a fairly robust attitude to 'elf 'n' safety, but that sounds a horrendous risk.

HST buffet cars had deep-fat fryers, so there is precedent.