Caledonian Sleeper

[najaB]

So Cally definitely will get me down from Fort Bill if they screw up their service? That's reassuring; it gives me a bit more confidence in booking the journey knowing I won't be risking a night on a bench in Fort Bill!

While the universe has infinite possibilities, Caledonian Sleeper are under the same obligation as any other TOC would be in that situation: either get you to where you need to be, or provide you accommodation until they can.

 

[Bill57p9]

So Cally definitely will get me down from Fort Bill if they screw up their service? That's reassuring; it gives me a bit more confidence in booking the journey knowing I won't be risking a night on a bench in Fort Bill!

CS are reservations compulsory, so ensure you book a reserved seat as soon as you book your ticket. Then they have an obligation to ensure that you aren't stranded.

 

[CumbrianSausag]

Any idea why the 66 (733) seems to just be doing alternate trips and the 73 often going alone to Fort William and back?

 

[JonathanH]

Any idea why the 66 (733) seems to just be doing alternate trips and the 73 often going alone to Fort William and back?

66733 was used to rescue 6S45 0654 North Blyth Alcan Gbrf to Fort William Alcan Gbrf on Tuesday, after a failure of 66736, leaving the 73 to do the sleeper on its own.

It did the sleeper Wednesday night / Thursday morning, but seemingly not tonight according to RTT. Does that potentially mean that 66733 is needed for the Alcan train in the morning?

 

[najaB]

Any idea why the 66 (733) seems to just be doing alternate trips and the 73 often going alone to Fort William and back?

I don't know anything for sure, but the 73 was originally supposed to do the trip by itself was it not? With the 66s only added after a period of poor performance. So maybe they don't *need* the 66 unless the conditions are expected to be particularly poor?

 

[Bill57p9]

@najaB is bang on: the original requirement that this batch of 73s were rebuilt to meet was to cover the Highlander portions solo - including Inverness. In the real world it was found that they didn't offer the expected performance and that, in particular, reliability suffered if running very hard for extended periods.
Hence the general practice appears to have been adopted to prioritise shed assistance on the Inverness (heaviest) followed by Fort William and finally Aberdeen (least demanding).
Sometimes a second 73 has been used in place of the 66 but again the shed option appears to be preferred.

 

[norbitonflyer]

If I recall correctly the Inverness was intended to be 2x73 - biggest hills and longest train.
In practice the 73s are now being used as ETS generator cars, like the old "ETHELs" used on the West Highland after the Mark 3s came in but before any locos cleared for that line were fitted with ETH

 

[JonathanH]

Seems my guess about 66733 was right. It worked 6E45 0807 Fort William Alcan Gbrf to North Blyth Alcan Gbrf with 66736 this morning. 66739 moved to Craigentinny this morning so should take over a sleeper portion in the morning, although Fort William was two 73s this morning / tonight.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Travelled on the Lowlander to Glasgow last night. The only failure was the coffee machine in the lounge at Euston.

And on my return this morning arrived at Euston 45 minutes early