Caledonian Sleeper

[D6130]

92 020 is currently heading very slowly - Max speed 10 mph and 5 mph through switches and crossings - from Wembley depot to Eastleigh Works on a wheel skate, topped and tailed by 66 687 and 66 719. Apparently the 92 has a seized axle. They spent the night at Woking and set off again early this morning (0Z92). Does anyone know if this is one of the locos that failed on the Sleeper earlier this week?

 

[cats_five]

92 020 is currently heading very slowly - Max speed 10 mph and 5 mph through switches and crossings - from Wembley depot to Eastleigh Works on a wheel skate, topped and tailed by 66 687 and 66 719. Apparently the 92 has a seized axle. They spent the night at Woking and set off again early this morning (0Z92). Does anyone know if this is one of the locos that failed on the Sleeper earlier this week?

Not two wheel skates for a seized axle?

 

[norbitonflyer]

92 020 is currently heading very slowly - Max speed 10 mph and 5 mph through switches and crossings - from Wembley depot to Eastleigh Works on a wheel skate, topped and tailed by 66 687 and 66 719. Apparently the 92 has a seized axle. They spent the night at Woking and set off again early this morning (0Z92). Does anyone know if this is one of the locos that failed on the Sleeper earlier this week?

Just been through RTT and doesn't appear that 92020 has been used, at least not at the London end, all week. (Checked all arrivals, departures and ECS workings)

 

[Dryce]

I do wonder why there is such a vocal minority on the forum that love to hate the CS? I think the service is fantastic and great value personally.

I thnk opinions may vary.

I think the Caledonian Sleeper has become a strange bespoke service. It is expensive. It charges premium costs but is actually very utilitarian andf that is despite a subsidy. It suffers from the restriction of the UK railway system in terms of how it is configured. It seems to suffer the same unreliabilty when it comes to catering as the rest of the UK services.

Where does it run? Major capitals or resorts.No. Basically the only palce that it actually serves where you can't get a low cost airline is Fort WIlliam.

Ahhh but the romance.

Well a Club or classic cabin gets you no great seating space, view or window. If you are getting on a bit or unfit the top bunk is quite difficult to access. Two people in a classic cabin without access to the lounge ? It's a dormitory - no romance. One person in cabin is not so bad but two is a tight fit.

So we hear about the delays. But what about the other niggles. You're a club passenger and turn up at Euston after receiveing text mesages inviting you to the lounge ..... except they won't let you past the platform barriers. Or you turn up in ypur cabin and the breakfast menus has the two top items crossed out? Or you get a SMS at around 0500 to tell you the lounge car is closed for breakfast.

To be fair when I have travelled the cabin has been very clean. Some people dismiss the shower in a club cabin - but I think it's OK. The staff are really good.

But at the end of the day its an expensive and ragged service which is utilitarian at a premium cost and still needs a subsidy.

 

[Bald Rick]

But at the end of the day its an expensive and ragged service which is utilitarian at a premium cost and still needs a subsidy.

and still sells out much of the time.

 

[NCT]

and still sells out much of the time.

Do you know how much weekly and seasonal variation there is (in very generalised terms)? Thanks.

 

[Bald Rick]

Do you know how much weekly and seasonal variation there is (in very generalised terms)? Thanks.

Very broadly, demand is lower in winter, especially to the Highlands.

Thursdays / Fridays usually sell out northbound, and Sundays Southbound.

But it can vary. For example northbound on the Aberdeen portion, there are a grand total of 8 rooms left available for the rest of this month, and around 75% sold for October already.

The prices seem expensive, but a high proportion of those travelling are two travelling together, where the price is effectively halved. And for those travelling alone, most railcards that can be used when travellign alone are accepted for the rooms and seats.