Caledonian Sleeper

[scotsman]

Yeah, we did that last year & also had a gastro treat on board. Scotch Broth starter, a Paninni & followed that with a Cheese Burger main. All washed down with two bottles of Chardonnay whilst thrashing accross Ranoch Moor. Served at-seat, on a plate, with cuttlery & side salad by the excellent Scotrail steward. Perfect!!

If Carlsberg did Sleepers....

(I wish the SRPS would hire the Rail-Blue Mk3 SLEP for a tour)

 

[jwos]

I know you're not doing the sleeper now, but if you still were, the seated coach would not have been an option, as it is barred to all staff travel on Scotrail.

You also wouldn't have the option of paying for an inclusive 1st class fare for single occupancy if your priv card says 'STD' in the corner.

If you wanted single occupancy you would have had to date a box (for the night of outward travel rather than the next day, as the INV/FTW/ABD sleeper starts before 22.00), and paid £54 for single occupancy of a twin-berth standard cabin.

 

[Fred26]

Sounds like you're going to have a great time, I can fully recommend the Lochalsh Hotel in Kyle of Lochalsh for a meal, don't have to be a guest there - I used it last year when I spent a long weekend based in Inverness but sight seeing in Wick and Kyle of Lochalsh then off home via Aberdeen.

I've just had a look at going back to Perth via Aberdeen after travelling to Kyle. I've got two timings; one will take 8h04 from Kyle to Perth via Aberdeen, the other 6h42. Obviously the first option has longer connection times. How punctual are these lines? I'd really rather not miss a connection.

Option one gives me 44 minutes in Inverness compared to 5 minutes in option two.
Option one gives 49 minutes in Aberdeen compared to 14 minutes in Aberdeen in option two.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I know you're not doing the sleeper now, but if you still were, the seated coach would not have been an option, as it is barred to all staff travel on Scotrail.

You also wouldn't have the option of paying for an inclusive 1st class fare for single occupancy if your priv card says 'STD' in the corner.

If you wanted single occupancy you would have had to date a box (for the night of outward travel rather than the next day, as the INV/FTW/ABD sleeper starts before 22.00), and paid £54 for single occupancy of a twin-berth standard cabin.

Yeah, I spoke to ScotRail in the end. Unfortunately it just didn't fit in with what I wanted to do this time.

 

[scotsman]

How punctual are these lines? I'd really rather not miss a connection.

Option one gives me 44 minutes in Inverness compared to 5 minutes in option two.
Option one gives 49 minutes in Aberdeen compared to 14 minutes in Aberdeen in option two.

Either way you'll get a ScotRail super-suicidal-speedy cab if you miss a connection. Inverness has a 5 min connection time. Inverness crews have been known to hold departures, but don't count on it. If you think your connection is in danger, have a word with the conductor ASAP - they tend to be helpful, friendly people who'll be able to sort something out for you.

 

[Fred26]

I'll probably decide at the time which option I'll take, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if I missed my connection in Inverness or Aberdeen, so I'm not too worried.

 

[route101]

Either way you'll get a ScotRail super-suicidal-speedy cab if you miss a connection. Inverness has a 5 min connection time. Inverness crews have been known to hold departures, but don't count on it. If you think your connection is in danger, have a word with the conductor ASAP - they tend to be helpful, friendly people who'll be able to sort something out for you.

Im doing Glasgow - Thurso -Glasgow this Saturday and have 10 min connection at Inverness both ways . I do not want to miss the last train to Queen st . Crazy day trip i know , using sainburys anywhere for £18 voucher.

 

[MCR247]

If you do, they will have to provide you with a taxi back, or an overnight stay and you get the next service back.

 

[Aictos]

It's been a while since I've been there but FSR services I've used have been fairly reliable and on time.

 

[route101]

If you do, they will have to provide you with a taxi back, or an overnight stay and you get the next service back.[/QUO

Ah the peace of mind ! Im surprised FSR would pay for that

 

[ainsworth74]

Ah the peace of mind ! Im surprised FSR would pay for that

They have to it's a condition of the nation conditions of carriage.

 

[Fred26]

Ok, I'm leaving for Inverness today. I'm going to take the 1230 KGX to INV Highland Cheiftain. Does anyone know how long before departure passengers can board? I'm expecting the train to be very busy and would like to get on and get comfortable without having to get in other people's way/have them in my way. Also, using a staff departure screen, I'm told the service will leave from platform 6 at KGX. Is that likely to change?

 

[4SRKT]

At the Cross they often don't let you board until a few minutes before the train's departure time. Instead they make you stand in a queue in one of the smaller London terminal concourses, being harrassed by aggressive beggars.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

At the Cross they often don't let you board until a few minutes before the train's departure time. Instead they make you stand in a queue in one of the smaller London terminal concourses, being harrassed by aggressive beggars.

The good old power trip, one man's power over hundreds of commuters.

OK I know there are more than likely a million health and safety reasons why we are made to wait, but sometimes it baffles me!

I love it at St Pancras where everyone crowds around the departure board waiting for the platform number to come up, then rugby scrum style head for the ticket barrier.

 

[Fred26]

I thought that was just during the peak or when there's shorter turnaround times? That won't be too bad then, 'cause I should I arrive at KGX about half an hour before the 1230 leaves.

 

[4SRKT]

Doesn't the Chieftain get to Inverness on Sundays about an hour after the Sleeper has left, or are you bailing at Aviemore? I know it's a good move Mon - Fri (have done it myself), but on Sundays the Chieftain leaves London later and is given longer, plus the sleeper leaves Inverness earlier.

The good old power trip, one man's power over hundreds of commuters.

OK I know there are more than likely a million health and safety reasons why we are made to wait, but sometimes it baffles me!

It was always like this at the Cross, even before H&S had been invented.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Doesn't the Chieftain get to Inverness on Sundays about an hour after the Sleeper has left, or are you bailing at Aviemore? I know it's a good move Mon - Fri (have done it myself), but on Sundays the Chieftain leaves London later and is given longer, plus the sleeper leaves Inverness earlier.

I was thinking that myself :-?

 

[Fred26]

Doesn't the Chieftain get to Inverness on Sundays about an hour after the Sleeper has left, or are you bailing at Aviemore? I know it's a good move Mon - Fri (have done it myself), but on Sundays the Chieftain leaves London later and is given longer, plus the sleeper leaves Inverness earlier.

You've lost me. I'm going from Kings Cross to Inverness. End to end.

 

[4SRKT]

You've lost me. I'm going from Kings Cross to Inverness. End to end.

I thought the Chieftain was a positioning move to get the sleeper?

 

[Fred26]

For me? No, I abandoned the idea of the sleeper this time.

 

[First ScotRail]

east coast chieftain gets in 20:08, sleeper departs 20:45 m-f.

 

[43167]

For me? No, I abandoned the idea of the sleeper this time.

Think some thought you were, considering you have posted your question in a thread about the caledonian sleeper.

Anyway, have a good trip.

 

[Fred26]

Well, I didn't think it was worth starting a new thread. I'd already said a dozen or so posts back that I wasn't using the sleeper.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Well, I didn't think it was worth starting a new thread. I'd already said a dozen or so posts back that I wasn't using the sleeper.

Enjoy your trip, I'm doing the Chieftain in the other direction for the first time in December and can't wait. Are you going first class? If so let me know how you get on.

 

[Fred26]

Thanks. I'll be in standard class. I don't have to pay for EastCoast at weekends, so I'm happy with that. I think it's a bit of a cheek to then ask the guard for first class travel too. I'm grateful for what I've got.

 

[reb0118]

Even worse, just imagine if one were to score in the lounge car, and then have nowhere to bring the lucky lady. How frustrating would that be?

I know, this happend to me. My girlfriend at the time was none too pleased when she found out. She was in the top bunk.

 

[4SRKT]

Do people often score in the lounge car do you think, or is this just a product of my fevered imagination? The two times I've been on sleepers I have to say that there weren't any suitable candidates anyway, although given that the first time I was on the seats it's irrelevant anyway. The seats may be comfortable, but I'm not a contortionist.

 

[12CSVT]

One way of increasing your chances of getting a berth to yourself is to book from Crewe or Preston. In the days of class 37s on the sleepers it worked nearly every time for me. The only downside to this of course is ending up at Crewe at 0530 on the way back.

 

[CarterUSM]

Do people often score in the lounge car do you think, or is this just a product of my fevered imagination? The two times I've been on sleepers I have to say that there weren't any suitable candidates anyway, although given that the first time I was on the seats it's irrelevant anyway. The seats may be comfortable, but I'm not a contortionist.

I've never scored in the lounge car, though i met a lassie having a smoke out the window at the loco end a few years back, she had a first class berth too, and i had her breakfast.

 

[First class]

I actually got to meet a very, very nice sleeper host on a trip northwards not that long back.

Needless to say, a comments form was promptly filled in about the attentive service she provided.

Think I got a £5 voucher back to apologise for the delay in sending me a response!

 

[4SRKT]

I've never scored in the lounge car, though i met a lassie having a smoke out the window at the loco end a few years back, she had a first class berth too, and i had her breakfast.

Was she a basher? Did she bring a whole new meaning to the phrase 'a pair of 37s'?