Caledonian Sleepers

[Amtking]

I'd like to know what the Caledonian Sleepers' formations are, and I figured this would be the place to ask. I found a few threads regarding the Highland/Lowland consists, though they appear to be outdated. Any help would be appreciated. From what I can tell, the NB Highland looks like this:

EUS-EDB Class 90
EUS-FTW Mk3a Sleeper
EUS-FTW Mk3a Sleeper
EUS-ABD Mk3a Sleeper
EUS-ABD Mk3a Sleeper
EUS-ABD Mk3a Sleeper
EUS-ABD Mk3a Sleeper
EUS-ABD Mk3a Lounge (RFO? Possibly Mk2f?)
EUS-ABD Mk3a Coach (RFO? Possibly Mk2f?)
EUS-INV Mk3a Sleeper
EUS-INV Mk3a Sleeper
EUS-INV Mk3a Sleeper
EUS-INV Mk3a Sleeper
EUS-INV Mk3a Sleeper
EUS-INV Mk3a Sleeper
EUS-INV Mk3a Lounge (RFO? Possibly Mk2f?)
EUS-INV Mk3a Coach (RFO? Possibly Mk2f?)

Questions:

1. What does the FTW section look like north of EDB?
2. What are the line numbers? (By "line numbers," I mean "car A", "car b," etc.)
3. Which sleepers are standard, which first?
4. What does the train look like SB?
5. What locos are used, and where are they placed?

6. What does the Lowland look like?

 

[sprinterguy]

This thread here gave a fairly thorough explanation of the Highland and Lowland sleeper formations:
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=19796&page=2

The formations of the various portions of the Caledonian Sleepers haven't changed in years, so most of the Sleeper threads are still relevant.

North of Edinburgh, the Fort William sleeper is formed of 2 (or 3, depending on demand) mark 3 sleepers, a mark 2f BUO and mark 2f lounge car. The mark 2 vehicles are added to the northbound service at Edinburgh, and detached there when travelling southbound.

North of Edinburgh, the Inverness, Aberdeen and Fort William sleeper portions are all hauled to their destinations by class 67s.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

They can be flexible between 1st and standard according to demand; the only real difference is in 1st the upper berth is folded away.

Three grades of travel really:

1st - lower berth only in place and set up.

Standard - both berths in place and set up.

Standard single occupancy: both berths in place and set up but you have the cabin to yourself.

The reservations tend to book 1st from one end of the portion and Standard ( both single and dual occupancy ) from the other. Normally it is a given proportion of each, and in theory the reservations meet in the middle when it sells out, but if there is heavy demand for one over the other they can quickly alter the berths to match.

Most recently, I believe, this was done during the ash cloud disruption when there was so much demand that sales of 1st class were suspended altogether in order to cater for the huge volume of travel ( and I think 2 x full fare Standard is more profit than 1 x full fare 1st ? ).

 

[rail-britain]

2. What are the line numbers? (By "line numbers," I mean "car A", "car b," etc.)

I can get you the coach letter assignments in a few days

3. Which sleepers are standard, which first?

The sleeper nearest the Lounge Car is First Class, includes the Disabled Access Sleeper

4. What does the train look like SB?

Identical

6. What does the Lowland look like?

Identical = 6 sleepers + Lounge Car + Brake/seats x 2

 

[jopsuk]

North of Edinburgh, the Inverness, Aberdeen and Fort William sleeper portions are all hauled to their destinations by class 67s.

Further, the 67s (or at least the one used to Fort William) are from a special pool fitted with cast iron brake blocks. They're more up to the job (which destroys "ordinary" Class 67 brake blocks) but require the locos to be limited to 80mph (not exactly a problem). They also have the RETB kit for going up the West Highland line. Still seems a bit odd to me that the pool haven't received Scotrail livery, similar to that the 90s were painted in- maybe they'll get done if/when the coaches are painted in "Saltire" livery?

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Still seems a bit odd to me that the pool haven't received Scotrail livery, similar to that the 90s were painted in- maybe they'll get done if/when the coaches are painted in "Saltire" livery?

Would be great to see them in ScotRail livery.

 

[90019]

Further, the 67s (or at least the one used to Fort William) are from a special pool fitted with cast iron brake blocks. They're more up to the job (which destroys "ordinary" Class 67 brake blocks) but require the locos to be limited to 80mph (not exactly a problem). They also have the RETB kit for going up the West Highland line. Still seems a bit odd to me that the pool haven't received Scotrail livery, similar to that the 90s were painted in- maybe they'll get done if/when the coaches are painted in "Saltire" livery?

Isn't it just a couple that are for anything on the WHL (not just the sleepers) only that have them, and the Aberdeen and Inverness ones can be any 67 in the pool?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

^^^^^

The cast iron brake blocks are fitted to 004 / 007 / 009 / 011 and 030.

Two weeks ago I had 003 ( ie with ordinary brake blocks ) on the Inverness, so that does look like it is the case.