East Coast Sleeper Diversions

[EltonRoad]

As Sleepers are diverted up the East Coast on Sunday evenings does anyone have timings?

I was hoping to go to Huntingdon / Sandy and get some photos.

Either down trains on Sunday evenings or up trains on Monday mornings would be appreciated.

Cheers.

 

[Aictos]

As Sleepers are diverted up the East Coast on Sunday evenings does anyone have timings?

I was hoping to go to Huntingdon / Sandy and get some photos.

Either down trains on Sunday evenings or up trains on Monday mornings would be appreciated.

Cheers.

How long are these diversions taking place then?

 

[EltonRoad]

According to the Scotrail timetable it's until 5 July.

 

[Aictos]

Will look into it as I'm interested myself, thanks for the tip.

 

[yorkie]

I don't think you'll get a photo of a Down train at Huntington as it'll be around 9:45 to 10pm by the time it's there, assuming an 8pm departure from Euston, as it has to reverse at Willesden which seems to take ages. It can take an hour to get to Finsbury Park!

 

[djw1981]

|Yeah but on a sunny day it is fairly light til 2235 now, and still 3 weeks to longest day/shortest night (handily at a weekend) which can mean another 30mins (15min each end of the day). Your exposure and such like may need altering but it should be doable.

 

[33056]

Diverted until 02-03/08.

Huntingdon times

1S25 2150 (SUN)
1S26 0032 (MON)

1M11 0458 (MON)
1M16 0642 (MON)

Beware; the up trains can run VERY early!

 

[EltonRoad]

That's great, thanks.

 

[EltonRoad]

Just returned from a Sleeper trip to Fort William. The sleeper left Euston on a Sunday night at 2007 and crawled up the WCML as far as the yard next to Wembley stadium. It then spent an age reversing, whereupon the 90 on the front was detached. It then trundled back down the WCML almost back to Euston, veering off towards Camden Road West Junction and joining the ECML at Freight Terminal Junction. I noted we passed Finsbury Park at 2115! A nice leisurely tour of north London.

We were held north of Newcastle for some 30 mins until two trains went by, then we went "wrong line" north for a while. I must point out however that I gleaned this information from my bed and in total darkness. Arrival into Edinburgh was about 0435. Sleeping is not easy at this point as there are at least 3 separate shunting manoeuvres that knock the train around. Two portions are detached for Aberdeen and Inverness, and are replaced by two day coaches and a '67' before setting off for Fort William (0505 in this case, scheduled 0450). Arrival into Fort William was about 3 minutes late.

I got about 2 hours' sleep but who cares when you wake up to Scottish scenery bathed in brilliant sunshine and still 2 hours to go before arriving at your destination? I enjoyed the bacon and egg bap despite it being microwaved and hence a little soggy, and the yoghurt wasn't bad either. I chatted to a chap who'd I met the night before in the lounge car and we discovered a common interest - railways.

Strangely the Scotrail web site states that you can only purchase a Sleeper solo supplement one way if you hold an Anytime or Off Peak Return, however the Scotrail booking engine will let you book the Solo supplement both ways as an add-on to the relevant standard return ticket, providing accommodation is available. I couldn't get a Solo for both ways so treated myself to First Single each way. The only difference to Solo is that you get 24h room service and a free breakfast. And you can use the showers at Fort William for free.

Didn't fancy sharing with a stranger. I wouldn't share a hotel room with a stranger, so what's the difference?

Returned via WCML, arrived in London few mins early. On the return there were 10 people in the lounge car from Fort William, and as far as I could tell nobody joined at any of the intermediate stations as far as Arrochar and Tarbet whereupon I fell asleep. There were a similar number going up, although quite a few walkers joined at the intermediate stations. The lounge car menu is impressive and not expensive at all - most meals are about £4 and are served on proper plates. The choice of food and drink is huge considering the small kitchen space and you get a nice friendly waitress service from Fort William. They don't even ask for payment until you're ready to retire ..

 

[rail-britain]

As Sleepers are diverted up the East Coast on Sunday evenings does anyone have timings?
I was hoping to go to Huntingdon / Sandy and get some photos.
Either down trains on Sunday evenings or up trains on Monday mornings would be appreciated

I'll be travelling on the following and will have mobile internet access throughout
Sunday 21 June
21:40 Glasgow Central - ECML - London Euston
Sunday 28 June
21:42 Aberdeen - ECML - London Euston

I plan to be awake throughout the majority of the journey so can post updates of passing times if you want?

I couldn't get a Solo for both ways so treated myself to First Single each way. The only difference to Solo is that you get 24h room service and a free breakfast. And you can use the showers at Fort William for free

You're supposed to get a light breakfast if you are standard and a maxi breakfast if you are First Class

 

[EltonRoad]

You're supposed to get a light breakfast if you are standard and a maxi breakfast if you are First Class

You can pay £4 and have the full breakfast.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I plan to be awake throughout the majority of the journey so can post updates of passing times if you want?

That would be great if you don't mind!

 

[F Great Eastern]

I can vouch for the Sleeper, was on it in February, got a bargain fare of 19 euro from Euston to Edinbrugh, got Haggis in the lounge car along with hot chocolate, fantastic value, served on proper plates, and hot chocolate was served in a pot with enough for two mugfulls and complementary shortbread, got the Mini crossiant, yoghurt pot, orange juice and mini muffin, but I hear they have discontinued this now?

Can also say I had the same experience with the service, the waiter said also said for us not to pay until we have fnished eating as he wanted to make sure we enjoyed our meal rather than taking money up front. All of the staff onboard were fantastic, from the person in our coach who welcomed us onboard, to the person who brought us breakfast in the morning to everyone concerned.

 

[rail-britain]

I can vouch for the Sleeper, was on it in February, got a bargain fare of 19 euro from Euston to Edinbrugh, got Haggis in the lounge car along with hot chocolate, fantastic value, served on proper plates, and hot chocolate was served in a pot with enough for two mugfulls and complementary shortbread, got the Mini crossiant, yoghurt pot, orange juice and mini muffin, but I hear they have discontinued this now?

The Haggis, Neeps and Tatties (don't blame for the grammar, that's the way it is printed on the menu) was still on the latest menu (published December 2006)
I'll check on Saturday and report back

The Lounge Car service is pretty much the same as you would expect in any restaurant; order then pay for the completed sale on leaving

 

[F Great Eastern]

The Haggis, Neeps and Tatties (don't blame for the grammar, that's the way it is printed on the menu) was still on the latest menu (published December 2006)
I'll check on Saturday and report back

The Lounge Car service is pretty much the same as you would expect in any restaurant; order then pay for the completed sale on leaving

Sorry, They still do the haggis, just was refering to the standard class breakfast being cut back.

 

[rail-britain]

Sorry, They still do the haggis, just was refering to the standard class breakfast being cut back.

There are two types of breakfast
Holders of Standard tickets get the basic breakfast and holders of First Class tickets get the maxi breakfast

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/caledoniansleeper/about-the-sleeper.html
Standard -
with a hot tea/coffee and morning snack
First Class -
you will be woken with a light breakfast accompanied by tea or coffee and a complimentary newspaper

 

[F Great Eastern]

There are two types of breakfast
Holders of Standard tickets get the basic breakfast and holders of First Class tickets get the maxi breakfast

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/caledoniansleeper/about-the-sleeper.html
Standard -
with a hot tea/coffee and morning snack
First Class -
you will be woken with a light breakfast accompanied by tea or coffee and a complimentary newspaper

Thats incorrect now I think, a relative went on there a few weeks ago and only got shortbread and drink and was told it was new policy.

 

[EltonRoad]

I travelled First Class a week ago. The breakfast consisted of a hot snack - 3 options, choose before you go to bed - includes bacon and egg roll, veggie roll and "continental" - basically just a pastry!

Also on the tray was a pot of tea (could have had coffee I think), a bottle of orange juice and a yoghurt. There may well have been a shortbread biscuit as well.

I may be wrong but I think standard class gets a tea/coffee and a shortbread. I do know that in standard class you can pay £4 and get the full breakfast.

 

[F Great Eastern]

Standard class always used to be a drink of your choice, mini muffin, crossiant and youghuyrt pot when I last went in February but appears to changed now.

 

[rail-britain]

Excellent, that is the kind of thing I am after; website says one thing, leaflets say the same, but that is NOT what the customer gets!

Thankfully I can get a Sleeper leaflet later in the week from Glasgow Central or Edinburgh Waverley, so can compare

That would be great if you don't mind!

How would you like the update as we travel southbound; posted here, via PM, or SMS?

Sunday 21 June 2009 :
I'll be staying awake between Glasgow and Newcastle, then asking to be awoken at about Doncaster
Is that enough notice for Huntingdon?

Sunday 28 June 2009:
I'll be awake between Aberdeen and Berwick, then asking to be awoken at about Doncaster

 

[EltonRoad]

Posting it here would be great. Thanks.

 

[rail-britain]

I'm currently on 1M16 Inverness - Euston, having boarded at Falkirk with 67004 in charge, 90036 from Edinburgh
Held at Rugby between 06:10 and 06:40, to allow two Virgin Trains services to pass, arrived in Euston on time

edit -
Standard ticket holders get :
tea or coffee, and shortbread
Continental or cooked breakfast (see below) is £4.00

edit -
First Class ticket holders get :
Continental, cooked, or vegetarian breakfast (served either in berth or in Lounge Car)

The latest menu is now in effect, Haggis, Neeps & Tatties is now £5.00
Chicken Curry or Lamb Hotpot are £4.50

 

[F Great Eastern]

Has the menu been cut down?

 

[rail-britain]

No, the Lounge Car menu looks almost identical, just the prices have been revised
Most food has has 50p added

I will scan these when I get home (04 July) and add them to rail-britain.co.uk

I had the continental breakfast, not impressed with it, so on Sundays Glasgow - Euston I will be trying the hot option
I will also arrange for it to be delivered to my berth, so I can then take photos

 

[rail-britain]

Sunday 21 June
1M11 Glasgow - Euston sleeper

90028
10719
10544
10561
10675
10523
10722 - the coach I am in!
9808

edit :
5C11
67007 Polmadie - Edinburgh ECS

I will need to add the Edinburgh coaches once I have taken them at Euston, and will edit accordingly

Note :
The Glasgow portion has no lounge car, only a single from Edinburgh
There is also no hot option breakfast, so that will have to wait until Tuesday night!

Live update :
On time at Edinburgh (23:30 departure)
Passed Newcastle at 01:05
Doncaster at 02:47 / 03:45
Grantham 04:30
Peterborough 04:48

 

[rail-britain]

I travelled First Class a week ago. The breakfast consisted of a hot snack - 3 options, choose before you go to bed - includes bacon and egg roll, veggie roll and "continental" - basically just a pastry!

I may be wrong but I think standard class gets a tea/coffee and a shortbread. I do know that in standard class you can pay £4 and get the full breakfast

I had put a link to my Journey Review, but obviously the reply didn't complete...

Standard :
Pot of tea or coffee, shortbread
or pay £4 and get the below

First Class :
Continental - pastry, yoghurt, shortbread, pot of tea or coffee
Hot option - breakfast panini, yoghurt, shortbread, pot of tea or coffee
Vegetarian - vegetarian panini, yoghurt, shortbread, pot of tea or coffee

I've now had the Standard (served on Sunday night / Monday morning on ECML diversions), Continental, and Hot
I'm rather disappointed that First Class customers weren't offered more when the Standard breakfast applies
Between the Continental and hot, the hot wins easily!
Furthermore, I was on the FGW Riviera sleeper and it's even better than their hot option (a hot foam bacon roll)
Whether I'd pay £4 for the hot panini...

 

[berwickspotter]

Sunday 28 June 2009:
I'll be awake between Aberdeen and Berwick, then asking to be awoken at about Doncaster

What time are you due to be arriving at berwick ?

 

[rail-britain]

I would expect the Inverness / Aberdeen / Fort William - Euston sleeper to pass Berwick at between 01:00 and 01:15
It takes 1 hour and 30 minutes for the sleeper to get from Edinburgh to Newcastle, so assume 10 minutes extra for each hour; basically it will take the sleeper an hour to get to Berwick once it leaves Edinburgh

As before, I can post departure times anywhere en-route;
so far we have :
Edinburgh
Newcastle
Doncaster
These are fairly good points to select as the train has to come to a halt (wake up)

 

[northernrail2009]

Sunday 21 June
1M11 Glasgow - Euston sleeper

90028
10719
10544
10561
10675
10523
10722 - the coach I am in!
9808

edit :
5C11
67007 Polmadie - Edinburgh ECS

I will need to add the Edinburgh coaches once I have taken them at Euston, and will edit accordingly

Note :
The Glasgow portion has no lounge car, only a single from Edinburgh
There is also no hot option breakfast, so that will have to wait until Tuesday night!

Live update :
On time at Edinburgh (23:30 departure)
Passed Newcastle at 01:05
Doncaster at 02:47 / 03:45
Grantham 04:30
Peterborough 04:48

I note from the First Great western sleepers that they seem to wait at a station for a hour or so and it seems Scotrail do that as well.

Is there any reason for it?

 

[rail-britain]

The FGW sleepers stand at Reading for about an hour, the departure time is specified only
When I was on it on Monday night the stand at Reading was just over the hour, and even then still arrived into Paddington 10 minutes early

The FSR sleepers may stand at Preston and/or Crewe for up to 20 minutes, again the departure time is specified
However, it is not very often the train stands for any longer than that, or they are that early!

The reason for the FSR sleepers standing at Doncaster is simply the way the routing and staffing has been completed
If there were more staff then there would be no need for the long stand and the journey time would be only one hour longer

 

[northernrail2009]

The FGW sleepers stand at Reading for about an hour, the departure time is specified only
When I was on it on Monday night the stand at Reading was just over the hour, and even then still arrived into Paddington 10 minutes early

The FSR sleepers may stand at Preston and/or Crewe for up to 20 minutes, again the departure time is specified
However, it is not very often the train stands for any longer than that, or they are that early!

The reason for the FSR sleepers standing at Doncaster is simply the way the routing and staffing has been completed
If there were more staff then there would be no need for the long stand and the journey time would be only one hour longer

Do they have Driver for the whole trip on Both First Great western sleepers and Scotrail to do the whole trip amd also the same for Train Crew?

Also will there come a time when there wont be any need for Sleeper trains in Years to come?