Hi all,
Has anyone experienced the Euston-Fort William Sleeper train & return in July.
Can it be recommended as transport to the North????
Definitely. The best way to the north... indeed, for many people and many purposes it's the only feasible way north on public transport.
Whats the travel like?????
Have you had accomodation or seated travel???.
I was looking at seated travel to make it cheaper?? or would you share a bunk room? 1st class.
The best train in the UK, bar none. I would really recommend a berth rather than seated, esp. on the Fort William portion - as others have noted, an early morning transfer between carriages is required for seated passengers. Also, as it's a 14 hour journey, it's the equivalent of flying to somewhere like Hong Kong although with more comfortable seats... Depends how hardy you are, but I'd go for a berth everytime despite the extra cost.
For sleeping car passengers: The cabins are small, but have most things you need, with the exception of a toiler/shower. Toilets are at the end of the carriage (segregated sexes). There are no showers on sleepers but Fort William has good showers, £3 (or free with 1st class, I think). The cabin has a sink with hot & cold water; complementary bottled water; a toiletry pack, towels, full linen (not just a sleep sheet like some continental couchettes). Breakfast is brought to your cabin at an approximate time that you request, or you can take it in the lounge car. Don't expect much in Standard class: DIY instant coffee and a piece of shortbread is the 2010s fare (it used to be better...). In First, it's a silver coffee pot and something hot. You can upgrade your breakfast at a modest cost.
If you get up at around Crianlarich and go through to the Lounge car to take your breakfast, you will be rewarded with possibly the best experience on the British rail network. Spectular scenerary unfolds -any type of weather will be dramatic - while you have the slightly surreal and timeless feeling of floating through it at about 30mph in a warm MK2 carriage...
Sharing in Standard Class is not as bad as it sounds. If you spend most of your time in the lounge car then just retire, it's not particularly awkward. You meet some very interesting characters.... including some very wealthy landed gentry heading up to the family seat (it always puzzles me why they don't go First Class, but I guess for some it's not about money it's about being unostentatious).
Some others have commented on the heat and the shunting at Edinburgh. In truth both CAN be a problem, although not always. If the carriage has been stood in the London outskirts all day on a hot day, it WILL be hot - but the Steward will ensure the carriage end windows are down to get a throughput of air upon departure. Make sure you prop your cabin door open and set the temperature control to MIN and the 100mph rush up to Watford will get the place cooled down to comfortable sleeping temperature in no time. The MK3 carriages' air con will then take over and you'll be fine.
The shunting is worse if you are at or near the ends of the carriage. The most comfortable nights are always those in the centre of the carriage. It can be luck of the draw, but if you know your berth numbering you can check this when you book - it's often much easier to book over the phone with ScotRail as you can do more complex itineraries such as booking SOLO supplements on a standard Off Peak ticket, etc, as well as checking the berth numbers.
In short, don't expect a full nights sleep as if in your own bed. But you will get kip and you will feel all the better for it. Remember, your mind will be resting,but your body will have travelled the full distance! That said, it's miles better than an early morning dash to some godforsaken airport. And a few drams in the lounge car will help you drift off in no time...
For much more useful info on the sleeper see
http://www.seat61.com/CaledonianSleepers.htm
Is it normally busy and is the lounge ok??
It can be busy - best always to book in advance. Although you can turn up to Euston and ask for any free places, you will in summer be likely to be disappointed (and scrabbling for the last room in the overpriced Ibis on Euston Road...)
The lounge is great. Not quite as plush as the marketing materials make out, it's still a tremendously comfortable (too comfortable?) place to be. Great whisky and beer selection, reasonable prices, hot food, cheese boards, etc. Can be lively, like a decent pub and there is often a very 'clubbable' feel as the regulars know the staff.
Your advise is most grateful.
GRAHAM
I hope it's of some use. And I hope you enjoy your journey. I'm jealous...
