Scottish adventure

[Donny158]

Hi.
I'm planning an adventure to "do" a few lines up in the West Highlands in late September and wondered what advice anyone had for my planned trip?
I have one day off work whilst my wife is away taking my son to see some family abroad so hence the tight timetable.
Im planning on Leaving after a days work from Doncaster at 18.16 and arrive in London kings Cross at 20.00 using a free ticket from east coasts reward scheme.

Then a little walk down the road to Euston to pick up the sleeper to Fort William at 21.15. This arrives Fort William at 09.55.

From Fort William I intend to catch the coach at 11.00 to Oban which arrives at 12.27.

I then will be getting the 12.56 from Oban to Glasgow arriving at Glasgow Queen Street at 16.00.

A quick walk over to Glasgow central for the 16.18 to Edinburgh via Shotts arriving at 17.47.

The last leg of my adventure would be the 18.30 from Edinburgh back to Doncaster again using a rewards free ticket arriving at 21.39 for a good nights sleep before work the day after!!

A very hectic timetable where lots could go wrong but it's worth the risk as I would be doing a sleeper for the very first time and I will travel the following new lines......
Nuneaton - Warrington
Carstairs - Edinburgh
Croy - Westerton
Westerton - Fort William
Oban - Crianlarich
Glasgow Central - Edinburgh via shotts!

A few questions before I book it on Tuesday when I get paid.....

What is the sleeper like to travel on?
Top bunk or bottom bunk?
Can standard class passengers generally get access to lounge car?
Is it generally good for time keeping with me only having 1hr connection at Fort William?
Is there anywhere good for a decent breakfast on Fort William?
Has anyone been on the Citylink coach between Fort William and Oban?
How punctual is that coach? I have seen that if the coach is running late, I can get of it at connel and catch the train from Oban there.
Does the train from Oban to Glasgow have a trolley service on it?
Which side of the train am I best sitting on for my trip especially in the highlands for scenery?
Sorry so many question but hoping you nice people can help me with the info and any thoughts or suggestions would be most welcome!!
Many thanks!!

 

[CallySleeper]

Hello!

First things first, I'd plan a plan B from Glasgow to Edinburgh on the way back. 18 mins QS - Central is definitely doable (it's downhill) but obviously if you're delayed you might not fancy chancing it. QS - Edinburgh runs every 15 mins, to Edinburgh in plenty of time for your EC train.

What is the sleeper like to travel on?

(IMO) Unlike any other daytime train, a lot more relaxed. Since you're travelling in standard the only drawback could be potentially having to sleep in the same cabin as a stranger. If you can handle that though then it's very good. (You may be able to move to an empty cabin, if you ask your host nicely when you check in, but more importantly if there are any free cabins. Only 12 standard class cabins are available on the FW train so this may not be possible!)
What's it like to sleep on? You may be able to sleep well, you might not. I'd go prepared for needing something to help you sleep if it's your first time.

Top bunk or bottom bunk?

You get to choose this when booking. I guess it's up to personal preference. I'd probably go bottom.

Can standard class passengers generally get access to lounge car?

Yes! The lounge car can be first class only if it's very busy but i've never seen that happen. In general the sleeper is least busiest midweek. However if this is the case you can still buy stuff and take it back to your cabin. My advice would probably be if possible get to the LC and get yourself a seat asap before departure! (IMO the LC is the best bit...)
You'll also notice that you will be sharing the LC with passengers for Aberdeen. At Euston, the very front two coaches are for Fort William. Because of the length of this train, this portion doesn't have its own Lounge Car, instead you have to use the one in the Aberdeen portion, five or so coaches back. At Edinburgh the train is split up into its three separate trains, and it's then the Fort William portion has a Lounge Car attached to it.

Is it generally good for time keeping with me only having 1hr connection at Fort William?

Yes, and coaches leave just adjacent to the railway station (next to the supermarket, turn right out of the station. Think it's a Morrison's these days.)

Is there anywhere good for a decent breakfast on Fort William?

Pass, although for £4 when you check-in with your host you can request the first-class continental offering. Even if you need to find something else in FW it's more substantial than coffee and shortbread. You tell the host what time you would like waking up/serving breakfast. IMO it's best had in the Lounge Car with the Highland view!

Does the train from Oban to Glasgow have a trolley service on it?

Yes.

Which side of the train am I best sitting on for my trip especially in the highlands for scenery?

I'd really probably argue there isn't much difference! Going north, I'd probably sit on the right, but then descending from Corrour (station buildings on the RHS) you have on the left a great view of Loch Treig (with locomotive I think still in-situ and visible with its tarpaulin wrapping) followed by Monessie Gorge after passing through Tulloch. Heading south, sit on the left hand side for a nice view of Oban Bay & Island (on a nice day!), also for Loch Lomond further south.

Hope that helps!

 

[Ebore]

What is the sleeper like to travel on?

Once you get used to the swaying motion I've found it perfectly comfortable for a night's sleep.

Top bunk or bottom bunk?

I've only ever slept on the bottom bunk but AFAIK the only real difference is whether you prefer a shelf covering your feet or climbing up a ladder and having straps at your side.

Can standard class passengers generally get access to lounge car?

I've only used it twice and haven't been refused access, but I've only travelled on half empty trains.

Is it generally good for time keeping with me only having 1hr connection at Fort William?

From what I've seen it's either on time or very late.

Is there anywhere good for a decent breakfast on Fort William?

Morrisons is just outside the station or there is a Wetherspoons 5-10 minutes away.

Has anyone been on the Citylink coach between Fort William and Oban?

I used it in the other direction for the first time just last week. Just so you know (if you didn't already) it is actually operated by West Coast Motors.

How punctual is that coach? I have seen that if the coach is running late, I can get of it at connel and catch the train from Oban there.

When I used it we left Oban 10 minutes late and arrived on time, this was in torrential rain so I imagine it is normally pretty punctual. The amount of luggage being loaded/offloaded at intermediate stops may make a difference.

Does the train from Oban to Glasgow have a trolley service on it?

Should do.

Which side of the train am I best sitting on for my trip especially in the highlands for scenery?

From Oban I would sit on the right if possible. The views over Loch Awe, Loch Long, Gare Loch and over the Clyde are fantastic. If you fancy waking up early on the sleeper I would head for the lounge car and take in the right hand side as far as Crianlarich, then switch to the left for the horseshoe curve, Loch Treig and beyond.

 

[Birdbrain]

I think the tactic for not sharing a bunk is to book to somewhere other than Fort William, maybe Spean Bridge. The booking system tends to put passengers together for the same destinations. Although this is more of a legend than hard facts!

 

[philjo]

There is a cafe in the entrance to Fort William Station - I had lunch there and it was quite good. When I arrived off the sleeper last year I went into Morrisons across the road though I think the cafe at the station would have been a better choice.

 

[Donny158]

Thanks for your replies!! . Very informative!!

What route does the sleeper take between Edinburgh and Westerton? Why does this service not call at Glasgow Queen Street?