Serco for Sleeper

[Blindtraveler]

And by all accounts the 92 had issues of its own last night without having to power anything else! Not sure the last time an 87 worked a passenger train in these parts?

 

[northofthesand]

When i go to the new caledonian sleeper website there isn't a journey planner
or obvious place to buy tickets ??

 

[cf111]

When i go to the new caledonian sleeper website there isn't a journey planner
or obvious place to buy tickets ??

It's the part hastily outlined in red on the attached image.

As an aside, does anyone else get the un-nerving feeling that the woman is staring into your very soul?

 

[CyrusWuff]

When i go to the new caledonian sleeper website there isn't a journey planner
or obvious place to buy tickets ??

Try a different browser if possible. It doesn't show up on the version of IE we use at work, but does show up on Firefox on the same machine.

 

[northofthesand]

Try a different browser if possible. It doesn't show up on the version of IE we use at work, but does show up on Firefox on the same machine.

Yeah cheers guys only been looking at it on the work computer

 

[Essexman]

Had my first experience of the sleeper under Serco - Euston - Glasgow Sunday, Bridge of Orchy to Euston last night.

I was impressed with the new menu. Didn't need full meal but enjoyed lemon sponge.
Made mistake of not ordering breakfast as I don't usual wake up in time but steward kindly got me drink & biscuits.
New bedding is better - no more itchy blankets. Towel is now usable size. Good selection in overnight bag.
Uniforms smart.

For those interested in such things, 87002 hauled Highland Sleeper from Edinburgh.

West Highland ride was a bonus after a day of meetings in Glasgow. Had half an hour walk on West Highland Way as dusk fell then back in time for work this morning. Beats flying!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Theres a lot of forum members after that 87 so lucky you. Glad you enjoyed.

 

[cf111]

I was on the northbound Inverness sleeper last Thursday. It was quite busy and the staff were very apologetic about the amount of time it took to serve dinner but I wasn't bothered unlike some in the lounge car. The haggis wasn't great which was disappointing as it's normally very good, and they've got rid of the "Inverness sauce", whatever that was - I liked it though. I didn't get any whisky sauce with my haggis as it says on the menu but I didn't press the issue as the staff were rushed off their feet.

The half-bottle of Chianti was excellent, as was the cheeseboard. No Glenlivet was loaded in London which was a shame as it has become something of a Sleeper tradition for me.

I steered away from the full breakfast after seeing it on this thread and instead opted for the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs - it was beautiful. Honestly the best breakfast I have had on a train since East Coast got rid of the restaurant cars. It was served in a polystyrene tray in my berth but still, it was excellent.

I will echo the positive thoughts about the new bedding.

 

[dcd]

Serco can still not sell you a supplement despite the webpage telling you to contact the Guest Service Centre if you want one. All you get after a long set of we are "experiencing high demand" is to be told they cannot do it and try a ticket office.

However Abellio Scotrail telesales sold me one with no problem at all except that they could only offer me a choice of G3 or G5 as first class cabins on a date 3 months in the future so maybe the demand is there.

 

[CallySleeper]

Last night's (Wed 22nd) 1S26 collapsed into Crewe this morning at 09.46 with Serco 'apologising profusely' on facebook. 92028 the unfortunate deceased at Colwich Junction resuscitated by 66610.

 

[cf111]

Last night's (Wed 22nd) 1S26 collapsed into Crewe this morning at 09.46 with Serco 'apologising profusely' on facebook. 92028 the unfortunate deceased at Colwich Junction resuscitated by 66610.

485 minutes late, new traction not doing particularly well at the start of the franchise.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Its embarrasing to be honest!

 

[PHILIPE]

Details of 1S25 last night on :-

www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=114606

 

[ARoo21]

Not good when only a couple of weeks under the new contract!

 

[jopsuk]

90024 on the front of the lowland tonight

 

[CallySleeper]

90024 on the front of the lowland tonight

The up lowland you mean

 

[Flying Snail]

Serco can still not sell you a supplement despite the webpage telling you to contact the Guest Service Centre if you want one. All you get after a long set of we are "experiencing high demand" is to be told they cannot do it and try a ticket office.

However Abellio Scotrail telesales sold me one with no problem at all except that they could only offer me a choice of G3 or G5 as first class cabins on a date 3 months in the future so maybe the demand is there.

This has finally been fixed.

It is now possible to buy supplements from their website for anyone who already holds a valid travel ticket.

https://www.sleeper.scot/index.php/?component=com_articles&id=110

 

[Bletchleyite]

This has finally been fixed.

It is now possible to buy supplements from their website for anyone who already holds a valid travel ticket.

https://www.sleeper.scot/index.php/?component=com_articles&id=110

Though they're wrong on routes - "Not London" is OK if you're not boarding at London.

 

[87015]

Was surprised to see bar car spend is charged to Abellio Scotrail rather than the sleeper company, I'm presuming that's a use of avantix/cash handling subcontract to save Servo doing it for so few trains?

 

[Chrism20]

Hi, hopefully someone can help me with a quick question.

I have to book my dad on the Edinburgh sleeper and he wants a first class berth "As near to the lounge car as possible", I'm guessing that this is due to "They have an extensive whiskey menu" comment that was made.

So does anyone happen to know whether coach B or coach D is nearest the lounge on the Edinburgh portion?

Thanks

 

[jopsuk]

Aren't B & D in the Glasgow portion?

 

[Chrism20]

Aren't B & D in the Glasgow portion?

According to the sleeper website for tonight and the date I'm looking for (16th July) Edinburgh is B, C, D and Glasgow is J, K, L

 

[jopsuk]

Ok. Low letters are nearer the lounge in each portion- ie B is adjacent in that portion, J in the other portion

 

[Chrism20]

Ok. Low letters are nearer the lounge in each portion- ie B is adjacent in that portion, J in the other portion

Thanks

I'm sure you are correct though - Glasgow used to be B, C, D and Edinburgh was the others.

 

[jopsuk]

I was in coach G (furthest from the bar!) to Glasgow just last week!

 

[matchmaker]

Hi, hopefully someone can help me with a quick question.

I have to book my dad on the Edinburgh sleeper and he wants a first class berth "As near to the lounge car as possible", I'm guessing that this is due to "They have an extensive whiskey menu" comment that was made.

So does anyone happen to know whether coach B or coach D is nearest the lounge on the Edinburgh portion?

Thanks

:-x:-x:-x

On a Scottish sleeper?

 

[Chrism20]

:-x:-x:-x

On a Scottish sleeper?

Oops! Can't even blame that one on booze

 

[bb21]

In the interest of fairness, I know that the new operation is being slated on many fronts for various failures, but I feel the need to mention that I got a phone call from the operator today regarding the retiming of the sleeper on Sunday night due to engineering works. I don't think I have ever had a call from any train company before regarding the retiming of a service I was booked on, so thumbs up to Serco for doing that. It was a very nice bit of attention to detail, and I am glad that they are at least trying where they can.

 

[Blindtraveler]

That is certainly good customer care.

 

[Bodiddly]

As far as customer service is concerned, they are very switched on. The on board staff are very helpful and apologetic when things go wrong. Where the service is failing is on the ops side. We used to maintain the sleeper stock but now carry out health checks on the coaches. The amount of minor repairs that are appearing now are huge. These range from light bulbs to blinds to general wear and tear. We never saw this many defects when the stock was maintained by us and all repairs were rectified in the shed. We can't do that now due to the fact we have no spares and the train is not coming into the depot any more.
Serco seem to be coasting along waiting for the new stock to arrive but that's not for another 3 years. In the meantime, the loyal customers will leave in droves if the standard get's worse.