Tone's Travels - Caledonian Sleeper

[hoffers]

Our trip on the Caledonian Sleeper in January 2014 http://www.railscenetoday.com/caledoniansleeper.html

...we made our way to Euston Station by tube.

Our train was already waiting in the platform and after a cheery briefing from our stewardess, I stepped off the train and walked to the front to see which loco would be hauling us to Edinburgh before a diesel replaced it for the rest of the journey to Inverness.

It was 90019 at the helm and at 21:15 the sleeper snaked out of Euston Station into the cold, damp air.

The actual cabins are intimate to say the least and although they have everything you need inside them (with the exception of a toilet), it seemed a good idea to spend some time in the lounge car before bed. The food was very well presented and reasonably priced, as were the drinks, and we both felt relaxed in our large comfy chairs as the home counties flashed by outside.

A little light reading and a few glasses of red to help me sleep (!) and I was ready to turn in. I suggested to the missus that she slept on the top bunk as I nearly always needed the loo in the middle of the night. Luckily, the two end-of-carriage toilets were situated close to our cabin so I didn't have far to wander in my jim jams when the time came.

The bunk beds are quite comfortable but the train does rock 'n' roll a bit as it speeds along so I'd be lying if I said I'd slept really well. It was fun though and I've no regrets....

 

[Techniquest]

Glad you enjoyed the ride, and I've had a bumpy ride when in a berth myself years back, I believe that was during the forum's outrageously epic meet, Strathclyde Track Bash, in 2006. Whether it was the Up or Down I had an interrupted night's sleep I fail to remember (after all, this was almost 8 years and 1 month ago!), but it's not helpful!

Hopefully you'll enjoy more journeys on the rails again soon Oh, and thank you for inspiring me to use the Cally Insomny again, it could be a fun way to get to Edinburgh for one of my planned trips!

EDIT: Oh, and don't worry I had some Murphys cans to help me sleep on the sleeper (I was doing Edinburgh to Watford Junction - via Aston too! - on the seats, needed all the help I could get!), having started on the trains down from Alloa. Took me nearly 3 cans to fall asleep!