What do we want from the "New" Caledonian Sleeper

[Liam_Hendry]

I think that maybe TVs in the berths and maybe the lounge cars. Perhaps seats in First Class berths aswell as the twin cabins joined together.

 

[harry42]

Air con that works

 

[Vicpaul]

From my time working them I would say self contained cabins and the lounge car being specifically for that.

 

[Essexman]

Better sound proofing between the cabins.

 

[Liam_Hendry]

Air con that works

I find the train to be quite cold, never has it been too hot

 

[D6975]

A portion for Bristol/Plymouth

 

[clc]

Earlier boarding time.
A less jiggly ride.

 

[yorksrob]

Funny this thread should come up now.

I have a work Colleague who likes walking up hills, and we were discussing the sleeper train as a means of him getting up to Ben Nevis.

One thing that struck me was that the train has a stop at Preston to allow people to pick the service up from Northern England. Wouldn't it make more sense to stop at Manchester, going via the Windsor link instead ?

Not only is Manchester a bigger settlement, but you also have the network of late night airport trains which could feed into the service.

 

[Monty]

Better sound proofing between the cabins.

This would make a huge difference, I was quite surprised on how 'thin' the walls are on the sleeper, you literally could hear everything that's going on in the cabin next to you.
The thing is the service could be so much better (not that I am complaining as I found the journey to be quite pleasant) if they changed little things such as having better bed sheets. I know people are holding out for new rolling stock for the sleeper but even with the money already committed to it I do think they will be hard pressed to replace the existing Mk2s and Mk3s like for like. I'm more inclined to think we may see the Mk2s replaced with Mk3s and the existing sleeping cars to be thoroughly refurbished.

 

[ainsworth74]

One thing that struck me was that the train has a stop at Preston to allow people to pick the service up from Northern England. Wouldn't it make more sense to stop at Manchester, going via the Windsor link instead ?

Well once the route from Piccadilly to the WCML is electrified in next little while then it might make sense to run via Manchester now that you mention it!

I know people are holding out for new rolling stock for the sleeper but even with the money already committed to it I do think they will be hard pressed to replace the existing Mk2s and Mk3s like for like. I'm more inclined to think we may see the Mk2s replaced with Mk3s and the existing sleeping cars to be thoroughly refurbished.

The Highland Sleeper wouldn't fit at Euston anymore if you did that...

 

[yorksrob]

Well once the route from Piccadilly to the WCML is electrified in next little while then it might make sense to run via Manchester now that you mention it!

I forgot it was electric hauled south of Glasgow !

 

[Monty]

The Highland Sleeper wouldn't fit at Euston anymore if you did that...

I am aware of this problem, but if HS2 is built and the Mk3s are expected to soldier on for the foreseeable when Euston is rebuilt (again...) surely platform extensions for the Sleeper are not beyond the realms of possibility?

 

[ainsworth74]

I forgot it was electric hauled south of Glasgow !

I did wonder But I do think it wouldn't actually be a bad idea now that you've mentioned it!

I am aware of this problem, but if HS2 is built and the Mk3s are expected to soldier on for the foreseeable when Euston is rebuilt (again...) surely platform extensions for the Sleeper are not beyond the realms of possibility?

True though I wasn't sure if they were actually planning on lengthening the conventional platforms? Though there's no reason they couldn't!

 

[Mojo]

By and large I'm fairly happy with what's provided; only real improvements in terms of the physical train I would suggest are power sockets in the cabins and a bigger lounge car.

Else, I'd say that it should be easier to have a solo cabin when booking Advance or "Bargain Berth." A policy as used by Great Western with such matters would be good.

 

[Puffing Devil]

I'd like to go back to the days of a Manchester - London only service. Brilliant - get into bed by 11, wake up in London at 7:30. Off to work. Saves a night in a hotel and/or an early start in the morning.

 

[Oliver]

I'd like to go back to the days of a Manchester - London only service. Brilliant - get into bed by 11, wake up in London at 7:30. Off to work. Saves a night in a hotel and/or an early start in the morning.

Most people prefer to sleep in their own bed if possible rather than snooze (at best) on a sleeper. Morning trains from Manchester to London start at 5.05 arriving at 7.28 and run frequently thereafter, and you can get a decent breakfast on the train.

But the killer reason why the sleeper network won't grow is that a sleeper set does three round trips per week, so the revenue it generates is low, whereas a Pendo set can do several times that mileage, carrying far more passengers, and earn far more revenue.

 

[route:oxford]

Need to take a look at the airline industry...

Then work out how to fit a typical airline seat-to-lie flat bed into private mini-cabins in a coach that's 2.7 metres wide and 23 or 26 metres long.

 

[Bald Rick]

Need to take a look at the airline industry...

Then work out how to fit a typical airline seat-to-lie flat bed into private mini-cabins in a coach that's 2.7 metres wide and 23 or 26 metres long.

And charge two grand for a 7 hour journey!

 

[philjo]

I used the Euston to Glasgow sleeper on Friday night.
A few observations/comments:
It would be good to be able to board this train earlier - boarding started at 23:00. boarding say 22:00-22:30 would allow you to maybe get to sleep before the train sets off. Most platforms at Euston were empty at that time.

I found the berth to be very comfortsble but Better soundproofing between cabins is needed as I could hear the person next door coughing regularly.
The main other noise was the aircon as my cabin was in the middle of the train. When I went to fort William last year the coach was next to the 90 so heard that screaming away !

I went cold during the night so about 2am I had to turn the air on down and use the blanket so it seems the temperature is not constant.


Breakfast could be improved. Only the continental option was available which included a soggy croissant. At the very least add a porridge pot which can be made by adding hot water. Choice of rolls needed instead of the croissant.

 

[yorksrob]

Oh dear, only continental !

 

[anme]

Most people prefer to sleep in their own bed if possible rather than snooze (at best) on a sleeper. Morning trains from Manchester to London start at 5.05 arriving at 7.28 and run frequently thereafter, and you can get a decent breakfast on the train.

I have to catch early trains and planes regularly. Getting up at 4 or 5am is pretty horrible and even in my own bed I don't sleep well if I know I have to get up so early. I regularly wake up and check the time to make sure I haven't overslept.

I tried a sleeper recently and to my surprise found that I actually slept quite well. I was able to get off and go straight to work with no problems. I felt much better than after an early flight.

Given the choice, I much prefer a sleeper train than an early dash to the airport. Having said that, I do realise there is no chance of a London to Manchester sleeper being reinstated.

 

[34D]

En suite toilets

 

[181]

This isn't going to happen unless new stock is ever built, but I've often thought that couchettes would be useful. I might balk at paying a substantial supplement for more comfort than I really need and still potentially having to share with a stranger (unless I pay even more), but be happy to pay a more modest premium to be able to lie down.

In theory couchette cars could be used on daytime trains as well, increasing their daily mileage and revenue, although this is of course unlikely on a multiple-unit-dominated railway. (Was it ever common practice on the Continent?)

 

[Liam_Hendry]

Does anyone think a sleeper to Wales might be popular ?? Edinburgh to Swansea/Aberystwyth

This is just my amateur idea

Depart - Edinburgh at 22:55
Dunbar 22:20
Berwick 22:45
Alnmouth 23:07
Morpeth 23:22
Newcastle 23:40
Durham 23:57
Darlington 00:16
Loco Change at York to Diesel, Departing an hour later at 01:35
Doncaster 01:55
Sheffield 02:24
Arrive at Birmingham at 3:30. Train Splits into 2 portions, Crew Break
Departing Birmingham New Street at 04:40

Swansea Portion----------------------------------Aberystwyth Portion

Arrive - Cheltenham 05:10-------------Arrive at Wolverhampton 04:56
Gloucester 05:23----------------------- Telford Central 05:18
Chepstow 05:51------------------------ Wellington 05:26
Newport 06:15---------------------------Shrewsbury 05:41
Cardiff Central 06:34-------------------Welshpool 06:12
Bridgend 06:53--------------------------Newton 06:29
Port Talbot 07:12------------------------Machynlleth 07:13
Neath 07:22------------------------------Dovey Junction 07:23
SWANSEA 07:45-------------------------ABERYSTWYTH 07:54

In my opinion it would be good service, but i dont know what other services it would disturb.

 

[cf111]

Plug sockets would be nice.

 

[Urban Gateline]

Definitely plug sockets! Also it may be a bit too much in terms of H&S but it would be nice to have openable windows such as those at the train doors on sleeper stock! That would allow for better ventilation and also the chance to pop your head out at your own risk

 

[the sniper]

Well once the route from Piccadilly to the WCML is electrified in next little while then it might make sense to run via Manchester now that you mention it!

As it doesn't stop at Birmingham New Street now, the centre of major conurbation which would be served at sensible times and was formally served by the sleepers, I wouldn't hold my breath on Manchester becoming a calling point once it actually becomes more reasonably possible.

 

[ainsworth74]

As it doesn't stop at Birmingham New Street now, the centre of major conurbation which would be served at sensible times and was formally served by the sleepers, I wouldn't hold my breath on Manchester becoming a calling point once it actually becomes more reasonably possible.

Good point and to be honest I'm not. Though I do wonder why there's an advertised call at Preston on the Highland Sleeper if it isn't to try and connect with Manchester somewhat?

 

[317666]

I've always wondered whether having 6-bed or 4-bed couchettes, as found on sleepers in Mainland Europe, would work here as a cheaper option than a berth but at least having a bed rather than a seat? Not replacing either the berths or seats but as an additional option.

You also then have the possibility that a family of 4, 5 or 6 could take up a whole compartment, with some kind of special offer to fill a whole compartment to help entice more people onto the sleeper? Just an idea.

 

[dvboy]

Does anyone think a sleeper to Wales might be popular ?? Edinburgh to Swansea/Aberystwyth

No-one would use it. You may as well use the current Highland sleeper as far as Crewe to connect with the morning trains.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

As it doesn't stop at Birmingham New Street now, the centre of major conurbation which would be served at sensible times and was formally served by the sleepers....

Again, it's not difficult to connect at Crewe.