Caledonian Sleeper discussion

[BRX]

Absolutely I live on the Kent/ East Sussex Border and work near Garelochead station 4 days a week, as a rail enthusiast Id love to be able to commute on the sleeper but the cheapest return with a single cabin is now £350. I have a railcard which knocks that down to about £240 depending on advance availability. Im flying home tonight from Glasgow Airport with British Airways and then hiring a Corsa for 4 days. Combined Return flight and hire car (booked 8 days ago)comes in at £127 say plus £15 for fuel for the weekend. I haven't paid more than £150 any weekend this year. I travel probably 3 weekends per month. The sleeper is just unaffordable for me

Depends somewhat on how you value your time, though, doesn't it? You must spend quite a few hours of what could otherwise be free time travelling on the plane and/or driving.

And the sleeper could start to become comparable in cost if you took a shared cabin. Obviously that bothers some people more than others.

The equation depends very much on individual cases. In some instances it can be affordable, compared to the alternatives.

 

[Requeststop]

I'm guessing he or she is in the military and posted to one of the facilities around garelochhead.

In these days of gender and even (heavens above) transgender quality surely instead of "he or she" you should use the gender neutral and very impersonal "they".

I'd love to anywhere near the Caledonian Sleeper line north of Glasgow, anytime of the year, but here in PNG and on the whole Island of Papua, there isn't a single inch of rail line and my nearest rail line is 790km away at a place called Bamboo, Queensland, and I don't think that line is even running even freight!

 

[BestWestern]

In these days of gender and even (heavens above) transgender quality surely instead of "he or she" you should use the gender neutral and very impersonal "they".

I'd love to anywhere near the Caledonian Sleeper line north of Glasgow, anytime of the year, but here in PNG and on the whole Island of Papua, there isn't a single inch of rail line and my nearest rail line is 790km away at a place called Bamboo, Queensland, and I don't think that line is even running even freight!

He or she is just fine, we are all one or the other!

 

[trainophile]

In these days of gender and even (heavens above) transgender quality surely instead of "he or she" you should use the gender neutral and very impersonal "they"

But that's plural . I have long thought that we need a singular equivalent of 'they'.

I'd love to anywhere near the Caledonian Sleeper line north of Glasgow, anytime of the year, but here in PNG and on the whole Island of Papua, there isn't a single inch of rail line and my nearest rail line is 790km away at a place called Bamboo, Queensland, and I don't think that line is even running even freight!

Hells bells, I bet you get decent weather to compensate though! So there must be an airport? Or at least decent buses?

Sorry for off topic post, back to the joys of the CS, and another vaguely related question... is there generally a rush for the showers in the Virgin 1st Class Lounge on arrival into Euston off the returning CS? I understand Lounge use is permitted with a CS 1st Class ticket, even if you are not travelling onwards on Virgin? I actually will be, in 1st to Brum, but wondering whether to grab a shower in the two hours before my next train, but if there's another 20 people (female in my case, I don't think there are unisex showers) with the same idea it might not be such a good plan, and I'll have a strip wash in my cabin.

 

[ejstubbs]

But that's plural . I have long thought that we need a singular equivalent of 'they'.

"They" as a gender-neutral third person singular pronoun is widely regarded as being perfectly acceptable these days. Even the OUP does it:

https://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2012/06/he-or-she-versus-they/

 

[TimboM]

Sorry for off topic post, back to the joys of the CS, and another vaguely related question... is there generally a rush for the showers in the Virgin 1st Class Lounge on arrival into Euston off the returning CS? I understand Lounge use is permitted with a CS 1st Class ticket, even if you are not travelling onwards on Virgin? I actually will be, in 1st to Brum, but wondering whether to grab a shower in the two hours before my next train, but if there's another 20 people (female in my case, I don't think there are unisex showers) with the same idea it might not be such a good plan, and I'll have a strip wash in my cabin.

I've always gone for the cabin strip wash option (babywipes useful to have...), but then I'm usually heading to a meeting and don't have time to faff with showers or any queues. I'm sure someone on here will have better first hand experience of what they're usually like.

 

[Iskra]

But that's plural . I have long thought that we need a singular equivalent of 'they'.




Hells bells, I bet you get decent weather to compensate though! So there must be an airport? Or at least decent buses?

Sorry for off topic post, back to the joys of the CS, and another vaguely related question... is there generally a rush for the showers in the Virgin 1st Class Lounge on arrival into Euston off the returning CS? I understand Lounge use is permitted with a CS 1st Class ticket, even if you are not travelling onwards on Virgin? I actually will be, in 1st to Brum, but wondering whether to grab a shower in the two hours before my next train, but if there's another 20 people (female in my case, I don't think there are unisex showers) with the same idea it might not be such a good plan, and I'll have a strip wash in my cabin.

The showers are unisex in the 1st class lounge at Euston I believe. There are at least 3 showers I think when I did it, and they were in steady use, but there wasn't a queue last time I did it. But, that was when the train was diverted into Kings Cross, so that would have diluted demand at Euston. (My next train was from Euston anyway for me)

 

[trainophile]

The showers are unisex in the 1st class lounge at Euston I believe. There are at least 3 showers I think when I did it, and they were in steady use, but there wasn't a queue last time I did it. But, that was when the train was diverted into Kings Cross, so that would have diluted demand at Euston. (My next train was from Euston anyway for me)

Oh, I thought I remembered a row of showers being at the back of the Ladies toilets in the Euston Lounge, with a long counter top and seating area down the side leading to the shower cubicles, with hairdryers. There was an attendant too, who had a little compartment to sit in when she wasn't busy. It all looked very civilised. However, I'm not sure I could be bothered to faff around sorting out clean clothes while not losing sight of my luggage. Although a hair wash would be nice - I don't suppose that is possible in the CS cabins, and I would only make a soaking wet mess if I tried it! I have bought Batiste dry shampoo .

Would be a bit awkward if the showers are unisex, but maybe there are extra ones for people who don't mind stripping off in semi-public!

 

[Iskra]

Oh, I thought I remembered a row of showers being at the back of the Ladies toilets in the Euston Lounge, with a long counter top and seating area down the side leading to the shower cubicles, with hairdryers. There was an attendant too, who had a little compartment to sit in when she wasn't busy. It all looked very civilised. However, I'm not sure I could be bothered to faff around sorting out clean clothes while not losing sight of my luggage. Although a hair wash would be nice - I don't suppose that is possible in the CS cabins, and I would only make a soaking wet mess if I tried it! I have bought Batiste dry shampoo .

Would be a bit awkward if the showers are unisex, but maybe there are extra ones for people who don't mind stripping off in semi-public!

The showers were all decent sized lockable individual private shower rooms, where you can take your luggage in with you, so no need to worry about watching your belongings. They are unisex, but cleaned regularly by an attendant.

 

[Bungle965]

The showers were all decent sized lockable individual private shower rooms, where you can take your luggage in with you, so no need to worry about watching your belongings. They are unisex, but cleaned regularly by an attendant.

Yes when I used them I was slightly concerned about how clean they would be, however I found no such problems when I used them they were clean.
Sam

 

[rf_ioliver]

"They" as a gender-neutral third person singular pronoun is widely regarded as being perfectly acceptable these days. Even the OUP does it:

https://blog.oxforddictionaries.com/2012/06/he-or-she-versus-they/

The gender neutral 3rd person pronoun is "it" .... but it has other connotations when used

I still miss the use of the 2nd person singular in everyday speech...

t.

Ian

 

[47271]

Are the Euston showers unisex? I've never used them but after the sleeper gets in I'm familiar with a queue of ten or so blokes along the wall of the gents, and leading out of a doorway to the back right of the room. I've always assumed that there's an identical arrangement in the ladies.

 

[Sod]

If we are getting all grammatical, how about the impersonal pronoun "one"? "They" is incorrectly used in any other context than a plural, whatever the "Politically Correct" brigade might say.

Quite frankly, I am disappointed; a serious railway forum containing a panoply of interesting information, alongside the expression of informed opinion and reflection, should be the least likely home of politically correct expression.

 

[JohnRegular]

On the sleeper tonight from Aberdeen; it seems like some or indeed most, of the intermediate stations between Aberdeen and Dundee have no passengers boarding. It must be the case that these stations have no passengers at least some of the time. Does the service ever skip stations that CS have no bookings from, or does pathing/ rules and regulations prevent this from happening?

 

[MylesHSG]

On the sleeper tonight from Aberdeen; it seems like some or indeed most, of the intermediate stations between Aberdeen and Dundee have no passengers boarding. It must be the case that these stations have no passengers at least some of the time. Does the service ever skip stations that CS have no bookings from, or does pathing/ rules and regulations prevent this from happening?

Is there really an advantage for arriving early on a sleeper? I can't think of one?

 

[47271]

I've heard of it missing stops with no booked set downs (eg late running northbound skips Blair Atholl if noone's expected to get off there) but not pickups - there's the risk of a mistake and the train sails through when there's someone on the platform - and not when it's not late. This is only what I've heard mind.

 

[Bungle965]

I've heard of it missing stops with no booked set downs (eg late running northbound skips Blair Atholl if noone's expected to get off there) but not pickups - there's the risk of a mistake and the train sails through when there's someone on the platform - and not when it's not late. This is only what I've heard mind.

Can a person not buy a on the day single for the sleeper also?
Meaning that a train would sail through a station with potential passengers waiting as a result of being late?
Sam

 

[najaB]

Can a person not buy a on the day single for the sleeper also?

Technically, reservations close at 2030 (or is it 2045?) but I have bought at the station in the past. There's a lack of clarity as to if this is still possible today (see post #2269 onwards).

 

[Scotrail84]

Can a person not buy a on the day single for the sleeper also?
Meaning that a train would sail through a station with potential passengers waiting as a result of being late?
Sam

The sleeper will only ever miss set down only stops except stirling and perth on 1S25 as that is where there are crew changes, It has been known for 1S25 to miss Dunblane, Gleneagles, Dunked, Pitlochry, Blair Athol, Dalwhinnie and Newtonmore if nobody is getting off Northbound. It does however pick up at Kingussie, Aviemore and Cartridge.

1A25 can miss every stop to Aberdeen as its set down only with no crew changes involved.

1Y11 will stop everywhere as its a day service.


Southbound these services will stop at every station as there may be walk up fares getting on.

 

[Scotrail84]

Technically, reservations close at 2030 (or is it 2045?) but I have bought at the station in the past. There's a lack of clarity as to if this is still possible today (see post #2269 onwards).

You can walk up and pay on the night on the train but if theres no availability then its tough titty, you don't get on. Plus if there is availability its the full fare with no railcard discounts. It may be cheaper to go to the ticket office and buy a single if you have a railcard then purchase the £75 supplement to get a bed.

 

[Bungle965]

The sleeper will only ever miss set down only stops except stirling and perth on 1S25 as that is where there are crew changes, It has been known for 1S25 to miss Dunblane, Gleneagles, Dunked, Pitlochry, Blair Athol, Dalwhinnie and Newtonmore if nobody is getting off Northbound. It does however pick up at Kingussie, Aviemore and Cartridge.

1A25 can miss every stop to Aberdeen as its set down only with no crew changes involved.

1Y11 will stop everywhere as its a day service.


Southbound these services will stop at every station as there may be walk up fares getting on.

Thanks for that clarification.
Sam

 

[Fishplate84]

Sorry for off topic post, back to the joys of the CS, and another vaguely related question... is there generally a rush for the showers in the Virgin 1st Class Lounge on arrival into Euston off the returning CS? I understand Lounge use is permitted with a CS 1st Class ticket, even if you are not travelling onwards on Virgin? I actually will be, in 1st to Brum, but wondering whether to grab a shower in the two hours before my next train, but if there's another 20 people (female in my case, I don't think there are unisex showers) with the same idea it might not be such a good plan, and I'll have a strip wash in my cabin.

There are 8 shower cubicles (4 female, 4 male) at Euston in the Virgin 1st class lounge. No onward rail journey required to use them – they are there for the benefit of people coming off the Sleeper. There's usually a queue on the male side so you may have to wait although on male side at least one seems permanently used as a store cupboard and often a second is out of order. I like to think of it as the shabbiness that lurks behind the veneer of quality that Virgin likes to portray.

Dispensers often empty, fixtures and fitting and tiles are worn out, drainage is poor and water pressure is highly variable on the day. At least they are vaguely clean. Not sure why VT don't fix it properly, you're in their lounge and must be a muppet if you don't think it's a facility owned and operated by VT. It reflects very badly VT in my view, especially as you have to access their premium gin palace to get in there.

I don't suppose Virgin's own customers use them much and Virgin aren't very interested in maintaining the facilities in good order for someone else's customers. If there was another viable option at the station I'm sure CS would do it better themselves. Where CS has installed their own lounges and showers elsewhere you can't fault the high standards and quality. Leagues above anything else on the railway.
Shame really, its a bit of the CS experience that is a real let down but one bit I guess they are dependent on VT for.

 

[Gonzoiku]

You can walk up and pay on the night on the train but if theres no availability then its tough titty, you don't get on. Plus if there is availability its the full fare with no railcard discounts. It may be cheaper to go to the ticket office and buy a single if you have a railcard then purchase the £75 supplement to get a bed.

Confirmed - I boarded the northbound Highland at Preston a year or so back, completely unannounced, unbooked. I used a Flexipass, my travelling companion paid full fare standard class. Steward on the train didn't bat an eyelid, except to say "You don't usually board here, Mr GZ!"

I would indeed have been better advised to use the sleeper from London rather than trust in a flight from Manchester to Inverness - which couldn't land, so returned to Manchester!

GZ

 

[Scotrail84]

Confirmed - I boarded the northbound Highland at Preston a year or so back, completely unannounced, unbooked. I used a Flexipass, my travelling companion paid full fare standard class. Steward on the train didn't bat an eyelid, except to say "You don't usually board here, Mr GZ!"

I would indeed have been better advised to use the sleeper from London rather than trust in a flight from Manchester to Inverness - which couldn't land, so returned to Manchester!

GZ

Since when were flexipasses valid for boarding at intermediate stations? Are they not tied to the normal conditions? Point to point journeys only no boarding/alighting in-between?

Is that the case?

 

[najaB]

Since when were flexipasses valid for boarding at intermediate stations? Are they not tied to the normal conditions? Point to point journeys only no boarding/alighting in-between?

To quote from CS's website:

The train tickets are valid for travel to any of our stations - so you could use some for a journey to (or from) Glasgow one month, Edinburgh the next, Inverness the next, and so on. It’s up to you.

 

[AlterEgo]

People unfamiliar with the Sleeper might like my video, which I posted in this thread: http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?p=2884108#post2884108

(Yes the showers are rubbish, as evidenced by the video!)

 

[AlterEgo]

Looking at taking the Sleeper southbound from Fort William to London. Being offered a choice of either Coach W or X. Which is at the rear (north end)?

 

[MylesHSG]

Highland running very late todayhttp://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C74102/2017/02/13/advanced

 

[Gonzoiku]

Since when were flexipasses valid for boarding at intermediate stations? Are they not tied to the normal conditions? Point to point journeys only no boarding/alighting in-between?

Is that the case?

"Point-to-point" does not exclude Preston being the starting point! But if you mean that break of journey is not permitted, then I believe that is the case (but I have never tried). The fare remains the same, whichever route you choose for a Flexipass.

GZ

 

[Scotrail84]

Highland running very late todayhttp://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C74102/2017/02/13/advanced

What happened?