Caledonian Sleeper Mk5 Discussion

[goblinuser]

Superb photos. Few interesting things I've noticed are the strangely placed LED screens and steps below the doors which lack handles to hold onto.

 

[BRX]

Window size seems a bit mean in what I'm guessing is a lounge/seated coach. Kind of pendolino-ish.

And of course none that you can open.

 

[crunchie48]

Handles inside the door. The LCD screens are for destinations and coach letters.

Superb photos. Few interesting things I've noticed are the strangely placed LED screens and steps below the doors which lack handles to hold onto.

 

[sprinterguy]

Window size seems a bit mean in what I'm guessing is a lounge/seated coach. Kind of pendolino-ish.

They're taller than those fitted to mark 3 stock, which never seem to attract criticism: Mark 3 stock windows are 660mm deep, while, according to the plans contained in the franchise agreement, those fitted to the mark 5 stock are 790mm deep (And 1600mm long against the 1760mm of a mark 3 saloon vehicle for comparison, although I appreciate that the Caledonian Sleeper itself doesn't incorporate any mark 3 day stock). The variation in window heights between seated and sleeping cars is also a nice touch, so that passengers are maximised the opportunity for a good view out - reminiscent of the approach taken with the bar cars on the Eurostars.

 

[Tam]

Wonderful pictures, thanks so much!

Would you be able to take some pictures in daylight comparing the lower and higher window lines, also if your able to if you can capture the curvature of the coach?

Cheers

Not sure what you mean by 'curvature'. Cross-section (end-on view)?

 

[Bletchleyite]

They're taller than those fitted to mark 3 stock, which never seem to attract criticism: Mark 3 stock windows are 660mm deep, while, according to the plans contained in the franchise agreement, those fitted to the mark 5 stock are 790mm deep (And 1600mm long against the 1760mm of a mark 3 saloon vehicle for comparison, although I appreciate that the Caledonian Sleeper itself doesn't incorporate any mark 3 day stock).

Assuming the pattern is based on 8 bodyside windows, as seems fairly standard, they will be a bit shorter because the vehicles themselves are around 1m shorter.

 

[speedy_sticks]

Not sure what you mean by 'curvature'. Cross-section (end-on view)?

Yes correct, sorry I was tired, perhaps profile may have been a better term!

 

[RichJF]

I might be the only one, but to me the doors & end profile give off a very slight aura of the Renaissance Eurostar coaches (excluding the bogies & underframe).

 

[Clip]

Surprised by the amount of what appears to be wasted space, including what seems to be a full-size traditional van area rather that just bicycle cupboards.

I'm sure those areas will be used for storing something internally

 

[Scotrail84]

The base of the door look like they will be below platform level here in the uk? Perhaps its just the way the photos have been taken. Also no steps at the doors unless they are still to be fitted.

 

[Clansman]

The base of the door look like they will be below platform level here in the uk?

Step free access for principal stations maybe?

 

[Scotrail84]

Step free access for principal stations maybe?

Not all platforms art same here.

 

[Clansman]

Not all platforms art same here.

True. Can't put my finger on anything else other than the way the photos were taken, as you said.

 

[Tam]

Also no steps at the doors unless they are still to be fitted.

I see steps at (under) the doors, looks like galvanised steel.

 

[TimboM]

The base of the door look like they will be below platform level here in the uk? Perhaps its just the way the photos have been taken. Also no steps at the doors unless they are still to be fitted.

I see steps at (under) the doors, looks like galvanised steel.

I think what Scotrail84 is referring to are steps at the base of the door to assist passengers stepping from the platform on to the coach - i.e. the ones painted yellow in this pic (not mine) of the current stock https://flic.kr/p/XCVTMB (rather than the "service" steps to allow access from ground level).

I'm wondering if potentially they are within the carriage and extend outwards as the door opens - may also explain the doors looking lower than 'normal'. This is complete speculation of course...!

 

[Scotrail84]

I think what Scotrail84 is referring to are steps at the base of the door to assist passengers stepping from the platform on to the coach - i.e. the ones painted yellow in this pic (not mine) of the current stock https://flic.kr/p/XCVTMB (rather than the "service" steps to allow access from ground level).

I'm wondering if potentially they are within the carriage and extend outwards as the door opens - may also explain the doors looking lower than 'normal'. This is complete speculation of course...!

Yes thats correct.

It is possible but I did not see anything in the plans that specify this being a feature.

Will come back if I find out.

 

[Scotrail84]

I see steps at (under) the doors, looks like galvanised steel.

Having seen them close up, is it your opinion that the base of the doors will be at the correct height for platforms in the UK?

 

[Mordac]

Having seen them close up, is it your opinion that the base of the doors will be at the correct height for platforms in the UK?

Would be a major boo boo if it wasn't.

 

[NotATrainspott]

I don't think the doors are that far below standard UK platform height. They may well be lower than the Mk3 doors though. Modern trains have a 1100mm internal floor height but I think the Mk3s are at a more traditional height (probable, given that they had to inter-operate with Mk1/2 stock). On the Stadler sets the bottom of the door is about the height of the top of the bogie sets and the internal floor can't be flat all the way through. Their design only works with doors in the middle of the carriage where the floors can be lower, so unless CAF have fitted toytown bogies I think the floor will be normal. Aren't those the Flexx Eco bogies fitted to the 700/80x trailers?

 

[Clansman]

The photo, "Sleeper Velim 9", doesn't look to suggest that there has been any drastic changes in door height.

 

[Tam]

Having seen them close up, is it your opinion that the base of the doors will be at the correct height for platforms in the UK?

I just spent a half hour there dodging the solitary security man who thankfully spent most of the time sitting in his car. I think he's just there to prevent vandalism, so he didn't bother me at all.

It's not something I could judge as I normally only see trains in the UK from the platform up, but I didn't notice them being particularly low.

I should be posting more photos within a couple of hours (would be sooner but for a 58 minute connection at Kolin).

 

[Tam]

I spoke to two men who pulled-up in two fast cars. One had a big stick and for a moment I thought that Dad's Army Security Inc had called for backup. They were there to measure the depth of the couplings (hence big stick) presumably with a view to arranging a shunt to the test track yard.

I asked when the move would happen and was told "after we finish the diesel car", then, "Velim is full". Not sure what that equates to in days

 

[TimboM]

I spoke to two men who pulled-up in two fast cars. One had a big stick and for a moment I thought that Dad's Army Security Inc had called for backup. They were there to measure the depth of the couplings (hence big stick) presumably with a view to arranging a shunt to the test track yard.

I asked when the move would happen and was told "after we finish the diesel car", then, "Velim is full". Not sure what that equates to in days ??????

Top work again, Tam. Looking forward to more "spy" shots...

Wonder if the "diesel car" is something else (unrelated) they're currently testing on the track, or they mean the 73/9 to be used for testing?

 

[Tam]

Wonder if the "diesel car" is something else (unrelated) they're currently testing on the track, or they mean the 73/9 to be used for testing?

I tried asking, but they didn't understand what I was asking. I got the impression it was something else.

 

[jopsuk]

There appear to be hard points under the doors where foot steps could be added; it's not uncommon to move stock without such steps attached

 

[Clansman]

What I'm wondering is how on earth Serco are going to be able to soundproof the berths from the door release/close tones - especially given how stringent disability regulations are nowadays.

Good of you to head back to Velim today Tam, can't thank you enough for your efforts

 

[Tam]

In some Czech trains this step pushes out automagically.

 

[Tam]

From left to right as I viewed the train, the coaches were 15302m 15002, 15301, 15101, 15001.

More to follow shortly.

Edit: Shown here right to left

 

[Tam]

153002

 

[Tam]

Some detail shots.