Caledonian Sleeper Mk5 Discussion

[vlad]

I've been woken by the shunting many, many times. It's almost as if the try to make it as hard a possible.

I'd read (here and elsewhere) all the horror stories about being woken up by shunting in Edinburgh so the first time I travelled on the sleeper I was ready for it - and remember wondering what all the fuss was about: I thought it was barely noticeable.

 

[gsnedders]

I'd read (here and elsewhere) all the horror stories about being woken up by shunting in Edinburgh so the first time I travelled on the sleeper I was ready for it - and remember wondering what all the fuss was about: I thought it was barely noticeable.

My experience of the shunting has always been that if I'm asleep before it starts I stay asleep, but if I'm awake there's no chance I'm falling asleep during it.

 

[GrimShady]

My experience of the shunting has always been that if I'm asleep before it starts I stay asleep, but if I'm awake there's no chance I'm falling asleep during it.

Pretty much the same. The other thing is, I KNOW its coming which the average user probably won't.

 

[JohnMcL7]

I'd read (here and elsewhere) all the horror stories about being woken up by shunting in Edinburgh so the first time I travelled on the sleeper I was ready for it - and remember wondering what all the fuss was about: I thought it was barely noticeable.

I thought the same, I was surprised how smooth it was as I knew what was involved in putting together the three trains or splitting them up.

 

[Lozzy0603]

Will the new shadow services work right through to Euston? If so how will this work operationally? Only Platform 1 at 400m and Platform 15 at 460m could accommodate a full rake of sleeper coaches.
Presumably in rush hour they cannot afford to accommodate empty sleeper trains anywhere else in London, so they'd either have to terminate in *Wembley depot, or pull into Euston much later after rush hour, and after the in-service sleepers have left for the depot (which is quite late for one of them)?
If they leave Scotland later in the morning, will the shadow services not cause pathing issues further up the WCML?

 

[Class 170101]

Is there enough sleeping cars to accommodate increased demand and perhaps a third train? Say Lowland sleeper unchanged, Aberdeen / Inverness Sleeper and Fort William / Oban Sleeper?

Would also solve the short platforms problem at Kings Cross during HS2 construction at Euston.

 

[47271]

Is there enough sleeping cars to accommodate increased demand and perhaps a third train? Say Lowland sleeper unchanged, Aberdeen / Inverness Sleeper and Fort William / Oban Sleeper?

Would also solve the short platforms problem at Kings Cross during HS2 construction at Euston.

A lot more likely that the Inverness will run as a longer standalone train and other sections shortened. Certainly that was the talk from CS insiders two or three years ago.

 

[GrimShady]

I've just been watching the Augmented Reality video on the CS site. The placement of the power banks seems daft at half way up the bulkhead! Surely it should be nearer the desk as the standard USB cable that comes for phones is only 1ft. There's no shelf/ledge to rest phones on either, I would have thought there should be charging points near the pillow side so one can use the device in bed or for using as an alarm. According to the AR android app, the Club cabin has no charging points! Surely an oversight?

The seats in the seated coach look terrible! I doubt anyone will get any sleep on them.

That brown/orange they've used throughout is horrible, the midnight teal colour would have been nicer.

All things said I'm still looking forward to trying out one.

 

[59CosG95]

By the way this is an image from an order for new night trains by OBB. It's really a shame we couldn't have had something like this for the CS.
View attachment 58188

Bear in mind that sleeper vehicles in Austria are able to make use of the more generous loading gauge to squeeze such a design in more effectively; from the lower floors to the wider body & higher roof.

 

[JonathanH]

Will the new shadow services work right through to Euston? If so how will this work operationally? Only Platform 1 at 400m and Platform 15 at 460m could accommodate a full rake of sleeper coaches.
Presumably in rush hour they cannot afford to accommodate empty sleeper trains anywhere else in London, so they'd either have to terminate in *Wembley depot, or pull into Euston much later after rush hour, and after the in-service sleepers have left for the depot (which is quite late for one of them)?
If they leave Scotland later in the morning, will the shadow services not cause pathing issues further up the WCML?

The shadow working has a path on the slow lines all the way from Crewe and indeed arrives at Euston platform 1 after the high morning peak (0935).

 

[33Hz]

Bear in mind that sleeper vehicles in Austria are able to make use of the more generous loading gauge to squeeze such a design in more effectively; from the lower floors to the wider body & higher roof.

Actually I think this design makes a lot of sense in a British loading gauge carriage. The capsules are the same length as a bed, they are only two levels and there is a little nook where the ladder/lockers are that effectively makes a passing place for the more narrow corridor.

I would be fine with it and quite happy to use them if it makes for a cheaper journey for the solo traveller.

 

[Scotrail84]

Full dummy run tonight with the new sets from Edinburgh/Glasgow to London

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K04668/2019/01/21/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K04667/2019/01/22/advanced

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K04666/2019/01/22/advanced

 

[LeylandLen]

I assume this the return dummy run departing Euston Tues eve ...

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K97558/2019/01/22/advanced

 

[sprinterguy]

I'm already gutted that multiple units weren't ordered and we have t continue to endure the banging and clanging when the lowlander splits/attaches at Carstairs, don't need major noisy brakes as well........

Well with Dellner couplers there'll be no clanging, and no more banging than there would be with multiple units. Plus as noted, no underfloor engine noise on unelectrified sections of route.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I've just been watching the Augmented Reality video on the CS site. The placement of the power banks seems daft at half way up the bulkhead! Surely it should be nearer the desk as the standard USB cable that comes for phones is only 1ft.

Is it? I just measured the cable that came with my new phone last year and it's 1m long - just over 3ft.

 

[modernrail]

Actually I think this design makes a lot of sense in a British loading gauge carriage. The capsules are the same length as a bed, they are only two levels and there is a little nook where the ladder/lockers are that effectively makes a passing place for the more narrow corridor.

I would be fine with it and quite happy to use them if it makes for a cheaper journey for the solo traveller.

Totally agree. This would have been a great design bearing in mind they have currentjy opted to shaft solo travellers who would otherwise be happy to share. A real missed opportunity.

 

[theironroad]

Well with Dellner couplers there'll be no clanging, and no more banging than there would be with multiple units. Plus as noted, no underfloor engine noise on unelectrified sections of route.

Ah, ok. I'm not really into traction other than what I drive. We have dellner couplers on 444/450 with auto air connection and electrical boxes auto mate.

If the new Cally stock is the same then I'm more optimistic.

 

[sprinterguy]

Ah, ok. I'm not really into traction other than what I drive. We have dellner couplers on 444/450 with auto air connection and electrical boxes auto mate.

If the new Cally stock is the same then I'm more optimistic.

The Dellner coupler will provide the mechanical connection, as described a couple of pages back the Train Management System and train supply will be routed through separate cables.

 

[dgl]

The advantage, as most people on here know, is that Dellners or similar need virtually no force to couple where as it's reported that the buckeye needs a good shove to couple properly.

 

[berneyarms]

Looking at RTT, the full Lowlander Mark 5 test train seems to be working more or less according to plan so far (it’s at Milton Keynes as I type this).

 

[59CosG95]

Looking at RTT, the full Lowlander Mark 5 test train seems to be working more or less according to plan so far (it’s at Milton Keynes as I type this).

About 20 minutes late from what I can tell on RTT; if it maintains that punctuality level, it should be in Euston by 0945.

 

[theironroad]

The Dellner coupler will provide the mechanical connection, as described a couple of pages back the Train Management System and train supply will be routed through separate cables.

Thanks,sounds good.

The advantage, as most people on here know, is that Dellners or similar need virtually no force to couple where as it's reported that the buckeye needs a good shove to couple properly.

Yes,can only be an improvement sleep wise for some of us.

 

[berneyarms]

Looking at RTT, the full Lowlander Mark 5 test train seems to be working more or less according to plan so far (it’s at Milton Keynes as I type this).

And the northbound workings seem to have gone like clockwork overnight.

Good news!

 

[pieguyrob]

Just booked myself a ride on the highlander from Preston to Kirkcaldy on the 13th of March. I presume it will still be the old stock?

 

[XCTurbostar]

Just booked myself a ride on the highlander from Preston to Kirkcaldy on the 13th of March. I presume it will still be the old stock?

Yes, I believe the plan is still to introduce them from ‘late may’. I assume the May Timetable change.

 

[pieguyrob]

Ok thank you Mr @XCTurbostar. Means i can open the droplight going past kingmoor.

 

[nat67]

This sounds like a silly question as they are loco hauled stock but do they have buffers fitted on them. (Not actually seen photos in close detail).

 

[Highlandspring]

No buffers.

 

[XCTurbostar]

Just delner couplers I believe. Hence the reason that the 87s and 86s cant pull the stock.

 

[marks87]

Just delner couplers I believe. Hence the reason that the 87s and 86s cant pull the stock.

In the event of a breakdown, however, presumably a non-92 could still carry out the rescue by effectively using the (dead) 92 as a barrier vehicle?