Friday night was the late arrival of stock, arriving nearly 2 hours late. I think on the handful of other times the MK5s have been delayed it was the same thing.
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Caledonian Sleeper
- Thread starter Essexman
- Start date
Friday night was the late arrival of stock, arriving nearly 2 hours late. I think on the handful of other times the MK5s have been delayed it was the same thing.
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A quick fares question - if I have the return portion of a Dundee - London super off-peak return, is this valid for a (classic) room supplement on the lowlander?
The Highlander arrives into Dundee a bit too early for my liking, but the lowlander then an onward connection is more or less ideal for my usual sleeping pattern.
The Highlander arrives into Dundee a bit too early for my liking, but the lowlander then an onward connection is more or less ideal for my usual sleeping pattern.
Scotrail84
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Its valid but must be booked in advance as there may not be any rooms available on the night if you walk up. Its also valid for a seat, all you'd need is a valid seat reservation.
Thanks.
Yes, I’d definitely book in advance. I just wasn’t sure if supplements could be bought on the “wrong” sleeper, so to speak.
I was aware of the ticket being valid on the seats, but my work is paying for the return ticket in the first place (but intending me to get a day train) so I’m happy to pay the £100 myself for some more time in London.
Scotrail84
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Mid-July. Which is high-season so I’m hoping to get the travel ticket booked (or at least authorised) this week so I can get on with getting the supplement.
Scotrail84
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Round about the time of the 9 day Manchester diversions.
That bit is fairly obvious, but why was the stock late off Wembley?
Based on twitter posts on the company twitter page (either formal apologies or feedback tweets):
Delayed boarding:
Apr 29
Apr 30
May 3
May 5
May 6
May 10
Does this seem to be correct?
I really want this to a be a success, so hopefully it will improve.
I'm beginning to wonder if it might have been worth running the first couple of weeks of the new trains as a "preview service" and given big discounts on the understanding that things might not work correctly?
Delayed boarding:
Apr 29
Apr 30
May 3
May 5
May 6
May 10
Does this seem to be correct?
I really want this to a be a success, so hopefully it will improve.
I'm beginning to wonder if it might have been worth running the first couple of weeks of the new trains as a "preview service" and given big discounts on the understanding that things might not work correctly?
jagardner1984
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I’m sure they made mention earlier of the CAF fitters working from arrival at Wembley until departure in the evening, indeed that was what was delaying the ECS.
With the wonderful benefit of hindsight, perhaps running alternate nights new stock then old stock for a couple of weeks could have allowed the fitters a bit more time to resolve the issues. Presumably this will be particularly relevant when the highlander swaps over in a couple of weeks, in terms of the shorter time at Wembley each day.
Are all the coaches in operation now ? Ie will the Highlander coaches be ones that have already worked the lowlander, or new stock again ?
It is telling how most passengers are so very positive about their experiences on train. In a sense, the other bits are the easy ones to fix !
With the wonderful benefit of hindsight, perhaps running alternate nights new stock then old stock for a couple of weeks could have allowed the fitters a bit more time to resolve the issues. Presumably this will be particularly relevant when the highlander swaps over in a couple of weeks, in terms of the shorter time at Wembley each day.
Are all the coaches in operation now ? Ie will the Highlander coaches be ones that have already worked the lowlander, or new stock again ?
It is telling how most passengers are so very positive about their experiences on train. In a sense, the other bits are the easy ones to fix !
Sorry, another question regarding room supplements.
I was looking at the tickets page to see what the refund policy is on supplements; to avoid missing out on a room while waiting for my work to authorise my actual ticket, I was considering just booking now anyway. The tickets page states:
I'm happy to risk £10 on the unlikely event of not actually travelling and needing to get a refund. But when I then went to book, the supplement is described in the basket as a "Fixed ticket", which comes with the caveat:
There's no option to change from a "Fixed ticket" to a "Flexible ticket" for supplements.
Does anyone know which is true?
EDIT: I realised I could ask on Twitter and they confirmed that supplements are refundable.
I was looking at the tickets page to see what the refund policy is on supplements; to avoid missing out on a room while waiting for my work to authorise my actual ticket, I was considering just booking now anyway. The tickets page states:
I'm happy to risk £10 on the unlikely event of not actually travelling and needing to get a refund. But when I then went to book, the supplement is described in the basket as a "Fixed ticket", which comes with the caveat:
There's no option to change from a "Fixed ticket" to a "Flexible ticket" for supplements.
Does anyone know which is true?
EDIT: I realised I could ask on Twitter and they confirmed that supplements are refundable.
Last edited:
Southbound from Glasgow sold out tonight as well. I often have to make last minute travel arrangements to get to London, and I don't ever remember not being able to get on the old sleeper at short notice. I miss the old sleeper
Even in the seated MK2 coaches I thoroughly enjoyed it Friday night up to Fort Bill, so I can imagine the new stock will be even better to be honest... (assuming the shunting works well at Waverley)
BRX
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It seems the fort william lounge broken tonight with no hot food. Sounds like aberdeen seats southbound also out of order.
It really is not good enough is it! I hope Transport Scotland are being told about these repeated failings with Serco's service delivery.
Kendalian
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I'm booked on 19th June Euston-Fort Bill on a non flex ticket. If it's still the old stock ie no ensuite which I booked and paid for, will CS offer a full refund?
They're calling it a hotel on wheels...I'd expect my money back if my hotel room didn't have a working ensuite!
I know of at least one very high profile blogger who is booked on the supposed launch night 2nd June so let's hope for CS's sake it does launch on time!
Highlandspring
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I have a sleeper trip booked for next week and went to pick up my tickets at the station today. When I got to the station I realised when I looked at my phone that that the email CS sent me didn’t have a pickup code on it and referred to me recieving “an email containing your eticket within 5 minutes” which was surprising given that I’d definitely selected the Ticket On Departure option. I phoned the CS Guest Services contact number there and then; it was answered more or less straight away, the customer assistant confirmed they’d had a problem with their system sending incorrect emails and had emailed me the pickup code all within 5 minutes. Excellent customer service.
Nearly had the same issue when I traveled from Fort William a few weeks back. I heard before departure that the fridge was broken so we were limited to snacks only, but it seemed like they managed to find a cool box at the last minute and run a limited meal service.
Didn't really fuss me, but it would've been good if CS had notified passengers beforehand. Staff informed us while waiting at Fort William, but no text or email alerts were sent.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
At least at FW there's Morrisons just across the way to get something to take on. Though obviously not open Sunday evening.
It's open until 20.00 on Sunday evenings (which is after the Sleeper has left). Scotland does not have Sunday trading laws like England.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Of course, I always forget about that.
It’s also very good for a cooked breakfast if the sleeper can’t provide that. Many a time I’ve been in the queue at 0800 waiting for it to open! (Obviously not off the sleeper).
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
It is indeed - their "make your own breakfast" is particularly good - no arguments about swaps, just order exactly what you want. Every single fry-up cafe should offer that rather than insisting on whatever combination they feel like.
Morrisons in fort Bill is open until 2000 on Sunday evenings
BRX
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Indeed my dinner tonight came from a rushed trip around morrisons in the 29 minutes inbetween my bus arriving in fort william and the train leaving. They did send a text mid afternoon so i was at least prepared for this. Not necessarily a solution for anyone boarding at intermediate stations though.
Dunno exactly what the problem was - the coach has power. Fridge or microwave broken perhaps. Doubt it's unrelated to spending decisions in the context of soon to be disused stock.
Dunno exactly what the problem was - the coach has power. Fridge or microwave broken perhaps. Doubt it's unrelated to spending decisions in the context of soon to be disused stock.
VT 390
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How many of the MK5s have now been delivered?
Scotrail84
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