Caledonian Sleeper

[trebor79]

CS is definitely better than Ibis Budget. I stayed in an Ibis Budget once (and the price was definitely not budget!) and it was absolutely dreadful. Surly staff, broken air con, tiny room with the bad jammed against 3 walls and the shower cubicle was in the bedroom! Good job I wasn't sharing with a colleague.

I wrote a blistering complaint email and got half my money back, but even then it was still very poor value.

I'd rate CS somewhere between Travelodge and Premier Inn. But I'd sleep better in either of those establishments than the sleeper!

 

[Grumpy Git]

But I'd sleep better in either of those establishments than the sleeper!

Maybe it should be renamed the "The Caledonian Snoozer"

 

[Bletchleyite]

Maybe it should be renamed the "The Caledonian Snoozer"

It's interesting that the two categories of "flat" accommodation are in German termed:

Schlafwagen - sleeping coach
Liegewagen - lying coach (actually couchette)

The implication is of no sleep in the latter due to the reduced comfort

 

[GNER 91128]

I see that The Caledonian Sleeper is now on, or will be soon on Seat Frog. It'll be interesting to see whether this increases passenger numbers or not.

Apologies I've just seen this was mentioned a page ago! That'll teach me not to look beforehand!

 

[Bald Rick]

Liegewagen - lying coach

Is that the one where they say there’s loads of facilities, but it’s not true?

 

[Grumpy Git]

Is that the one where they say there’s loads of facilities, but it’s not true?

Stop giving me opportunities to get a ban.

 

[6Z09]

Throw some industrial action into the mix for Summer now!

 

[JonathanH]

Throw some industrial action into the mix for Summer now!

Slightly naive to imagine there is money on the table for a pay increase (subject to the proviso that any freeze should be at all levels, not just staff on the ground).

 

[Sleepy]

Just had this notification from them which I'm really not happy about having purchased a flexipass. Can't see how it's anything but just a way to make their lives easier.

Thank you so much for your recent Club Solo Occupancy Room booking with us. We are really excited to welcome you aboard here at Caledonian Sleeper. We have missed our guests!


We are contacting you to let you know that there has been a change to our Club Solo Occupancy Rooms. Now, like the name suggests, you are still going to have this room all to yourself but you will notice that the top bunk has been deployed when you board and enter your booked room. This is a big change for both you and us, however, after speaking with our on-board team, guests and the dedicated team who prepare our beloved trains, we know that this is the right decision.


The good news is that if you decide last minute to bring a friend along with you, you absolutely can by just paying the walk-up fare at the station.


I am personally wishing you a lovely journey and stay when the time comes.

They seem determined to **** off as many people as possible - how often do you decide to travel to Scotland on a whim with someone ??

 

[Highlandspring]

“our beloved trains” - pfffft

 

[Bletchleyite]

They seem determined to **** off as many people as possible - how often do you decide to travel to Scotland on a whim with someone ??

It's just a load of tripe.

It should have read something like this:

Thank you very much for your recent Club Solo Occupancy Room booking with us. We are really excited to welcome you aboard here at Caledonian Sleeper. We have missed our valued passengers.

We are contacting you to let you know that there has been a change to our Club Solo Occupancy Rooms. Most importantly, you will still have the room to yourself. However, for operational flexibility, we decided that we will have to leave the top bunk unfolded in all rooms, whether occupied by one or two people. You are welcome to use either as you prefer, and can use the other for your luggage, clothing or similar. However, we do apologise if this causes you any inconvenience and hope you will understand the need for this change.

For your safety please do be reassured that regardless of occupancy the linen is always changed on both beds between bookings.

Furthermore if you decide at the last minute to travel with a companion, they can make use of the other bunk by paying for the walk-up fare at the station, or if you would like to book them into the same room in advance, potentially at a lower price, please contact our contact centre who can do this for you by paying the difference in fare to a double occupancy cabin that applies at that time.

We hope you enjoyed travelling with us and hope to welcome you on another journey soon.

That's how you say the same thing with a bit of respect and not sounding like you've just taken an evening course in writing marketing drivel.

 

[andbrads]

Throw some industrial action into the mix for Summer now!

Maybe the opening of the dining car is related to the impending strike action...?

 

[D6130]

It's just a load of tripe.

It should have read something like this:

Thank you very much for your recent Club Solo Occupancy Room booking with us. We are really excited to welcome you aboard here at Caledonian Sleeper. We have missed our valued passengers.

We are contacting you to let you know that there has been a change to our Club Solo Occupancy Rooms. Most importantly, you will still have the room to yourself. However, for operational flexibility, we decided that we will have to leave the top bunk unfolded in all rooms, whether occupied by one or two people. You are welcome to use either as you prefer, and can use the other for your luggage, clothing or similar. However, we do apologise if this causes you any inconvenience and hope you will understand the need for this change.

For your safety please do be reassured that regardless of occupancy the linen is always changed on both beds between bookings.

Furthermore if you decide at the last minute to travel with a companion, they can make use of the other bunk by paying for the walk-up fare at the station, or if you would like to book them into the same room in advance, potentially at a lower price, please contact our contact centre who can do this for you by paying the difference in fare to a double occupancy cabin that applies at that time.

We hope you enjoyed travelling with us and hope to welcome you on another journey soon.

That's how you say the same thing with a bit of respect and not sounding like you've just taken an evening course in writing marketing drivel.

I have to say that is absolutely spot on! Why don't you send it to CS?....you may get a free trip. On second thoughts they may offer you the job of Marketing Manager.....which could be a double-edged sword.

 

[alistairlees]

I have to say that is absolutely spot on! Why don't you send it to CS?....you may get a free trip. On second thoughts they may offer you the job of Marketing Manager.....which could be a double-edged sword.

It is indeed very well-written.

 

[Bald Rick]

It's just a load of tripe.

It should have read something like this:

Thank you very much for your recent Club Solo Occupancy Room booking with us. We are really excited to welcome you aboard here at Caledonian Sleeper. We have missed our valued passengers.

We are contacting you to let you know that there has been a change to our Club Solo Occupancy Rooms. Most importantly, you will still have the room to yourself. However, for operational flexibility, we decided that we will have to leave the top bunk unfolded in all rooms, whether occupied by one or two people. You are welcome to use either as you prefer, and can use the other for your luggage, clothing or similar. However, we do apologise if this causes you any inconvenience and hope you will understand the need for this change.

For your safety please do be reassured that regardless of occupancy the linen is always changed on both beds between bookings.

Furthermore if you decide at the last minute to travel with a companion, they can make use of the other bunk by paying for the walk-up fare at the station, or if you would like to book them into the same room in advance, potentially at a lower price, please contact our contact centre who can do this for you by paying the difference in fare to a double occupancy cabin that applies at that time.

We hope you enjoyed travelling with us and hope to welcome you on another journey soon.

That's how you say the same thing with a bit of respect and not sounding like you've just taken an evening course in writing marketing drivel.

Good stuff, although declared null and void for using the words ‘operational flexibility’ - these words should be banned from all railway communications to passengers (and indeed are banned on any documents that I am responsible for)

 

[Bletchleyite]

Good stuff, although declared null and void for using the words ‘operational flexibility’ - these words should be banned from all railway communications to passengers (and indeed are banned on any documents that I am responsible for)

What (genuine question) would you suggest to replace it?

 

[Bald Rick]

What (genuine question) would you suggest to replace it?

I’d either not give a reason, or say ‘to accommodate short notice changes in demand’

 

[Bletchleyite]

I’d either not give a reason, or say ‘to accommodate short notice changes in demand’

I think that is a good wording, and I think giving a reason does help.

There is also "because our Cheap As F... rolling stock keeps falling to bits so we have to move people round", but maybe that one would be best kept to themselves

 

[35B]

Good stuff, although declared null and void for using the words ‘operational flexibility’ - these words should be banned from all railway communications to passengers (and indeed are banned on any documents that I am responsible for)

I dunno - where I see a phrase like "operational flexibility" it sends me a clear message as a customer that my needs and interests have been subordinated to those of the organisation providing the service.

 

[43096]

On the other hand Travelodge is really like a cell with a carpet (if you're lucky).

aka "Travelprison"

I dunno - where I see a phrase like "operational flexibility" it sends me a clear message as a customer that my needs and interests have been subordinated to those of the organisation providing the service.

It doesn't. It's like going back in time to BR pre-sectorisation and announcements at stations about trains "delayed due to operational problems".

 

[CBlue]

At a previous workplace, "operational flexibility purposes" normally meant someone couldn't be bothered to do something.

 

[35B]

It doesn't. It's like going back in time to BR pre-sectorisation and announcements at stations about trains "delayed due to operational problems".

Precisely - I as a customer am not worthy of being told what is happening to me, and the information is only for those who "need to know".

 

[43096]

Precisely - I as a customer am not worthy of being told what is happening to me, and the information is only for those who "need to know".

Apologies - read it the other way round. Long week...

 

[Bald Rick]

I dunno - where I see a phrase like "operational flexibility" it sends me a clear message as a customer that my needs and interests have been subordinated to those of the organisation providing the service.

Exactly!

 

[andbrads]

I dunno - where I see a phrase like "operational flexibility" it sends me a clear message as a customer that my needs and interests have been subordinated to those of the organisation providing the service.

Exactly, they are! Or at least the one specific need of not having the bunk deployed. This is why I like the wording, pretending it’s anything else is simply spin and the reader will easily see through it.

One addition might be to set out the consequences of completing the unfulfilled action, ie deploying the top bunks would affect our punctuality, ability to keep fares the same or provide X other services on board.

 

[PG]

I have to say that is absolutely spot on! Why don't you send it to CS?....you may get a free trip. On second thoughts they may offer you the job of Marketing Manager.....which could be a double-edged sword.

More like a poisoned chalice!

One addition might be to set out the consequences of completing the unfulfilled action, ie deploying the top bunks would affect our punctuality, ability to keep fares the same or provide X other services on board.

Narrowly avoided mentioning the Profit word as that'd get the nationalisation brigade out in full force

 

[gingerheid]

There is that fact that they take duff carriages out or service so often that they do need to be able to reorganise people around the train!

 

[Sleepy]

There is that fact that they take duff carriages out or service so often that they do need to be able to reorganise people around the train!

If the new stock is still that unreliable then Serco should be kicking some backsides frequently.......

 

[andbrads]

More like a poisoned chalice!

Narrowly avoided mentioning the Profit word as that'd get the nationalisation brigade out in full force

Yes, imagine how refreshing a completely truthful response would be: “We can’t stow the bunks as that would require extra staff. If we employed extra staff that would reduce our profit margin so that we would breach our loan covenants, meaning we would have to cancel services or shut down completely”

 

[Caleb2010]

I’m wondering how often the locos on the highland portion get fuelled or swapped about?

I’m on the Inverness to Euston service next Thursday (3rd) (back on the Monday) and wondered if it is still likely to be 66755 & 73967.

Also, I’ve noticed that on RTT when the sleeper departs Inverness it says “Starts planned at 125mph” is there any point on the HML that is passed for 125mph running - just curiosity, I couldn’t imagine attempting to sleep at 125mph down that line!