Caledonian Sleeper

[Berliner]

How many people on the lowlander are going to be aiming for the Oban train? Not very many, I’d wager.

The Glasgow central arrival time allows people to walk over to Queen Street and make the Oban train. When the train runs as one to Edinburgh you can still make that same Oban connection if it arrives into Waverley early ehoigh.

I'm not saying it's a great connection, but it is most definitely possible when the sleeper arrives early into Edinburgh.

 

[zwk500]

The Glasgow central arrival time allows people to walk over to Queen Street and make the Oban train. When the train runs as one to Edinburgh you can still make that same Oban connection if it arrives into Waverley early ehoigh.

I'm not saying it's a great connection, but it is most definitely possible when the sleeper arrives early into Edinburgh.

The post you quoted was asking how popular the connection is, not how possible.

 

[Bald Rick]

The Glasgow central arrival time allows people to walk over to Queen Street and make the Oban train. When the train runs as one to Edinburgh you can still make that same Oban connection if it arrives into Waverley early ehoigh.

I'm not saying it's a great connection, but it is most definitely possible when the sleeper arrives early into Edinburgh.

No doubt, but my question is how many people actually do it? Surely only those heading for the Oban branch itself, and there’s really not many people doing that from London, let alone on the sleeper. (Given only around 280 journeys a day are made each way on the whole Oban branch). I’d be willing to bet that the mode number of people using the northbound lowlander to connect to Oban each day is zero.

 

[D6130]

No doubt, but my question is how many people actually do it? Surely only those heading for the Oban branch itself, and there’s really not many people doing that from London, let alone on the sleeper. (Given only around 280 journeys a day are made each way on the whole Oban branch). I’d be willing to bet that the mode number of people using the northbound lowlander to connect to Oban each day is zero.

Surely, the sensible way to travel from London to Oban overnight would be to take the Highlander to Crianlarich - arriving at 07 45 - have a leisurely breakfast there (if breakfast is not included in your ticket) and then go forward on the 08 23 ex-Queen Street, which departs Crianlarich at 10 15 and arrives in Oban at 11 27? In the opposite direction, the 20 39 from Oban arrives in Crianlarich at 21 48, giving a very acceptable connection into the sleeper at 22 09.

 

[Bald Rick]

Surely, the sensible way to travel from London to Oban overnight would be to take the Highlander to Crianlarich - arriving at 07 45 - have a leisurely breakfast there (if breakfast is not included in your ticket) and then go forward on the 08 23 ex-Queen Street, which departs Crianlarich at 10 15 and arrives in Oban at 11 27? In the opposite direction, the 20 39 from Oban arrives in Crianlarich at 21 48, giving a very acceptable connection into the sleeper at 22 09.

I maybe bring uncharitable, but 2 1/2hrs in Crianlarich is enough for most people at any time of day, let alone before the pub (singular) opens. The only place likely to serve you breakfast at that time is the Best Western.

A better option would be Highlander to Upper Tyndrum, a downhill stroll to the Real Food Cafe (opens for breakfast), and continue on down to Tyndrum Lower.

 

[D6130]

I maybe bring uncharitable, but 2 1/2hrs in Crianlarich is enough for most people at any time of day, let alone before the pub (singular) opens. The only place likely to serve you breakfast at that time is the Best Western.

Is Hendersons' refreshment room on Crianlarich station no longer operational?

 

[Bald Rick]

Is Hendersons' refreshment room on Crianlarich station no longer operational?

opens 0930.

 

[D6130]

opens 0930.

Oh dear! That's not great for the breakfast trade, is it? In my days on the WHL, they used to open much earlier than that and catered for locals and road travellers, as well as rail passengers.

 

[SandsofEss]

Remember that only trips that go wrong get remarked upon here, the vast majority happen absolutely fine and there's no reason to write about them. I've been using the service regularly since March and the worst that's happened is the destination being moved from Glasgow to Edinburgh twice which is a minor inconvenience at most.

I think this is a really important point, and worth repeating every so often for the benefit of anybody viewing the thread pondering a journey.

I took my family to Scotland this August on the sleeper, up to FTW, back from INV. Monitoring this thread filled me with trepidation, but our journey was very good.

On the day, I told my wife we were some of the lucky ones. But on reflection, I get the impression it's more accurate to say that we weren't some of the unlucky ones, who are relatively few in number. I'd skewed my perspective by only reading about bad journeys, when the majority run smoothly.

Don't get me wrong - I'd still swap it for the old Scotrail set-up in a heartbeat to get the £19 bargain berths back

 

[6Z09]

Is Hendersons' refreshment room on Crianlarich station no longer operational?

A very busy cafe in the days of the legendary Jock Henderson! A story done the rounds that having suffered a cut to his electric supply he soon had it sorted , but allegedly the Crianlarich station meter was spinning furiously as the Bacon rolls were being dispensed!!

 

[Walter Whigham]

Remember that only trips that go wrong get remarked upon here, the vast majority happen absolutely fine and there's no reason to write about them. I've been using the service regularly since March and the worst that's happened is the destination being moved from Glasgow to Edinburgh twice which is a minor inconvenience at most.

I regularly used to use the sleeper between Dunblane and Euston some years ago and before the separate company took over. Had I booked to travel on the much delayed service the other night, I would have had to kick my heels from midnight until 2.45am waiting for it. No sleeper lounge at Dunblane, waiting room locked out of use and only a hard, cold, metal seat to sit on in the open air - hardly an enticing prospect.

Given the the problems aired here over many months, I would not touch the Caledonian Sleepers with a bargepole. I shall content myself with using the excellent LNER day service between Stirling and Kings Cross.

 

[185143]

I regularly used to use the sleeper between Dunblane and Euston some years ago and before the separate company took over. Had I booked to travel on the much delayed service the other night, I would have had to kick my heels from midnight until 2.45am waiting for it. No sleeper lounge at Dunblane, waiting room locked out of use and only a hard, cold, metal seat to sit on in the open air - hardly an enticing prospect.

Given the the problems aired here over many months, I would not touch the Caledonian Sleepers with a bargepole. I shall content myself with using the excellent LNER day service between Stirling and Kings Cross.

Come on. Let's be realistic...

You missed "and then not even make it to London!" Off your list...

 

[Butts]

I regularly used to use the sleeper between Dunblane and Euston some years ago and before the separate company took over. Had I booked to travel on the much delayed service the other night, I would have had to kick my heels from midnight until 2.45am waiting for it. No sleeper lounge at Dunblane, waiting room locked out of use and only a hard, cold, metal seat to sit on in the open air - hardly an enticing prospect.

Given the the problems aired here over many months, I would not touch the Caledonian Sleepers with a bargepole. I shall content myself with using the excellent LNER day service between Stirling and Kings Cross.

Why not get a Train from Dunblane to Edinburgh Park, jump on the Tram and head to the Airport.

There you can board an Embraer E 190 that will whip you down to London City in as quickly as 45 Minutes.

Comfortable spacious seats, complimentary snack and Bar Service included.

Worth a try if you are disenchanted by the Sleeper ?

 

[AberdeenBill]

Euston to Aberdeen Friday night. Service only resumed this week:

'Due to late notification of staff sickness we have had to change the final part of your Sleeper journey on Saturday morning.

Your Sleeper service will depart at the scheduled time from London Euston (21:15) in the same rooms as booked. The train will arrive into Edinburgh Waverley at 04:00am and need to disembark at 04:15am. There is Scotrail Service to Aberdeen which departs Edinburgh Waverley at 0530, arriving in Aberdeen at 0813'

Disembark at 4:15am after a few Friday night beers after work and hang around until 05:30 in Waverley. Glad i wasn't on that one and hope they get compensation over and above their 30 odd minutes delay repay.

 

[Kite159]

Euston to Aberdeen Friday night. Service only resumed this week:

'Due to late notification of staff sickness we have had to change the final part of your Sleeper journey on Saturday morning.

Your Sleeper service will depart at the scheduled time from London Euston (21:15) in the same rooms as booked. The train will arrive into Edinburgh Waverley at 04:00am and need to disembark at 04:15am. There is Scotrail Service to Aberdeen which departs Edinburgh Waverley at 0530, arriving in Aberdeen at 0813'

Disembark at 4:15am after a few Friday night beers after work and hang around until 05:30 in Waverley. Glad i wasn't on that one and hope they get compensation over and above their 30 odd minutes delay repay.

Better than being thrown out at Edinburgh to get marched to a waiting coach for the onward run to Aberdeen & other stations

 

[XAM2175]

Better than being thrown out at Edinburgh to get marched to a waiting coach for the onward run to Aberdeen & other stations

That's very debatable given that they're being thrown out at Edinburgh and left to wait 75 minutes before "marching" themselves to the SR train.

I suspect that somebody who isn't as wedded to the notion of going by train as you are might see it differently.

 

[marks87]

I assume the Inverness portion couldn't accommodate any or all of the Aberdeen portion passengers, because anyone for Dundee and beyond would likely have preferred being carried to Perth (0540) to connect onto the 0600 to Inverurie.

 

[John Bishop]

Euston to Aberdeen Friday night. Service only resumed this week:

'Due to late notification of staff sickness we have had to change the final part of your Sleeper journey on Saturday morning.

Your Sleeper service will depart at the scheduled time from London Euston (21:15) in the same rooms as booked. The train will arrive into Edinburgh Waverley at 04:00am and need to disembark at 04:15am. There is Scotrail Service to Aberdeen which departs Edinburgh Waverley at 0530, arriving in Aberdeen at 0813'

Disembark at 4:15am after a few Friday night beers after work and hang around until 05:30 in Waverley. Glad i wasn't on that one and hope they get compensation over and above their 30 odd minutes delay repay.

The Southbound portion from Aberdeen was cancelled on Thursday night due lack of shunters at Waverley.

I agree that getting turfed out at 4am is terrible. I don’t think there’s any other compensation offered other than the delay pay.

 

[najaB]

Southbound portion from Aberdeen was cancelled on Thursday night due lack of shunters at Waverley.

How is only one portion cancelled due to a lack of shunters? I would've thought the same crew performed each join.

 

[Highlandspring]

How is only one portion cancelled due to a lack of shunters? I would've thought the same crew performed each join.

They usually have two shunters on overnight at the Waverley but one of the regulars recently died. Not sure why it should cause just one portion out of the three to be cancelled but that was indeed the reason given. Raising and lowering the Dellner coulpings on the locos is a two person lift and normally one deals with the Fort William day coaches while the other carries on with the join/split. However it does seem a bit strange to just bin off the Aberdeen portion because it wouldn’t be saving much effort.

 

[6Z09]

The Southbound portion from Aberdeen was cancelled on Thursday night due lack of shunters at Waverley.

I agree that getting turfed out at 4am is terrible. I don’t think there’s any other compensation offered other than the delay pay.

Thursday night ?
All three portions ran both north and south Thursday night/Friday morning.

 

[Darandio]

Presumably they mean Friday night? Fairly sure the Aberdeen portion was cancelled.

 

[Highlandspring]

Thursday night ?
All three portions ran both north and south Thursday night/Friday morning.

It was Friday night, the 10th. The loco did actually run light to/from Craigentinny (presumably for exam)

 

[John Bishop]

Thursday night ?
All three portions ran both north and south Thursday night/Friday morning.

Apologies should have read Friday night.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The Southbound portion from Aberdeen was cancelled on Thursday night due lack of shunters at Waverley.

I agree that getting turfed out at 4am is terrible. I don’t think there’s any other compensation offered other than the delay pay.

If in the seats it's probably fair game, after all you have to do it to go to FW. In a room I would expect a substantial discount for loss of utility and an offer of a full refund if deciding not to travel as a result.

 

[800001]

If in the seats it's probably fair game, after all you have to do it to go to FW. In a room I would expect a substantial discount for loss of utility and an offer of a full refund if deciding not to travel as a result.

I got 33% refunded last week, for my toilet and shower not working, I would be expecting more If I was turfed out in the early hours

 

[Unstoppable]

Latest Update:
CSL2 update 06:27 Summary of Incident 1A25 04:39 Edinburgh to Aberdeen reports that the loco is on fire and the driver is unable to to get to the area that is affected. Fire services on site and have been granted a line blockage. Staff Attending/Update Fire services on site. Police on site. Ambulance on site. Alternative Buses Requested/In place Buses have been requested to run a shuttle between Dundee and Kirckaldy and will be confirmed below when ARR have recruited. Ticket Acceptance In place with Stagecoach East between Dundee and Inverkeithing and around the fife circle. Customer Care Please allow customers with valid tickets to travel via any reasonable route

 

[Steddenm]

Latest Update:
CSL2 update 06:27 Summary of Incident 1A25 04:39 Edinburgh to Aberdeen reports that the loco is on fire and the driver is unable to to get to the area that is affected. Fire services on site and have been granted a line blockage. Staff Attending/Update Fire services on site. Police on site. Ambulance on site. Alternative Buses Requested/In place Buses have been requested to run a shuttle between Dundee and Kirckaldy and will be confirmed below when ARR have recruited. Ticket Acceptance In place with Stagecoach East between Dundee and Inverkeithing and around the fife circle. Customer Care Please allow customers with valid tickets to travel via any reasonable route

The affected train seems to be near Cupar. No reports since 0533 on RTT: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C83828/2021-09-15/detailed#allox_id=0

Hopefully the driver has managed to evacuate the train and passengers and crew are safe.

EDIT:

ScotRail have tweeted:

https://twitter.com/ScotRail/status/1438004607540764676?s=19

NEW: The emergency services are dealing with an incident between Ladybank and Dundee. At the moment, no trains are able to run at all through the area.

This will affect all services between Edinburgh, Dundee, Arbroath and Aberdeen. I'll keep you updated. ^Angus https://t.co/ej3Fs4JtyJ

 

[trebor79]

I spotted 2 GBRf 73's in Peterborough Eastfield yard yesterday (dinky little things aren't they?!). I didn't get the numbers but wondered what they were doing there. Could they be CS locos on their way to/from works attention?

 

[43 302]

Latest Update:
CSL2 update 06:27 Summary of Incident 1A25 04:39 Edinburgh to Aberdeen reports that the loco is on fire and the driver is unable to to get to the area that is affected. Fire services on site and have been granted a line blockage. Staff Attending/Update Fire services on site. Police on site. Ambulance on site. Alternative Buses Requested/In place Buses have been requested to run a shuttle between Dundee and Kirckaldy and will be confirmed below when ARR have recruited. Ticket Acceptance In place with Stagecoach East between Dundee and Inverkeithing and around the fife circle. Customer Care Please allow customers with valid tickets to travel via any reasonable route

That's what they get for using two 73s!

I spotted 2 GBRf 73's in Peterborough Eastfield yard yesterday (dinky little things aren't they?!). I didn't get the numbers but wondered what they were doing there. Could they be CS locos on their way to/from works attention?

No. The GBRf liveried ones (73961-965) are different from the CS liveried ones (73966-971).