Caledonian Sleeper

[doc7austin]

In the trip planning forum I have added some current photos of the Caledonian Sleeper journey from London Euston to Fort William:

Photos of Caledonian Sleeper Train London Euston - Fort William

Hi, this is basically a photo collection about the Caledonian Sleeper Train London Euston - Fort William. London Euston: Euston Guest Lounge on platform 1, accessible for Caledonian Double and Club Room passengers. Our trainset to Inverness, Aberdeen, and Fort William:

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[tynesider]

I would guess that the answer is either way around, but is there any consistency with how the seated coach on the Fort William portion of the sleeper is oriented in the formation?

I believe it's always the southernmost vehicle, but for arguments sake is Seat 1 / the toilet always at the end of the rake, or attached to the next vehicle - Or could it be either way around?

TIA!

 

[Lee_Again]

Any reason why the Double rooms are not available to Fort William for any Tuesday until mid-April? The service is running as other rooms available.
Sorry if already asked.

 

[Caleb2010]

I’d try contacting CS, it’s possible there’s a problem with the system- they may know about it, or be able to tell you why!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It's equally possible that all the double rooms have already been booked...?

Unlikely, I'd agree, if it's every single night for ten months...

 

[Lee_Again]

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jun 2024 ==

Given the many comments about the cost of these rooms, there's very few available until October... suggest the price is about right !!! The grids show the missing Tuesdays until April 2025.

 

[alistairlees]

Thanks we will take a look at the oddity of the Tuesdays shortly

 

[Devils Advocat]

Is it the same price each way ? Paid £500 for mine FW-EUS 30.7.24

 

[alistairlees]

Is it the same price each way ? Paid £500 for mine FW-EUS 30.7.24

It is

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Just the way it has worked out for me, and going back to pre MK5 days, I have always found the return EUS - GLC was slightly more expensive than the outward GLC - EUS. Of course, it’s uphill in that direction so that would explain it.

More seriously, for a booking I made recently, a Classic Twin room was nearly as expensive as a Club Twin room on the EUS - GLC return so I just upgraded on the return journey for not that much more.

 

[Bald Rick]

Just the way it has worked out for me, and going back to pre MK5 days, I have always found the return EUS - GLC was slightly more expensive than the outward GLC - EUS. Of course, it’s uphill in that direction so that would explain it.

Of course, strictly speaking, Euston to Glasgow Central is uphill (on average).

 

[alistairlees]

It’s the same price for doubles in each direction as there’s only one price level. Club, classic and seats all have multiple price levels.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jun 2024 ==

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== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jun 2024 ==

Given the many comments about the cost of these rooms, there's very few available until October... suggest the price is about right !!! The grids show the missing Tuesdays until April 2025.

There are no doubles on Tuesdays northbound as there is no PRM vehicle (which contains the doubles).

 

[BRX]

there’s only one price level. Club, classic and seats all have multiple price levels.

That seems strange - given the limited number available (and the fact that they seem to be sold out months in advance) you'd think they'd be ideal for demand based pricing. As they are very clearly a luxury option no one could really complain about the maximum revenue possible being wrung out of them.

 

[Lee_Again]

It’s the same price for doubles in each direction as there’s only one price level. Club, classic and seats all have multiple price levels.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Jun 2024 ==


There are no doubles on Tuesdays northbound as there is no PRM vehicle (which contains the doubles).

Thank you for making the effort to find out.. and passing on the details. Does this mean the sets are marshaled regularly? I know they are not 'fixed formation' but I'd presumed they remained together for as long as possible, if only to cut down on the inconvenience.

 

[Caleb2010]

And presumably Wednesday southbound!
But, where does the redundant PRM coach go to? Is that the night there are 2 on one of the lowland portions?

 

[Bill57p9]

There are 2 PRM coaches in a "full" Glasgow consist: the lowlander and highlander swap at London each day (if you see what I mean).

The additional PRM is included in the Glasgow rather than Edinburgh portion because it slightly reduces the capacity and there is greater demand for Edinburgh than Glasgow.

 

[Caleb2010]

Yes, I get that, but - where does the PRM coach that normally would work to Fort William go to on a Tuesday as, theoretically it’s come down from Glasgow/Edinburgh the night before!

So three PRM coaches go to London on a Monday night (2 Glasgow 1 Edinburgh!) the following night there’s 1 on the Inverness portion and 1 on the Aberdeen portion, if it doesn’t work to Fort William- where does the other one go??

 

[Scotrail84]

Yes, I get that, but - where does the PRM coach that normally would work to Fort William go to on a Tuesday as, theoretically it’s come down from Glasgow/Edinburgh the night before!

So three PRM coaches go to London on a Monday night (2 Glasgow 1 Edinburgh!) the following night there’s 1 on the Inverness portion and 1 on the Aberdeen portion, if it doesn’t work to Fort William- where does the other one go??

Sets only swap in London on a Monday and Friday just now due to capacity issues with coaches being out of service, this ensure that the Highlander always has 16 vehs leaving London on a Friday night.

 

[BRX]

Might get into trouble for being off topic ... but test run of the Night Riviera into Euston tomorrow, apparently!

Realtime Trains | 5Z40 1107 Reading Traincare Depot to London Euston | 30/06/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Z40 1107 departure from Reading Traincare Depot to London Euston on 30/06/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Is this the first time mk 3 sleepers have been into Euston since their final run on the CS?

 

[Krokodil]

Is this the first time mk 3 sleepers have been into Euston since their final run on the CS?

Royal train? Isn't there at least one Mk3 Sleeper for staff accommodation?

 

[Boodiggy]

Might get into trouble for being off topic ... but test run of the Night Riviera into Euston tomorrow, apparently!

Realtime Trains | 5Z40 1107 Reading Traincare Depot to London Euston | 30/06/2024

Real-time train running information for 5Z40 1107 departure from Reading Traincare Depot to London Euston on 30/06/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Is this the first time mk 3 sleepers have been into Euston since their final run on the CS?

In there now. This is for the December possessions on Western - same as GWR 80X tests in to Euston.

The 90 on the front is the supply the coaches while the 57s are not running (keeping emissions down)…

 

[andyedinburgh]

Accessing club car from Fort William

My son and I have a classic twin in a couple of days time from FW to Euston, although we're actually staying in Roybridge

Is it possible to catch the train from Roybridge or will they assume we have missed it and given our berths away by then?

Also, any tactics to get a seat in the club car to see the views on the way down? I understand it's quite popular and priority is given to club ticket holders.

 

[JonathanH]

Is it possible to catch the train from Roybridge or will they assume we have missed it and given our berths away by then?

Probably best to speak to Customer Services in the first instance and arrange a switch.

 

[tram21]

Isn't Roy Bridge also a request stop, and while you can flag it down its better to arrange a stop?

 

[northscots]

Accessing club car from Fort William

My son and I have a classic twin in a couple of days time from FW to Euston, although we're actually staying in Roybridge

Is it possible to catch the train from Roybridge or will they assume we have missed it and given our berths away by then?

Also, any tactics to get a seat in the club car to see the views on the way down? I understand it's quite popular and priority is given to club ticket holders.

They won't stop if nobody is booked to board at a station.

 

[tram21]

They won't stop if nobody is booked to board at a station.

As you can use the Caledonian Sleeper as a 'regular' train to Glasgow along the West Highland line, you can hail it down can you not? It's in place of a Scotrail, and normal fares are valid.

 

[BRX]

As you can use the Caledonian Sleeper as a 'regular' train to Glasgow along the West Highland line, you can hail it down can you not? It's in place of a Scotrail, and normal fares are valid.

While that was my understanding ... I note that the CS in not shown at all on the current Scotrail timetable.

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/media/29411/download?inline

It certainly used to be.

 

[Steve Harris]

Plus I've seen in mentioned on this very thread that CS had made it more difficult to travel on a scotrail ticket on the service by making it difficult to reserve a seat on the service.

So I won't be so sure that it's an easy service to just flag down and catch. As JonathanH said I think a call to CS customer service would be a good idea to be on the safe side.

 

[skifans]

Accessing club car from Fort William

My son and I have a classic twin in a couple of days time from FW to Euston, although we're actually staying in Roybridge

Is it possible to catch the train from Roybridge or will they assume we have missed it and given our berths away by then?

Also, any tactics to get a seat in the club car to see the views on the way down? I understand it's quite popular and priority is given to club ticket holders.

Just echoing the other comments about contacting customer services - I few times I have done this and they have always made a note without any fuss for the train staff. At least that's my experience with the live chat. Both when bordering earlier and later than originally booked.

 

[tram21]

While that was my understanding ... I note that the CS in not shown at all on the current Scotrail timetable.

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/media/29411/download?inline

It certainly used to be.

Plus I've seen in mentioned on this very thread that CS had made it more difficult to travel on a scotrail ticket on the service by making it difficult to reserve a seat on the service.

So I won't be so sure that it's an easy service to just flag down and catch. As JonathanH said I think a call to CS customer service would be a good idea to be on the safe side.

Ah interesting. When I rode in January someone bought a ticket at the office at Fort William and requested and rode to Roy Bridge (I know this because the driver gave me an impromptu cab ride, but we won't focus on that!).

I presume that's only because there was space on the train. If you get on at the Terminus without a prebooked ticket, it's probably easier to speak to staff to easily arrange a 'ride' whereas at intermediate stations it's more difficult.