Caledonian Sleeper

[Essexman]

Hey guys, all this talk of splitting off bits of threads of the CS thread would remove its great attraction. The fact that it wanders around all over the place , interspersed with the relay of performance failures and successes , intermingled with intense discussions ( some might say disagreement) around the important topics as pillows, hot water, riviera comparisons and often banal trivia is the complete tonic after a day of Teams meetings!
I recall the original thread was stopped through excessive diversification but reborn by Essexman and I vote to keep this thread and encourage the continuation of the CS themed diversification. Long may it last

I agree. It’s the most interesting thread on the forum and popular as always on the top page.
Leave it as it is please.

 

[nuts & bolts]

Ooo, yes that would be helpful (for me at least)

Same here for a regular user to Inverness!

 

[cadder toad]

This is a great thread, don'tdivide it up. Sometimes I skip thru parts, but I always visit if there's something new. We make a point of travelling on the sleeper when we can just because of this thread!

 

[Peter Sarf]

Any chance this thread could be split into one for service updates and one for changes to the routes/stock/operation?

I think the two subject areas are too connected. OK the service QUALITY failure reports could be listed separately from what is meant to be happening. But then some failures (like a cancellation) will affect the service the next day.

One would have lots of contributors, and the other would generally have one!

Indeed. I think if it was possible to keep the two threads separate then one would be for reports of actual service plans long term and not short term alterations. That thread would then get closed due to so little to report.

TBH I am getting weary of the day to day minutiae of the faults. Most of it done to death. But I could always unsubscribe if it bothered me too much as there is not much else going on for me.

The most useful thing in my opinion is peoples' info on the best use of the CS. As in what start and end stations to use for walks etc. Also how to get to use (experience) the Caledonian Sleeper on the cheap (because the CS for me is rather too expensive even though I strongly believe in sleepers in cheaper countries). Right down to how to stop a door rattling.
That's a third thread ?.

 

[Essexman]

Right down to how to stop a door rattling.

A sock.

 

[Scotrail84]

I think the two subject areas are too connected. OK the service QUALITY failure reports could be listed separately from what is meant to be happening. But then some failures (like a cancellation) will affect the service the next day.

Indeed. I think if it was possible to keep the two threads separate then one would be for reports of actual service plans long term and not short term alterations. That thread would then get closed due to so little to report.

TBH I am getting weary of the day to day minutiae of the faults. Most of it done to death. But I could always unsubscribe if it bothered me too much as there is not much else going on for me.

The most useful thing in my opinion is peoples' info on the best use of the CS. As in what start and end stations to use for walks etc. Also how to get to use (experience) the Caledonian Sleeper on the cheap (because the CS for me is rather too expensive even though I strongly believe in sleepers in cheaper countries). Right down to how to stop a door rattling.
That's a third thread ?.

The only long term plan was Birmingham International which was first muted over 3 years ago but nothing has happened since and its not likely to since you can still book from up to a year in advance on all services. (madness).

Short term plans will be that if they lose anymore coaches to cracking, particularly a seated coach (currently at 10 or 11 sleeper vehicles out of traffic because of this), then that will result in the cancellation of at least one service on a temporary basis until a suitable fix is found. They are running about with rakes of 13 or 14 coaches just now. Just wait until the Easter Holidays start. There will be cancelled bookings galore if things don't improve.

 

[styles]

The only long term plan was Birmingham International which was first muted over 3 years ago but nothing has happened since and its not likely to since you can still book from up to a year in advance on all services. (madness).

What makes you say it's madness being able to book a sleeper service 12 months in advance?

I find it really useful.

 

[Scotrail84]

What makes you say it's madness being able to book a sleeper service 12 months in advance?

I find it really useful.

Because things like engineering works and diversions are not taken into account that far in advance. Their fleet is currently well short of being fully available and theres no way they can guarantee the service will run, your booking could easily be cancelled.

 

[greatkingrat]

Because things like engineering works and diversions are not taken into account that far in advance. Their fleet is currently well short of being fully available and theres no way they can guarantee the service will run, your booking could easily be cancelled.

By that logic they shouldn't be taking bookings for next month either?

 

[Scotrail84]

By that logic they shouldn't be taking bookings for next month either?

They should, but they should alter the availability accordingly so they don't overbook the train and leave themselves in the Eartha Kitt. They should also advise passengers that book 6-12 months in advance that engineering works could result in alterations to their bookings.

 

[Peter Sarf]

The only long term plan was Birmingham International which was first muted over 3 years ago but nothing has happened since and its not likely to since you can still book from up to a year in advance on all services. (madness).

Short term plans will be that if they lose anymore coaches to cracking, particularly a seated coach (currently at 10 or 11 sleeper vehicles out of traffic because of this), then that will result in the cancellation of at least one service on a temporary basis until a suitable fix is found. They are running about with rakes of 13 or 14 coaches just now. Just wait until the Easter Holidays start. There will be cancelled bookings galore if things don't improve.

Not really madness. There will be long haul tourists who are planning a trip to the UK who will want all their bookings done way before their actual visit. That will include the Caledonian Sleeper. I used to get cracking (no pun intended) on booking the components of my annual big holiday (three to four weeks) about a year before. Basically after my last long trip was completed.

Also I doubt a Birmingham call will happen if the sleeper is regularly fully booked. The only reason to include a Birmingham stop would be if it attracted a more lucrative market so CS could drop another call. It might make operations easier if there were no calls further North all the way to the Central Lowlands of Scotland. But I am going over previous discussions there. Expansion of the Caledonian Sleeper fleet seems extremely unlikely. Basically CS are not casting about looking for more "guests" is my guess.

I wonder if CS are concentrating on getting more coaches sorted before demand rises for the better seasons. It would make sense that CS would want to get more work done on their rolling stock in the winter.

Things are always going to be tight regarding the Caledonian sleeper as it has marginal viability. It gets a huge subsidy.

They should, but they should alter the availability accordingly so they don't overbook the train and leave themselves in the Eartha Kitt. They should also advise passengers that book 6-12 months in advance that engineering works could result in alterations to their bookings.

I would generally assume that the further ahead anything I book is then it is more at risk from the unexpected. For me any subsequent problem would invoke the purpose of holiday insurance. But that part of my holiday cannot be insured UNLESS I have actually been able to make the booking AND have made the booking. So need to be able to book a long way ahead.

Any warnings are probably already mentioned in the small print everyone has no time to read. I recall looking at my air travel booking that used to have plenty of small print.

Something subsequently going wrong with the sleeper is akin to :-
1) A fault on the plane (happened to me on a 12 hour flight, waited in the plane for six hours so eighteen hours in a seat).
2) The planned airport being closed due to ice or fog,
3) A no fly zone due to a volcanic dust cloud covering your region of choice (volcano in Iceland affecting Northern and central Europe)
4) A certain type of aircraft being grounded due to - say cracking !.

 

[paninaro]

To me, booking the Sleeper is analogous to booking a flight (many months ahead). And airlines *love* to cancel and move my booking all around

 

[SWFreight]

If we're splitting the threads, best do it into three. The third one being for discussion on how to split the threads.

 

[Peter Sarf]

If we're splitting the threads, best do it into three. The third one being for discussion on how to split the threads.

Hmm, maybe or maybe not. I know how about a thread to discuss your idea .

 

[Egg Centric]

Another vote for please don't split the thread. This one's great fun to lurk on partly cause of its recurring cast of characters and I think that mix would be ruined by splitting in two. You don't try to have battered haddock without chips do you?

 

[henryb]

What happened with the emergency track work causing 1 hour delay to Inverness sleeper

 

[Scotrail84]

What happened with the emergency track work causing 1 hour delay to Inverness sleeper

I'll hazard a guess at it being a possession overrun. In any case, its a full refund for everyone on the Inverness portion as it was 62 late in arriving and 50% for those on the Aberdeen as that was 55 late.

 

[alistairlees]

I'll hazard a guess at it being a possession overrun. In any case, its a full refund for everyone on the Inverness portion as it was 62 late in arriving and 50% for those on the Aberdeen as that was 55 late.

No "refunds". Compensation.

 

[Scotrail84]

No "refunds". Compensation.

It's a 'refund'. Caledonian Sleeper even use this term. https://x.com/CalSleeper/status/1874114408441409687

 

[alistairlees]

It's a 'refund'. Caledonian Sleeper even use this term. https://x.com/CalSleeper/status/1874114408441409687

If the arrival is late then it's Delay Repay Compensation. It would be good to keep things accurate on here, rather than propagate errors which - as you can see - are also (unfortunately) propagated by TOC staff sometimes.

 

[diy_dude]

Email just received from Caledonian Sleeper - Caledonian Sleeper lounges at Leuchars, Dundee and Perth station are closing permanently this week.
---
Dear Sleeper Guest,

Why are we contacting you?
We can see from our records that you have upcoming bookings for Caledonian Sleeper to or from Leuchars, Dundee or Perth station.  We are writing to confirm that from 21st February 2025, our Caledonian Sleeper lounges at these stations will be closed permanently.

Why are we doing this?
These lounges are used by a very small number of guests, compared to our other lounge locations. Therefore, as part of a review of our lounges, we have taken the decision, in conjunction with Scottish Rail Holdings and Transport Scotland, to close them.  We apologise for any inconvenience to guests who use the lounges in these locations, however we want to reassure you that we will continue to operate Caledonian Sleeper services to and from Dundee, Perth and Leuchars. Only the lounges at these locations are affected.

Are there other waiting and toilet facilities available at Leuchars, Perth and Dundee stations?
Yes, public waiting and toilet facilities are available at these stations. In addition, guests in Caledonian Double and Club accommodation, and guests with accessibility needs departing/arriving in London will be able to take advantage of the Caledonian Sleeper Lounge located alongside Platform 1 in Euston station. This includes refreshments and accessible shower facilities. For details of available facilities at Leuchars, Dundee or Perth station please see here Stations and facilities | ScotRail.

What if you need to ask a question about my journey on the night?
Should there be any enquiries about the service on the night of travel our guest services team is available via live chat or social media throughout the night. Our team will also send text message updates should there be any change to the service.

Where can you get further information?
You can contact us on live chat at https://www.sleeper.scot/contact-us if you have any questions about the closure of our lounges.  Guest ambassadors are available from 12pm on Sundays until 4pm on Saturdays.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to welcoming you onboard in future.

Kind regards
Stacey Fleming
Guest Experience Director
Caledonian Sleeper
www.caledoniansleeper.scot

 

[Essexman]

Email just received from Caledonian Sleeper - Caledonian Sleeper lounges at Leuchars, Dundee and Perth station are closing permanently this week.
---

Good decision I think.
I use Dundee once and there was only one other customer.

 

[marks87]

I guess it's no coincidence that Dundee, Perth and Leuchars are the only intermediate lounges, with all others being at termini.

I would imagine departure and arrival times at those locations are such that people are less willing to arrive (super) early when departing, and prefer to just leave and get where they need to be when arriving.

 

[side effect]

Popped in the Dundee lounge after watching Dundee v Hearts with my son just to say hello and that we were travelling from the sleeper from Inverness tomorrow. We spent a few nights in Perth and got the sleeper back from Inverness. Lovely times.
Going from Perth to Inverness the ticket lady gave my son some goodies and fell on my lap as the train jolted forward abruptly.

 

[PG]

Caledonian Sleeper lounges at Leuchars, Dundee and Perth station are closing permanently this week.

So what happens to the redundant lounges? Is there anything preventing them from being used as ordinary waiting rooms?

 

[marks87]

So what happens to the redundant lounges? Is there anything preventing them from being used as ordinary waiting rooms?

The Dundee lounge used to be a normal waiting room, next to the bay platforms. But it was a drab, soulless place* that was hardly ever used.

However, if they can return it to use as a waiting room in its refurbished state, I suspect it might get more patronage, especially from those travelling first class on LNER.


*<Insert joke about Dundee in general here>

 

[GordonT]

Going from Perth to Inverness the ticket lady gave my son some goodies and fell on my lap as the train jolted forward abruptly.

<Insert joke about "well worth the ticket price on its own">

 

[side effect]

<Insert joke about "well worth the ticket price on its own">

It was the fold down seat where you get on.

 

[johnr57]

Location not important, ….. difficult to put what I want to get across here without moderation influence.

 

[D6130]

Popped in the Dundee lounge after watching Dundee v Hearts with my son just to say hello and that we were travelling from the sleeper from Inverness tomorrow. We spent a few nights in Perth and got the sleeper back from Inverness. Lovely times.
Going from Perth to Inverness the ticket lady gave my son some goodies and fell on my lap as the train jolted forward abruptly.

Were the goodies which she gave your son worth the major inconvenience of having the ticket lady fall on your lap?