Johnuk123
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I have been on every sleeper countless times and only once can I remember a toilet that was a bit iffy, they are usually what you would expect from a public toilet.
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Caledonian Sleeper discussion
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trainophile
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Makes note to pack some Cif or disinfectant 
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trainophile
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On the photos I saw online they appear to be marked with Male and Female symbols, so that renders it only one toilet per gender really. I was wondering whether if you go in the middle of the night and "yours" is occupied, would you pop into the other one if you are only going to be quick?
Can't say I've ever noticed a gender split for the sleeper toilets.
There is but the sign is only about 2 inches tall and very subtle.
In my experience, practically non-existant! There is 3G at least (can't recall if we had 4G) in and around Fort William, but aside from that, I had GPRS or nothing on Vodafone all the way from there until we got to the Helensburgh area.
EbbwJunction1
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Slightly off-topic, but I notice that Andrew Martin has written a book on Sleeper Trains.
It's called "Night Trains - The Rise and Fall of the Sleeper". I don't know what it's like, but it's on my "to read" list.
It's called "Night Trains - The Rise and Fall of the Sleeper". I don't know what it's like, but it's on my "to read" list.
paul1609
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EE has the best coverage but not good enough to stream to the sleeper. No network has coverage across Rannoch Moor.
trainophile
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Thanks for the replies re. mobile coverage. I have phones on both 3 and BT (which uses EE's network), so will just have to hope for the best. I could read a book! Or when it gets light in the morning I will be at a window somewhere.
BestWestern
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Hopefully the GMSR does!
Very definitely male and female toilets, with the exception of the disabled access loo. Not sure why though, really. It seems rather pointless!
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I believe that next generation RETB means that GSM-R isn't being rolled out in that part of the world. Happy to be corrected though.
That's what I was under the impression of too.
I was referring to the Talgos having the 3 types of accommodation, rather than the new CS trains.
Does anyone know why there are no couchettes?
The Europeans have them and they're *much* cheaper than the sleeper berths that the Caledonian offers. If I already have to sleeper with one random stranger, why not share with 5 others and drastically reduce the cost in the process?
The Europeans have them and they're *much* cheaper than the sleeper berths that the Caledonian offers. If I already have to sleeper with one random stranger, why not share with 5 others and drastically reduce the cost in the process?
paul1609
Established Member
Be aware that it gets lighter much later up here at this time of year (about 30 mins after London) the sleeper will be at Upper Tyndrum for sunrise tomorrow.
3 has coverage up to around Garelochead, then from just after Arocher and Tarbet till just after Crianlarich, patch around Tyndrum and then Spean Bridge to Fort William but your looking at mostly 1 or 2 bars not strong enough to stream.
EE is the same but holds out to just after Bridge of Orcy after Crianlarich but often on 2G. It starts earlier at Roybridge on the run in to Fort william
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Also to some degree, you're safer with a larger group of strangers. The opposite, of course, is also true: you can also be in more danger.
NotATrainspott
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Can you fit that third bunk in? Berne-gauge sleeper carriages will have more headroom, meaning that a third bunk can fit. If you can't fit in three bunks in a UK carriage, then there's little point going for a couchette design rather than a more profitable bunk bed in cabin.
Makes sense, but then why not 4-person couchettes? They're still cheaper than the equivalent double sleeper, at least in Europe.
I like to believe/hope that the point of the railways is first-and-foremost to move people as cheaply and efficiently as possible, rather than line act as a cash-cow for ATOC's members.
Blindtraveler
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Whilst I share your viewpoint on this I fear the Scottish Govd sees the Caly as yet another wripoff tourists attraction and not a way of providing a convenient means of traveling the huge distances to/from Scotland at a time that might for many lower budget visiters and a large number of businesspeoplebe otherwise largely unproductive.
NotATrainspott
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Because the railway simply cannot compete on cost with the alternatives. If you want cheap, your best bet is to use one of the sleeper coach services or a daytime budget airline or advance ticket. Cost-sensitive travellers care about cost above all else and even the cheapest sleeper service ticket would still cost more than one of these buses. It's like how there are no budget ocean liner services crossing the Atlantic any more - they simply can't compete on price with the alternatives.
The sleeper loses money hand over first already and requires considerable government subsidy. As there are only a handful of services a day though this subsidy is small compared to the rest of government spending on railway services. A major reason for the sleeper to be split out into its own franchise is that a specialised operator would be in the best position to invest and improve the long-term prospects for the service as the lowland sleeper makes less and less economic sense every time journey times are cut on London-Scotland routes.
berneyarms
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Personally I wouldn't be in the least bit worried about mobile phone coverage - I'd just sit back and enjoy the morning view!
DelW
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In my experience even normal broadcast radio is patchy at best. Leaving Oban to drive to Glasgow via Crianlarich a few years ago, each radio station I was listening to faded away until I was left only with a very flaky Radio 4 on long wave. I doubt if it's improved much since.
paul1609
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Absolutely I live on the Kent/ East Sussex Border and work near Garelochead station 4 days a week, as a rail enthusiast Id love to be able to commute on the sleeper but the cheapest return with a single cabin is now £350. I have a railcard which knocks that down to about £240 depending on advance availability. Im flying home tonight from Glasgow Airport with British Airways and then hiring a Corsa for 4 days. Combined Return flight and hire car (booked 8 days ago)comes in at £127 say plus £15 for fuel for the weekend. I haven't paid more than £150 any weekend this year. I travel probably 3 weekends per month. The sleeper is just unaffordable for me
paul1609
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Sadly at this time of year it won't be properly light until Rannoch Moor and the chances are you'll be looking out in to mist or rain even when it does get light.
If your going for the scenery at this time of year your better off getting the lowland to Glasgow and then the 8.21 from Queen Street.
trainophile
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I was thinking of the evening really. As I'm going alone I won't want to sit in the lounge for hours, so will retire to my sleeping pod quite soon after departure from London.
I have Kindle books on my phone, and will pick up a newspaper somewhere, so not too worried, but I do like a bit of radio when I get up in the morning.
berneyarms
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Well as posted above that could be a bit tricky!!
MylesHSG
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Absolutely I live on the Kent/ East Sussex Border and work near Garelochead station 4 days a week, as a rail enthusiast Id love to be able to commute on the sleeper but the cheapest return with a single cabin is now £350. I have a railcard which knocks that down to about £240 depending on advance availability. Im flying home tonight from Glasgow Airport with British Airways and then hiring a Corsa for 4 days. Combined Return flight and hire car (booked 8 days ago)comes in at £127 say plus £15 for fuel for the weekend. I haven't paid more than £150 any weekend this year. I travel probably 3 weekends per month. The sleeper is just unaffordable for me
You live 500 miles from where you work?
paul1609
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According to railmiles its only 493m 41 chains from Gareloachead to Appledore(Kent) but yes!
theironroad
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If you are in Scotland four days a week, then I say that you live in Scotland and spend weekends in Kent.
I'm guessing he or she is in the military and posted to one of the facilities around garelochhead.
That's my guess too, though we better not ask too much or we might have to be killed.
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