Caledonian Sleeper discussion

Far north 37 · 11 Sep 2018

TimboM said:
I believe the plan is 67015 (EC Thunderbird) is being released by LNER to work 1S25 north. 67022 (which was at Crewe IEMD) is then heading north tonight (possibly on 6X77?) to take over from 67015.

Thanks for the info tim i thought 67015 would most likely be next in line to work the northbound.
In all fairness 67016 has been a pretty solid performer on the inverness portion for most of this year.

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Scotrail84 · 14 Sep 2018

5S95 should be coming in top and tailed this evening to save time.

Scotrail84 · 14 Sep 2018

TimboM said:
I believe the plan is 67015 (EC Thunderbird) is being released by LNER to work 1S25 north. 67022 (which was at Crewe IEMD) is then heading north tonight (possibly on 6X77?) to take over from 67015.

015 was still on it as of Thursday night.

InOban · 14 Sep 2018

There was an excursion in Oban today double headed by 73s, so I assume that the Aberdeen portion last night/tonight used/will be using alternative power.

TimboM · 14 Sep 2018

InOban said:
There was an excursion in Oban today double headed by 73s, so I assume that the Aberdeen portion last night/tonight used/will be using alternative power.

Why would it need something else?

2x 73/9 on the Royal Scotsman to Oban (966/967)
1x 73/9 on Aberdeen (970)
1x 73/9 on FTW (971 - piloted by 66738 on 1B01 last night as a positioning move for 66738, but solo on 1Y11 this morning)

968 at Brush
969 receiving attention at Craigentinny

67015 on the Inverness portion.

TimboM · 14 Sep 2018

Scotrail84 said:
5S95 should be coming in top and tailed this evening to save time.

No T'n'T in the end.
92 028 on the front, tail lamp on the back...

0S25 (1S25 engine) appears to have run in light engine an hour ago and currently in the middle/engine siding by P15.

Scotrail84 · 14 Sep 2018

U

TimboM said:
No T'n'T in the end.
92 028 on the front, tail lamp on the back...

0S25 (1S25 engine) appears to have run in light engine an hour ago and currently in the middle/engine siding by P15.

92 033 has the honours.

steve2525 · 15 Sep 2018

I am planning to travel from Upper Tyndrum to Mallaig early Oct and would like to get the morning sleeper to FW. Are there usually seats available in the day coach at 8:00am?

ScotRail booking site only allows me to buy a UT to FW Open return - with (compulsory) seat reservation not UT to Maillaig, I assume this is a peak service and you can’t buy tickets on the train or on arrival at FW?

BRX · 15 Sep 2018

You should be fine for seats and in practice the compulsory reservations are not enforced. I think the reason the journey planner won't sell you a ticket through to mallaig is that the first train to mallaig after the sleeper arrives is the same one that forms from the day train from glasgow that arrives after the sleeper. So it assumes you don't want to get an earlier train from UT than you need to. You may be able to force it by choosing an extra-long time to change trains at fort william?

steve2525 · 15 Sep 2018

BRX said:
You should be fine for seats and in practice the compulsory reservations are not enforced. I think the reason the journey planner won't sell you a ticket through to mallaig is that the first train to mallaig after the sleeper arrives is the same one that forms from the day train from glasgow that arrives after the sleeper. So it assumes you don't want to get an earlier train from UT than you need to. You may be able to force it by choosing an extra-long time to change trains at fort william?

Thanks for the confirmation

GrimShady · 16 Sep 2018

When the new stock comes into service, what will be the Edinburgh - Ft William formation?

Will there be both seated and lounge coach in the formation?

Also will the lounge be open to all ticket types this time and not dependent on first class loadings?

TimboM · 16 Sep 2018

GrimShady said:
When the new stock comes into service, what will be the Edinburgh - Ft William formation?

Will there be both seated and lounge coach in the formation?

Also will the lounge be open to all ticket types this time and not dependent on first class loadings?

In short it’ll be the same as it is now.

Seats + lounge (club car) “day coaches” added / removed at Edinburgh.

And:

Priority access to our Club Car is given to guests booked in Club or Caledonian Double accommodation. If there is no space available, guests in Classic rooms are welcome to take a drink or meal back to your accommodation.

GrimShady · 16 Sep 2018

TimboM said:
In short it’ll be the same as it is now.

Seats + lounge (club car) “day coaches” added / removed at Edinburgh.

And:

Thanks for the info!

Any word on catering/menu improvements or will it be microwave meals again?

BRX · 16 Sep 2018

GrimShady said:
Thanks for the info!

Any word on catering/menu improvements or will it be microwave meals again?

I think I saw that there might be a 'real' coffee machine

GrimShady · 16 Sep 2018

BRX said:
I think I saw that there might be a 'real' coffee machine

I had hoped to see the end of the rotten microwaved breakfasts, the evening meals weren't too bad though.

alistairlees · 16 Sep 2018

You may want to look here:

http://newtrains.sleeper.scot/on-board/club-car/

I would be expecting a very significant uplift.

TimboM · 16 Sep 2018

GrimShady said:
I had hoped to see the end of the rotten microwaved breakfasts, the evening meals weren't too bad though.

I read somewhere that the cooking facilities / equipment are notably improved. There's an oven-type-thing (forgotten its name) - i.e. not (just) a microwave.

I'd recommend having a browse round the new trains site Alistair has linked in the post above. Plenty of info/images in there.

Metroman62 · 16 Sep 2018

I travelled to Inverness last Tuesday (11 Sept). Seemed a smooth journey although the disabled toilet was out of action which badly inconvenienced one passenger and everyone in coach J had a longer walk to the nearest loo. We are driving around Sctitland and went through Fort William today. I noticed a class 73 standing on its own by the station at around 4:30 today (Sunday Sept 16). Is it usual for a loco to be there on its own and anyone know which loco it was?

InOban · 16 Sep 2018

It sits all day waiting to take the southbound sleeper.

TimboM · 16 Sep 2018

Metroman62 said:
I travelled to Inverness last Tuesday (11 Sept). Seemed a smooth journey although the disabled toilet was out of action which badly inconvenienced one passenger and everyone in coach J had a longer walk to the nearest loo. We are driving around Sctitland and went through Fort William today. I noticed a class 73 standing on its own by the station at around 4:30 today (Sunday Sept 16). Is it usual for a loco to be there on its own and anyone know which loco it was?

I think it was 73971, although 966/967 were also in the area that day to work the Royal Scotsman to Oban.
As InOban stays, the 73/9s stable there during the day prior to working the next service. They also get refuelled there - by road tanker I believe.

GrimShady · 17 Sep 2018

TimboM said:
I read somewhere that the cooking facilities / equipment are notably improved. There's an oven-type-thing (forgotten its name) - i.e. not (just) a microwave.

I'd recommend having a browse round the new trains site Alistair has linked in the post above. Plenty of info/images in there.

Will do, cheers!

GrimShady · 17 Sep 2018

I'm not totally sold on the bright orange upholstery used throughout the Mk5s. Dark blues/purples or midnight teal would have been better IMO. Also the lighting seems harshly bright for an overnight train, maybe it's just for the press release pictures.

GusB · 17 Sep 2018

GrimShady said:
I'm not totally sold on the bright orange upholstery used throughout the Mk5s. Dark blues/purples or midnight teal would have been better IMO. Also the lighting seems harshly bright for an overnight train, maybe it's just for the press release pictures.

Bright orange was the colour used on BR seating in 1st for a time, was it not? I thought you were all for a return to the Old Days(tm) of shove-Duffs and loco-hauled stock

GrimShady · 17 Sep 2018

GusB said:
Bright orange was the colour used on BR seating in 1st for a time, was it not? I thought you were all for a return to the Old Days(tm) of shove-Duffs and loco-hauled stock

Oh I am however the orange belongs in the 70s, it's such a bright colour for what really be a subdued atmosphere.

Dave1954 · 17 Sep 2018

I see 1M16 Left Edinburgh 135mins late .

Highlandspring · 17 Sep 2018

That was due to 73971 slipping to a stand climbing to Glen Douglas on 1B01.

Mag_seven · 17 Sep 2018

Highlandspring said:
That was due to 73971 slipping to a stand climbing to Glen Douglas on 1B01.

Leaf fall season started? (if there is such as thing up there!)

Highlandspring · 17 Sep 2018

Wet rails only, no contamination.

Scotrail84 · 17 Sep 2018

1M16 clawed back some time and was 90 late at Winsford but then got hammered by day traffic further South and appeared to be sent via Northampton. Arrived in Euston at 09:59 making it 132 minutes late.

Surreytraveller · 17 Sep 2018

Highlandspring said:
Wet rails only, no contamination.

Must be those Southern Region locos trying to cope with the Scottish terrain

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