Mainliner
Member
I wouldn’t normally book a seat, but with the increased price differential, and more than a little chance of an upgrade, the bargain berth option seems to have returned, in a different way.
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Caledonian Sleeper
- Thread starter Essexman
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I wouldn’t normally book a seat, but with the increased price differential, and more than a little chance of an upgrade, the bargain berth option seems to have returned, in a different way.
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Norther Monkey
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No seats, or lounge on last night's northbound Aberdeen. Add to that a lot of angry passengers who had been expecting the new stock. Whilst it appears emails had been sent to those booked in cabins they don't seem to have fully managed expectations. In addition compensation is reportedly somewhat derisory given the huge reduction in what is delivered.
I feel desperately sorry for the on board staff who are left with few options to manage a situation that is not of their making. Consequently dealing with inexcusable (if understandable) abuse on occasion.
I feel desperately sorry for the on board staff who are left with few options to manage a situation that is not of their making. Consequently dealing with inexcusable (if understandable) abuse on occasion.
Norther Monkey
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It appeared that those who book berths won't be asked to share, but when the seats fail it becomes necessary to fit everyone in.
I accepted it, I'm not sure what would have happened had I refused.
Mainliner
Member
More bad Tripadvisor reviews coming in thick and fast.
“Very disappointing Caledonian non-sleeper”
“Bring back the old coaches which at least worked”
“Don’t try it for now”
“Uncomfortable seating with lights left on all night”
“One of my worst ever travel experiences”
Rather amusingly, the latter reviewer was surprised to be told they’d have to leave the train at Stafford due to the wheel damage, as “it had been making that noise since Euston”!
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attra...iam_Lochaber_Scottish_Highlands_Scotland.html
“Very disappointing Caledonian non-sleeper”
“Bring back the old coaches which at least worked”
“Don’t try it for now”
“Uncomfortable seating with lights left on all night”
“One of my worst ever travel experiences”
Rather amusingly, the latter reviewer was surprised to be told they’d have to leave the train at Stafford due to the wheel damage, as “it had been making that noise since Euston”!
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attra...iam_Lochaber_Scottish_Highlands_Scotland.html
Norther Monkey
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With respect to the multiple Mk 2 coaches which are broken. With maintenance having been moved from Inverness what are the prospects for rectification? It appears that several unlit coaches are simply doing lengths of the UK.
Scotrail84
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Don't know about you but I'd rather be in a berth than a seat in a coach with now power overnight.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
In summer I'd take the seating coach with no power - it'd be actually dark and quiet, and as it's overnight not too warm (but as it's summer not freezing).
Scotrail84
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Why would you refuse a free upgrade? Even if you are sharing surely thats 10x better than a seat in a dead coach?
Scotrail84
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No lights so folk not allowed in it? H+S? Plus there wouldn't be any air con or toilets.
VT 390
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I just would not feel comfortable sharing a room with someone I do not know.
As I would refuse to share a room how would they accommodate this?
Scotrail84
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Norther Monkey
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I was more than happy! However, it's apparent from previous comments on this, and other forums, that there are some folk who are uncomfortable sharing such an 'intimate' space with a stranger. I was curious - given the general policy which prevents sharing with a stranger - what CS's response would have been had I not been happy.
VT 390
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The difference there is that if I booked the seated sleeper I would not actually be able or would want to sleep and would book a day train to do that journey, but in a berth I would be sleeping as there is not really anywhere to sit easily and I would not feel safe doing this.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Sharing a berth is quite intimate - there are plenty of people who would have a real issue with that.
Scotrail84
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Thats a good question. No easy solution if theres only enough beds for everyone displaced from the seats to share.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
That's the modern day for you. When Mk2s and Mk3s ran on the WCML I used to seek out failed coaches for a better view, you didn't get kicked out and nobody died.
Toilets in other coaches. Aircon, just open the droplights, overnight that'd be enough.
Norther Monkey
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A very different situation. I'm happy for my daughter to sit next to a male stranger in an open carriage. I wouldn't be happy for her to spend the night in a small lockable room with the same bloke. (I know this wouldn't happen but it illustrates the different dynamic).
nlogax
Established Member
I've only done the old Mk3 berths once or twice, but from my experience last night I can honestly say I think the Mk5s are a slight improvement. Very comfortable bed, decent pillows, nice amount of 3-pin and USB sockets and a nice basin / pull-out desk arrangement which is perfect for a small breakfast.
Club lounge was very good for late socialising once boarded. Some new staff were working in it for their first time last night and they coped admirably considering how busy things were in there. Over some whisky I got into a great conversation with a chap on his way to Mallaig, he too was experiencing the stock for the first time. Happily we arrived in Glasgow a bit early so he'll have easily made his connection to his destination!
Just a couple of niggles...
The Virgin First Class lounge is looking a bit worn and messy, bit of a jumble sale of a lounge tbh. I didn't hang around there too long.
Really unconvinced by the en-suite. As you'd expect on a UK train it's the size of a small broom cupboard. The fold-down bench-over-toilet arrangement is a bit of a faff. Although adequate in space for me, that won't be the case for everyone. Shower pressure..workable, sadly nothing like you'd get on an Amtrak Superliner. Still, at least we now have showers on UK stock!
The room lighting was fine, but there was a small gripe about the brightness of the LEDs on the light switches themselves. Enough to shine an annoying amount of light on the reflective warning notices by the window. However, it was hardly earth-shattering stuff. After reading other stories here I was concerned about light leaking from under the en-suite door but this was really nothing noticeable.
For 280 quid just for the Lowlander I would suggest an en-suite is probably not worthwhile unless you really need to be close to a bathroom. Next time I'll be going for a standard berth. There will be a next time..I'm not put off at all by what I experienced last night though admittedly I was lucky considering recent events with the service.
Club lounge was very good for late socialising once boarded. Some new staff were working in it for their first time last night and they coped admirably considering how busy things were in there. Over some whisky I got into a great conversation with a chap on his way to Mallaig, he too was experiencing the stock for the first time. Happily we arrived in Glasgow a bit early so he'll have easily made his connection to his destination!
Just a couple of niggles...
The Virgin First Class lounge is looking a bit worn and messy, bit of a jumble sale of a lounge tbh. I didn't hang around there too long.
Really unconvinced by the en-suite. As you'd expect on a UK train it's the size of a small broom cupboard. The fold-down bench-over-toilet arrangement is a bit of a faff. Although adequate in space for me, that won't be the case for everyone. Shower pressure..workable, sadly nothing like you'd get on an Amtrak Superliner. Still, at least we now have showers on UK stock!
The room lighting was fine, but there was a small gripe about the brightness of the LEDs on the light switches themselves. Enough to shine an annoying amount of light on the reflective warning notices by the window. However, it was hardly earth-shattering stuff. After reading other stories here I was concerned about light leaking from under the en-suite door but this was really nothing noticeable.
For 280 quid just for the Lowlander I would suggest an en-suite is probably not worthwhile unless you really need to be close to a bathroom. Next time I'll be going for a standard berth. There will be a next time..I'm not put off at all by what I experienced last night though admittedly I was lucky considering recent events with the service.
WesternLancer
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why could you not simply lie down in the berth and stay awake?
Or of course, a breif chat with the person you are sharing and broker an agreement on the following lines "I'm thinking you might rob / murder me during the night, do yuo mind if we leave the door open at least"
WesternLancer
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Obv there is the longstanding presumption that if you shared it was same sex sharing, which I would guess probably happens even in this scenario.
Of course parents have natural concerns about children's welfare, esp daughters. Maybe it's often best not to find out what they are doing when you don't know about it...
kingqueen
Member
I'm in the down Fort William and it has broken down. The air pipe has a leak apparently and we have been stuck south of Tulloch for 45+ minutes whilst the driver and guard attempt to find and repair the leak.
Not a great night. The smoke alarm in our carriage kept going off (due to fumes under the carriage, according to staff) and the automatic door to my (accessible) cabin kept unlocking itself and revealing me to the people going for the loo or for breakfast. Also despite asking in advance that the second bunk be stowed in my accessible room, it hasn't been, and that made climbing out of the bunk and into my Wheelchair very difficult and dangerous
I very much need a shower, I wonder when we will get moving
Not a great night. The smoke alarm in our carriage kept going off (due to fumes under the carriage, according to staff) and the automatic door to my (accessible) cabin kept unlocking itself and revealing me to the people going for the loo or for breakfast. Also despite asking in advance that the second bunk be stowed in my accessible room, it hasn't been, and that made climbing out of the bunk and into my Wheelchair very difficult and dangerous
I very much need a shower, I wonder when we will get moving
WesternLancer
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Good to read that reveiw nlogax. All very promising.
I guess it goes to show how if the niggles had been fully sorted before launch roll out then lots of the complaints that have occurred would have been avoided.
I'm looking forward to a Mk5 trip when a bit more time has elapsed to let things get ironed out. I still really enjoy the Mk3 though so happy for them to stay on a bit longer!
diffident
Member
Those photographs do a lot of justice for the product CalSleep are trying to offer. Its such a shame that the service itself is beset by failures and poor management.
VT 390
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why could you not simply lie down in the berth and stay awake?
Or of course, a breif chat with the person you are sharing and broker an agreement on the following lines "I'm thinking you might rob / murder me during the night, do yuo mind if we leave the door open at least"
Because if I lie down then I know I would fall asleep, especially at that time of day.
Mainliner
Member
why could you not simply lie down in the berth and stay awake?
Or of course, a breif chat with the person you are sharing and broker an agreement on the following lines "I'm thinking you might rob / murder me during the night, do yuo mind if we leave the door open at least"
There’s an element of apprehension about berth sharing for the first time, but after that I never had a problem, and always found fellow travellers to be sociable and considerate in terms of sharing the facilities, not making noise, etc.
I imagine that sharing after being moved from the seats would also help to break the ice and probably engender a bit of camaraderie in adversity!
No but Couchettes are still reasonably popular & considered pretty safe in Europe etc, they’ve just never caught on here .
WesternLancer
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Yes, quite so, exactly what i have found. Of course if you do or did much continental travel the couchette sharing is the norm (unless you are a big family or group of friends). Sharing in youth hostels also common of course. I recall at university some of the hall of residence rooms were shared - and you just got allocated who the university allocated you with.
I took shared sleeper rooms for granted to be honest. First one I recall being when I was 16 going London to Edinborough. Perfectly reasonable other chap turned up for the lower berth.
If you want to do a lot of travel on the cheap then these are compromises worth doing. But I can see others want to travel alone. It's just a shame that the saving that sharing permitted is no longer on offer.
CS say that "you no longer need to share a room with a stranger" what they don't say is "You now have to pay more so that you don't have to share a room with a stranger"
kingqueen
Member
Down Fort William now stuck south of Tulloch for 90+ minutes, with no sign of moving - driver, guard unable to find source of air pipe leak.
I am getting a bit wound up and desperate. Not at anybody in specific, but at the situation and discomfort. Staff are being as helpful and pleasant as they possibly can though.
No idea when we will be moving
I am getting a bit wound up and desperate. Not at anybody in specific, but at the situation and discomfort. Staff are being as helpful and pleasant as they possibly can though.
No idea when we will be moving
Mainliner
Member
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Because couchettes are in a room of 4 or 6 (mostly 6) it is no more intimate than a seated compartment of 6. OK, you could be unlucky and get one other person but it's unlikely.
It is also usual to sleep fully clothed, you just get a thin sheet.
So really quite different.