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Caledonian Sleeper

BRX

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Joined
20 Oct 2008
Messages
3,597
Another droplight/morning coffee fan here; this little ritual will be sorely missed. I expect I'll be using the sleeper rather less often from now on.
 
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ainsworth74

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16 Nov 2009
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27,533
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Redcar
Meanwhile I shall miss being able to enjoy the fresh air and views of the run from Fort William towards Glasgow. Nothing like the thrum of a diesel upfront whilst you travel over landscape where the only sign of human habitation is the train and track you're on.
 

Meerkat

Established Member
Joined
14 Jul 2018
Messages
7,415
Train version of a beer garden?
Back of the train, retractable roof, open sides, a few picnic tables bolted down the middle.
ORR would love it!
 

philjo

Established Member
Joined
9 Jun 2009
Messages
2,884
So would the midges love the passengers sitting in the open air .....

Could do with a panorama coach like the one I used last month across Austria to Zurich.
 

JohnMcL7

Member
Joined
18 Apr 2018
Messages
861
Is it Wednesday night the last southbound run of the mk3's? I noticed 67004 looking rather lonely this morning in the station without the sleeper carriages although couldn't see if they were just over by the depot.
 

xotGD

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Joined
4 Feb 2017
Messages
6,063
Rest assured comrades, I will do my bit at the droplight tomorrow morning, for old time's sake. Unless I get bowled out by a duff!
 

Scotrail84

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Joined
5 Jul 2010
Messages
2,360
Bit glum that their final days of Anglo-Scottish Mk 3 service came after such operational difficulties. I'll never forget the pleasures of waking up to the Scottish Highlands, supping a coffee while enjoying fresh air by a droplight window. They were stalwarts in their day, and will be missed. And am I correct in thinking that's the last of Mark 2s in regular service across the network?


ScotRail operate 4 services each week day using Mk2s and will continue to do so for a while yet. They are peak time services on the fife circle. They get the odd run out at weekends as well, things like golf specials when major events/tournaments are on at St Andrews or Carnoustie.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O46691/2019/10/08/advanced
(Starts from Cardenden running ECS from Mossend)

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O46688/2019/10/08/advanced
(Does the full circle)

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G21589/2019/10/08/advanced
(Does the full circle)

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/G81791/2019/10/08/advanced
(Terminates at Cardenden. Runs ECS from Cardenden to Mossend)
 

Steamysandy

Member
Joined
29 Jan 2018
Messages
250
Location
Longniddry
I'm reminded of a very old Giles Cartoon published after a football excursion train had been trashed.
The guard is standing on a line of carflats saying :-This LL keep their tiny minds occupied -- Holding on!
 

xotGD

Established Member
Joined
4 Feb 2017
Messages
6,063
So 90048 is sat at Wembley. Let's see if my luck is in tonight...
 

SteveM70

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Joined
11 Jul 2018
Messages
3,799
Haven’t done the new CS yet, but did the down Night Riviera last night. Twin (bunk) cabin to myself for £89, everything worked as it should, excellent service from the stewards both cabin and lounge. And it was pretty much on time too. Obviously the lack of an en suite toilet might be a deal for some, but 4 toilets per carriage and not that many passengers made it fine.

But one question - who on earth designed that Asda next to Hayle station (and how did it get planning permission)?!
 

TimboM

Established Member
Joined
12 Apr 2016
Messages
3,732
Is it Wednesday night the last southbound run of the mk3's? I noticed 67004 looking rather lonely this morning in the station without the sleeper carriages although couldn't see if they were just over by the depot.
That’s correct
 

philjo

Established Member
Joined
9 Jun 2009
Messages
2,884
I saw a number of the new sleeper coaches in the sidings opposite Hornsey depot when I was passing after leaving Kings Cross earlier.
 

Crepello

Member
Joined
29 Jun 2018
Messages
56
Enjoy it.

I made three 'ode to the droplight' videos last year, in anticipation of the end, which you can find in my sleeper playlist here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkY_mQ1w2B-xYYX6ckwkuRo2z3_mUu7qY

Superb!! Thank you hugely much for sharing the memories! Would love to have done the Mk 3s one last time (and to have seen the last-ever Still Game stage show, now on in Glasgow) but home's 5,000 miles away nowadays :( Might have to sample the Night Riviera on a future trip over!
 

47550

Member
Joined
14 Jul 2017
Messages
174
Location
Manchester
Slightly off topic but I fancy giving the new CS a go getting off somewhere before Fort William. Decent hotel in walking distance from the station, bit of gentle hiking for a couple of days and good food / hearty fire in the evening. Any recommendations for destination / hotel ? Thanks
 

185143

Established Member
Joined
3 Mar 2013
Messages
4,486
@47550
Corrour without a doubt. Stay in the Signal Box B&B, the station house has a good fire and an extensive looking food menu for evening meals.
 

TimboM

Established Member
Joined
12 Apr 2016
Messages
3,732
Last northbound Highlander with Class 90 and Mk3s/Mk2s: 90044 on 1S25 through Hartford tonight.

 

xotGD

Established Member
Joined
4 Feb 2017
Messages
6,063
Last northbound Highlander with Class 90 and Mk3s/Mk2s: 90044 on 1S25 through Hartford tonight.

Alas it was 44 rather than 48.

Pair of 73s on the Aberdeen portion however - 968 and 971.

The seated coach is rather cold.
 

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