• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Search results

  1. Bassman

    Caledonian Sleeper

    I agree with comments about the seating. I took the London-Glasgow option recently (as shorter time) in the seats but would never do again. The overnight coach has more comfortable seats. This Wednesday evening I took the berth option London to Inverness. Overall reasonably happy ( apart from...
  2. Bassman

    Caledonian Sleeper

    Yes i read that Doesn't alter the fact that the reputation suffers and ripples on! The close availability of toilets is very important, particularly for those with special needs. And so I would expect mitigation by staff on the train to offer berths and from Serco for compensation. However It...
  3. Bassman

    Caledonian Sleeper

    Another bit of bad publicity! What is wrong with providing working toilets? https://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/blind-caledonian-sleeper-passenger-suffers-toilets-nightmare-on-edinburgh-trip-1-5069160
  4. Bassman

    ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

    Today travelling south on the Highland Chieftain Azuma, and a bit disappointed. The last week or so, travelled by a 170, 158, refurbished inter7city and now Azuma. My favourite the refurbished HST by a long way. Internally I reckon a very good job and inside as modern and have more comfortable...
  5. Bassman

    Caledonian Sleeper

    Medium to long term Tax air travel .. commeasurate with carbon footprint. Market sleeper trains as efficient eco friendly travel Augment sleeper with couchette coaches at fair competitive price. Alter timetables for simpler direct running, between cities using overnight more effectively.
  6. Bassman

    ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

    Yes Abellio not the cheapest granted, but still a 'cheap' option compared to needs of the system and quite imaginative - full credit to Abellio for the Inter7City concept. Are ScotGov being ambitious and farsighted with a long term eco-friendly plan, or bending to media and populist...
  7. Bassman

    Caledonian Sleeper

    I frequently travel between the Highlands and London. I have limited means and I would prefer to travel by train, an Eco-friendly mode of travel. I am happy for some folk to have an experience of luxury, but as a normal rail passenger I would like the choice to use the sleeper for overnight...
  8. Bassman

    ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

    Underlying poor long term investment in Scottish railways and particularly the North. ScotGov, and Transport Scotland supported the Abellio franchise as a 'cheap' way to enhance intercity travel. Now distancing, for political and money reasons. leaving even more instability and confidence in...
  9. Bassman

    ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

    There are certainly aspects of their competence which deserve criticism. Nevertheless as has been expressed on this thread the failure can be shared around to many other factors e.g. Network Rail . They do run Dutch railways and others internationally, so they are engaged with good knowledge...
  10. Bassman

    ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

    Further to ScotGov's end to Abelio's franchise and de-stabilising the Inter7City HST project etc. The fiasco of the Calmac procurement and today Jim MacColls advice to start again on ferries, as huge losses build up...The ongoing saga of poor quality in SERCO's sleeper service. Does this not...
  11. Bassman

    ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

    Yes fair point about different budgets. Nevertheless a worrying sign when we supposedly face a 'climate emergency' and investment in rail and intercity services should feature highly. Abelio have given us the development of national HST intercity services and indicated there are going to be...
  12. Bassman

    ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

    The reason for the ditching Abellio was articulated in parliament today as a forecast of an increase in the government subsidy. Hence we can presume Scot Gov is looking for a way out of reducing subsidies on rail. This will affect HST replacement and perhaps electrification or limit the scope...
  13. Bassman

    Caledonian Sleeper

    Irrespective of judging the seriousness or otherwise of complaints, I compare this customer service with Airbnb. As a user of Airbnb and letting out an apartment, on two occasions over the summer I had to deal with issues. Their support is immediate and response is within an hour, with follow up...
  14. Bassman

    ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

    Scottish Government moving to end the Abellio franchise early. Readers of this thread will know the complexities of blame, which is not being attributed as a reason for this political change. But easy for Government to bow to political pressure. It must be frustrating for those who have...
  15. Bassman

    Caledonian Sleeper

    Shocking experience for one customer. The cost exorbitant for an essential train service! Forget this hotel nonsense! Why cannot Scottish Govt., Transport Scotland and Serco not concentrate on an essential service of connection with robustness in management at all levels. Expect Scottish...
  16. Bassman

    ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

    I don't think this is overkill. Inverness and Aberdeen , the two main northern Scottish cities need to be linked by public transport through fast comfortable links. There is no express coach service, or direct links between the North East, Fraserburgh and Peterhead and Inverness. Regional...
  17. Bassman

    Caledonian Sleeper

    May I ask what advantage do the Dellner couplings provide and why they are fitted to new sleeper stock and locomotives ?
  18. Bassman

    Caledonian Sleeper

    Wondering what's the uptake in sleeper usage at the moment as we are in the low season? Are the trains running at good levels of use when the tourist numbers are not so high?
  19. Bassman

    ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

    Referring back to three years ago and the start of this thread November 2016. Three years later.. a continuing matter of argument about how well this project has been implemented. But it is coming into fruition and the reasons for delay are always because of the increased complexity of such...
  20. Bassman

    ScotRail HST Introduction - Updates & Discussion

    I read continuing perspectives of where we might be in early 2020 - from glass half empty or half full viewpoints. I had a journey south on a refurb last week, and in all I felt this is progress, and a train that befits an intercity service- smooth ride, and good catering, hot food. The...

Top