I just checked for next Wednesday. Headline Easyjet fares are a few £ less than an advance, but that leaves out the cost of getting to and from the airports. I suspect airline fares have risen because of the temporary withdrawal of Ryanair.
Sadly on London to Scotland thats true of rail as a whole not just the sleeper. The prices being demanded for off peak returns and relatively short notice advances just aren't competitive with what the airlines offer. Cant help but think thats why passenger figures are dropping.
Interesting article here for anyone wondering what the Jellicoe Express was: http://ww100scotland.com/news/vital-jellicoe-express-service-to-be-commemorated/Last night at Euston 5S95/1S25
Delighted to have supported Caledonian Sleepers who last night re-ran the Jellicoe Express. This train originally ran during the first world war from London to Thurso to transport sailors to Orkneys naval base.
On the night of 5th December GBRf loco 92033 worked the Jellicoe Express from London to Edinburgh where locos 73966 and 968 took over.
I believe they're keeping the 2x 73/9s again on the Inverness tonight (early hours of tomorrow) due to the weather forecast (as the 73s have ploughs whereas the hired-in 67 doesn't). Not heard anything regarding the WHL/Fort Bill though.All WHL trains are proactively cancelled for tomorrow because of storm Caroline. I assume the FW will be run through to Central and passengers bussed? Or will most be put on the Inverness portion and taxied from Kingussie?
The weather making for another challenging night on the beds!1S25 on the move. 183 late. Power restored and the 66 stood down.
1S26 and 1M16 on the move. Both will get stopped at shap and Penrith. The freight with the obstruction is still stuck.
1S26 has just managed to get past the obstruction - c.168 Late at Penrith but held there (possibly to let 1S30 past).1S26 still at shap, 1M16 still but behind the disabled freight well over 4 hours late.
By the looks of the track diagrams the 57 (304 I think) will need to drag 1M16 back out of the way first before it can get to the F/liner. It should then be able to pull 4M49 back into Eden Valley Loop.VT have said "The Carlisle Class 57 locomotive has been requested by Network Rail for the movement of 4M49."
(4M49 being the "stranded" freight which encountered the overheard power line issues, causing the problems running trains)
When it was held/looped at Preston I thought it might be pending a decision on whether it'd be caped/what was happening with 1M16 etc. I could understand letting the TPE (1S30) past which was right behind, but as you say letting other and especially a freight past is distinctly odd.1S26 was looped at Penrith to let a 1S30 past, then a freight, then 1S32 abd 1S34. Incredible as 1S26 has an 86 on the front capable of 100mph. Won't make much difference now as there's a failed freight going up beattock summit.
6S43 now showing as sat in the loop at Beattock Summit by the looks of it - does that mean it's been moved out of the way, or still blocking the line?1S26 will probably be further delayed... Message 20 @ 08:26 - Network Rail now advise that freight service 6S43 has been declared a failure at Greskine / Beattock (LOC-CRS) effectively blocking the line between PRE & GLC/EDB. CSL2 reason changed to severe weather to reflect the change in circumstance and scale of problems.
Nope - just scooted past Lockerbie loop. Keeping the Virgin special at bay.Out of the way now. 1S26 let out before a virgin trains 1Z37 special from Carlisle to Glasgow. I wonder if 1S26 will be looped at Lockerbie to allow passage
Due to #StormCaroline and ongoing disruption on the rail network we regret to inform guests that we have cancelled our Northbound Highland services for 7 Dec and Southbound Highland services for 8 Dec. 1/2