Caledonian Sleeper - Menu, & Cancellations

[maddeningcrowds]

Hello, just wanted some advice - getting ready for a trip on the caledonian sleeper to Fort William. A couple of questions:

1) What sort of food menu should we expect on board? All I can find out from their website is "light snacks" - what does that mean?

2) I was looking at the departure boards and the sleeper doesn't seem to have been affected by snow, but, just to be prepared, I was wondering what happens to travellers if the sleeper is cancelled?

 

[bennorthyork]

There is a selection of light meals, examples are haggis, tatties and neaps which I'd recommend, a curry of some sort, a hotpot and a pasta dish last time I travelled on it which was end of December. Also, there is pate or cheese and biscuits or soup if you prefer a light snack. I really enjoy sitting in the lounge car with a meal and a drink.

 

[Snapper]

Here's a menu from 2005. It probably won't be that different.

http://paulbigland.fotopic.net/p20174261.html

 

[Failed Unit]

Hello, just wanted some advice - getting ready for a trip on the caledonian sleeper to Fort William. A couple of questions:

1) What sort of food menu should we expect on board? All I can find out from their website is "light snacks" - what does that mean?

2) I was looking at the departure boards and the sleeper doesn't seem to have been affected by snow, but, just to be prepared, I was wondering what happens to travellers if the sleeper is cancelled?

The menu hasn't been changed much from what has been posted.

The sleeper normally runs, but the following happens should it be cancelled.

Northbound:
Highland cancelled (will try and put you on lowland and forward using day trains)
Lowland (will be on the first day train)

Southbound
Lowland (will try and put you on the highland)
Highland (first day train of morning)

This is very rare. I once was doing Stirling - London and the train failed at Edinburgh. We stayed on the train (probably too late to get a hotel), then was taken to London on the 0550 GNER service with Scotrail paying for breakfast. No complaints at all about how it was handled.

As I stated failures are rare to result in total cancellation.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Hello, just wanted some advice - getting ready for a trip on the caledonian sleeper to Fort William. A couple of questions:

1) What sort of food menu should we expect on board? All I can find out from their website is "light snacks" - what does that mean?

Have a look here ......... http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=27554

 

[Aictos]

If I may, I do fully recommend you try the Haggis, Neets and Tattis served in a beautiful Redcurrant and Whiskey source washed down with a Whisky is simply one of the best ways to fully appreciate your trip.

 

[First class]

2) I was looking at the departure boards and the sleeper doesn't seem to have been affected by snow, but, just to be prepared, I was wondering what happens to travellers if the sleeper is cancelled?

As the weather is not the fault of the railway - they don't have to compensate you in the event of you applying for a charter refund. However, you would probably be eligible for a refund of one or all parts of your tickets for not using them.

From the NRCoC, I also don't believe that a TOC has to help you if something outside of their remit occurs:

43. Help from Train Companies if you are stranded
If disruption caused by circumstances within the control of a Train Company or a Rail Service Company leaves you stranded before you have reached your destination and the Train Company whose trains you are entitled to use is unable to get you to that destination by other means, any Train Company which is in a position to help will, if it reasonably can, either arrange to get you to that destination, or provide overnight accommodation for you.

 

[rail-britain]

If I may, I do fully recommend you try the Haggis, Neets and Tattis served in a beautiful Redcurrant and Whiskey source washed down with a Whisky is simply one of the best ways to fully appreciate your trip

Agreed, excellent value for money at £6 (Haggis)
However, on boarding go straight to the Lounge Car and ask for one to be reserved with an approximate time for serving
I had mine southbound from Inverness, served as the train arrived at Dalwhinnie (as by then the Lounge Car was quieter)

Breakfast is a "light snack" for holders of Standard tickets, First Class ticket holders have the added option of croissant or hot breakfast roll
Since you are travelling to Fort William, take advantage of the Lounge Car and have your breakfast in there!

 

[ChrisTheRef]

If I'm a "seated sleeper" passenger, what's the deal with obtaining some of this food? I read somewhere I can't use the Lounge Car?

Slightly off-topic: if I'm on a STD ALR ticket, can I use the FC lounge at Euston? Virgin say it's for use by "all Caledonian Sleeper passengers" but I'm aware that may mean first class passengers

 

[CallySleeperKid]

If I'm a "seated sleeper" passenger, what's the deal with obtaining some of this food? I read somewhere I can't use the Lounge Car?

Slightly off-topic: if I'm on a STD ALR ticket, can I use the FC lounge at Euston? Virgin say it's for use by "all Caledonian Sleeper passengers" but I'm aware that may mean first class passengers

As a seated sleeper passenger you will not be able to sit in the lounge car, but you can purchase most of the things from the serving hatch at the seated sleeper end of the lounge car and take them back to your seat. From what I remember the menu is the same as the lounge car minus most of the hot meals.

I have travelled standard class on the Caledonian Sleeper before and was not able to use the first class lounge at Euston.

 

[First class]

If I'm a "seated sleeper" passenger, what's the deal with obtaining some of this food? I read somewhere I can't use the Lounge Car?

Slightly off-topic: if I'm on a STD ALR ticket, can I use the FC lounge at Euston? Virgin say it's for use by "all Caledonian Sleeper passengers" but I'm aware that may mean first class passengers

You can't use the 1st Class Lounge (see below). Also, you get a menu on the seated sleeper which has a selection of hot snacks, (Bacon buttie, the gorgeous cheese burgers and paninis etc). You have to take these back to your seat.

The First Class lounge has now re-opened after undergoing extensive refurbishment. The extended accommodation offers complimentary tea, coffee and soft drinks as well as access to showers, newspapers, TV, Wi-Fi and mobile phone charging points to all First Class customers.


Standard Class customers may use the Network Rail Passenger Lounge situated on the main concourse.

(http://www.scotrail.co.uk/caledoniansleeper/about-the-sleeper.html)

So nope, you can't use the VIRGIN first class lounge unless you have a first class ticket.

I'm not sure whether you could gain access by purchasing a London-Wimbledon First Day Single for £4.70.

 

[maddeningcrowds]

Thank you for the answers.

 

[rail-britain]

I have travelled standard class on the Caledonian Sleeper before and was not able to use the first class lounge at Euston

If you hold a Standard ALR, then you need to show them your sleeper reservation
Officially this only gives you access to the showers, but once in you can easily use all the facilities