theironroad
Established Member
...and of course there was a passenger ferry from Felixstowe, those of us of a certain age can't forget the 'Triangle' soap on tv. ☺
Obviously they can't change just the Fort William portion on it's own. A Mk5 set went North earlier this week which doesn't appear to have come back down and at the moment it doesn't appear to be scheduled to do so before the line is closed at the end of next week.There's a claim in a Facebook group (yes, I know...) from someone who seems to be a driver that tonight is the last day of Mk2/3 operation on the Fort William portion.
Is there any truth in this? There seems to be no availability whatsoever showing on the Fort William portion, even for seats between FTW-GLQ. This is going to cause me major problems next week if so...
Buses replace trains between Crianlarich and Fort William from Saturday 5 to Friday 11 OctoberHow long is the line closure set to last?
Serco’s excuse just goes to show that they can’t be bothered.
Buses replace trains between Crianlarich and Fort William from Saturday 5 to Friday 11 October
The fella in question is most definitely a GB driver and a regular on the WHL working the Sleeper amongst other things.There's a claim in a Facebook group (yes, I know...) from someone who seems to be a driver that tonight is the last day of Mk2/3 operation on the Fort William portion.
Is there any truth in this? There seems to be no availability whatsoever showing on the Fort William portion, even for seats between FTW-GLQ. This is going to cause me major problems next week if so...
It's off season and down to two Sleepers on the FTW - someone on it the other night reported passenger numbers in the teens. Not really surprising they've deemed it not worth the cost/effort running in the circumstances.Serco’s excuse just goes to show that they can’t be bothered.
It’s not even going there tonight. Just turned-up for 1S25 at Euston to find Fort Bill portion diverted to Dundee for buses forward...Caledonian Sleeper have confirmed the Facebook rumours on their website.
No Fort William services will operate after tonight until after the blockade. That's my rail holiday ruined then.
It’s not even going there tonight. Just turned-up for 1S25 at Euston to find Fort Bill portion diverted to Dundee for buses forward...
But not according to them? “Due to the imminent introduction of the Mark V vehicles”Maybe some of the coaches are running out of miles/time before needing a major exam
I’m sorry for thatIt’s not even going there tonight. Just turned-up for 1S25 at Euston to find Fort Bill portion diverted to Dundee for buses forward...
Like I said, they can’t be bothered about their guests. Fawlty Towers on wheels.[…]
It's off season and down to two Sleepers on the FTW - someone on it the other night reported passenger numbers in the teens. Not really surprising they've deemed it not worth the cost/effort running in the circumstances.
Because the FW coaches will remain attached to the Aberdeen ones which don't go that way.Might as well just get in your car from London. All the way to Dundee and then a really long hack across country ... why not Stirling or Perth - closer to the FTW route?
The fella in question is most definitely a GB driver and a regular on the WHL working the Sleeper amongst other things.
It's off season and down to two Sleepers on the FTW - someone on it the other night reported passenger numbers in the teens. Not really surprising they've deemed it not worth the cost/effort running in the circumstances.
Might as well just get in your car from London. All the way to Dundee and then a really long hack across country ... why not Stirling or Perth - closer to the FTW route?
That's the impression I'm getting.I’m sorry for that
Like I said, they can’t be bothered about their guests. Fawlty Towers on wheels.
I’m not sure it’s down to two sleepers yet in terms of formation... it definitely seemed to have four sleepers still when it arrived in Fort William earlier this week. Last year (and the year before I think?), the pattern was 4 sleepers until the end of September, then 3 sleepers from 1 October until Hogmanay, then 2 sleepers in January, February and March, going back to 3 in early April and 4 in early May. Of course, loadings will vary from day to day (with Tuesday night southbound not known for being particularly busy at any time of year) but the FW sleeper is certainly (from my experience) busy enough on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights northbound (and Sunday and Monday nights southbound) in Oct/Nov these days to warrant 3 sleepers.
I’m not sure how many Mk5s the FW portion will have to begin with- presumably 3 as per the number of Mk3s in October last year? I can imagine that the new stock will spark a reasonable amount of interest in the sleeper so trains might be relatively busy for the time of year, for the first few weeks at least. I seem to remember that that was the case with the Lowlander in late April/May.
As it happens, I was only booked to FTW as the other two portions were full. Worked fine for me as I was able to stay with the Aberdeen portion which was my first preference.I think if I was booked on the CS to Fort William I would travel on the Inverness portion to get my zzzzz's in,then catch the 0900 Citylink coach to FTW, arrives at 1105.
Of course, one of the issues with the new stock has been the three way split required for the Highlander. The Lowlander only executes a two way split. Perhaps CS are getting practice in for never running the Fort William portion ever again ?.
What's the supposed issue with the 3-way split, and why would it be any harder with dellner's vs buckeye?
There isn't, and if anything should be far easier.