Couple of notes on the last few posts!
Although I've been on the Inverness sleeper with tourists - obviously, I wouldn't say that the majority by far of passengers were said tourists. I'd say slight!
Quite a few, like myself use it as a convenient way to travel, it's enabling me to change in London for other destinations, or on the return it saves me a hotel and day train north.
Until recently it was a cost effective way to travel too!
For people arriving in Inverness at 08.40 going to work is just about right, me - it's spot on for the 0900 connection, but I'm usually in the minority. 2 hours late, for me it's not a problem - I'll get the 11.00, but I can see the problem with those that work, can't do it from the train due to the mobile signal around the cairngorm area being non exhistant.
In regards to punctuality - The sleeper used to be well known for running late, I've been on it when we've crawled into Inverness just before midday a few times, none of these times were the fault of CS, all were outside of their control.
I've never been subject to the failings of a 67, come to think of it traction when I've travelled has always worked fine, its always been Signalling, Wires Down, lineside fires, viaducts being washed away - that sort of thing.
Arrival times (when it runs) appear to be much improved - less late running. However there are far more cancelled journeys than there used to be.
I'd still worry therefore that if I was going to London shopping or visiting people, leaving say, on a Monday night - getting back on a Wednesday morning, that one way or the other I'd end up either waking up in the same place I boarded, and losing a day or ending up on a coach, with similar results.
Maybe it's a particular day of the week thing, I normally travel, or try and travel, on days when the Inverness crew work it, I'm lucky I can travel when I want to like that.
Sorry its a bit of a ramble - the lockdown is taking effect! Ha ha-he he!