Sleeping Train

[Lawman]

Folks,
thats me saving up again,my plan is to take a wee trip on the Caledonian sleeper,Glasgow to London,l have never done it before,l was hoping some of my fellow forum users could offer me their opinions on this service,berths,carriges,noise,passengers food and any others stories regarding it.......thanks

 

[Tomnick]

We travelled North on the Fort William portion of the Highland sleeper last summer. Service was fantastic - we'd been advised to be prepared to move our cycles from the Aberdeen (I think) brake van to the Fort William brake van when the latter was added at Edinburgh, but the steward took it all in hand and moved them across for us (making sure that we didn't lock them in any way!).

I struggled to get any meaningful sleep myself (maybe I'd sleep easier on a second or third trip). The aircon didn't help - by the time I'd got used to the continual drone, we'd run through a neutral section, the aircon would shut off, I'd wake up, and the whole cycle would start again. Funnily enough, as soon as the 67 came on at Edinburgh, I slept soundly for a good couple of hours - whether that was because the aircon was running continuously after that, or whether it was the noises from the front that sent me to sleep, I'll never know!

The berths aren't the most spacious, but there's still room to do what you need to do. I wouldn't like to be sharing a berth with a stranger though, especially with a couple of decent-sized bags to find a home for too.

Quite a nice sight upon arrival at Fort William, with the kettle on the Jacobite waiting on one platform, and our 67 on the blocks on the other - and not a unit in sight!

 

[EltonRoad]

I use the Sleepers, mostly the Highland Sleeper, but did once use the Glasgow. Maybe I was unlucky but the difference in noise was marked. The train seemed to be full of drunks going up and down the corridor all night, banging the doors open and shut. I hardly got any sleep and vowed never to use it again!

The Fort William sleeper in my opinion has a more attentive service than the others - seems as though the staff take pride in the service, maybe because it's fairly unique. I've never had a problem with noise on either the Fort William or Inverness Sleepers.

You may wish to consider catching it at Westerton for that reason. But one advantage of the Glasgow is that you can board it from 10 pm.

For more info go to the Man in Seat 61.

 

[rail-britain]

Caledonian sleeper, Glasgow to London

Ideally, try and book at a station or by phone
Ask for berths numbered 09 to 15

What type of ticket are you planning to purchase?
When are you planning to travel?

Departure from Glasgow is typically 23:40
You might want to observe the joining up at Carstairs, so look for the Edinburgh set on your left as you approach Carstairs
For this I suggest you sit in the Lounge Car (as the staff are not too keen on you leaning out / opening the windows)
To ensure a good seat arrive early, as above the set can arrive as early as 22:00

As above, you might want to consider departure from Dalmuir or Westerton, but it can be vastly more expensive
This will give you a short run behind a Class 67

 

[junglejames]

I thoroughly enjoy using the sleepers. There is something about falling asleep to the familiar noise of a Mk3 at speed. Love it!
Lounge car is good. Very pleasant, and i enjoy sitting in there.
Obviously different people like different things, but to me, its the best train we have in the UK, and quality electric traction to boot!

 

[amcluesent]

I've done HLU-EUS a few times, on 1st class mind you.

Cons -

Going north, I've never had a good sleep. There seems to loads of shunting and crashing about in the small hours, plus you get turfed out at HLU at silly-o'clock

TBH I've found the lounge-car freezing and tatty

Temp control in the cabins can be wayward

It's expensive vs. an ECML 1st Advance

The complimentary breakfast is only so-so (may have improved since I last travelled)

Pros -

It's fun! Much more an 'experience' than a standard train

Going south, nice to get the Virgin Lounge facilities of hot shower, papers etc.

TBH I'm sure I don't know the 'ins and outs' of this service and so always feel slightly short changed. Given the speed of the ECML/WCML from Glasgow and Edinburgh to London, I'd say the sleeper only makes sense if you're going way further north.

 

[route101]

Ideally, try and book at a station or by phone
Ask for berths numbered 09 to 15

What type of ticket are you planning to purchase?
When are you planning to travel?

Departure from Glasgow is typically 23:40
You might want to observe the joining up at Carstairs, so look for the Edinburgh set on your left as you approach Carstairs
For this I suggest you sit in the Lounge Car (as the staff are not too keen on you leaning out / opening the windows)
To ensure a good seat arrive early, as above the set can arrive as early as 22:00

As above, you might want to consider departure from Dalmuir or Westerton, but it can be vastly more expensive
This will give you a short run behind a Class 67

Yeah you have to be really really quick with seats in the lounge car . Ive seen the sleeper stock in Glasgow at around 930pm !

Ive only done the Glasgow to London sleeper and i feel it lleaves late and arrives too early . So next time ill try and do the Fort William and make use of the lounge car . In the summer of course

 

[me123]

It's almost a shame that it can't sit at Euston until much later. It would be great if it could arrive at about 6am, and sit until about 9am, thus getting in early enough for the early birds, and being available for those who want to have a lie in as well. Sadly, platform capacity in Euston just isn't available.

I've always wanted to take the sleeper; sadly I've never had a reason to do so. It's something I need to try at some point. It might not be the most glamorous mode of transport available, but it looks like a unique experience (particularly the Deerstalker).

 

[87031]

Sleepers are great never had the problem with drunks or banging...get yourself some earplugs to get rid of the aircon noise which is a pain..apart from that the beds are comfy and the lounge car is good too.