Off Topic > The Pub
Caledonian Sleeper - New! Improved!
Wowbagger:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/apr/29/caledonian-sleeper-launches-new-trains-which-arrive-hours-late
It appears not to have got off to a good start, with trains in both directions delayed to the extent that all the passengers should be eligible for 100% refunds.
I have just booked myself a return journey to Edinburgh in July. I'm keen to try the new rolling stock/beds etc, but my experience last year with sleepers wasn't encouraging, in that I didn't get much sleep. On balance, I prefer to travel by day and look out the window or read a book. However, I'm taking part in the St. Andrews Uni Bach Choral Course again, and the course times make it very difficult, if not impossible, to travel to and from during the day without booking two extra nights' accommodation. We start at 2pm on the Tuesday and finish at 1pm on the Sunday. Travelling the same day in either direction from Southend is nigh-on impossible.
I've booked into the "Club Class" (whatever that means - do they provide a free service of bashing you over the head to ensure a good night's sleep?) giving me a solo room for £100 each way.
I'd be interested to hear from anyone who tries it out before I do.
perpetual dan:
I’m going to Glasgow in late May, but I was under the impression that I’ll still be on the old train. However, I slept ok last time on the sleeper and I’m doing it by preference.
yorkie:
The new trains were going to be introduced in June, but Caledonian Sleeper (CS) decided to have a "soft launch" from last night (28th April) instead. This means that all Lowlander services (London - Glasgow/Edinburgh) are on the new stock. The new stock is incompatible with the old stock - different couplings and electrical systems for starters - which means that it's either one or t'other. Given that CS have off-leased the old stock already to save on maintenance costs, there's no going back!
I believe Club Class includes an en-suite loo and shower. The top tip from last night's run courtesy of a member of a railway forum is "Toilet first, then shower, as the drain isn't very fast!"
andytheflyer:
Ooo, I love sleepers. Not taken the Caledonian for many, many years, but SWMBO and I did take the Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin a couple of years back.. Somewhat costly, but a life experience, even if it was running on the sleepers rather than the rails over the first night out of Adelaide. Or it felt like it. Very, very professional service though.
Must find an excuse to try the new Caledonian, but difficult to justify when you live near Chester......
Kim:
I know nothing about this, but it's a safe bet that the provision for cycles will be crap...
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