Caledonian Sleeper

Grandeeod

For anyone interested I've been meaning to post about my recent and only experience of the Caledonian Sleeper. My trip was completely unplanned and very much last minute. I was working on a job in London and on a Thursday evening I was summoned to Glasgow for an emergency on Friday morning. I literally had no say in the transport arrangements. I was planning on taking the train to Birmingham on Friday morning, finishing up some stuff there and flying back to Dublin that evening. But I was booked onto this train instead.

So on a Thursday night I find myself and gear in Euston Station boarding a train I had only heard of and often thought about travelling on in a leisure capacity years ago. What a pleasant surprise it was. For all you affecionados out there, this is a blast from the past. Loco hauled MK3 stock. I was booked into a standard berth on a "solo" basis. Not first class, but a cabin to yourself. It was feckin tiny, but grand for a sleep. More of that later.

As I had hours and hours ahead of me and I was wide awake and hungry, I was in what is called the lounge car long before departure. While I wouldn't describe it as busy, there was still a bit of a buzz at that late time of night. Best of all I could have a beer and a meal, so I did. Brilliant! Put it on the expenses!

What amazed me was the price in the lounge car. I had a great meal for £6.50. No more than around €8.50 in Euro money. I love haggis, having tried it many moons ago up by loch lomond. I'm not Scottish for the record. So out comes this plate of grub. Haggis, turnip, spuds and a sauce. That's my description. The menu spoke about tatties and needs or something like that. It was defo spuds and turnip. Delicious. Opted for the only lager I recognised, Tennants, at £2.30 for a 500ml can. Only around €3 in said Euro money. If memory serves me correctly the same size car of beer (different brands) is over a fiver on Irish Rail. All of this was happening only 20 odd minutes out of London. Couple of more beers to help my first experience of sleeping on a "sleeper" and off to bed I went.

I hit the comfy mattress, read for 10 minutes and conked out. If you don't move in the bed, your grand. But I'd say if your a restless sleeper, you've no chance. I didn't opt for the alarm call knock on the door. Set my own alarm and was up washed/shaved (in the little sink) and sat down to a nice breakfast back in the lounge car. Grabbed my stuff after breakie and off I got for an unplanned days work in Glasgow with a really cool experience behind me.

I got talking to staff after dinner, while supping the dreaded, but cheap Tennants and I was told that new rolling stock is coming from Spain in a few years and the current operator is fairly new. While I have a big liking for the MK3/2 stock, it's obvious that the service needs updating in terms of what's available today. So if you want to try it, get in soon for the experience of coaches that felt like real trains.

cml387

Wow, what a great trip!

Night sleepers must be the most elegant way to travel, although from reading Paul Theroux there's always a danger odf unwanted sleeping companions.

BTW you had haggis neeps and tatties. Neeps are turnips. You should by right have had a glass of whisky with it and I guess you must have travelled on or near Burn's Night (Jan 25th).

Grandeeod

cml387 wrote: »

Wow, what a great trip!

Night sleepers must be the most elegant way to travel, although from reading Paul Theroux there's always a danger odf unwanted sleeping companions.

BTW you had haggis neeps and tatties. Neeps are turnips. You should by right have had a glass of whisky with it and I guess you must have travelled on or near Burn's Night (Jan 25th).

Yep. You're right it was neeps, not needs. Sorry. Absolutely lovely for a train though. But as for whisky, never on a Thursday night!:D

MrMorooka

I have actually read on other boards that the Caledonian has been extremely poor in recent months since Serco took over. Issues with stock age and cancelling of services, etc.

Grandeeod

MrMorooka wrote: »

I have actually read on other boards that the Caledonian has been extremely poor in recent months since Serco took over. Issues with stock age and cancelling of services, etc.

Can't really compare things because this was my only time on it. The stock is obviously old, but I found it to be in good condition and very clean. Its the same stock that Scotrail used so its perhaps a maintenence thing. With new stock on the way, perhaps the new operator doesn't want to spend any more on the existing stock.

Losty Dublin

Braver man than I to drink Tennants and to shave on a train though I'll share your love of the humble haggis Those food and drink prices are very good, better than many that I've seen in UK transport hubs over the years

How much was the ticket to travel, may I ask?

LXFlyer

Well if you have a 1st Class Britrail Pass covering both days, a first class sleeper berth supplement is only £50 which you can book online at www.sleeper.scot.

Looking at the website, a ticket including travel can be purchased today for tonight's sleeper for £150 for a solo berth (including breakfast) and £95 for a twin berth.

Grandeeod

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Braver man than I to drink Tennants and to shave on a train though I'll share your love of the humble haggis Those food and drink prices are very good, better than many that I've seen in UK transport hubs over the years

How much was the ticket to travel, may I ask?

Lxflyer beat me to the punch regarding price. Fortunately I didn't have to pay it. I suppose its a lot of bread for a last minute booking. Mine was booked the day of travel and was £150. Therefore I had no problem handing over for a an evening meal and then breakfast.

As for the Tenants, it was more an accompaniment to dinner than anything else and then a nightcap! Only had three of them.:D

A Dub in Glasgo

I have done the sleeper a number of times and I usually bring those latex ear plugs with me and I get a great night sleep. The new trains are definitely needed and I have a mate working as the interface between CAF and Serco for the introduction of the new sleeper sets

I done the Highland sleeper once to Fort William and what amazing scenery on the West Highland Line