http://www.globalrailnews.com/blog/2015/02/10/caf-signs-caledonian-sleeper-car-contract/
"CAF signs Caledonian Sleeper car contract"
New sleeper consits ordered from same people that brought you the Edinburgh trams.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Stuff
Caledonian Sleeper
(83 posts)-
Posted 9 years ago #
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I was on the sleeper (southbound) last night and thought I'd see how how fast it goes so I left my Strava on.
We left Waverley at 11.40 taking 25 mins to get to Carstairs where we were stationary for 30 mins, whilst they connected up with the Glasgow train. (I always find it disconcerting that the Edinburgh carriages turn round here - you go to sleep travelling in one direction and wake up travelling in a different one)
We then sped up to 80mph and headed South stopping at Carlisle & Preston. The speed is pretty consistent between stops although Shap is taken at 65mph.
We seem to stop somewhere near Tamworth but only for a couple of minutes.
It all slowed down a bit once we got near Northampton and was relatively slow after that, stopping at Watford Junction.
We got to Euston just before 7am (usually it is 6.30) so I guess the slowness near London was to blame. Not that it bothered me as I was still eating breakfast.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I did that once, too. :) Pre-Strava, of course.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Alleged that certain strava sections in the Lang Whang are held by a light aircraft piloted from the Kirknewton airfield?
I thought sleeper stopped at Crewe for hours? Always fancied it but told the first time you are awake all night? Also do you get a single cabin?
Posted 9 years ago # -
I thought sleeper stopped at Crewe for hours? Always fancied it but told the first time you are awake all night? Also do you get a single cabin?
Apparently not... If you're only doing a max of 80mph, with several stops and a 7 hour total journey time I don't think there is time for a long pause in Crewe. Timings may have changed as 11.40 is quite a late departure.
Last night was my 3rd time. Getting more used to the sleeping, which I've not found too bad - it's not a great night sleep, but then neither staying at home and worrying about getting up at sillyo'clock to get the early flight. At least this way you don't have to creep round the house trying not to wake the family up.
I also like getting into the London office at 7.30am and getting a headstart on the day. A colleague flew down today and what with being delayed de-icing the plane didn't arrive until 10am.
Work get a good price on the sleeper and train back up so we can go 1st class cheaper than flying. You get your own cabin in 1st class, whereas you share in standard. Not sure if there is much other difference.
Posted 9 years ago # -
There is claimed to be some magic combination of dates where it's silly cheap but I've never found the right ju ju.
The memsahib would't be happy about getting off in Euston and seeing me speed off into the city.
Posted 9 years ago # -
@HankChief do you find you fit in the bed on the sleeper? They aren't the longest, and you're not the shortest person I know.
Did you experiment with a Boris Bike from Euston?
If you're after an N+43, I can confirm that a folded Brompton fits nicely in the sleeper cabin with you, and I've not yet had any bother taking it on board with me unwrapped.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I was a bit worried about fitting into the bed but they are surprisingly long. My sleeping arrangement of choice is on my front with my feet hanging over the end (Footboards are the work of satan). I'm pleased to report that this is still possible on the sleeper.
Didn't Boris bike it this time but maybe next - need to get that route from you.
Much as I would love a Brompton, don't think it is going to happen anytime soon. May need to check when my latest CTW expires...
Posted 9 years ago # -
Go on, you know you want to.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Boo. The new owners have taken away my company's discount, so it was cheaper to fly today.
Currently delayed at Airport heading home after a restless night's sleep.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Just your company's discount? Either way, they lost business and the Sleeper needs business.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Dunno, but it was a marked step up from usual and the flight wasn't that bad (relatively speaking) despite only booking yesterday.
I had a look on our travel site and couldn't see any mention of the sleeper discount. We still get our deal on the ECML leg though.
Posted 9 years ago # -
"Footboards are the work of satan".
+1 - made me groan with agreement
Posted 9 years ago # -
Just had an unexpected trip over Edinburgh due to an aborted landing. The steering in the nose wheels warning light came on. We've landed and now having a very slow tow back to the terminal building.
Think I'll pay the extra next time and take the train...
Posted 9 years ago # -
oooh. think you went right over us. we saw the plane thru the kitchen window. bit too close for comfort for us too.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Did you see me wave?
We were heading in over th Forth and then veered left and over the city. Not a view I'm used to.
Posted 9 years ago # -
I was in a friend's house who isn't on the normal flightpath and we all wondered what the noise was.
Posted 9 years ago # -
For those who are interested in such things, Serco have painted 3 electric locomotives for the Edinburgh/Glasgow to London sections in a rather fetching shade of deep blue with a simple "CS" logotype on the side in the form of a stag. I'd very much like to see some carriage sets painted the same way, very stylish. Not like those new Virgin paintjobs...
Posted 9 years ago # -
a rather fetching shade of deep blue
I think you'll find that is actually "midnight teal". ;-)
I'm pretty sure at least one of the carriage sets is already re-liveried.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Not my photo, honest.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Oh the stag is rather cute.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Oh great! The antler door is a very nice touch.
Posted 9 years ago # -
Serco MD (Peter Strachan) is doing a presentation for CRAG at the usual venue & time IIRC on Tuesday 5th - see CRAG for details.
Useful news is that thay have noticed that the early morning Glasgow-Oban Service currently leaves Glasgow QS 10 minutes before the Edinburgh-Fort William train passes through Low Level, having waited at Waverley between 03.30 and 04.50 after the Inverness and Aberdeen sections have left.
This may be remedied next week, and a connection from Edinburgh to catch the morning sailings from Oban should then be possible. The new super class 73 locos are expected later this year to replace the leaden Class 67's which knock 6 bells out of the track, and I expect that they may move to using Class 88's when DRS gets these locos available, as it saves having different traction for the Highland section, and allows the trains to divert via Settle at the drop of a hat, and rejoin the WCML at Bletchley rather than the time consuming shunt at Brent Yard when they use ECML.
Check 1M05 and 1M11 on Realtimetrains and it gives you details. Trains are timed for 80mph max speed trailing 16 (600T) However the train can run at 90mph to Carstairs from Glasgow.
Those of us in Glasgow enjoy the option of using the 04.28 and getting to London for 09.12, but I suspect you may get an improvement on the 05.50 soon. (NB on Saturdays you can catch the 04.26 by using the 03.00 Citylink coach from Edinburgh)
Posted 9 years ago # -
Serco MD (Peter Strachan) is doing a presentation for CRAG at the usual venue & time IIRC on Tuesday 5th - see CRAG for details.
Venue is the Quaker Meeting House on Victoria Terrace, at 1930.
Posted 9 years ago # -
https://twitter.com/Clinnick1/status/1156839682023612418
"Brake failure on @CalSleeper means the Edinburgh portion of 1B26 was routed through Waverley, ended up at Abbey Hill Jct and pushed back. Formed of Mk 5s. Suggestion brake converters failed and train stopped via 92020’s brake."Sounds a bit serious to me...
Posted 5 years ago # -
Posted 5 years ago #
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