Caledonian Sleeper information

slipdigby · Post by **slipdigby** » Sat May 21, 2005 10:23 am

Hiya all,

Can anyone inform me of operational details for the Caledonian Sleeper services? How the trains are marshalled, formations of each portion and so forth would be greatfully recieved.

TIA
Slip

NickBrad · Post by **NickBrad** » Sat May 21, 2005 10:40 am

Is this for your own purposes or for my benefit?

barrybryce01475 · Post by **barrybryce01475** » Sat May 21, 2005 3:11 pm

Lots of different things get said about the formations and there's been different threads saying different things! I think this is probably the best thread:

http://forums.uktrainsim.com/viewtopic. ... &&start=30

It's definitely two trains, a London - Fort W / Aberdeen / Inverness that joins / splits at Edinburgh (where a seated carriage for Fort W is added / removed), and a London - Glasgow / Edinburgh that joins splits at Carstairs.

I remember someone produced photographic evidence that the Fort W bit was four carriage, and it used to be taken up the West Highland Line by a 37 - I don't know if that's changed yet. A while ago there were suggestions that 67s would taken on the honours.

When I've been on the London - Glasgow / Edinburgh sleeper it's been taken up the WCML behind a 91, and the Edinburgh bit got taken to / from Carstairs by a 67.

johndibben · Post by **johndibben** » Sat May 21, 2005 5:08 pm

Think that's probably a class 90 on the WCML

Lighter nights and I want to see the caledonian Sleeper (I'm not a morning person

), and they're timed to leave Euston earlier on a sunday evening.

Sundays are disrupted on the WCML.

Does anyone know if they run on sunday nights?

I'll attempt to note the formations if I see them.

Fort William is definately 4 coaches from Edinburgh formed BUO+RLO+SLEP+SLEP and hauled by an EWS class 37/4.

barrybryce01475 · Post by **barrybryce01475** » Sat May 21, 2005 5:50 pm

Oops - yes - 90!

The timetable says they are supposed to run on Sundays.

slipdigby · Post by **slipdigby** » Wed May 25, 2005 7:38 pm

Cheers for all the information people, much appreciated

Slip

jdjonny · Post by **jdjonny** » Wed May 25, 2005 9:25 pm

Fort Bill section is still a 37 - until "some time" next month.

If anyone's planning to do them, I'd say do them now.. don't wait until the last few turns, because it will be packed with enthusiasts!

Jon

rufiky4 · Post by **rufiky4** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 12:32 pm

Sorry to dig up this thread again. Seems the WHL 37s have a temporary rebate... 67011, sent to Fort William for driver training last week, was not used for training the FScotrail drivers that still drive the sleepers; instead being used for training EWS drivers for the freight up there. The UKs longest running passenger service booked for tractors looks to be staying that way for a while. Some suggest even until Christmas, though IMO they could bring 67s on at any time in the new timetable once the drivers are trained - the 37-timed timetable will allow some slack for potential .-ups.

The traction provision contract is up for renewal in Decemeber. Anything could happen really:
1) Another provider, such as WCRC or even Cotswold Rail could be roped in to replace EWS. This would need either company to invest in new locos though; AFAIK none of Cotswold Rail's 47s are allowed in the West Highlands, and WCRC don't have any 37/4s capable of providing the Electric Train Supply for heating etc.
2) EWS could get the contract again. If they do, 37s won't last long - they don't have any future with EWS at all.
3) FScotrail could dispense with the sleeper altogether. I don't know the figures, but it it must cost a lot to have to hire in the locos every night, together with drivers for all routes other than the Fort Bill section.

Any thoughts?

arabiandisco · Post by **arabiandisco** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 12:44 pm

I think it's protected by franchise requirements, so FSR probably can't kill it. I'd also suggest that if there's enough custom to require two separate trains, then they won't try to kill it any time soon. The Night Rivera is more likely to go, i'd suggest.

My money is on EWS retaining the contract, because the alternatives don't have suitable traction, and procurement of it would put the price up. 37/4s are at the point where they become more and more expensive to keep going - they've earnt their retirement IMO.

johndibben · Post by **johndibben** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 4:30 pm

I'm amazed at the raising of weight restrictions after privatisation.

66's on The Far North and 67's on the WHR! Locos of that axle weight on regular workings was unheard of under BR.

nwallace · Post by **nwallace** » Tue Jun 07, 2005 6:54 pm

Haven't both the Far North and West Highland had a bit of Bridge and Bank strengthening in recent years?

nwallace · Post by **nwallace** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 7:35 pm

I was up at Fort Bill today after a failed attempt on Aonach Beag (My fitness has jsut plumeted too much in the last 6 motnhs, i couldnt' keep up so went and walked a bit in Glen Nevis once we bummped into one of our old Uni Lecturers)

Tonights Sleeper out of Fort Bill appears to be as follows

374xx - Lounge Car in "Visit Scotland" Livery - Seated Coach, Mk3 SLEP - MK3 SLEP
Damn ive forgotten the 37s number, it had a welsh name wiht a - Y - in the middle and a small station name sticker on the front.

Seems a bit strange to have the lounge car infornt of the guards compartment, means those in the Bunks have to walk through the seated unwashed and through the guards section to get to the food.

allypally · Post by **allypally** » Sun Jun 12, 2005 7:45 pm

Not 37427 Bont Y Berno by any chance?

phat2003uk · Post by **phat2003uk** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 3:10 pm

Yes I suppose this was 37427. The formation has been changed quite recently as this photo from 31st May shows it in the correct formation.

jpantera · Post by **jpantera** » Mon Jun 13, 2005 5:51 pm

nwallace wrote:Haven't both the Far North and West Highland had a bit of Bridge and Bank strengthening in recent years?

That whole issue is dodgy in the fact why would they spend that much money strengthening for a couple of services a day?