Caledonian Sleeper
| File:Caledonian sleeper.gif | |
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| Franchise(s) | N/A |
|---|---|
| Main route(s) | London-Scotland |
| Fleet | 75 coaches (Mk 2 and (Mk 3) |
| Stations called at | 46 |
| Parent company | First ScotRail |
| Other | |
| Website | www.firstgroup.com/scotrail |
The Caledonian Sleeper is a sleeper train service operated by First ScotRail, one of two remaining sleeper services running on the railway in Great Britain (the other being the Night Riviera). It runs every day, except services leaving on a Saturday night, between London Euston station and five destinations in Scotland: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Fort William, Glasgow and Inverness. The sleeper services use Mark 3 coaching stock, hauled by a variety of different locomotive classes, either diesel or electric - depending on route.
"Caledonian" is an adjective used as an alternative to "Scottish", particularly in the name of organisations.
Route
Two services leave daily, except Saturday nights, from London Euston northbound. Trains heading south depart from Fort William, Inverness, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Services leave London in the early evening (between 2000 to 2115) for Inverness, Aberdeen and Fort William (the Highland Caledonian Sleeper), and late at night (around 2300 - 0000) for Edinburgh and Glasgow (the Lowland Caledonian Sleeper).
The northbound services leave London as two trains. The first to leave, the service for the north of Scotland, starts as several sleeping cars, lounge cars and seating cars. These are usually hauled by two EWS Class 87 or Class 90 locomotives. These trains then call at Watford Junction, Crewe and Preston before stopping at Edinburgh to separate and join another waiting engine. The train separates here into three trains, each consisting of a number of sleeping cars, seating cars and one lounge car. The trains continue from here to their destinations each with one engine - a Class 37 locomotive pulls the Fort William train, while either a Class 47 or Class 67 pulls the Aberdeen and Inverness services.
Crewe and Preston may only be used for boarding on northbound services, and it is customary for the service to arrive very early and wait at the station to depart. Stations following Preston may only be used to alight, the exception being for seated services between Edinburgh Waverley and destinations, which seated accommodation is available subject to availability.
A later train leaves London, usually after 2300, for Edinburgh and Glasgow. This train calls at Watford Junction, Carlisle and Carstairs before separating and heading for Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow. The services arrive here at approximately the same time.
Highland Caledonian Sleeper
London Euston, Crewe, Preston, Edinburgh Waverley - after Edinburgh, the train splits into three
Stations on the Inverness route
Falkirk Grahamston, Stirling, Dunblane, Gleneagles, Perth, Dunkeld & Birnam, Pitlochry, Blair Atholl, Dalwhinnie, Newtonmore, Kingussie, Aviemore, Inverness
Stations on the Fort William Route
Westerton, Dalmuir, Helensburgh Upper, Garelochhead, Arrochar & Tarbet, Ardlui, Crianlarich, Upper Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy, Rannoch, Corrour, Tulloch, Roy Bridge, Spean Bridge, Fort William
Note: Stations in italics are request stops.
Stations on the Aberdeen Route
Inverkeithing, Kirkcaldy, Leuchars, Dundee, Carnoustie, Arbroath, Montrose, Stonehaven, Aberdeen
Lowland Caledonian Sleeper
London Euston, Watford Junction, Carlisle, Carstairs - after Carstairs, the train splits into two
Stations on the Edinburgh Route
Edinburgh Waverley
Stations on the Glasgow Route
Motherwell, Glasgow Central
Amenities
Three classes of travel are available on the Caledonian Sleeper. These are First Class, Standard Class and Seated Sleeper.
First class and Standard Class both entitle the holder to an air conditioned cabin, with wash basin, shaver point and hand towel.
Berths are usually available prior to departure at the originating station and for a short while after arrival at the terminus.
First Class
First Class is the most expensive, but most ameniable class offered. This class of ticket entitles the holder to a private cabin consisting of a single bed, voucher to spend in the lounge car, morning tea, coffee and breakfast and a Zone 1 and 2 London Underground travel pass. Room service is also available in first class.
Standard Class
Standard class is a less costly ticket, even less costly if booked more than 7 days in advance, and offers a shared room consisting of a bunk bed and wash basin. Included in the price is early morning tea, coffee and a morning snack before alighting.
Seated Sleeper
The cheapest of the classes offered by the Caledonian Sleeper. This ticket entitles the user to an airline-style reclining seat in an air conditioned carriage, shared amongst approximately 40 people. Amenities include tables, a reading light and footrests.
Lounge Car
Holders of first class and standard class tickets are entitled to use the lounge car, however it is restricted to First Class ticket holders at busier times. There is a buffet car service available for all ticket holders, to take snacks away, to your seat or berth. The lounge car provides meals, snacks and alcoholic or soft drinks.
The lounge car permitted smoking until October 9, 2005, being the last place where it was legal to smoke on the British railway network, but it is now banned.
Luggage
Luggage is generally conveyed on all sleeper services, with large areas available for storing luggage. Bicycles are conveyed on all sleeper services subject to availability, with a necessary booking.
Pets
Dogs are allowed on sleeper services, with a conveyance fee. Dogs are only allowed in single-berth cabins or where the ticket holder has exclusive use of a twin-berth cabin.
Showers
There are no showers available on the Caledonian Sleeper. However, there are showers available at Inverness, Edinburgh Waverley, Glasgow Central and London Euston for an extra charge. First class ticket holders are entitled to free shower facilities at London Euston.
