Caledonian Sleeper

[Blindtraveler]

So much for "the hotel on wheels".

Whilst I absolutely 100% agree with you, don't say it too loudly as still accusing it of being a hotel on wheels, which it undoubtedly is to my way of thinking seems to badly affect the blood pressure of some people on this thread

The quality of the lounge car breakfast versus the quality of the seated passenger bacon rolls, of which I don't imagine they sell all that many apart from on the longer distance Highland services where breakfast is far more of a priority due to arrival time is so stark but again it could be more obvious that any seated passenger is most definitely an unwanted nuisance third class on that train. Don't know what the purchase of all bacon roll or other breakfast options that those in classic rooms can purchase our like, I assume the same stuff?

 

[Essexman]

Train bacon rolls are probably the worst bacon rolls I've ever had.

Wrexham & Shropshire used to do excellent bacon rolls.

 

[Peter Sarf]

So much for "the hotel on wheels".

Indeed
+

It hasn’t been advertised as a hotel on wheels for several years.

Ah well there is a thing. For all those who think marketing is a waste of money here is the proof that it is not (normally) a waste and also how effective it is. That marketing of Caledonian Sleeper as a hotel on wheels has stuck in many peoples minds for a long time. That shows how effective marketing is.

But there is a need to stick to what you say !. CS cannot really promise something and then change their minds later without perhaps clearly/explicitly advertising that it is no longer a "Hotel on Wheels". It is like the incorrect newspaper stories that can appear anywhere including the front page. The subsequent correction is always in fairly small print and NEVER on the front page !.

I would rather like to think of CS as a hotel on wheels btw. Given the cost it makes sense too. Perhaps with a little bit more cost CS could relax and bask in the glory of what they once promised and people still remember ?. In realty the trains are fairly full so the current marketing must be attracting a lot of one off travellers - tourists. The subsequent conversation about who the CS service should be meant for has been done to death.

 

[JamieL]

Whilst I absolutely 100% agree with you, don't say it too loudly as still accusing it of being a hotel on wheels, which it undoubtedly is to my way of thinking seems to badly affect the blood pressure of some people on this thread

Perhaps because it is misrepresenting what the CS actually is? When challenged, the only reference anyone can find to "hotel" in official literature is in reference to Club cabins only as a "hotel experience". And that is clearly relating to the features of Club (towels, toiletries, ensuite, lounge access etc). No other reference is made in the official publications - instead it is labelled a "unique way" to travel. And it is exactly that. Far too many here waxing about unrealistic expectations based on a spurious "hotel" metric when the CS is first and foremost a train. And one of the best services on the rail network at that.

 

[Blindtraveler]

It's quite interesting because when the new stock first came along the entire train as far as cabins were concerned was a hotel experience on rails and presumably now somebody sufficiently big enough and loud enough has come along and told them to tone it down slightly as the classic accommodation whilst I'm told very good he's certainly more of a hostel then a Hilton

 

[Bald Rick]

I have fond memories of the BR bacon roll that used to be served on the southbound Highland Chieftain; it was a ritual of mine to eat it as my breakfast whilst looking out of the droplight window as we headed up to Slochd summit. It was slightly soggy and the roll was a bit chewy but that's just what a railway bacon roll was and should be.

You must have been very heavily delayed to be having breakfast on the southbound ascending Slochd!

Unless you were having that morning’s leftovers for supper, in which case its no wonder it was soggy.

 

[norbitonflyer]

You must have been very heavily delayed to be having breakfast on the southbound ascending Slochd!

Unless you were having that morning’s leftovers for supper, in which case its no wonder it was soggy.

He was on the Highland Chieftan, not the Sleeper

 

[Bald Rick]

He was on the Highland Chieftan, not the Sleeper

I really should pay attention.

 

[Davester50]

Whilst I absolutely 100% agree with you, don't say it too loudly as still accusing it of being a hotel on wheels, which it undoubtedly is to my way of thinking seems to badly affect the blood pressure of some people on this thread

Well predicted...

 

[marks87]

Microwaved bacon rolls are always horrible. They do have the equipment to grill bacon from scratch in the lounge car kitchen but for some reason they persist with microwaving pre-cooked stuff instead.

Reheating pre-cooked bacon in a microwave isn’t actually that bad, provided it’s done properly (and cooked well in the first place).

But the roll (or any bread for that matter) should never see the inside of a microwave. Even the softest of morning rolls will come out like a Rustler’s burger bun.

 

[Iskra]

I've just had a message through for my journey tomorrow night in the seated section, telling me that I'll be required to alight and change carriages at 0400 at Edinburgh to continue to Aberdeen. This is a known and recurring phenomenon, that can't be popular with passengers, so why don't they tell you at the time of booking, rather than the day before and knock £10 off this leg for the inconvenience? If people knew this at the time of booking they could make an informed decision whether this is the right option for them. Telling people the day before after they have made other plans around their journey is just going to get people's backs up and have them turning-up pre-disposed to be negative due to the perceived disruption.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That isn't meant to be how it works, you normally have to do so for Fort William, not Aberdeen. Are they for some reason sending the Fort William lounge and seated car to Aberdeen and sending the through one to FW?

 

[Iskra]

That isn't meant to be how it works, you normally have to do so for Fort William, not Aberdeen. Are they for some reason sending the Fort William lounge and seated car to Aberdeen and sending the through one to FW?

Ah, that makes sense as last year in the berths from Fort William I met an annoyed cyclist who had to move his bike at Edinburgh at 3am. So the point about prior-communication still stands.

I presume this disruption is due to stock being checked for cracks?

 

[trainophile]

That isn't meant to be how it works, you normally have to do so for Fort William, not Aberdeen. Are they for some reason sending the Fort William lounge and seated car to Aberdeen and sending the through one to FW?

Please confirm that the FW coach change only applies to the seated passengers?

 

[Iskra]

Please confirm that the FW coach change only applies to the seated passengers?

Yes, unless you have a bike or anything else in there.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Ah, that makes sense as last year in the berths from Fort William I met an annoyed cyclist who had to move his bike at Edinburgh at 3am. So the point about prior-communication still stands.

I presume this disruption is due to stock being checked for cracks?

It would save one pair of coaches if you shunted the Aberdeen one on at Edinburgh as well as the FW one, so it could be.

 

[trainophile]

Yes, unless you have a bike or anything else in there.

Phew, thanks. At least seated passengers will presumably still have their clothes on!

 

[Peter Sarf]

Ah, that makes sense as last year in the berths from Fort William I met an annoyed cyclist who had to move his bike at Edinburgh at 3am. So the point about prior-communication still stands.

I presume this disruption is due to stock being checked for cracks?

I suppose on the occasions when most of the seated passengers are going to Fort William it could be argued that it makes sense to send the two extra non-sleeping coaches to Aberdeen and let Fort William get the through coaches. That would inconvenience fewer people but is not much advance notice.

On the other hand it may be that both portions are getting a fresh seated coach at Edinburgh if the through coach meant for Aberdeen has a fault not discovered until the Southbound the night before.

 

[BRX]

Ah, that makes sense as last year in the berths from Fort William I met an annoyed cyclist who had to move his bike at Edinburgh at 3am. So the point about prior-communication still stands.

They do tell you, when booking a seat to fort William, that you'll need to "change trains".

 

[185143]

They do tell you, when booking a seat to fort William, that you'll need to "change trains".

Which of course, may not be something a cyclist is doing.

It is made very clear when booking a seat, I quite agree.

 

[Class800]

I've just had a message through for my journey tomorrow night in the seated section, telling me that I'll be required to alight and change carriages at 0400 at Edinburgh to continue to Aberdeen. This is a known and recurring phenomenon, that can't be popular with passengers, so why don't they tell you at the time of booking, rather than the day before and knock £10 off this leg for the inconvenience? If people knew this at the time of booking they could make an informed decision whether this is the right option for them. Telling people the day before after they have made other plans around their journey is just going to get people's backs up and have them turning-up pre-disposed to be negative due to the perceived disruption.

If you tell people they won't book?

 

[Bletchleyite]

If you tell people they won't book?

They do tell FW passengers where this is expected.

If they deliberately hid the need for a change they'd be open to legal challenge for misdescription, so no chance it's on this basis.

 

[JamieL]

If you tell people they won't book?

This is what it says when you book:

 

[Class800]

This is what it says when you book:
View attachment 152706

OK but doesn't say where or how early it is!

 

[alistairlees]

OK but doesn't say where or how early it is!

Look at the journey summary, or the review page

 

[Struner]

OK but doesn't say where or how early it is!

Doesn’t tell you when indeed
“Please be aware that you must move your bike between carriages at Edinburgh.”

 

[SussexSeagull]

Video review of Euston to Fort William by the excellent Mark Swain on his Let's Make A Trip YouTube channel. Not exactly allowing review but at leat Customer Service redeemed the situation to an extent.

 

[Class800]

Doesn’t tell you when indeed
“Please be aware that you must move your bike between carriages at Edinburgh.”

That refers to bikes and wasn't in the picture the person showed - the information is available elsewhere in a less prominent place on the website

 

[alistairlees]

Here's the review page for a seat to Fort William. The description of the change at Edinburgh is right in front of you

(image shows legs of journey shown as "21.15 London Euston to Edinburgh 03.48", and "Edinburgh 04.50 to Fort William 10.00", with "You must change from one carriage to another at Edinburgh" between the two legs.)

 

[Struner]

bThat refers to bikes and wasn't in the picture the person showed - the information is available elsewhere in a less prominent place on the website

was replying with this in mind #15703 & #15710:
How will a cabin travelling cyclist know at what time he will have to change trains at Edinburgh before booking?