Caledonian Sleeper

[Ascot]

I'm puzzled!
Yesterday morning (Aug 21st) I saw the sleeper pass north over the Forth bridge (my avatar!) about 5am. (It woke me up - I had the window open, sleeping nearby) But no surprise.
Less than 5 mins later, I saw another. Not greatly surprised - that would be the other half.
But less than 5 mins after that, a third crossed.
Why 3?
I can't see that the Fort William section could take the eastern route, can it?
There wasn't much daylight and I was about 500mtrs away, still sleepy, but I wished I'd looked more carefully at the first ones - still, they all seemed to be the same length, loco hauled, with the same configuration. Sleepers, in fact.

Can anyone explain?

Was Stirling shut as the Inverness portion goes via Kirkcaldy when Stirlings shut up to Perth. Fort William wouldn't touch that line (unless it went down the back of Alloa across Stirling and down). Did they all pass north as if Stonehaven was flooded at that time then it might of turned back at first instance (doubt it in 5 mins though)?

Aberdeen is 6 coaches (8 with the 2 to Fort William that leave at Edinburgh) and Inverness is 8 coaches (typically) You sure it was a sleeper as well?

 

[DaveNewcastle]

You sure it was a sleeper as well?

I admit to doubting my own eyes at the time! It was 5 am!

As far as I could tell in the very dim light, based mainly on the configuration of the interior lights (and therefore the window configuration), yes, they were sleepers (with lounge and seating coaches).
I carefully counted 8 coaches but after 3 trains in quick pursuit I was so confused that one could have been slightly less, but still not "normal" day-time stock.
No more than 5 mins apart. Loco hauled. And before "normal" day timetable services begin.
I see no probs with the Inverness part taking that route. But Ft.W. too?
Has had me puzzled all day.
Am hoping someone knows of special circs that applied yesterday. There was some flooding in Fife as you've noted, Ascot, but I'm not sure that explains much.

 

[rail-britain]

The Inverness would have been first, with Class 67 and eight coaches
Next would have been the Aberdeen, with Class 67 and six coaches
Finally, the Fort William, with Class 67 and four coaches

There are no reports of Stirling being closed on Thursday morning

Also, it is impossible for the Fort William to go via the Forth Bridge
The route this train takes is via Polmont, Falkirk Grahamston, Cumbernauld, and Springburn

This morning (Friday morning) the Inverness and Aberdeen sleepers went via Stirling

Are you sure the location is the Forth Bridge, not that's that difficult to make such a mistake
The only place where you can see all three sleepers separately as they head northbound is between Edinburgh, Haymarket, and Newbridge

There are a number of ECS workings from Haymarket to the Fife Circle, one of these is a triple unit made up of two Class 158s and one Class 170, and that should be right behind the Aberdeen sleeper
This would be followed very shortly by another pair of Class 170s, which are ECS to Kirkcaldy

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Are you sure the location is the Forth Bridge, not that's that difficult to make such a mistake

Classic!

I often stay in S.Queensferry in a room with a good view of that very bridge!
(and good audibility with the window open).
Yes, I also saw the triple units, about 8 or 10 mins after the "3 mystery sleepers" then after a little whle, normal morning services began.

Thanks for all help - I guess the mystery will remain to puzzle me!

 

[rail-britain]

It is possible the Inverness was diverted via Ladybank thus avoiding Stirling, but there are no reports that it did so on Thursday morning
Equally, there is no way the Fort William went via the Forth Bridge

Sounds like some sleep apnia is involved there!

 

[Ascot]

It is possible the Inverness was diverted via Ladybank thus avoiding Stirling, but there are no reports that it did so on Thursday morning
Equally, there is no way the Fort William went via the Forth Bridge

Sounds like some sleep apnia is involved there!

If you was to put your smart ar$e hat on then it can go via Alloa but not sure if Queen St lads do the freight line part of it? But that's not going to happen but can be done for the record on a map.