Great Western Coffee Shop

Serco was been awarded the contract to run the Caledonian sleeper train service between Scotland and London.

Transport Scotland announced the company would take over the franchise from Aberdeen-based First Group.

Serco already offers luxury sleeper services in Australia. The new 15-year franchise will start in April 2015.

The Caledonian franchise connects Inverness, Fort William, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow to London.

Serco will be responsible for operating all aspects of the Caledonian Sleeper including marketing, sales, passenger services, station facilities and fleet maintenance.

More than ^100m will be invested in new rolling stock by the summer of 2018, part-funded by a ^60m grant from the Scottish government.

Serco is promising improvements including en-suite berths, "pod flatbeds" and a brasserie-style club car.

The rolling stock will be built by CAF, which also built Edinburgh's new trams.

'Iconic' service

Chief executive Rupert Soames said: "Serco has a strong track record of providing high quality and efficient rail services around the world, as well as experience in managing large-scale tourism-focused transport services.

"I am delighted that we can use this unique blend of expertise to transform the iconic Caledonian Sleeper into a modern, high quality hospitality service to make Scotland proud."

The company said customers would also benefit from being able to book through a new website with a much broader range of fares and earlier boarding.

Total revenue to Serco over the 15-year period is estimated at up to ^800m, of which approximately ^180m will be in the form of franchise payments.

Three companies bid for the contract; Serco, Arriva Night Trains and First Group which runs the service currently as part of the ScotRail franchise.

The ScotRail franchise is also up for renewal with an announcement due in the autumn.

The longer text on the main BBC site, at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-27599963 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-27599963), says that there will be 72 new coaches, formed into four trains.

Those are long trains - or are there a lot of spares?

Maybe two spares - one in each country?

Passport checks likely? :-)

4.1.1.2 Background
The Caledonian Sleeper Services currently utilise loco-hauled stock, employing Class 67 (diesel)
and Class 90 (electric) locomotives leased from DB Schenker Rail UK Limited. For sleeping
accommodation, Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited supplies 53 Mk3 Sleeper coaches, which
are approximately 30 years old. Three types of vehicle make up this fleet, with all types used for first
or standard accommodation:

^ SLE ^ 13 cabins with two retention toilets;
^ SLEP ^ 12 cabins with two retention toilets and a pantry;
^ SLED ^ 12 cabins, one of which is equipped for disabled customers, and a retention toilet.

For seated and bar accommodation, Eversholt Rail (UK) Limited supplies a fleet of 22 Mk2 coaches,
of which 11 are lounge / brake carriages and 11 are seated carriages, with seated carriages having a
capacity of 31 passengers. These vehicles are almost 40 years old.

These carriages are organised into 10 sets (9 x 8 carriage sets and 1 x 2 carriage set) of rolling
stock, with two sets serving each of the five Scottish destinations. For the Lowlander service, a
Glasgow set is joined to an Edinburgh set, making a total length of 16 carriages. The Highlander
service is made up of the Inverness and Aberdeen sets, coupled to two Mk3 coaches bound for
Fort William. Two Mk2 coaches are joined to the Fort William portion in Edinburgh with passengers
often having to change carriage. This ensures that the formation does not exceed 16 coaches at
Euston station.

On each train, accessible berths are available, with one dedicated cabin in a first-class carriage
within each section of the train. Standard class cabins and first class cabins have exactly the same
specification in terms of their interior, the only difference being that in first class, the second bed is
folded away to provide a private room. In standard accommodation passengers are either kept with
members of their group, or share with a same-sex passenger.

Whilst the current rolling stock is approaching the end of its expected service life, refurbishment
may be a viable option to extend the service life and upgrade the passenger accommodation.

Bidders will be required to demonstrate how they plan to spend up to ^50 million capital
contribution for investment in rolling stock enhancements in accordance with the rules set out in
Appendix 2 (Rules for Spending of ^50m Capital Contribution) of this ITT

Another loss for FirstGroup. That's two Franchise awards they've missed out on in less than a week.

Serco selected for new Caledonian Sleeper rail franchise

Date : 28 May 2014

Serco Group plc, the international service company, has been selected by Transport Scotland to manage the new 15-year franchise for the Caledonian Sleeper service which is to be operated separately from the main ScotRail franchise.  From April 2015, Serco will be responsible for operating all aspects of the Caledonian Sleeper including marketing, sales, passenger services, station facilities and fleet maintenance.  To meet Transport Scotland's aim of transforming the service, over ^100m will be invested in new rolling stock which, together with many other innovative changes, will give a dramatically improved customer experience.  The Sleeper service provides a vital connection between London and Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Fort William, Glasgow, Inverness and many other of Scotland's main towns and cities.

Total revenue to Serco over the 15-year franchise period is estimated at up to ^800m, of which approximately ^180m will be in the form of franchise payments.  A gain share agreement is included to incentivise performance improvements.

The new fleet, representing an investment of over ^100m, is expected to be introduced by the summer of 2018.  Reflecting their aspirations for the service, this is part-funded by a ^60m capital grant from Scottish Ministers.  The fleet, to be built by leading rolling stock manufacturer CAF, will be leased to Serco by Beacon Rail.  Significant improvements include en-suite berths, Pod Flatbeds used for the first time in rail, and a brasserie-style Club Car.  Customers will also benefit from being able to book through a new website with a much broader range of fares, earlier boarding of the trains, the ability to manage their journey virtually and use of many other new service features.

The new Caledonian Sleeper franchise is centred on creating an outstanding hospitality service that is emblematic of the best of Scotland.  Serco will improve significantly the guest service using our extensive transport and tourism experience, together with that of our partners including leading Scottish hotel business Inverlochy Castle Management International (ICMI) and the Michelin-starred chef Albert Roux OBE KFO.  Serco also plans to promote and support Scottish enterprise by sourcing local products and produce from small and medium-sized businesses.  These changes, combined with the new sales and reservation system and other improvements in marketing, are anticipated to provide greater market penetration and growth in passenger numbers from UK residents travelling on business or leisure, as well as international tourists.

Rupert Soames, Serco Group Chief Executive Officer, said: "Serco has a strong track record of providing high quality and efficient rail services around the world, as well as experience in managing large-scale tourism-focussed transport services.  I am delighted that we can use this unique blend of expertise to transform the iconic Caledonian Sleeper into a modern, high quality hospitality service to make Scotland proud.  Serco has a very constructive relationship with many parts of Scottish Government and already operates essential public transport and many other services.  With 3,000 Serco employees living and working in Scotland, we are tremendously excited to be delivering these new developments and meeting the vision of Transport Scotland."

Seems like the award for the Sleeper services was a bit of a stitch up.

Would you care to qualify that statement?

I said 'seems' ...

After all Serco is not squeaky clean

New English operator of Caledonian sleepers says: we'll see out rail deal, no matter indyref vote

New Caledonian Sleeper operator Serco has pledged to see out its 15-year contract regardless of the outcome of the independence referendum.

Serco said it would improve the service with new trains, Scottish procurement and potentially more jobs.

Chief executive Rupert Soames was a vocal critic of independence as head of Aggreko, but Serco said it has no plans to invoke the seven-year break clause in the event of independence.

Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown insisted the constitution is "not a material consideration", but confirmed the break clause had been agreed to take stock of changing economic circumstances.

Rail unions have attacked the decision to take the sleeper out of Scottish hands and give it to an English company with Spanish trains and "a truly shocking track record in the delivery of public services".

Mr Brown said ministers "had no choice", and insisted the appointment will herald "a new beginning" for the service.

Jamie Ross, business development manager at Serco, said: "We are fully committed to a 15-year contract. Our new chief executive joined a month ago and totally immersed himself in the sleeper bid. The break clause is something that we have not discussed, and wouldn't discuss. There are no plans for staff reductions. Because this is being split out from the main ScotRail franchise, if anything the total number of people employed will go up. There's a huge push to get local suppliers involved, most obviously in food and drink but also in getting things like Shetland blankets, so benefits flow out much wider than the network."

Mr Brown said the current sleeper is "less than ideal" and Serco offers "a dramatically improved prospect at a reduced price".

He said: "I had a conversation with Rupert yesterday. We didn't discuss Scottish independence, we just talked about the procurement process. (Independence) wouldn't be a material consideration for them although we have seen in the past different franchise operators essentially ditching the contracts, in the East Coast Main Line for example, although we have no intention to see this change. It's a 15-year contract and that's what we intend to see through. There is an option to break after seven years. Things may change over seven years. "

"One of the problems with the UK franchise is, if you think of the East Coast Main Line fiasco, the difficulty people have in bidding for contracts well into the future judging for inflation and other economic circumstances. So both in this franchise and the main franchise we have built in that break period to take account of what's happening at that time, but it's not our intention to break the contract and I think Serco, who are extremely pleased to have won this, have any intention of breaking it either. There's nothing in the contract either on our side or on their side that says that the constitution has changed so therefore the circumstances change for the contract."

There is a "substantial financial penalty" if the contract is broken, he said.

Mick Cash, acting general secretary at the RMT union, said Serco has "a truly shocking track record in the delivery of public services", and any threat to jobs and conditions "will be met with fierce resistance including the use of industrial action".

Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA rail union, said: "This decision flies in the face of everything (Scottish First Minister) Alex Salmond has been saying about an independent, financially strong Scotland. He has taken the contract away from a Perth-based Scottish firm and handed it to an English-based firm which will be given a ^60 million subsidy to build new trains in Spain. How does that create any new jobs in his dreamland of an independent Scotland?"

Mick Whelan, general secretary of train drivers' union Aslef, said: "No-one has taken on board the concerns of the staff who are currently involved, and their futures. We shall be contacting all parties on behalf of our members."

Mr Brown added: "We have no choice in (the franchise), we have to go with who wins the bid and the best bid came from Serco. The UK Government, Glasgow City Council and the Welsh Government deal with Serco. We don't like the franchise process, not least because you have the absurd anomaly whereby state-owned companies from the rest of Europe can bid but you can't have a public sector bid from the UK. It just doesn't make sense and it disadvantages UK industry. French, Dutch or German state-owned companies like Arriva can have a large part of the UK network but UK state-owned companies can't. The UK Labour Government had two chances to change that and didn't. The Scottish Government has no power to change the franchise system but hope to do it with independence."

Mr Ross added: "Serco works with all sorts of contracting models, very often partnering public sector bodies. The Scottish Government's aspirations to introduce new entrants, perhaps from the public sector, isn't something that we would be wary of."

The new fleet, representing an investment of over ^100m, is expected to be introduced by the summer of 2018.  Reflecting their aspirations for the service, this is part-funded by a ^60m capital grant from Scottish Ministers.  The fleet, to be built by leading rolling stock manufacturer CAF, will be leased to Serco by Beacon Rail.  Significant improvements include ...

Transport Scotland have now published a brochure outlining their vision for the Caledonian Sleeper for the next 15 years:

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/system/files/documents/tsc-basic-pages/Rail/Caledonian%20Sleeper/Caledonian%20Sleeper%20Briefing%20v5.pdf

Serco also operate a global call centre business, providing Customer Services for the likes of National Rail Enquiries and, er, First Great Western.

The 1980s time-warp of the London-Scotland sleeper train

Across Europe, sleeper trains seem more and more of a quaint anachronism, but the UK is overhauling an old and famous overnight route, writes Adrian Quine.

The overnight sleepers running between London and Scotland, are about to get a much needed facelift. The Scottish Government announced this week it is jointly funding a ^100m investment in new trains that promise a four-class service with a bar and bistro, sleeping pods, private cabins with beds, desks, wi-fi - even showers. Michelin-star chef Albert Roux is doing the catering. UK firm Serco, which runs the Ghan and Indian Pacific trains in Australia, has been awarded the sleeper contract. The current trains haemorrhage public money and the sleepers were almost scrapped altogether when the railways were privatised in the mid-1990s.

An outcry from an eclectic mix of peers, landowners, walkers and train buffs kicked off a high-profile campaign. The slogan "The Deerstalker Express" was born and the trains became so popular passengers had to book months in advance. Red-faced civil servants gave up and safeguarded the trains for a further 18 years.

Despite being badly marketed and suffering from cramped 30-year-old trains, the sleepers have retained a loyal, almost cult following. For anyone who has travelled on them on a regular basis - me included - it's not difficult to see why they are held in such affection.

The experience of being rocked to sleep as the train speeds through the Home Counties to wake up to the vast wilderness of Rannoch moor is pleasantly disorientating.


Even the train's staff find the experience exhilarating. Driver Robert Buchanan recalls getting a knock on his locomotive cab door as the sun rose over the West Highlands to find the Duke of Gloucester, plus his two black Labradors, asking if he might be allowed to come up for a ride. "It's the most enviable job," he says. "Everybody wants to drive the Scottish sleeper."

Certainly the atmosphere aboard the train is about as far removed from the 08:24 commuter train from Basingstoke to Waterloo as you can get. Passengers mingle in the lounge car - a curious mix of captains of industry, politicians, academics, landowners, hikers and train buffs. Most are regulars - many on first name terms with the crew. The surroundings are replete with 1980s style furnishings. The lounge cars are the only coaches in Britain with loose seats of aluminium-tube design, looking like something out of a discotheque. The walls are carpeted and the spotlights subdued, all adding to the rather obscure time-warp sensation.


The stewards tend to passengers' every whim with a dog-eared cardboard menu that consists of tins of Baxters soup, "haggis, neeps and tatties" or a standard-issue pre-packed bacon roll - all heated up in the "pantry" microwave. What the food lacks in culinary finesse is made up for at the bar. By the time the train reaches Crewe, passengers are often pretty merry - discretion thrown to the wind. Wily journalists can regularly find out more about what is going on in the corridors of power between London and Crewe than during a whole week at Westminster.

A sleeper steward told me a story once that, had it not been in the first person, I would have sworn was apocryphal. In the lounge car, after several drams, a female passenger became acquainted with a male oil worker. Sleeping in adjacent coaches that night, she eventually sneaked down the corridor. But unbeknown to either of them, the train split in the small hours of the morning and she woke to find herself admiring the view of the North Sea near Aberdeen as her clothes and belongings pulled into Crianlarich, 100 miles to the west. The steward recalls having to think on his feet when questioned by her irate husband. Waiting on the platform he was baffled as to how the train had somehow managed to lose one of its passengers.

Sleeper berths are an acquired taste - regular travel is required to acclimatise and get a good night's sleep. Single, standard passengers often end up sharing their twin berths with snoring strangers of the same sex. On the Glasgow train it's not uncommon for the train to be drunk dry. The Edinburgh train tends to have a more sober atmosphere, full of academics and business people.

Fund manager Tom Wright is a regular passenger. He uses it for convenience as it departs after the last flight and arrives before the first one lands the following morning. "I don't mind taking the sleeper but facilities even in first class are worse than the second class journeys between Bangkok and Chang Mai I took 25 years ago," he says. "Hotels in London are now so expensive that if they upgraded it to be even half as comfortable as a hotel then they might do quite well."

Barrister William Frain-Bell agrees: "Turning it into something akin to the Orient Express Pullman is great news as long as the fares don't rocket."

Scotland's late First Minister Donald Dewar used the train regularly once breaking the "sleeper record". He travelled it five times in one week after which he quipped that he could not remember in which direction he was going - much to the amusement of his political opponents. Gordon Brown and the late John Smith would also enjoy unwinding on a Friday night, with a drink in the small hours as they headed north.

The beds are compact. If you are taller than 5ft 10in or have a waist greater than 34in they can be a challenge. Turn once too often and you will end up in a heap on the floor.

But Britain's sleepers with their narrow bunks and stained, chipped enamel wash basins have one benefit over their European counterparts. Most berths are either solo or with twin beds. In France, the basic sleeping carriages are made up of very cramped couchettes, reminiscent of a cheap youth hostel, where six strangers stretch out in very close proximity.

Not surprisingly, with the advent of an extended high-speed network on the continent and the relentless rise of low-cost airlines, the European sleepers are on the wane. The Paris to Madrid service, which ran for over a century, was scrapped last year with little fanfare.

Britain can be said to be bucking the trend. The key to success will be price - both to the passenger and taxpayer. As a regular sleeper passenger myself, I can't help feeling that it would be great if it could be made to work. Perhaps this new "hotel on wheels" is to be the catalyst for the future shape of Britain's railways.

Message from Tim O^Toole ^ Caledonian Sleeper rail franchise

Transport Scotland has announced today that Serco will be operating the new Caledonian Sleeper rail franchise, with effect from 1 April 2015. Caledonian Sleeper services, which currently form a small part of our ScotRail franchise, will become a new, separate franchise and as a result we will cease operation of the sleeper services between Scotland and London from that date.

While this is not the news we had hoped for, I would like to thank all of our employees who have worked hard to deliver the best possible service for Caledonian Sleeper customers over the past ten years. I know that everyone transferring to the new franchise will continue to build on this as they enter a new phase of development on this route.

We submitted a strong bid which would have offered further high quality services for passengers and a good return for taxpayers. We will continue to provide sleeper passengers with a high quality standard of service as usual until the new franchise commences and will be working closely with the new operator to ensure a smooth transition for those employees affected.

Whilst this is disappointing, it does not change our progress towards the Group's medium-term targets, nor our priorities for UK Rail. We remain focused on our goal of providing more and better rail services across the UK and we are currently shortlisted for a number of other rail franchises, including the next generation of the ScotRail franchise due to be awarded by Transport Scotland in the coming months.

We are tremendously proud to have provided this important service for the last decade and wish the team every success for the future.

Tim O^Toole
Chief Executive

Caledonian sleeper among ^world^s best^ rail trips

(http://www.scotsman.com/webimage/1.3593391.1415106115!/image/2211223667.jpg_gen/derivatives/articleImgDeriv_628px/2211223667.jpg)
The Caledonian Sleeper. Picture: Norman McNab

The iconic Caledonian sleeper train service between Fort William and London has been named as one of the best six railway adventures in the world.

The Fort William service, which is known colloquially as The Deerstalker, has been placed in the same group of great train rides as The Shanghai Maglev, the Tren Crucero through the heart of Ecuador, the Sunset Limited between Los Angeles and New Orleans, the Trans Alpine Express in New Zealand^s stunning South Island and the Danube Express between Budapest and Istanbul.

Top travel guide Travel said the Caledonian Sleeper was one of the world^s ^most unforgettable train adventures.^

^There are only two sleeper services left in the UK, one of them wending its way slowly from London to Penzance. This 13-hour route is the more stunning.....hurtling through the night and hitting Edinburgh in the early hours so you can peek at a city waking up,^ it says.

^From here it^s non-stop on the sensational photo opps: misty Loch Lomond cradled by mountains; the wildly beautiful expanse of wind-blown Rannoch Moor. At old Victorian station platforms, lonely tearooms survey the tracks. Beyond, velvety green hills are washed with weak sun. Go in spring, when the light and flowers lend the surroundings extra special beauty - and be prepared for a tight squeeze, as the cabins aren^t very spacious.^

The guide recommended that passengers watch out for Rannoch Station - gateway to the wild moor, which is ^so remote that rail is pretty much the only way to get there.^

The guide reads: ^Your nose will be superglued to the window as you take in the faded purple heathland and the chiffon-like silhouettes of foggy hills beyond,^ Before adding: ^If you opt for a bargain first class ticket, you^ll get your own cabin and wake to breakfast delivered by your own onboard steward, so there^s no need to fear stale teacakes and over-brewed tea.^

The total Caledonian Sleeper service connects London Euston nightly - except Saturday - with Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Fort William, Glasgow and Inverness, and intermediate stations. But it was the route to Fort William that won over Travel^s train buffs.

Serco are to take over the franchise from Aberdeen-based First Group. The company already offers luxury sleeper services in Australia. The new 15-year franchise will start in April 2015.

Serco will be responsible for operating all aspects of the Caledonian Sleeper including marketing, sales, passenger services, station facilities and fleet maintenance. More than ^100m will be invested in building 72 state of the art carriages, which will make up four new trains, at a cost of ^100m by the summer of 2018. It will be part-funded by a ^60m grant from the Scottish government.

The rolling stock will be built by CAF, which also built Edinburgh^s new trams. Serco is promising improvements including en-suite berths, ^pod flatbeds^ and a brasserie-style club car. And a partnership with luxury hospitality firm Inverlochy Castle Management International and Michelin-starred chef Albert Roux will introduce what is described as ^hotel-style service and an improved all-round travelling experience^.

Announcing the new contract earlier this year, Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown said the aim was to ^transform this iconic rail service^. He added: ^The contract secures the future of the Caledonian Sleeper, ensuring it delivers a service fit for the 21st century and that it provides - as it has done for over 100 years - a unique, valued and high profile overnight service between Scotland and London.^

Around 270,000 journeys were made on the sleeper service in the last full year.

But Rail workers union the RMT has said it is ^deeply concerned^ that the contract had been given to Serco. Acting General Secretary Mike Cash said: ^This is a company with a truly shocking track record in the delivery of public services. Quite frankly, with their appalling list of failures in the UK and globally, they should never have even been considered as contenders for the Scottish sleeper service. The logical option of public ownership was not even looked at. Serco is a company that has a reputation for promising the earth and delivering quite the opposite as they seek to maximise profits and sweat their assets for every single penny piece.^

Thanks for the 'heads up' for that Bob.  Having glanced at all the wonderful promised improvements, I had a small shudder of horror at the mention of 'theme nights' in the club car.  Certainly in the summer, whatever the delights inside the train they will never match the majesty outside the window (at the Scottish end of the journey of course - lovely though Watford and Milton Keynes are, 'majestic' they will never be  :D).

The trouble with entertainment on a regular service, is that for all those it suits, many others are put off.  I apologies for my negativity on this point, which is only matched by my cynicism that it will probably never happen. I wish them well, however, with their aspiration to provide upgraded facilities and I will no doubt sample them in due course.

The primary difference is the catering provision.  The Scottish services have a nicely laid out lounge with a wide selection of hot food.  ...

The big winner for the northbound Scottish sleepers, however, is the view when you awake!

The Scottish services also have a range of very agreeable "wee drams".

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/scotdram.jpg)

In preparation for the takeover the new operators have launched their website - http://caledoniansleeper.info/ (http://caledoniansleeper.info/)

Some interesting stuff on it.

The main website for customers, now also open for bookings for dates from April 2nd (and up to 12 months in advance - a first for a UK train operator), is to be found at the following link:

https://www.sleeper.scot/

Except that, at the moment, you can't book further ahead than May 15th, as the timetable for after that has not been published yet. And, if you try to book later, it shows all accommodation as "fully booked" - which isn't helpful if you missed the bit about timetable validity.

I wonder how much of the time there will be 12 months of valid timetable to book against.

When I clicked the Book Online button, it took me to First Scot Rails' Website

to be fare (sic), the text states ...... Book the Sleeper   Our new and improved reservation system will begin in early 2015, but in the meantime travellers are able to book with the current operator.  (my emphasis)

You can book up to 12 months in advance of your travel date. For travel by Caledonian Sleeper before 1st April 2015, please book through the ScotRail website or call ScotRail

Our service starts on April 1st 2015, but thanks to our 12 month booking window, you can already book tickets for January 2016 ^ meaning you can relax and look forward to your trip

What? Where? Are you looking at an out-of-date one? What I see (following bignosemac's link) says:


And it does take bookings, in its narrow date window of 1st April to 15th May 2015.

Will 47's be used this summer? Might tempt me to take a trip to the Highlands!

Drink it how you like, I say.

Had a right palaver trying to book berths on the Caledonian Sleeper.

I am travelling on three CS services in June while using an All Line Rover.

Their website tells you to call the "Guest Service Centre" if you want to book only a berth.  So I did.  After being in a queue for nearly four minutes I was given the option of leaving a number for them to call me.  However the call never came.

The website states the lines are open to midnight.  I phoned again at 9pm to get a message saying they closed at 8.30pm.  So back to the website, I emailed them and explained all the above and asked them to call me before noon the following day.

Still no call, so I rang again and finally got through to someone who told me they couldn't yet book berths only and was I near a station because they would be able to do it for me.  She was, at least, able to check there were berths available on the nights I wanted. 

So off to the station I go.  The first booking clerk wasn't sure how to do sleeper bookings but quickly handed over to a colleague who was able to book my three berths.

Any new operation is bound to have teething problems but there do seem to be some fairly basic errors with the website.

Well it seems their Customer Services are no better.
...
However the good news (!) is, my comments have been passed to the "Guest Experience Department"

Up to Edinburgh tonight and back on Friday. Should be interesting how it goes.  ::)

How did you get on?

I've just been investigating a week travelling around in Scotland, using the sleeper out to Inverness and back from Fort William. I'm quite intrigued by the pricing for a single traveller requiring a berth.

A First Class Solo berth is ^29.50 cheaper than a Standard Solo berth and includes a free breakfast amongst other freebies.

I remain utterly appalled that my colleague bobm chose to add not only ice cubes but also ginger ale to a single malt.  :o

He's still at it Chris.  :P

No ice cubes tonight though. My esteemed colleague and friend bobm is on the Lowland Sleeper to Glasgow tonight and has just sent me this picture. It is Glenfiddich and Canada Dry ...

That's just about forgiveable - Glenfiddich is pub whisky so not as sacrilegious!

Thanks for that rather unwelcome update, bignosemac.  Ice cubes (preferably Highland spring water) I could almost cope with - but not ginger ale.  :o


It's still a twelve year old single malt.  >:(

I'm no longer speaking to bobm.  :-X

Contrary to popular belief, there is no right or wrong way to enjoy Single Malt Scotch Whisky

Highlander passengers will have to wait a bit longer for new stock - https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/holyrood/1754298/anger-over-delay-to-caledonian-sleepers-new-luxury-train-fleet/

Not fair! I'm booked to FTW and back on 21/6 and 24/6 and expected the new stock >:( >:( >:( 

Caledonian Sleeper Highland service launch delayed
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Caledonian Sleeper is to delay the launch of new trains on the Highland service to support another route.

The trains - which feature carriages with double beds - are now not expected be introduced until September on the route between London and Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William.

Instead, the carriages will be diverted to support the Lowland service between London, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Transport Scotland said the delay was "unacceptable" and penalties applied.

It had been due to be rolled out on the Highland route over the coming weeks.

'Tourist season'

However, Ryan Flaherty, Serco managing director of the Caledonian Sleeper, said: "We are disappointed but it is undoubtedly the correct decision and will allow us to improve the reliability and resilience of the Lowlander fleet and maintain capacity on the Highland route.

"While we are keen to introduce our new trains on the Highland route as soon as we can, our priority must be delivering a reliable service on the lowland route and then make sure that each new carriage on the Highland route is ready to welcome guests and deliver a true Caledonian Sleeper experience."

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Travellers who booked the new carriages will be offered a refund

The company said passengers who had already booked to travel on a Highland service from 7 July and who had booked one of the new accommodation options, would be refunded the difference in cost.

A spokesman for Scotland's national transport agency, Transport Scotland, said the timing of the delay was significant.

'Correct train faults'

He said: "The introduction of new trains often present significant challenges, however, this latest delay is quite simply unacceptable.

"Given we are fast approaching the height of the tourist season, it is disappointing that many customers are as yet unable to fully enjoy the benefits of the new on-board facilities, particularly as bookings have increased and feedback has been positive where the customer experience reaches the standards we expect.

"While the Caledonian Sleeper team are working to correct train faults, the manufacturer CAF's inability to supply sufficient suitable trains leaves no other option than for service entry to be postponed.

"The Highlander service will continue to run with existing trains until this is resolved."

Caledonian Sleeper said the delay would give CAF, the manufacturer, more time to fulfil its responsibilities and complete work on the remaining new carriages.

The fleet has been part funded by capital grants from Scottish ministers and the UK government.

RAIL union RMT said that the first 48-hour strike by staff calling for safe working conditions on the renowned Caledonian Sleeper service is ?rock solid.?

Workers on board the service have launched a programme of industrial action over working conditions, which they say leave them so fatigued that safety is jeopardised.

The strike began at 5.30pm on Sunday. They will strike again on Sunday this week.

They have banned overtime and rest-day working.

The Caledonian Sleeper overnight service runs between London Euston and destinations in Scotland including Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness.

It is operated by profiteer Serco.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said ?RMT members are standing rock solid in their strike action on the Caledonian Sleeper, but it remains a scandal that Serco appear to have deliberately provoked this dispute and have never had any intention of entering serious talks.

?Instead of working with the union on a solution to the very real issues of safety and fatigue, they have declared war on staff. That is a disgrace.?

I think that the RMT should put in a bid to run a rail franchise, and show us how it should be done.
Without the involvement of wicked fat cats, profiteers, privateers, shareholders and other lackeys of capitalism. They should be able to pay greatly improved wages whilst improving services and still showing a modest and "socially responsible" profit.

These modest profits could be applied to worthwhile projects such as educational trips to Cuba in order that the fine modern railways in that workers paradise may be viewed first hand.

From the Morning Star (http://) .. an update (on a story we appear to have missed) of industrial relations issues on the Caledonian Sleeper.


I can't help feeling that calling the company you are striking against is a "profiteer" ... and in any case, aren't they under an emergency management order at the moment, so that significant profits and losses fall to either Westmister or Holyrood?

From talking to somebody who knows somebody.....who has a mate/relative who might work on the trains it appears the new trains aren't as good for staff as the MK3 SLEP were. The only staff space with seats is I think in the lounge car and not a pantry (with seat) per car as before ...

T
he contract with the firm running the Caledonian Sleeper will end in June of next year, the Scottish Government has said.

Transport minister Jenny Gilruth said in an answer to a parliamentary question that a new contract with Serco – the firm that has run the service for the past seven years – does not represent “value for money to the public”.

The franchise will end on June 25 but it is not clear who will take over the running of the trains, which offer services from as far north as Inverness to London.

Existing services and timetables will continue until the end of the contract.

“We’re a different company so won’t be waiting for Scotrail to get back”.

The night of Friday 23 June will see the last Caledonian Sleeper services run under Serco’s management when the Caledonian Sleeper franchise expires almost eight years and three months since Serco’s inaugural service departed from Fort William on Tuesday 31 March 2015.

Commenting on the end of the franchise, John Whitehurst, Managing Director of Serco’s transport business, said: “We are immensely proud of everything that we have achieved since we were awarded the contract to run the Caledonian Sleeper in 2014.   During the eight years since Serco’s inaugural services departed, we have brought about massive improvements to every aspect of the service for our employees, our passengers and for Scotland, despite having made significant losses on the contract.  These improvements have been an extraordinary achievement by everyone involved in running the service and we are grateful to everyone for their hard work, and we wish them all good luck and a great future.  We hand the Caledonian Sleeper over to the Scottish Government in great shape, secure in the knowledge that this is now a world class service that represents the best of Scotland.”