Problems with the Night Riviera sleeper - December 2014 onwards

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

Another set of bleary eyed Sleeper passengers then.

The reliability of the service really is at an unacceptably poor level. I'm just surprised it's not made the media yet.

It'll make the media when enough people stop using it due to its unreliability to the extent that it becomes unviable to continue the service and it stops..........who knows, maybe that wouldn't upset FGW^▸ (First Great Western) too much?

It's beginning to seem that it's more trouble than its worth, especially when the frequent switching of units results in the cancellation of peak trains the following morning (particularly those from Penzance/Plymouth to Paddington), which inconveniences far more people than the removal of the Sleeper.

Make it a dedicated franchise like the Caledonian Sleeper.

[broadgage]

Since the appalling unreliability of the sleeper is largely caused by locomotive failures, would it not be possible to hire either something more reliable, or possibly to use two.
Having two locos on the train when one should suffice sounds extravagant but might be cheaper than the endless delays ?

Possibly heritage diesels could be used ? these don't have an unblemished record but should be fine if double headed.

[IndustryInsider]

Make it a dedicated franchise like the Caledonian Sleeper.

I don't think it's a big enough operation to be a dedicated franchise - perhaps including it within the Caledonian Sleeper franchise (separately branded and staffed, but using shared modern diesel locomotives, carriages and on-board supplies) might make sense, but to my slight surprise I've never heard that mentioned as a possibility.

[Kernowman]

I wonder how easy it would have been to hire in a 66 from Westbury to PZ to assist the 57? At least sleeper passengers would have been able to stay put and the resulting HST^▸ (High Speed Train) cancellations wouldn't have been necessary.

As far as I can see there are 6 options for the future of the sleeper (In no particular order or desirability):

1. Sort out the 57's
2. Use 67's
3  Use 68's
4. Rewire the sleeper and use HST power cars
5. Introduce later/earlier services to/from London and the Southwest and scrap the sleeper altogether. If you alienate enough sleeper passengers with HST substitutes and delays etc then this option becomes easier to implement.
6. Something else e.g other Diesels

Sunday night's failure could have a silver lining as a lot of people use the up sleeper on sunday night to get back to work in London (including MP^▸ (Member of Parliament)'s). Once 'important people' start getting affected then questions might start getting asked.
(I know, I know everyones' important!)
 
Ironically, quite recently the PM was at Longrock depot talking about the planned refurbishment of the sleeper stock and a proposed 'new depot'. Unfortunately however refurbished stock is not much good if it's sat in a siding while pax are on an HST.

I remember sleeper failures occasionally happening years ago but there were more locos around to rescue it (some good runs behind a 50 or a pair of them) and HST substitutions were unheard of.  

[Palfers]

So what's the plan for tonight anyone know?

[LiskeardRich]

So what's the plan for tonight anyone know?

Both sets are at OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)). as of 1600 the ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) hadn't left OOC, so an on time running is rather slim. There is an extra HST^▸ (High Speed Train) set in Cornwall though from the set that took over at Westbury last night doesn't appear to have gone anywhere yet.

[Ollie]

The current plan is for the sleeper stock to start at Plymouth with a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) covering the Penzance to Plymouth part.

[a-driver]

So what's the plan for tonight anyone know?

Both sets are at OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)). as of 1600 the ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) hadn't left OOC, so an on time running is rather slim. There is an extra HST^▸ (High Speed Train) set in Cornwall though from the set that took over at Westbury last night doesn't appear to have gone anywhere yet.

Was booked to run as 3A40 leaving OOC at 1350 with 57306 + 57602
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O70498/2015/02/03/advanced

[TaplowGreen]

So what's the plan for tonight anyone know?

A38/M5/M4

[Umberleigh]

Not good, I fear for the future of this service. Perhaps a coincidence, but the early morning Flybe return flights from Newquay - Gatwick - Newquay and Exeter - London City - Exeter seem to be much busier of late, with over 80% of seats filled on Monday and again tomorrow.

[JayMac]

So what's the plan for tonight anyone know?

A38/M5/M4

Don't go to sleep taking that option though, unless you've hired a driver.

I wonder if Stagecoach have investigated running their Megabus Gold Sleeper coaches from the far west of Cornwall.

[Palfers]

Hmm will have to wait and see what happens later no notification on journey check yet I would laugh if it was a dmu to exter or even Bristol. But surely that would never happen right? I have been proved wrong before!! So won't be placing any bets

[LiskeardRich]

So what's the plan for tonight anyone know?

Both sets are at OOC^▸ (Old Oak Common (depot)). as of 1600 the ECS^▸ (Empty Coaching Stock) hadn't left OOC, so an on time running is rather slim. There is an extra HST^▸ (High Speed Train) set in Cornwall though from the set that took over at Westbury last night doesn't appear to have gone anywhere yet.

Was booked to run as 3A40 leaving OOC at 1350 with 57306 + 57602
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O70498/2015/02/03/advanced

It didn't leave OOC on time. Realtime Trains showing it left OOC at 1850, 300 late and expected in Plymouth at 2311. Real time trains is still showing it going all the way to Penzance to arrive at Penzance 0101, which is by all reports not happening.

[Palfers]

Guessing the sleeper has started with a hst as it left pz on time and sleeper set in exter now so will probs change in plymouth if my theory is right

[Super Guard]

Of course the level of service is not good enough, however the re-wiring to run with HST^▸ (High Speed Train) power-cars would require the mass cancellation of the service while this was happening, as you cannot have a mix of re-wired and non re-wired coaches running in the same set.  So, do you think the service could survive a good month or so of permanent HST replacement?