This Site
Copyright
Bold = Haulage, Red = Winner, All others are sightings.
We'd had originally intended to travel up to Scotland in October 2022 but due to the SCotrail strikes and the wife having an operation we had to postpone it to March 2023. What a good call it was too.
A little pre trip infomation.
We had intneded to travel up on the 22nd on the 07:30 from Euston to Glasgow central but it became clear that Carstairs was being rebuilt and this would actually cause over an hour delay to the trip due to the divert via Midcalder Junction and the train reversing. Okay we thought what about going from Kings Cross to Edinburgh and then over to Glasgow Queen Street. This got us in to Glasgow about an hour before the diverted would.
Then about 10 days before us travelling the wife called me up and asked abotu the sleeper. By going on the Tuesday night we would have a whole half day more in Glasgow. A call to Caledonian Sleeper and it was booked.
Day 1 was a day at work before heading home, finishing packing and then the wife and I headed to East Croydon to St Pancras International. 700118 formed 9J56 Horsham to Peterborough (non winner) [13m 40ch]
We went to Bar and Block around the corner from Kings Cross. The food was ok but the service was one of the worst experiences EVER. Rude, ignored and basically the guy was not bothered with anyone that wasn't a young female.
We took a nice leasuirely walk to Euston and stopped off for snacks and a couple of water bottles.
Using Traksy I worked out that our train was going to depart from platform 15 but the wife wanted to wait on the concourse. At 22:29 the indicator board chnged and it flashed up that it was in fact platform 15. With a smile and a "told you so" smirk we headed down and along the platform. the friendly staff told us which coach we were in and we boarded. Luckily (for the wife) our room was next to the toilet. and at the end of the carriage. Once the PJs were removed from the case out bags were stowed under hteh lower bunk and I set off for the loco for a photo.
1S26 Euston to Glasgow Central 92043 (Winner and cleared for 10 miles) [453m 43ch] (Consist: 15010, 15106, 15212, 15326, 15336, 15320, 15311, 15326, 15320, 15009, 15102, 15211, 15310, 15327, 15201).
We departed on time.
A small assessment of the Sleeper.
We had the classic which I have to admit is small. Neither the wife or I found it easy to get in the to top bunk. She decided she'd take it but it was quite difficult. Of course I did video it for the laugh. I do think that Caledonian Sleeper should ask a customer if there are any mobility issues regarding getting in and out of the bunks. Especially due to age.
The beds themselves we both found really confortable and we both got a good nights sleep. Someone next door was snoring so loudly that it was louder than the train movements.
The wife was asleep before we even left Euston and I think I dropped off somewhere about Milton Keynes.
According to Real Time Trains we were early all the way up. and we were both away about 5.30 (our usual time to wake anyway) and sorted ourselves out and watch the world go by to Edinburgh.
The train arrived in to Edinburgh on time and I managed a bit of spotting out the window!
Then it was off again with the same loco to Glasgow Central. Again we arrived in on time.