Great Western Coffee Shop

Treating myself and a friend to a trip to Scotland next month.

A couple of questions.  Starting from Plymouth and coming up on one of the Pullman Restaurants.  Will be holding a First Class ticket - are we allowed to use the First Class lounge at Paddington at the end of the journey?  The train normally comes in on Platform 1 and we will have a few hours to kill before getting the Caledonian Sleeper to Inverness.  We are travelling on Super Off Peak Returns with berths on the sleeper so that doesnt allow us to use the lounges at Euston as they are not "dedicated sleeper tickets".

As for the sleeper - does anyone know the layout of the berths?  How close are 19/20 to a wheelset.  Anyone who has used a sleeper will know they are best avoided!

Planning to go on the Jacobite steam train from Fort William, John O Groats, Loch Ness etc. 

Then on the way back take in the 19:03 Pullman ex-Pad - should be fun on a Friday night!

Should be no problem with access to the 1st Class Lounge at Paddington on arrival.

I fear Berth 19/20 may be over a bogie as it is close to the vehicle end. See: http://www.rail-britain.co.uk/seat_plans.html (Username: Public Password: Visitor)

It may be possible to change that allocation if space permits. Ideally you want berths numbered between 09-16.  A call to Scotrail's telesales may be of help, no guarantees though. 08457 55 00 33  (geographic number:  01752 675670)

Thanks... hmm does look a bit close to the end of the carriage - are there toilets at both ends of the coach does anyone know - would move us up the coach!  ;D

Two toilets at one end, but I can't remember which end. The other end has the staff cabin though, which moves berths up the carriage a bit.

My trick with the sleeper is to get mildly sloshed in the lounge car before retiring to bed! Seem to be able to nod off quite easily after that.

Me too. Last time I travelled on the Caley (to Aberdeen) it was a plate of haggis, neeps and tatties, a beer or two and a couple of single malts. Out like a light an awoke just in time for the Forth Bridge. A quick wash and brush up and then off to the lounge car for breakfast as we crossed the Tay.

Sounds like a good plan on both counts.  Hadn't realised there was breakfast on offer in the lounge car.  I assume this is for standard class passengers as well as first - what is the menu like?

Things may have changed on the brekky front. It was two years ago that I bashed the Caley. And I was travelling on 1st Class ALR.

Sparse info online about the catering provision.