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« Reply #30 on: January 09, 2015, 14:10:26 » |
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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  ). 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. |
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TaplowGreen
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« Reply #31 on: January 09, 2015, 16:13:26 » |
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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 ). 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. Just out of interest (for those that have experienced both), how does the Caledonian sleeper compare to the Night Riviera? |
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bobm
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« Reply #32 on: January 09, 2015, 17:05:39 » |
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The sleeping accommodation is similar on both services, although on the Caledonian bunk beds are still is use as they allow dual occupancy of a cabin by two of the same sex not travelling together. The primary difference is the catering provision. The Scottish services have a nicely laid out lounge with a wide selection of hot food. To an extent that is not necessary on the West of England services as they board later than, in particular, the Highland sleepers and many will have already eaten. The Night Riviera carries a similar range to that on the daytime Express Cafes. The Scottish services also have a range of very agreeable "wee drams".  The FGW▸ sleepers have WiFi. The big winner for the northbound Scottish sleepers, however, is the view when you awake!  |
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trainer
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« Reply #33 on: January 09, 2015, 17:41:01 » |
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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!
Sadly, the last time I used the train from Fort William (June 2013) the lounge car kitchen was unable to provide anything hot - food or drink - and a regular traveller told me that this was not unusual at that time. I would hope it's better now. But the sun setting over Rannoch Moor and the deer grazing in the distance is still an image I treasure in my memory. edited to correct spelling |
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« Last Edit: January 09, 2015, 22:27:55 by trainer »
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bobm
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« Reply #34 on: January 09, 2015, 17:47:36 » |
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As I reported at the time, one of the last occasions I was on the Scottish sleeper they were unable to provide light, let alone heat, in the lounge car! These things happen.  |
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #35 on: January 09, 2015, 23:34:57 » |
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The Scottish services also have a range of very agreeable "wee drams". I remain utterly appalled that my colleague bobm chose to add not only ice cubes but also ginger ale to a single malt.  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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Kernow Otter
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« Reply #36 on: January 10, 2015, 00:04:29 » |
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Would agree with TWO ice cubes, but Ginger ale  ?? |
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JayMac
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« Reply #37 on: January 10, 2015, 00:22:09 » |
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Drink it how you like, I say. There are times when neat is what you fancy. Times when you want it with some water or ice, and times when a longer drink is the order of the day. http://www.malts.com/index.php/en_gb/Enjoying-Whisky/How-to-enjoy-your-single-malts |
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #38 on: January 10, 2015, 00:26:43 » |
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Absolutely fair comment - but I must warn our readers that the site in that link is age restricted.  |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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JayMac
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« Reply #39 on: January 10, 2015, 00:40:18 » |
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And this evening I have mostly been drinking Thatcher's Gold with a splash of Robinson's Orange Barley Water.
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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JayMac
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« Reply #40 on: January 10, 2015, 03:40:43 » |
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That would appear to be Serco's corporate informational website about their plans the Caledonian Sleeper over the life of the franchise. 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/All the information there about the timetables, fares, destinations, onboard services, terms and conditions and a Guest Charter. There's also a downloadable travel guide: https://www.sleeper.scot/images/PDFS/Travelguide2015.pdf |
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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Brucey
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« Reply #41 on: January 10, 2015, 08:29:19 » |
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That a nice, easy to use, booking engine. Offers options like pre-selecting your breakfast and paying for dinner in advance. At least you know your costs in advance, without having to hunt them down on the website.
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stuving
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« Reply #42 on: January 10, 2015, 09:26:21 » |
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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. |
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trainer
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« Reply #43 on: January 10, 2015, 12:57:36 » |
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Idly 'booking' a berth on the system just to see the fares and options, I have discovered that it is cheaper to travel First Class than pay for solo occupancy of a Standard Cabin. In fact you are better off paying for two berths in Standard than opting for solo occupancy.
Prices quoted for Euston to Fort William on Monday 13 April for a single passenger with a railcard:
Standard Twin: 43.75
Standard Solo: 144.40
First Class: 114.85
Possibly an error, but definitely not the 'small fee' referred to in the descriptive text of the accommodation.
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stuving
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« Reply #44 on: January 10, 2015, 13:13:32 » |
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Looks like they need to tweak a couple of the variable constants in their variable pricing algorithm?
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