London Euston to Fort William on the Caledonian Sleeper. I WAS SHOCKED!!
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2024
- Good bits and bad bits, I'm going to give you the FULL experience in this video! Starting at London's ugliest station - Euston, we'll be trying the new Caledonian Sleeper lounge on platform 1 before boarding the Highlander service that takes us up to the west coast of Scotland all the way to Fort William on the sleepers longest trip. We'll take dinner in the lounge car and I'll show you the club room before heading to bed for the night.
Unfortunately, there were several issues that arose and became worse by morning! But breakfast did make an appearance (sort of) and I'll be interested to know what you thought of that! We'll enjoy some fantastic scenery over Rannoch Moor, Corrour and beyond before arriving at Fort William where I'll be summarising the experience and, of course, telling you how much it all cost.
You may be surprised by how much I paid but, was it worth it? Again, please let me know in the comments.
This is my 100% honest appraisal of the trip, focussed mainly on the Club Room experience. I hope it helps you to decide whether you'd like to try the sleeper yourselves, please leave a like and a comment if you can and, as always, cheers for now.
Mark
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📖Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
03:00 - Euston Sleeper Lounge
05:00 - A look at the Train
07:02 - Boarding and Departure
08:25 - Dinner
12:55 - The Club Room
17:53 - Breakfast
20:50 - Enjoying the Scenery
29:04 - Arrival in Fort William
30:45 - Summary
The ticking noise on the class 92 at Euston is the spirex valves or sneeze valves as they're sometimes known. They dispel condensation from the airbrake system.
Mm.
I took this trip in 1991 but at that time the journey ended in Glasgow and I had to walk between two RR stations and catch another train to Fort William . From Fort William I took a third train all the way up to Mallaig. This little train was called a Sprinter and was quite similar to what we call Brill Cars in Canada. It was a fantastic trip. The old Caledonian Sleeper in those days was a wonderful experience. Brass, mahogany paneling everywhere. No sitting about in a lounge waiting for the boarding call. One simply got to Euston and went straight on board and got comfortable. There was an early knock on the door in the morning and a pot of tea was delivered. Cost I think was something like 8 pounds I think. Without a N.American rail pass I doubt I would ever travel by train in the UK again. Far too expensive.
Thanks for the comment. Agree with a lot of what you said and I too have good memories of the old sleeper. I am thinking about the Canadian at some point so may be heading over to Toronto. Watch this space!
What an interesting experience! I'm going on a trip, too! ❤By the way I found it possible to use code on trainpal to get a discount on the purchase of tickets, which saved my budget lol! If anyone needs me, I can share this code～
How on earth did they run out of water? I don’t care who actually runs this “premium” service, but it’s pathetic!
I mean to be honest it a train so if someone has used all the water they carrying then it understandably does happen.
I’ve no idea how big the tanks are but surely they must have enough. Or they weren’t filled up prior to the journey.
@@kieranl8181 if someone was having a 3 hour shower or an industrial laundry then maybe?. Seriously though, it’s a “premium” service and this is basic incompetence. If they had a punctured tank then I get that👍
If this is such an issue, maybe they need to re-water the train in Edinburgh where it splits. In the US, passenger cars are re-watered at major stations at least once per day. In my semi extensive experience on Amtrak, there have been a lot of issues, however running out of potable water has never been one of them.
This service seems to have issues with the water quite often. I've seen other UA-cam channels review this service where the hot water/showers aren't working. Surprising, given how new the trains are. This aside, I've personally never thought that the Caledonian sleeper is worth the money.
Done this trip numerous times and the "new" sleeper is not a patch on the old one. The noise from the bogies kept me awake for most of the night. The GWR to penzance is miles better and more cosy. Euston is the pits!
gutted i missed out on the old units the new one doesn't really appeal to me now
I prefer the Night Riviera too. I must do it again soon 👍
The Caledonian used to be great.
Agree, Night Riviera superior in all respects.
Yeah, I’m glad the Night Riviera uses old stock, Pz is my local station. I’ve heard many say that about the Caledonian stock, shame.
We travelled club class to Fort William two weeks ago and it ran out of water, I feel sorry for the cleaners as we couldn’t flush the toilet. That stupid ladder is impossible if you are over a certain age luckily my husband slept on the top bunk. We had to take the ladder off as I couldn’t get out of the bottom bunk with it in situ. It had snowed so scenery amazing. I have travelled on the sleeper since 1968 and I miss the old coaches, the rooms were bigger and there were pockets for your stuff, a mat for shoes, water that worked, a small window that opened and plenty of space for cases and rucksacks. Oh and silver service for morning tea and proper dinner.It’s not good now at all.
Sounds as bad as mine! I hope you asked for compensation Fiona. 😊
@@LetsMakeaTrip did you get any compo Mark, for the lack of water, shower, etc?
I recall back in the early Seventies, making that similar run, not starting off on the West Coast but on the East. The train departed King's Cross and I boarded at York and joined the Mallaig/Fort William section, with my Mum and Dad. Even though we didn't get a sleeper berth, we had the wonderful corridor compartment the bonus was there was no other passengers in the compartment! The train split at Waverley we waited a couple of hours probably from 4 till 6am to set off to Glasgow Queen Street. After the three coaches became 6, we descended into the the darkened sooty depths of Queen Street then coming onto the West Highland Line, as dawn finally broke. The total journey times was about twelve hours, faithfully hauled by a couple of Class Twenty-somethings if I recall correctly. I should have taken the camera to take photos for prosterity. You could guarantee as always when in Scotland
someone would start serenading us with the pipes. Now it seems like I lived in different world.
I remember as a very young boy in 1961 and again in 1963 taking that sleeper train. It was split into two journeys back then. I remember being told the first part of the journey was pulled by a Gresley A4 Pacific. The journey back then took a lot longer than in 2024.
In 1961/63 the train would have left from Kings Cross. I thought that all the problems with the Caledonian Sleeper sets had been sorted out. Running out of water means the coaches hadn’t been “tanked” as it is callled. Before departure from the carriage sidings. Quite honestly as far as I’m concerned the trains pricing is aimed at Foreign Tourists. I wouldn’t spend that sort of money ( and where I live going to London to come all the way back North would be a waste of time and money.
I bet it was an amazing experience though!
In the 1970s as an impoverished student, I caught a special cheap overnight diesel hauled service from Glasgow to Kings Cross, dept at about 2300 and arriving in KX at about 0700. Old coach stock and some mail coaches, I think. It was almost empty, like 20 passengers aboard, with old compartment coaches as well as open plan ones. I got an apartment to myself, took my boots off, made a pillow of my rucksack and used my army surplus parka as a blanket having removed the lightbulbs and pulled down the blinds. I slept quite well , although I was woken up several times for long station stops where they noisily loaded and unloaded mailsacks. Despite what it sounds like it was a pretty magical experience for a 19 year old.
The ticking noise are spirax valves. they're to slowly allow moisture to be released from the air system.
Thank you for that. I was curious myself as to what it was.
Yes cheers Steve. I often hear it and now I know. Nice one mate 😊👍
Thanks for that I'm 52 and have heard that noise for years and always wondered and thanks to you know I know 👍😅
Spirax is a Manufacturer they make all kinds of valves, they air condensate traps / valves.
@@stem77 indeed. However, the valves on the air tanks on preserved locos (so I assume main line stuff too) are generally referred to as the former. (You are correct though. It's like referring a hydraulic seal as a green tweede).
I last travelled Cal Sleep with the older stock a few years ago. Yes, travel pack consisted of zipped case, hand soap, lotion, mini toothpaste and folding brush, flannel, pillow freshener, eye shield and earplugs. And 2 bottles of water. But the window blind was very tricky to operate and on one journey...they ran out of water! At least I got 33% off the fare with senior railcard. As a perk for no water, I got a free porridge juice and croissant for breakfast. Oh, and I agree, I hardly got a wink of sleep. But that's because I kept working out where we were!
So interesting. Beautiful scenery. I had to travel to Aberdeen last year but after looking into this I just elected to catch a flight from London because it looked expensive and shabby. You’ve just made me happier in that decision! Thanks again for your videos Mark, beautiful work as always
There are day trains direct from London Kings Cross to Aberdeen, so you can see the scenery in the daytime. Peterborough Cathedral, York Minster, Durham Castle and Cathedral, crossing the Tyne at Newcastle and the Tweed at Berwick. The railway lines follows the coast then all the way to Aberdeen, passed Edinburgh Castle, over the Forth Bridge, around Fife, then over the Tay Bridge, then the coast to Stonehaven. Worth doing it only once !
Thank you sir and thanks for commenting as always - much appreciated 😊👍
The part from Dumbarton to Fort William is brilliant and as a local, I have done it many times. Loch Long, Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor..... just brilliant. This journey, sleeper or in seats from Glasgow has to be on everyone's bucket list. And then you got the best part not covered by this video.... Fort William to Mallaig. Btw the bus from Fort William over Glen Coe and Loch Lomond to Glasgow is also a must do. Thanx again for a great video.
Cheers mate, I have done the Fort William - Mallaig run - it is superb. This time though I was heading down to Oban (another lovely run but on the bus this time).
Aye, and if ScotRail washed the windows once in a while it'd be amazing.
Equally the split from Crianlarich to Oban, then onto the ferries to the isles.
@@6yjjk If I was there, I would be tempted to go out and wash a crucial window on a stop ... but then again, no water!
Agree. The loooong bus ride from Glasgow to Uig on Skye is stunning and long. Two hidden gems are Glasgow to Campbeltown return and the far shorter Largs to Glasgow via Gourock. And then you got the coastal bus Aberdeen to Dundee. All of them are great and were on my bucketlist until I knocked them off last year.
I rode this, same compartment as you, one year ago. My experience was a bit different--I had water and everything worked well. I could sleep better on the train, but I was pretty tired getting on board. The scenery was lovely going through the countryside and the sun slowly rising. I rode to Inverness, on time. Yes it was pricey, but I felt was of good value and comfortable for me. We were sharing the lounge with other services in Euston, which I thought was comfortable (before the new lounge you showed). I'd do it again, another good reason to return to Scotland. Thanks for your video and sharing.
I enjoyed this, I did Euston to Malliag as a kid on a school trip to Glencoe back in '82. The scenery is stunning. I think I would always do it in the daytime as I love just looking out of the window watching the world go by.
When they were building that line there was a deep peat bog to negotiate on Rannoch Moor, so they packed it with tree branches and laid the line on top. Even today, you can still feel the slight "give" in the railbed as the train crosses it!
Yes I remember reading about that somewhere. Fascinating really 👍
What an adventure, Mark! Loved seeing the full experience from Euston to Fort William on the Caledonian Sleeper. Despite some hiccups, your honest appraisal of the Club Room was insightful. The stunning scenery along the way made it worthwhile. Looking forward to more travel insights! 🚆🏞
Thanks mate. Ups and downs for me this trip and id probably try it in the day with an overnight next time to see how it compares (price and time). Cheers for the comment 😊
My brother and his wife did the Caledonian Sleeper in the double en-suite cabin. They were absolutely livid about it - "never, ever again!" Same problems as you experienced- topped off with a steward/host who couldn't give a 💩 ! We want to do a sleeper in the UK so looks like It'll have to be the Cornish Riviera Sleeper, which gets decent(ish) reviews. Thanks for suffering on our behalf Mark!
Cheers Shane. I totally agree, they need to up their game but something tells me they don’t really seem that bothered. I have done the Cornish Riviera, during covid times. I’ll try it again soon but imo it is much better than the calsleeper.
We did the Caledonian Sleeper a while ago. Overall we did enjoy it and would do it again. We did have an issue with the shower, it ran cold. Our sleep was a little broken, but you are on a train!! Food was good, our breakfast was ok. If you've never done it, do it!! It's a novel experience.
I came back from Aberdeen to Euston last Wednesday 21st February. I was disappointed with the breakfast and like you was a bit surprised by the amenity kit. Luckily I had water but unfortunately we had a delay in Edinburgh for 2.5 hours. At least I had 2.5 hours of rocking free sleep I would still travel on the Caledonian Sleeper but with not such high expectations. We did arrive at 10:30 in the end but was getting text updates through out the night with expected arrival times. But as usual the staff were fantastic. Great video thanks for sharing
Hi Mark...Liverpool Kev here again...Thank you so much for your video as usual...I am sure I mentioned I commuted out of Euston every day for ten years (20 years ago) when I worked in The City and Mayfair...I often dreamt of experiencing the sleeper train to Scotland....alas ..a dream no more...I have watched so many videos of this service...some even worse than yours......a crisp digital arrival screen is no substitute for an enjoyable quality value for money experience...Who was the soulless individual who designed the dining car...as welcoming as a rented Business Office Module in Milton Keynes....The breakfast was a genuine joke...and the room issues are repeated over and over again on UA-cam videos...I wish i could 'brush this off' Mark but I am afraid it is so repeated of our experiences these days...I really appreciated you showing us this...By the way....I really enjoyed your Penang experience a while back by the way....personal to me...As usual.....take care Mark....Liverpool Kev
Great video as always Mark, shame about the issues, but at least they acknowledged and reimbursed you, that’s a positive.
Yes they did Andy tbf. Just seems quite regular occurrence. Hate to think how many refunds they’re giving out each year!
About 50 years ago we used the old Motorail service London to Perth and return a few times. The rooms were ok but just for sleeping in, clean and comfortable but very few facilities so nothing to go wrong.
What I particulary remember was the catering, it was excellent silver service, white napkins etc, food very good too, I had wnderful kippers for breakfast. It was quite a treat that I remember 50 years on.
Your experience there, water problems aside, didn't appeal to me. OK it was quiet, peaceful, but your breakfast was a disaster and the haggis and neeps looked a mushy mess. The decor and general atmosphere seemed very sterile and it reminded me of a hospital. Not for me.
I went to Corrour 2 weeks ago on a day trip from Glasgow, an amazing place! It's really worth the trip. The restaurant next to the station is really good.
It was a fun experience! I'm going on a trip, too! 🎉By the way I found it possible to use code on trainpal to get a discount on the purchase of tickets, which saved my budget lol! If anyone needs discount, I can share the code ❤
Spent many winter nights on Corrour station, before it was refurbished. Always amazed by the wildlife in the night, and trainspotting. Aluminium and, I think, paper trains in those days. The deer would hear the trains approaching, move off the track to let it pass then back on. Most amazing though was the way the deer totally ignored very, very low flying military aircraft, not even a glaance up. Also stayed at the bunkhouse at Tulloch.
Hi Mark, the pictures of the old one you put up of the lounger car brought back memories for me when I did the Fort William with my ex wife in around 2005. We did both ways on the sleeper staying a few nights in Fort William. The train split at Waverley and I was up at the window awaiting the class 37. We were the coach behind the 37 and could smell it as well as hear it. I still have the little amenity bags from scotrail and it does indeed have pillow spray in it, a little blue drawstring sack full of little things including a flannel. The carriage is certainly more modern than the mk3 with a bunk and a sink. And the toilets at the end of the carriage which was fun in the night. Breakfast back then was just a bag of a croissant and shortbread and a drink , definitely nothing hot anyway. I did the seated sleeper carriage when it was still scotrail from Glasgow to Fort William around 10 years ago which was an up at the crack of dawn from the hotel to lower level queen Street to meet the carriages hauled by a class 67.
Normally you got a full cooked breakfast either in First Class or Second Class travelling Solo. On one occasion they ran out, and I got a hot sausage and bacon roll instead. You might want to read my entry on this video.
Those days of the 37’s must’ve been great. I didn’t do it until 2018 for some reason and I wish I’d have been doing UA-cam then but just just have a few photos of the experience instead. A great trip though in the snow. IIRC I had salmon & scrambled eggs for breakfast. It was lovely!
@LetsMakeaTrip I have cabridden a Class 37 from Edinburgh to Fort William by invitation from ScotRail.
The first time I did the West Highland was in 1985. Back then, the 3 x Mark 3 sleepers and 3 x Mark 2A/B day coaches used to attach to 6 x Mark 1 day coaches, that formed the 06.00 off Glasgow Queen Street HIGH level. Not only was the train load 12, but it has to drag a 85 ton dead Class 25 ETHEL (electric train heating ex locomotive) unit. On the day I did it, the loco only got as far as Dumbarton before it blew up. An hour later, a replacement 37 was found.
Near been on the sleeper train,but hoping to. Yes I agree the old club car lounge looked alot more cosy and relaxing,shame they modernised it too much and so much brighter.really good video.thanks
Very enjoyable and in formative. Did my first trip London to FW in 1983, en route to an Outward Bound course - in the seats all the way! Still seeing the chiropractor!
Arriving in Inverness at 6 in the morning is quite a challenge. Though the Caledonian Sleeper office opposite the station was very supportive
Yes, it’s that bit between arrival and checking in to your hotel that always gets me. Need a good nights sleep to last the morning tbh.
Great video as always Mark. My son is wanting to go on the Caledonian Sleeper, so it was good to see the facilities, the room, and the food. It was disappointing that the water ran out and the breakfast looked a little sad, but great that the company gave you a gesture of goodwill. A sign of a good company. I can understand, for the price, you want a good service and amenities that function, hopefully a one off but I would certainly travel on the Caledonian Sleeper, just for the experience. Again, great video, and I look forward to the next one. Andy.
Cheers Andy, thanks for the comment mate. I’m not sure it’s a one off tbh looking at the comments others have made but it seems so inconsistent, you could have an absolutely great time or something like this! All I would say is, have a go. There are good things about it so if it’s a little better than my experience I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
I chose to fly to Glasgow then a Scotlink bus to Fort William. Far less cost and i got to sleep in my own bed! Plus i was awake to see the beautiful Highlands. Glen Coe is always a delight, no matter the weather.
Just been recommended your video. Always wanted to do the sleeper services. Looks great, even with the lack of water
Great video again Mark. I know it's an older video but loved your gourmet cruise on the Bretagne. I've been going on that ship for 26 years and will miss it greatly when it finishes this year.
Thanks James. Yep not long to go now for Bretagne sadly. That’ll be replaced by a modern service but it’ll never be the same again (bit like the sleeper really).
the refund was a nice gesture but no water is quite an issue nice vlog
Thanks mate, appreciate the comment 😊👍
A long time ago I did Southampton to Glasgow on a Virgin train running from Plymouth to Aberdeen. It was the run up to Christmas people were drinking. Just past Birmingham we were told there were no working toilets. I jumped ship at Carlisle to use the facilities and got a later train the rest of the way.
I took this trip back in 1990 when BritRail still existed. I actually got a 2 wk Britrail pass 1st class & took a lot of trains even to top end of Scotland. There even was a train to Tilbury Dockside where I boarded a cruise ship (the original Royal Princess (dedicated by Princess Diana). PanAm airline was still around then too. Cheers from Vancouver.
I have travelled to Cornwall on the sleeper service, brilliant.
Definitely have to make a visit to Fort William!
Thank you, a very enjoyable and informative video!
Thanks for watching mate, appreciated 😊👍
I can sense your disappointment and I would be fed up too. This is a premium service at premium prices so with the water actually running out, poor breakfast experience and the absence of many 'frills' one has to question both the value and the committee that passed the 'upgrade' project. You are a very fair reviewer and this should be a shoe-in for the operator on such a classic journey and yet they managed to let you down at almost every turn.
I've done this trip before, and it was great. At 33:35 was the same guy who was actually on my train, quite fascinating, I did a day trip (I came to Fort William, spent the day (it was winter) and came back on the sleeper down to London) and it was great.
i think you might of been on my train lol
"A game of two halves" sums up both of my journeys on the CS. It's such a shame the service is still let down by water issues but as you point out their customer service is brilliant when issues do occur.
😮 wow club class what a laugh 🤔 hey Jimmy weres me juice lol with me Brecky sorry Pal nay water! You were well ripped off mark with this adventure thanks for the 🎥 m8 all the best John 😊
It was not the best experience John, no!
There was one shot, around 23:36 with you at the table and then the background scenery was just stunning! Great video :)
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
My wife and I did the Euston-Fort William service a couple of years ago just before the demise of the old rolling stock. I agree with you that the old stock was tired but the club car was more "cluby" than the new one. The saving grace of suffering in the old rolling stock was the fact that being ex LUL staff the journey on the sleeper cost me £90 return for the two of us.
Hi Mark, game of two half's as you noted. Funnily I had paused the vlog about 3/4 of the way through and as a Scot thought that as a premier service it would make sense that once the train came across the border it should, radically, be high-jacked and be serviced so that it was a premier service to it's multiple destinations. Clearly our devolved government had thought of the high-jacked bit but from a customer point of view forgot about the "service" part. Never mind you can always try a ferry!
I've seven a few blogs of this journey and nearly all have been disappointed ,with the new rolling stock,callie taking the Michel out of people with theses new cost cutting measures,great Channel you have that i've just found 😂😂
Premium price but clearly not a premium service. It appears that the water tanks were not filled when the train would have been serviced? Cracking video, as usual.
Thanks mate and yes it sounds like it wasn’t properly serviced. I’d be interested to know what they do and does it go through the train wash?
@@LetsMakeaTrip Judging by state of the windows, it appears not! Which is a shame when the scenery's one of the big selling points for a lot of people.
Thanks for the trip. Have fun hitch hiking back,😀
Caught the bus!
Well that saved you a couple of bob.@@LetsMakeaTrip
Really nice video, always dreamed of riding on Caledonian sleeper.
Thanks mate 😊👍
Very clean and rather clever room layout but on a train I’d prefer a seating area with a window over in room shower and toilet. Used to Amtrak which with most routes can’t compete with the new look of your room here but prefer separate shower and restroom .
GWR's Night Riviera is a better sleeper experience. More comfortable and better value for money. The Caledonian Sleeper had a great chance to really get this right with the new Mk5 stock. But they've messed up.
Great video!! I quite fancy trying berth from Edinburgh to London, a day in London then seats back up the road.
If you can get enough sleep it could be good. A long tiring day in London otherwise.
Thank you. Great video. Some years ago was going to use this service to walk The West Highland Way as a sponsored walk . Unfortunately that did not happen so your views in the morning made me a bit jealous! Good customer service re the refund. Thanks again
Yes, couldn’t fault the service with the refund. Views were superb, shame the windows were a bit dirty (for the end video more than anything else). I did wish I’d gotten off at Bridge of Orchy and given them a wipe!
Never having been in prison, I wouldn`t know, but I would imagine that the cabin must be smaller than a cell for two.
Usual British shambles. I feel lucky I did this trip and on to Mallaig in the late 1970s. It was comfortable, on time, great views, with proper service. No shower, but none needed as there wasn't the stress and delays involved in getting to the train in those days! Shocking what they can charge today for a dried out microwaved 'breakfast', but it sounds like the trains will have to be refitted before they ever get to pay off the millions wasted on a shoddy 'upgrade'.
I did this journey back in October. The lounge wasn't yet open but looks like a big improvement.
There's no excuse for the water running out and I don't like the rooms. The bathroom door should surely slide, and the fact that you can't fold the top bunk away when single occupancy seems crazy to me. What a difference it would make to be able to sit up in bed. I could also make a long list of minor details that would be easy to correct but haven't been.
That said, breakfast in the club car (the toast makes a huge difference to the presentation) while traveling through that scenery was something I really enjoyed. For that alone, I'd do it again.
Thanks for the video. Would love to hear your thoughts on the double rooms they have!
Cheers, the double rooms are the best value when two travel £250 pp - still not cheap but they do look nice. Apparently there is a way to fold back the top bunk (but you’re not supposed to!) and yes, they are great views but giving the windows a clean would’ve made a difference. These little things make a difference. Do they care that much? I’m not sure tbh.
Great video, not surprised you had a few problems, they really need to have a good look at this service. It’s always very busy though, so they may accept the fact the people are still using it fully, and they don’t have to bother too much!
I had a classic room which was ok as such, but how anyone can sleep on these carriages is beyond belief. I was convinced mine had square wheels on it 🤷🏼♂️ never slept one wink all night. The only positives were the staff, who were all really helpful, pleasant and friendly. I would never use the service again unless there are vast improvements.
Regarding the failure to flush at Crewe. I can't help thinking about the old poem. "Passengers must please refrain, from putting pressure on the chain, whilst in the station stands the train, else some poor worker underneath, will catch it in the eyes and teeth. 😉
Euston is a fantastic station - huge concourse, great view from the mezzanine. And I like the architecture - it's not ugly at all.
All about opinions isn’t it. I hate it and the giant advertising screen they’ve just installed! Well!
Great video, worth it for those views alone! Definitely one for the bucket list. I'm sure I'd rather free chocolate over a pillow spray! Sounds like the whole train was out of water, if both the cabin and lounge car were out. Good response from the company to try to make it right after the event.
Yes couldn’t fault the service with the refund. I wonder if the train just wasn’t properly serviced? You’re right about the chocolate. I still have pillow spray kicking about from years ago, the chocolate has already been eaten (not by me either I hasten to add!!)
I agree with you on the lounge. Much more communal too, I've sat on the those long couches a few times discussing related topics with fellow travellers. I did this in late lockdown too - a very disappointing experience but I suppose they did their best.
Yes the old lounge was old fashioned but just more homely somehow. Sadly missed.
Great video Mark for the majority of the trip ! They should've moved you to a different room when the flush didn't work, let alone sink tap - ran out water !? Unfortunately, that breakfast did look a sorry state - was about to mention complaining about your experience, when you mentioned it at the end, so glad you got some compensation ! :)
Cheers Andy. I’m sure if I’d have brought it up in the night they would’ve done that. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt anyway! Breakfast - rubbish really, a very poor experience that bit.
@@LetsMakeaTrip To be honest most corporate catering these days is utter crap, which is why I always use Independent cafés, especially if they are run by a couple of locals.
Excellent video as always Mark. I'm doing it for the first time since 2008 to Fort Bill in April. Not done the MK5s yet
Good luck. You’ll either get issues or have a great time, just so difficult to predict really!
I was really looking forward to this video. Thank you for making it and it has made me want to try this service. I think I could sleep with earplugs in. I wouldn’t book a seat on this service. The new lounge at station level looks great. The service still needs to be tweaked but it looks like they are trying to improve the experience. It still is a moving train service after all Pity about the breakfast and the water situation. Glad you gotI some sort of refund for the price you paid and promise of a premium service.
Cheers mate. I slept with earplugs - it did help and I did alright sleep-wise. Good lounges both ends yes but the train still needs some work. It’s just a bit inconsistent. Chances are, you or I could do it next week for example and get absolutely no problems!
We did Inverness to Euston last October, and had the double club room. For the price it was a tad underwhelming. We had breakfast in our room, which was delivered without our juices, so I am wondering if this is normal for this train. The room which again for the price, could have been a tad bigger for two people. The bed doesn't fold up at all. We expected premium, it was certainly under delivered.
We did it in 2021 and had an identical experience in the club class with the loo and water not working. The restaurant car was closed so no food available. Breakfast was ok and served in the cabin. At 6ft+ i struggled on the bunk bed. The train was very clean and it was an adventure. Arriving in Edinburgh we just wanted to get freshened up but at 8am we couldn't check in to our hotel so the lack of shower had a knock on. The saving grace was we arrived at Waverley an 50 min late but in addition to the lack of food, water, shower, loo we were given a 100% refund without really having to battle for it. We would definitely do it again but take a double room next time. It is an adventure so you do need to manage your expectations prior to boarding and maybe your emotional intelligence whilst on the journey. Make sure you give yourself time to realign your senses before you do anything else, for example think you can step off the train and attend a meeting or an event such as a wedding.
So you can fill out a breakfast card in the club car, and there's one in your room. Hmm... maybe by filling out both, with times suitably spaced, you could almost get a whole breakfast!
I've seen so many reviews of the Caledonian Sleeper, and I've yet to see one without issues. I'd love to do this journey with someone special, but if you can't even flush the bog....
😂
Haha, not a bad idea. Maybe I should’ve put ‘x2’ next to everything. I can only report on my experience but like others, I just can’t really recommend it sadly.
Great watch and something I want to do..
You should enjoy it. Hopefully you’ll get the good bits and none of the issues. Have a great time if you do 😊👍
great journey all the way north mark Shame breakfast wasn't up to standard but least you've got some of your money back mate looking forward to seeing you again soon
Cheers Caleb, yes such extremes here: poor onboard service but great comms and lounges. If they could nail the actual train, they could be on to a winner!
There is something magical about it, despite the problems.
There is. But the old sleeper was better in that respect (imho).
Glad to know you were compensated for the shortcomings, although for someone like me, a potential tourist from Australia, it hardly makes up for the problems. British trains have a reputation for high cost and unreliability, and your experience pretty much confirms that. And the fares, especially with our rotten rate of exchange with the Aussie dollar, are a bit of a shocker!
Great vid mate 👍🏻
Thanks very much 😊
Looking forward to this
Hope you enjoyed it Andy 😊👍
Did this trip on the old train around 2010. I don't remember there being anything special in terms of service other than I thought it very good. Had a great time in the lounge bar with a professor at a major Scots uni. Food good cabin ok and a beautiful morning to enjoy the scenery. Seeing your experience I think I had a better trip! One other difference was the train split at Edinburgh and the loco finishing the journey was a class 37.
Yes you did have a better trip! My one and only experience of the old service was better too. The lounge car for one was a much more convivial area 👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip so convivial that we occasionally had a few passengers staying up socialising all night when i worked briefly as a Steward back in 1987. I'm disappointed that the new rolling stock is noisier than the old. It took me 2 wks to become immune to the rockin and rollin movement and noise! Thanks for great video Mark!
Another great video. I had no idea they had a dedicated lounge. I do like the 1st class lounge at Euston. I am planning a trip for my friend's 50th birthday in 2 and a half years. Really poor that you couldn't shower or flush the toilet, and the breakfast wasn't great. It is good you got a £61 refund. I remember Noel Philips got a £100 refund for having to have a cold shower on his Caledonian Sleeper video.
Cheers, yes I think I’ve seen most of the ‘bigger UA-camrs’ videos on this and for myself, this as my third time on the new sleeper + once on the old sleeper. There are now more lounge than I knew of and the one at Fort William was certainly a welcome sight! Not myself there at the time I guess it’s manly used fr departures later in the day.
This was on my solo to do list at the most expensive ticket as a treat for myself!!
However, with your experiences I would need some assurances that they will deliver what they have promised and what I have paid for!!
You were fortunate with Rannoch Moor. It is said that if the sun shines upon Rannoch Moor it is shining the world over. Oh, and btw, it is loch, not lock. A loch is where monsters live, a lock is what keeps a door closed. Thanks for an interesting video; things have changed since I did the Euston - FW sleeper in the early '80s. That's the 1980s not the 1880s.
Great video, reminds me of my childhood trips from Crewe to Inverness on the overnight train, we couldn't afford the sleeper but the sliding door compartments were more than comfy enough and it was amazing to wake up to the sight of the mountains and lochs, spectacular!
Are you allowed to drink your own alcohol in the lounge or would you have to sit in your room with it? I certainly wouldn't like to be paying those prices after shelling out all that for the journey.
Great video and thanks for capturing the gorgeous scenery! Scotland that is - not Euston :) I’m not sure I’ve seen a Caledonian Sleeper vlog for years where something wasn’t broken. It’s either the water not working or the heating (where the heat is on full blast). Imagine those poor people who paid £425 for the big bed and couldn’t have a wee. Ps if you filled out both cards, you might have got 2 slices of bacon ;)
Haha, I should’ve done both cards! And yes unfortunately my video was pretty similar to others though I’d hoped for better, ultimately too many inconsistencies.
Wow, the water thing was bad .. I took this train from Glasgow to London in May 2022, paid #345 for a double sleeper and yes had trouble with the water, the shower didn't really work but the toilets did. However, they did give two nice amenity kits with pillow spray, shampoo, etc. However, I was happy to save the money on a hotel room. Thanks for the review!
Cheers, the amenity kit is another deterioration though the chocolate was nice. I don’t know, so many inconsistencies I’ll give the Night Riviera another go before I touch this again I think.
corrour also the station used in trainspotting movie
It was yes 👍
Thanks for sharing your experience on the Caledonian Sleeper, it was good that you received compensation for the issues you experienced. In my mind they should automatically issued the compensation to you aa they must have been aware of the issues with your carriage. Unfortuantely the new rolling stock seems to have been plagued with technical issues, this is not the first time I have heard of issues relating to the water system on the coaches.
Yes and I do wonder how many don’t complain and as such, they’re kind of getting away with it. It is a regular occurrence and it’s just all a bit disappointing really.
Mark I do like trains but I never done sleeper train before but I do hope u got water working good vlog
I didn’t get the after working but got a partial refund
Twelve and half hours....must stop somewhere for quite a while if it takes that long, assuming driver change etc.....This journey is on my bucket list to do ....must get it sorted
I am travelling by sleeper in May this year in club accommodation and I'm glad you showed the breakfast. It didn't look great and I'm inclined to find somewhere in Inverness to eat.
Inverness has plenty of independent cafés.
Tulluch has a marvellous pine tree at the end of the platform where you can collect giant cones for your Christmas tree - saw a red squirrel there as well. Personally I wouldn't spend my wedge on that service
Next time I go (in the day btw) I’ll look out for that tree. Cheers 😊👍
Hiya mark. I have done all the Highland runs and everytime have been a problem with water or lack off it. Like me, your an old school dude that sucks it up and gets on with it not to let the crap spoil ya trip. I just came back from the Southwest Chief LA to CHI and that had 6 hour delays and problems,...it's all around us m8 all over the globe lol....nice vid' pal
Great watch, Mark. TBH, In the past 4-5 years I don't think I've seen a single objective review of these "new" trains that doesn't include some sort of issue with the water supply. (I've also seen a couple of sponsored reviews where everything is great, of course!) I bought a ticket to try the sleeper for the first time next month, but only this week I cancelled and got refund. I can't do it. It's an exorbitant amount of money and I just don't trust them to deliver. (Plus, as your friendly vegan subscriber, there is not one main dish or light bite that I can eat.) I'm not spending 200 quid to go hungry and run out of water at Watford Junction!
Cheers hh, yes I’ve seen countless reviews too and my experience here is not much different I guess. I did wonder about all this with the price and whether it’s better (and cheaper) to travel up from London early evening, overnight in Glasgow and get to Fort William in the morning. I bet it’s cheaper INCLUDING food. That would be a good video to make that I’m not sure anyone’s really done.
That's an excellent idea. And if you get up early enough, I think you can actually use the Caledonian Sleeper as a regular train on the West Highland line (in the seated coach obvs) with normal ticket prices. i think it leaves Queen Street just before 6am. Make sure you bring your own coffee though 🤣@@LetsMakeaTrip
@@LetsMakeaTrip Avanti have got some very cheap advance fares to Glasgow from London for about £35 if you're clever booking early. I had to decide between this or the sleeper, going to Tyndrum in June. I booked the sleeper (Classic room) - looking forward to it! :o)
Good video and review my grandad went on the caleie in 2019 and I think he had a bed like you did on this journey. I remember seeing the sleeper pull into Tindrum station when I was on holiday with family and I remember closing the doors on the carriage which I think were MK2s it reminded me of the slam doors on the HSTs. I used to love the noise of the slam doors on the HSTs they were so satisfying. I have heard mixed reviews of the Caledonian Sleeper train. I don’t understand why the water tank was empty so you couldn’t use the onboard facilities but at the same time they should have the water tank opened on the roof so that the train can collect rain water as it does always rain in Scotland lol. I am hoping to go the GWR Night Riviera Sleeper train at some point which is apparently alot better then the Caleie.
I’ve tried both now and I have to say, the Night Riviera is more reliable and the lounge car is better. Beds are a bit narrow but if I had to choose - definitely the Night Riviera for me 👍
I remember the pillow spray!
I would never use the cold water from the tap to brush my teeth, i guess that's why there's the bottles of water.
I can hear the suspension knocking...
Why use water at all? Tootpaste on the brush, then rinse it with the hot water.
We always enjoy your videos and also learning about the sleeper train experiences world wide, which we haven't done yet. We are planning a long train journey possibly for next spring...Cardiff to Edinburgh. Have you ever made this journey? Any tips?
Thanks. The sleeper to Edinburgh I have done but it kicks you out onto the platform at Waverley really early. Personally I’d go for the longer routes either this one to Fort William or Inverness. Edinburgh accommodation is more expensive too.
Splits at Edinburgh Waverley. Used to be able to get on there to Fort William for only £15,no longer sadly
Times change (normally for the worse)!
Another enjoyable video, Mark. Sorry to hear about all of the issues you had to deal with. At least you received some compensation!
I took the service from Inverness in Club Class Oct ‘22 with no issues. I was scheduled do do the same this past October, but the service was canceled due to Babet. I received a full refund to my CC within 48hr. I wonder if the water problem was confined to your room/coach or was it more widespread. Plumbing failure? Someone didn’t properly fill the water tank?
I’d certainly like to try the Night Riviera! Maybe next trip to the UK.
Cheers Arthur, yes this is the inconsistency isn’t it. No issues or lots of issues, just never know what you’re going to get. Looking at other comments it seems like maybe the train wasn’t properly serviced prior to departure? I would recommend the Night Riviera though - an older much more comfortable train 👍
Nice choice of music by the way.
Thanks very much 😊👍
Thanks Mark very enjoyable video it’s a pity about the bad breakfast n running water problems 👍
Cheers James, yep just a little too inconsistent for me this service.
I live in the US and it's been over 20 years since I was last on a train in the UK, but after seeing a few UA-camrs review the Caledonian Sleeper over the last few months, it really doesn't seem worth the high price? Yours is the first video I've seen that has some negative things to say, and I'm surprised that other creators seemed to enjoy their experience. The rooms look cramped (even for a train) and badly lit, and I can't believe they charge for food in the club car -- and in the club lounge, which is... behind a random fire door in Euston? I'm excited about the resurgence of night trains in Europe, and I hope that greater competition leads to better experiences in future. Thanks for another great video!
Well, how was the lounge in Fort William ? Some pictures would be nice to compare with Euston...
Thanks for the video, very interesting to see and compare ( your's is by far nor the first in general either the first to show unpleasant incidents on the actual generation of the caledonian sleeper )
Hi Mark, brilliant video/content as always, after running the sleeper for all these years, they still can't get it right, so glad they refunded you for their shortcomings bud. It's very expensive for the cabins, I did the journey from London to Glasgow in a seat, never again , it was so uncomfortable. Yes you should get off at Corrour one day Mark, I did last year and thougherly enjoyed it, absolutely beautiful scenery and amazing cafe, fantastic walks to Loch Ossian 👍
Cheers mate. Yep, a nice walk to the Loch from Corrour but I think I’d probs just take the normal Scotrail train out there after a night in Glasgow. It would definitely clear the head!
@@LetsMakeaTrip Loch Ossian youth hostel is well worth staying at. Such a beautiful spot. Suitable for softies now as they have installed showers! When i first went with the bike across the moors in the 70s & 80s you used to have to throw a pail with rope attached off end of pier for drinking & cooking water!
Great video again Mark. Can’t believe they ran out of water onboard. Just as well you never went for the double room😅 £400 a night without water 🙈 The seat was in my head too, although from other videos the overnight bus seems a lot more comfortable than the sleeper seats.
Cheers mate. £55 for the seats and they look quite popular tbf. I’d either fly to Glasgow or take the day train next time with a hotel in the city. Cheaper.
Many years ago spent the night sleeping on the floor at Euston due to missing a train, and its surprisingly warm for a concrete floor.
As for sleeper travelled on the old one, noisy and dirty, and sharing a cabin with another chap who didnt speak and looked like a murderer on the run, got carlisle and they shunted some coaches and engine off us, and so noisy, like a demolition derby, then onto Glasgow same again as they put a noisy class 47 on the front more banging and jolts, mysterious traveler had gone by now, then onto fort william,where i woken by an old man pulling my pillow, and shouting are you ok, he probably thought id hot murdered as well, he then brought a small packet of biscuits and a tepid cup of tea, a few hours later train back to Glasgow, which i regained all the sleep i had missed, and missed all the scenery.
The reason for no water maybe because somebody forgot to flll the water tanks,at the depot before leaving, or left the drain valve open or somebody used all the water for a shower, not good at all.
The breakfast and diner looked like childrens portions, and as for the dinner looked like something a dead sheep had regurgitated, food and drunk should be free and better quality for the price you had to pay.
so it was in fact a suburban train with a bed, no toilet, no water, no breakfast - typical Scot rail standard!
As a cyclist, the big snag with the Fort William journey is that , when the train splits in the middle of the night, you have to get up and move your bike! A bit of a deal breaker IMHO.
That’s a pain. Probably better off doing it in the day, overnight in Glasgow.
I'm still yet to try out the bed on the new Sleeper. Hopefully the shaky suspension would rock me to sleep! I guess they charge these high fares, beacuse they still fill those rooms and seats!
They do! So I guess people are paying it, they’re going to charge it. Might be worth waiting til November if they do any more offers. I’ll probably be back if they do (double bed next time 😊).