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Fantastic update mate, shows exactly how the true experience is, but 4 hours ain't enough for me! And no breakfast is particularly stingy, but I do still love it!
I always carry BluTac with me. It would have solved your bright light button problem. I need a completely dark room and I usually place a small piece of it over the red light showing on the TV in the hotel room or ferry cabin. One thing I can't and won't do though is hide the green light of the smoke alarm which I don't feel is so problematic.
I did the London to Fort William in October was definitely a great choice doing the full length journey. The beds were surprisingly comfortable. If the prices were lower, I would do the trip again and again loved it.
The original sleeper was equal to the current train, however it was usually £30 but with the possibility of sharing with a stranger. I’ve used the current trains but think only the Fortwilliam portion comes anywhere near value for money at 13 hours. However it is good to see the trains regularly full as it keeps the service alive. Nice review mate
Love your videos. I noticed that you were looking at somewhere to have breakfast. I go to the Double Six Cafe on Eversholt Street at the side of Euston station.
Hi Rog. Yes the sleeper cabins are expensive. Used to get the sleeper from Glasgow to Euston, Club Room. With the Senior Railcard, got a bit off! Now travel from Alnmouth to Kings X, during the day. Never had a great sleep, but the sleeper worth it, so you have a full day in London. Always enjoyed my coffee, bacon roll, fruit juice, before leaving the train! 😊 👍
Appreciated your latest UA-cam, Roger. Some travel vloggers have, as you might expect, covered Cal Sleeper already. But your unique style has set this one apart from the others. I agree that more food ought to have been provided for in-cabin breakfast. I am sure all sleeping car (not couchette) travellers taking OEBB's Nighjet are served a full (cold) Continental Breakfast.
Thank you Alex - appreciate your support. I know it's a well worn topic but I was keen to have another go (one of my earliest videos was of the original trains over 6 years ago). No breakfast for the Classic Rooms does feel like penny pinching given the fares now. 😀
I've watched other videos of the Caledonian Sleeper, and the experience gets mixed reviews. Some find the sounds and motions of the train keep them awake, and the cabin and/or shower water temperature is sometimes uncontrollable. But almost everyone is glad that they did it once. It would cost the railroad very little to provide a more complete breakfast to all sleeper classes. For what it costs, many people who take the Sleeper are expecting a more luxury experience than they get.
I think the marketing at the time they launched the new coaches went OTT on the luxury hotel angle and raised expectations very high. You’re right about the noises. I stayed in a Club Room a few years back and you could hear the waste water from the shower/toilet sloshing around under the cabin - that kept me awake. ☺️ Thanks for watching!
It very much feels like a budget hotel rather than something luxury. I enjoyed my experience and if I had to travel overnight I would absolutely do it again. But my expectations weren't very high thanks to the youtube videos. I slept well, washed up with lukewarm water in the shower, and had a small meal in the morning after landing in Edinburgh. Perfectly serviceable
@@RogEdwardsTV I think the night riviera would also be more comfortable too as I’ve heard a lot of people complain that the seats on the daytime GWR class 800 high speed train used on that route are really hard and uncomfy.
Our good old Amtrak here in the US also offers a similar "roomette" cabin on the 9-hour night service from Omaha to Denver for about the same price (solo) but it comes with breakfast on board. I take that journey regularly in coach seating. I might do the roomette someday, but with points. And when I do it in the UK, I'll be sure to poke Daddy Rog's belly haha! Poke! - Red
We were happy to take the Sleeper from London to Edinburgh last September. Pricing seems like a deal for 2, we paid about 375 for the two of us, which was much cheaper than 2 plane tickets and a hotel. And......trains > planes
Would like to do Fort William one some day. Used the Euston Glasgow and Glasgow Bristol many times in late 70’s and early 80’s. Today at 69, it would Plane to Glasgow and Edinburgh every time and then pick up a rental car. Last trip up North was Shetland and flew vis ABZ up and EDI on return. Puddle jumper flight was much shorter from ABZ but EDI had fare more to do waiting out the layover. I think the Sleeper is for tourists and pre retirement Scottish journalists at the BBC.
@@RogEdwardsTV I enjoyed it, was food was good, the haggis and the breakfast in the club car, didn't get much sleep though was thankful for the 2 hours in lounge as needed to wait to see if could early check inn at Premier Inn London Euston which I did, will probably just stick to LNER in future though
I'm hoping to do the Sleeper later in 2024 myself as a "one-off", I'm very much an Airplane person when it comes to travel, but I would love to do this solely just to say I've done it.
Travelling at night from Euston to Inverness at night and what miss all that heavenly glory along the way I would do the summer months at least that way you will see most of the part of Highlands that's criminal in its self to miss as Bruce Lee said to his student how was it ah let me see don't think feel the heaven and the glory of the stunning scenery before your eyes wow is this bonnie Scotland the most beauuuuuutoful place on the planet
Years ago (in days of yore- remember them? circa 1980's ) I remember getting the "Night Rider" trains between London and Dundee. You basically got your seat and the seat opposite you as part of your booking. It was up to you to bring your own blanket etc. That was very uncomfortable and I never slept on those journeys. I then found "sleeper car journeys" and these were great as you got a bed complete with sheets/blankets and I was able to get a good sleep. These were two bed cabins (top/bottom bunks) and if there were two of you in your group then that was ok. However, if you were travelling alone you stood the risk of some-one from your same gender group being assigned the other bunk by the train operator. You didn't know until another traveler turned up at the cabin whether you were sharing or not. Many times I started my journey alone in the cabin with the train leaving the station only to be woken up by a fellow traveler a hundred miles down the line joining the train. Looking back I supposed it added to the fun of it.
I remember the "sharing with strangers" cabins from my days working in Big Corporate. Fortunately they usually sent us "First Class" which was basically the same cabin but without the random stranger!
Who wants to sleep when you get to the highlands open your mind and suck in the experience peeps. Advanced welcome to Bonnie Scotland. And who cares if it's raining push on throw and enjoy.
I don’t really get the purpose of it between Edinburgh and Glasgow to London, when it’s such a quick journey, compared to coming from Aberdeen, Inverness or Fort William where it makes much more sense. I’m just not convinced about the sleeper with its price, though I do know it is popular, perhaps value when you have a cabin and bed, but not value if on the dreaded seats..
I only think the Lowland Sleeper made sense when the price was cheaper than a flight/train plus a hotel room. The company I worked for back in the 1990s used to send us on the sleeper for that reason. Doesn’t work now the prices are so high. ☺️
If I may suggest a small adjustment to your analysis; it's advertised and priced as a luxury service, but it's not ACTUALLY a luxury service. Vs. the "old" sleeper: - Layout of the cabin - inferior. - Ride comfort and noise - inferior - Customer service levels - inferior (in my experience. Nothing wrong as such, just a bit cold and unfriendly) - Bed comfort and bedding - superior - Availability of charge points, etc - superior - Ability to lock and open your own door - superior BUT, the prices have just gone crazy. It's such a shame that a genuinely useful service for those living in Scotland wishing to visit the capital, has been usurped as a tourist-trap and rendered out of reach price-wise for many folk who just want to be going about their business. The other really strange quirk is regrading the use of rail-cards. I have a senior railcard, as does my wife. If I book a solo room on the sleeper, I can use my railcard and get the 30% discount. If I try to book a shared room with my wife, the railcard discount doesn't apply, even though we both have one. Go figure! Where it really counts (ride-comfort, noise-levels, etc) the service has gone downhill. But it is now priced as a luxury whereas the old service was not.
How much would it cost to fly from Edinburgh, travel in from Heathrow and stay in a hotel in central London, it would be interesting to do as a comparison.
I guess you could come up with quite a wide range of costs depending upon when you fly and what type of hotel you choose. BA flights from EDI to LHR are very expensive at peak times. Thanks for watching. 😀
As I was going down to London there was one coming the other way. We would have passed each other during the night. This is the Lowland Sleeper. There is also a Highland Sleeper which serves London to and from Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. 😀
I have done the train from London to Inverness before many many yrs ago got to be at least one time in your life time But as I said you'll see alot more of the highlands in the summor months the sun well daylight starts early in the north some places north far north don't really set the sun you can see it move along the horizon. I am a hard core traveller am given you advice that this guy on here probably knows nothing about remember hes out to make money of you me I have nothing to gain but to give advice and make sure you enjoy my country that is bonnie Scotland and to promote my home land enjoy peeps ynwa.
I live in Scotland and have done for 31 years and I’ve taken the Sleeper Train many times old and new - so I do know quite a bit about it. I’m sorry you felt it necessary to have a pop at my knowledge! I hope you have a good day! 😀
Lower service standards during the pandemic and then they realise that they save time and money not changing the berth configurations - so now it’s the norm to leave them in twin mode. Shame. ☺️
Have just booked for Friday in a classic room. £166.50 with a railcard discount. Hoping it is delayed by an hour so I can get a 50% refund as it doesn’t seem like it’s worth that much! 🤞🏽
£200+ is too expensive for the lowest cabin with no toilet. A cheap evening flight and a night in a Travelodge, Premier Inn etc inc breakfast would be the more cost efficient option.
Yep! Once upon a time the Sleeper was always cheaper than the Flight - Hotel Combo and the company I was working for when I was younger sent us by Sleeper all the time. I’m sure they wouldn’t now! Thanks for watching. 😀
I think the lighting in the club car is far too bright......you want lighting that sets the body and mind up for sleep but thats really going to do the opposite.
pointless- fly every time. What a waste of money this is. The prices are shocking and you are not necessarily allowed in to the lounge even if in a sleeper cabin! What a stitch up!!!!
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Fantastic update mate, shows exactly how the true experience is, but 4 hours ain't enough for me! And no breakfast is particularly stingy, but I do still love it!
Cheers Steve! Hope to do the Night Riviera at some point too! 😀
I always carry BluTac with me. It would have solved your bright light button problem. I need a completely dark room and I usually place a small piece of it over the red light showing on the TV in the hotel room or ferry cabin. One thing I can't and won't do though is hide the green light of the smoke alarm which I don't feel is so problematic.
@@Eurobazz ha ha, genius. 😂
Always wanted to travel on a sleeper train. Love the idea of listening to the train whilst travelling through the night. On my bucket list.
It definitely has a certain charm! Thanks for watching! Much appreciated. 😀
I did the London to Fort William in October was definitely a great choice doing the full length journey. The beds were surprisingly comfortable. If the prices were lower, I would do the trip again and again loved it.
The Fort William leg certainly has some impressive scenery. Great to have breakfast as the sun comes up and you catch sight of deer in the fields. 😀
The original sleeper was equal to the current train, however it was usually £30 but with the possibility of sharing with a stranger. I’ve used the current trains but think only the Fortwilliam portion comes anywhere near value for money at 13 hours. However it is good to see the trains regularly full as it keeps the service alive. Nice review mate
Thanks very much! 😀
Love your videos.
I noticed that you were looking at somewhere to have breakfast.
I go to the Double Six Cafe on Eversholt Street at the side of Euston station.
Thanks so much and for the tip. I ended up at The Piccolo Café near Euston. I’ll look at the Double Six next time! 😀
Hi Rog. Yes the sleeper cabins are expensive. Used to get the sleeper from Glasgow to Euston, Club Room. With the Senior Railcard, got a bit off! Now travel from Alnmouth to Kings X, during the day. Never had a great sleep, but the sleeper worth it, so you have a full day in London. Always enjoyed my coffee, bacon roll, fruit juice, before leaving the train! 😊 👍
It’s a pity Euston is such a dump to arrive in. Would be much nicer if it was Kings Cross or St Pancras! 😂
Appreciated your latest UA-cam, Roger. Some travel vloggers have, as you might expect, covered Cal Sleeper already. But your unique style has set this one apart from the others. I agree that more food ought to have been provided for in-cabin breakfast. I am sure all sleeping car (not couchette) travellers taking OEBB's Nighjet are served a full (cold) Continental Breakfast.
Thank you Alex - appreciate your support. I know it's a well worn topic but I was keen to have another go (one of my earliest videos was of the original trains over 6 years ago). No breakfast for the Classic Rooms does feel like penny pinching given the fares now. 😀
Really enjoyed this video, many thanks for sharing 👍
Hey - thanks so much for watching. 😀
I've watched other videos of the Caledonian Sleeper, and the experience gets mixed reviews. Some find the sounds and motions of the train keep them awake, and the cabin and/or shower water temperature is sometimes uncontrollable. But almost everyone is glad that they did it once. It would cost the railroad very little to provide a more complete breakfast to all sleeper classes. For what it costs, many people who take the Sleeper are expecting a more luxury experience than they get.
I think the marketing at the time they launched the new coaches went OTT on the luxury hotel angle and raised expectations very high.
You’re right about the noises. I stayed in a Club Room a few years back and you could hear the waste water from the shower/toilet sloshing around under the cabin - that kept me awake. ☺️
Thanks for watching!
It very much feels like a budget hotel rather than something luxury. I enjoyed my experience and if I had to travel overnight I would absolutely do it again. But my expectations weren't very high thanks to the youtube videos. I slept well, washed up with lukewarm water in the shower, and had a small meal in the morning after landing in Edinburgh. Perfectly serviceable
Thanks for sharing! 😀
I haven’t travelled on a sleeper train for over 20 years. I remember I was able to sleep but I did wake up frequently
I think that’s it in a nutshell. Intermittent sleep! Do you fancy giving it another go in the newer coaches? 😀🤔
@@RogEdwardsTV maybe one day I will when I’ve saved up. I would like to try the night riviera from London to Penzance sometime too.
The Night Riviera is a bucket-list thing for me! Cheers! 😀
@@RogEdwardsTV I think the night riviera would also be more comfortable too as I’ve heard a lot of people complain that the seats on the daytime GWR class 800 high speed train used on that route are really hard and uncomfy.
The seats on the GWR 800s are the same as on the LNER Azumas. Concrete ironing boards. Very uncomfortable. 😔
Our good old Amtrak here in the US also offers a similar "roomette" cabin on the 9-hour night service from Omaha to Denver for about the same price (solo) but it comes with breakfast on board. I take that journey regularly in coach seating. I might do the roomette someday, but with points. And when I do it in the UK, I'll be sure to poke Daddy Rog's belly haha! Poke!
- Red
Thanks for watching, Red! 😀
thanks for the video and thanks for the little wander around Edinburgh
Thanks for watching, Laura. Much appreciated! 😀
We were happy to take the Sleeper from London to Edinburgh last September. Pricing seems like a deal for 2, we paid about 375 for the two of us, which was much cheaper than 2 plane tickets and a hotel. And......trains > planes
It’s certainly better value if there are two travellers! Thanks for watching. 😀
This is something I need to do, since I did oldskool first group sleeper trains
I’d be interested in your views once you’ve given it a go. A lot of people feel the ride was better on the old trains…🤔
It's great you started at my train station in my village of wallyford
I live just up the road so most of my trips start at Wallyford! 😀
@@RogEdwardsTVwhere do you live
Just outside of Tranent! ☺️
Would like to do Fort William one some day. Used the Euston Glasgow and Glasgow Bristol many times in late 70’s and early 80’s. Today at 69, it would Plane to Glasgow and Edinburgh every time and then pick up a rental car. Last trip up North was Shetland and flew vis ABZ up and EDI on return. Puddle jumper flight was much shorter from ABZ but EDI had fare more to do waiting out the layover. I think the Sleeper is for tourists and pre retirement Scottish journalists at the BBC.
Ha ha I think you’re right on the last point. Thanks for watching and sharing your memories.
I'll be going on the sleeper on 12th May in a club room which cost me £168.30 which includes my Disabled Railcard discount
Hope you have a good trip. Let me know how you get on and what you think! 😀
@@RogEdwardsTV I enjoyed it, was food was good, the haggis and the breakfast in the club car, didn't get much sleep though was thankful for the 2 hours in lounge as needed to wait to see if could early check inn at Premier Inn London Euston which I did, will probably just stick to LNER in future though
Great stuff, Ben. Glad you had a good trip! Thanks for the update. 🙌
@@RogEdwardsTV no problem
I'm hoping to do the Sleeper later in 2024 myself as a "one-off", I'm very much an Airplane person when it comes to travel, but I would love to do this solely just to say I've done it.
Has to be done at least once Jett. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. 😀
Travelling at night from Euston to Inverness at night and what miss all that heavenly glory along the way I would do the summer months at least that way you will see most of the part of Highlands that's criminal in its self to miss as Bruce Lee said to his student how was it ah let me see don't think feel the heaven and the glory of the stunning scenery before your eyes wow is this bonnie Scotland the most beauuuuuutoful place on the planet
Thanks.
Years ago (in days of yore- remember them? circa 1980's ) I remember getting the "Night Rider" trains between London and Dundee. You basically got your seat and the seat opposite you as part of your booking. It was up to you to bring your own blanket etc. That was very uncomfortable and I never slept on those journeys. I then found "sleeper car journeys" and these were great as you got a bed complete with sheets/blankets and I was able to get a good sleep. These were two bed cabins (top/bottom bunks) and if there were two of you in your group then that was ok. However, if you were travelling alone you stood the risk of some-one from your same gender group being assigned the other bunk by the train operator. You didn't know until another traveler turned up at the cabin whether you were sharing or not. Many times I started my journey alone in the cabin with the train leaving the station only to be woken up by a fellow traveler a hundred miles down the line joining the train. Looking back I supposed it added to the fun of it.
I remember the "sharing with strangers" cabins from my days working in Big Corporate. Fortunately they usually sent us "First Class" which was basically the same cabin but without the random stranger!
@@RogEdwardsTV Lucky you I was doing it out my own pocket.
I didn’t sleep when I travelled on the sleeper, mainly due to the water coming through the ceiling running down the wall and onto the bed space!
Oh no! 😮
The sleepers are amazing
It’s a great way to travel, with a bit of mystique too! 😀
Who wants to sleep when you get to the highlands open your mind and suck in the experience peeps.
Advanced welcome to Bonnie Scotland.
And who cares if it's raining push on throw and enjoy.
Thanks for watching. 😀
I don’t really get the purpose of it between Edinburgh and Glasgow to London, when it’s such a quick journey, compared to coming from Aberdeen, Inverness or Fort William where it makes much more sense. I’m just not convinced about the sleeper with its price, though I do know it is popular, perhaps value when you have a cabin and bed, but not value if on the dreaded seats..
I only think the Lowland Sleeper made sense when the price was cheaper than a flight/train plus a hotel room. The company I worked for back in the 1990s used to send us on the sleeper for that reason. Doesn’t work now the prices are so high. ☺️
I'm in a classic room on march 21 when I go to fort William and I paid £151.10 for my room after my senior railcard discount
Enjoy your trip! Thanks for watching and do let me know what you think! 🚊😀
If I may suggest a small adjustment to your analysis; it's advertised and priced as a luxury service, but it's not ACTUALLY a luxury service. Vs. the "old" sleeper:
- Layout of the cabin - inferior.
- Ride comfort and noise - inferior
- Customer service levels - inferior (in my experience. Nothing wrong as such, just a bit cold and unfriendly)
- Bed comfort and bedding - superior
- Availability of charge points, etc - superior
- Ability to lock and open your own door - superior
BUT, the prices have just gone crazy. It's such a shame that a genuinely useful service for those living in Scotland wishing to visit the capital, has been usurped as a tourist-trap and rendered out of reach price-wise for many folk who just want to be going about their business. The other really strange quirk is regrading the use of rail-cards. I have a senior railcard, as does my wife. If I book a solo room on the sleeper, I can use my railcard and get the 30% discount. If I try to book a shared room with my wife, the railcard discount doesn't apply, even though we both have one. Go figure!
Where it really counts (ride-comfort, noise-levels, etc) the service has gone downhill. But it is now priced as a luxury whereas the old service was not.
Thanks for watching and your thoughts. I agree with all your points.
How much would it cost to fly from Edinburgh, travel in from Heathrow and stay in a hotel in central London, it would be interesting to do as a comparison.
I guess you could come up with quite a wide range of costs depending upon when you fly and what type of hotel you choose. BA flights from EDI to LHR are very expensive at peak times. Thanks for watching. 😀
Does the Caledonian do the trip from London to Edinburgh, per chance?
As I was going down to London there was one coming the other way. We would have passed each other during the night. This is the Lowland Sleeper. There is also a Highland Sleeper which serves London to and from Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. 😀
is your youtube video is at musselburgh racecourse today rog edwards tv?
‘Fraid not 😂.
Hold on a minute am sure there's a cheaper one from London to Edinburgh and Glasgow only I can't remember who runs it.
🤔
just out of interest Roger, what is it that keeps you in Edinburgh so much?
We’ve lived here for 30 years! 😀
An hour here, an hour there. You usually arrive in the morning feeling like you have been in a car crash.
😂 So very true!
I have done the train from London to Inverness before many many yrs ago got to be at least one time in your life time
But as I said you'll see alot more of the highlands in the summor months the sun well daylight starts early in the north some places north far north don't really set the sun you can see it move along the horizon.
I am a hard core traveller am given you advice that this guy on here probably knows nothing about remember hes out to make money of you me I have nothing to gain but to give advice and make sure you enjoy my country that is bonnie Scotland and to promote my home land enjoy peeps ynwa.
I live in Scotland and have done for 31 years and I’ve taken the Sleeper Train many times old and new - so I do know quite a bit about it. I’m sorry you felt it necessary to have a pop at my knowledge! I hope you have a good day! 😀
The pandemic has stopped them stowing the bed for passengers (solo) occupancy? What possible reason could there be for that I wonder?
Lower service standards during the pandemic and then they realise that they save time and money not changing the berth configurations - so now it’s the norm to leave them in twin mode. Shame. ☺️
Have just booked for Friday in a classic room. £166.50 with a railcard discount. Hoping it is delayed by an hour so I can get a 50% refund as it doesn’t seem like it’s worth that much! 🤞🏽
Hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think! 😀
£200+ is too expensive for the lowest cabin with no toilet. A cheap evening flight and a night in a Travelodge, Premier Inn etc inc breakfast would be the more cost efficient option.
Yep! Once upon a time the Sleeper was always cheaper than the Flight - Hotel Combo and the company I was working for when I was younger sent us by Sleeper all the time. I’m sure they wouldn’t now! Thanks for watching. 😀
I think the lighting in the club car is far too bright......you want lighting that sets the body and mind up for sleep but thats really going to do the opposite.
Agree. Harsh lighting seems to be a thing with these newer train carriages. 🤔
Don't lie, you had 2 bottles
😂😂 Well technically as they were miniatures, I reckon I had half a bottle! 😂😂
Pricing themselves out.of the market
They are mainly aiming at the wealthy tourist market now, I think.🤔
pointless- fly every time. What a waste of money this is. The prices are shocking and you are not necessarily allowed in to the lounge even if in a sleeper cabin! What a stitch up!!!!
The old style sleeper with cheaper prices made sense for some business travellers but this is definitely aimed at tourists hence the prices. 😰
Too expensive, waste of time video
Well thanks for watching anyway!
Overpriced
🥲