Corridor side of one of the sleeping cars, showing the
excellent lighting, tweed carpet and light oak panelling,
giving a quality feel that combines modern and
traditional materials.BEN JONES
External electronic displays clearly indicate the destination, intermediate calling points and coach letter, making
it easier for travellers to identify where they need to be.BEN JONESOne of the PRM-compliant double cabins in the
wheelchair-accessible sleeping car.BEN JONESaimed at wealthiertravellers.
Fares on the new trains also reflect the
move towards attracting a more upmarket
clientele – although one-way seated prices
still start from a reasonable £45 when
booked in advance. Cabins start at £155
for a ‘Classic’ room, £230 for an en
suite Club Twin or £335 for one of the
‘Caledonian Double’ en suite rooms.
Comfort and security
With the introduction of the Mk5s,
Caledonian Sleeper has also ended the
practice of double occupancy in sleeper
cabins. While this reduces capacity, it has
been largely welcomed by regular travellers
for bringing added comfort and security.
At £2million per vehicle, the cost
of the trains has also raised eyebrows –
especially given the future of the Scottish
sleepers hung in the balance well into
the 2000s. Cynics might suggest that,
as regular users of the trains, Scottish
politicians were keener than most to retain
and improve it!
Deliveries of the Mk5s started in 2017,and over the last 18 months CS has been
working with CAF to test and commission
the new vehicles. Unfortunately, various
issues delayed their introduction beyond
the planned date of October 2018, and
it was not until April that the Mk5s
made their public debut on the Euston to
Glasgow/Edinburgh ‘Lowlander'.
AsTheRMwent to press, the first
northbound 'Highlander' working with
Mk5s was expected on July 7.
At just after 23.00 on a quiet Monday
night, we amble down the ramp of
platform 15 at Euston to be greeted by
an immaculate set of CS Mk5s. In their
striking dark blue livery with silver-grey
antler decoration, they present a much
more appealing prospect than the dated
Mk2s and Mk3s (which have given sterling
service for almost 40 years).
CS stewards check off our names
against their passenger list for tonight
and direct us to our coach. Approaching
the train, the external electronic displays
clearly indicate the letter of each coach and
its destination.Smart, well-lit vestibules are lined
with wood and herringbone tweed, with
information screens showing the time
and destination of the train. The narrow
corridor alongside the sleeper cabins is also
welcoming and brightly illuminated.Major advance
For this trip we were booked into a
Club Class twin cabin, complete with en
suite shower and toilet – a major advance
on the old CS stock, and better than many
overnight trains elsewhere in Europe.
The limitations of the British loading
gauge mean the cabin is still ‘cosy’ for two
people, but it is also clean, well appointed
and inviting. Immediately noticeable are
the deeper mattresses, bigger pillows and
crisp white duvet. So far, so good.
Our journey took place at a difficult
time for CS and the Mk5s. A week before,
a complete set of 16 vehicles had to be
taken out of service for repairs after a fault
triggered an emergency brake application
and caused a large number of serious wheel
flats.44 •The Railway Magazine• July 2019TRAINTEST