The Railway Magazine – July 2019

CS stewards greet passengers at the

check-in desks on the platform at

London Euston on June 17.PAUL SMITH

New menus offer a wide range of drinks, snacks and

small meals, including many Scottish specialities.

BEN JONES

The incident left CS a set short, forcing

it to cancel 50% of ‘Lowlander’ trains in
mid-June. Passengers were asked to travel

by alternative day trains on the East Coast
Main Line or endure an overnight bus

journey – not the quality image CS hopes
to project.

Unfortunately for the operator, when
things go wrong with overnight trains,

delays can run into hours rather than
minutes. Teething troubles with the new

trains have generated some negative press
over the last three months – not least on

the inaugural southbound trip when a
brake fault caused a lengthy delay.

However, by the time we slide out of
platform 15, spot on time at 23.50, we are

comfortably seated in the Club Car.
At-seat service is excellent, and the

new trains offer a wide selection of drinks,
including a range of Scottish whiskies,

beers and liqueurs.
A new food menu includes old

favourites such as haggis, neeps and tatties,
plus more dishes aimed at international

tastes than previously.

Seating in the Club Car is a mix of

very sociable four- and six-seat booths and

individual stools facing an unusual

saw-tooth table along one side of the

saloon. Each of these seats has a power

socket and USB charging port.

From the small selection we tested, the

food and drink in the Club Car is delivered

to a high standard at a price comparable to

a typical big city hotel bar.

Sleep matters

As Monday turned to Tuesday, it

was time to return to our cabin to see if

Caledonian Sleeper’s new trains could also

deliver a decent night’s sleep.

In terms of space, the new twin cabins

don’t feel any larger than their predecessors,

especially when both berths are in use.

Space is at a premium, particularly in the

top berth, where British trains don’t have

the luxury of the extra headroom offered

by the European loading gauge. However,

the beds are comfortable, warm and each

berth is well appointed with a reading

light, USB charging point and a small steel

pocket for storing items such as mobile

phones and spectacles.

After a long day and a wee dram before

bedtime, it wasn’t long before I drifted off.

A few hours later, we lift the blind to

discover we have arrived 20 minutes early

at Carstairs, where our ‘Lowlander’ train

splits to serve Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The use of Dellner automatic couplers

means there’s no banging of buffers or

clattering couplings, and before long

we are on the move again, heading for

Edinburgh.

As passengers rise and the stewards start

to deliver breakfasts, it’s time to test that

shower. The en suite shower and toilet are

July 2019 •The Railway Magazine•45