Did this years ago in a Mk1 sleeper. We got stuck in a snow drift and had to wait on Rannoch Moor for a snow plough to come and clear the line. Journey took almost 17 hours. Loved every minute of it....
Did this exact route with the Caledonian Sleeper last September 2021. I was in a regular seat but they upgraded me to a sleeper cabin since it was empty! Thank you Caledonian Sleeper, had a good sleep on my way back to London
That’s fake because they would loose over £100 due to having to supply thing that you have not paid for. So they wouldn’t even if there was no one in the rooms
Scotland To me has always been the most beautiful part of the UK and that train journey looked so wonderful and I was completely gobsmacked that they offered you a £100 refund just because of the hot water issue(there aren't many train operating companies, airlines or hotels who would do that) well done Caledonian sleeper I do hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and I'd to wish you a happy New year in advance
@@matty6848 - £405 per single journey. So if you wanted to nip up to Fort William for a weekend in order to climb Ben Nevis, and didn't have a national railcard to discount the ticket price, you wouldn't have that much change from £1,000. Isn't there an old saying along the lines of "Fools and their money are soon parted"?
@@DaveSuperThomas If you drive a nice car, it'll be 400 quid return on fuel then you would need a night's hotel so not too bad value actually. Personally I'd suffer the coach to save the money but I'd need a week to recover.
The same debate goes on here in the US regarding the Auto Train, from Florida to Virginia. With savings on gas, hotel, food and the hassle of driving, most feel it is a wash.
The hot water never seems to work if these travel videos on RU-vid are typical. It's a very expensive service that fails to deliver the luxury its marketing promises.
Ironically, I live in the highlands and my kids love taking the sleeper down to London because they can board the train surrounded by snow-capped mountains and wake up in a city full of double-decker busses and tall buildings. Also worth adding, the rolling stock was all replaced a couple of years ago and the new carriages you travelled in are much nicer than the old ones.
I took the sleeper up to Scotland when I was a kid in 1984. There's something magic about a long train journey in comfort. Big windows and a relaxing pace. Nice one Noel.
A big difference from my experience with overnight sleepers. When I was 8-12 in the 50's every year my mother and I used to take the Starlight Special, London to Glasgow, I think it was 75 shillings (£3.75) return fare, it was a compartment with 2 on the lower seats and 2 on an upper fold down bunk, so you were sharing with 2 strangers!
Noel, when I was a lad, I worked in travel and could access free rail tickets. My aim was to travel from Cheshire to Fort William on that very same sleeper service. Unfortunately I never got round to completing that trip. While that was many moons ago and no doubt things have become more modern, the scenery is the same. Thanks for sharing and at last giving me the opportunity to see the journey via social media. Cheers.
I did this trip just a couple of weeks before the first lockdown and though I’d booked a club room with the bunk beds, I was upgraded to the Caledonian Double which as you can imagine I was highly delighted about. This is definitely the best journey on the Caledonian Sleeper network. It’s long enough for you to take full advantage of the sleeping aspect of the journey and still gives you time to enjoy the ambience of the Club Lounge before bed time and most impressively of all, taking breakfast whilst the sun rises over Rannoch Moor on the West Highland Line. This stretch of railway is the most stunning in the UK and being able to able to witness it on this train was a privilege. That being said, the Caledonian Sleeper is not without its problems. The showers in the club and double rooms frequently fail to dispense a anything other than cold water. Noel got a hundred quid back for his cold shower but it’s a problem that has persisted since the new stock was introduced three years ago and should really have been sorted by now. Also, despite the newness of the carriages, the ride quality is really rather poor. Despite being in the double bed, which as Noel says is very comfy, I didn’t sleep well at all thanks to the rocking, rolling and rattling of the carriage. The foam earplugs they give you are useless at keeping the sounds out of your ears and thanks to illuminated lighting controls the room never got dark. I gave the service another go a couple of weeks ago in a standard room between London and Glasgow. It hadn’t improved. The same poor ride quality only in a smaller bunk bed. There’s a lot that’s good about the Caledonian Sleeper but the main selling point of getting a good night’s sleep is sadly lacking in my opinion.
Recommend the Caledonian Sleeper. I've caught it in Crewe twice - the arrival of the 16 coach train is awesome; just goes on and on! I call it the ghost train because catching it at 23.45 you see no-one even though the train is usually full! 👍
Next time you come visit, grab the train from Fort William to Mallaig - voted the greatest train journey in the world. It will take you over the Glenfinnan Viaduct and across the greatest scenery in the country.
The dude puts the camera in the room and goes out to come in again as if he entered for the first time, now that's oscar award acting lol, and respect the efforts. Love this video!
This just popped up on my RU-vid. I never knew this type of train service existed in UK! Thanks for the great video i’m definitely going to consider a sleeper train journey to Scotland
Scotland is ridiculously beautiful, this looks like an excellent option to get there directly. Wish the room lighting was less harsh though, they could have had subtle soft up-lighters rather than like a prison
About half a full Scottish breakfast. Usually made up of bacon, link sausages, Lorne sausage (also known as square sausage or slice), black pudding, haggis, baked beans, fried mushrooms and tomatoes, toast, tattie scones and fried eggs, the full Scottish breakfast is a sight to behold.
Great Britain still has two, rather different overnight Sleeper train services. Serco Group plc operates the Highland and Lowland Caledonian Sleepers (which serve Aberdeen/Inverness/Fort William and Edinburgh/Glasgow respectively from London Euston) whilst First Great Western runs the "Night Riviera" (or, if you prefer the Cornish language version, "Koskador Ruvyer an Nos") which serves Plymouth and Penzance/Pensans from London Paddington. Two different approaches to providing an overnight train service in a relatively small island. As you suggest, great fun when travelling with a friend or a relative. Try them both and see which you prefer!
@@DaveSuperThomas I tried to book the Night Riviera for our 30th Anniversary and computer said no. This was after our weekend away to Bergen got cancelled in Feb due to Norwegian. The time before Easy jet cancelled a weekend in Amsterdam in Spring 2021. Covid says NO. So after failing miserably on Night Riviera I found this exact sleeper up to Fort William for £480... blimey. At least it was booked. I was worried about this service as Paul Lucas had terrible issues with it, and he is more used to dossing it than my wife, so happy to see it is all working apart from the hot water ... who needs that when you have central heating from Scotch? Great video. My wife will be pleased. Still haven't booked the way back being Easter ... did Joseph, Mary and the Baby Jesus hitch hike back from that manger in Bethlehem? I'm guessing so ... wish us luck or I will not get to the 40th ...
I've gotten into watching videos of this sort lately, watching predominantly ones from Japan, but it's nice to see we have some over here in the UK! (I live in Scotland myself)
Ive been a rail enthusiast all my life and I'm 59 now and have never travelled on a sleeper. You've just convinced me that its worth doing. That journey and everything you experienced looked fabulous. Great video.
Try First Great Western's Standard Class-only "Night Riviera/Koskador Ruvyer an Nos" between Paddington and Penzance, which uses forty year old carriages refurbished to a high standard, and see which of the two you prefer!
Don't start from anywhere but Euston.. Not enough sleep time (Crewe and Carstairs will wake you anyway) Try and sleep well before Bletchley.. (or the Boggarts will get you...........)
This is by far my favourite rail journey in the UK and one of my favourite in the world. Thanks for a wonderful year. I wish you and your family the most fabulous of festive seasons.
I love long train trips. I live in Australia. We have the Indian pacific train that travels from Sydney to Perth taking 4 days. You would absolutely love it. It’s expensive but a wonderful service where you eating wonderful food and experience excellent service and see a lot of this beautiful country
@@scottboylan3934 I’d rather do the Indian Pacific. I love that stop in the Nullibor Plain where you have dinner on the platform under amazing night skies.
Good showing and summary of the New Caledonian Sleeper product - not been since the old one a few years back, so thanks. Last time I boarded from a snowbound Carrour station and alighted at Euston on a Monday morning - with suit clad commuters looking in amazement at my rucksack with crampons and ice axes attached to the back.
Another wonderful video Noel. I never tire of your sense of childlike wonder at doing what you do. I'm very jealous and look forward to another year of unique adventures and life affirming new experiences for you and us.
I took this train a few years ago on my way up to John O Groats for my cycle ride down to Lands End. It was a life changing experience for me. Thanks for the memories!
Both Caledonian Sleepers head up through Crewe and Preston (avoiding Manchester). The Lowlander (Edinburgh and Glasgow) splits at Carstairs, and the Highlander (Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen) splits at Edinburgh.
Thanks for highlighting Scotland. The sleeper is unfortunately unaffordable to most people, which is the sad reality now it’s no longer run by ScotRail, who used to do bargain berths for £29. Now you’re lucky to get a berth for less than £129. It’s also worth noting that Fort William is not the end of the line and, in fact, the scenery only gets better after Fort William if you continue on a ScotRail (or steam train in summer months) to Mallaig.
Yes, the FW to Mallaig is probably the best stretch of line , ( Although Bridge of Orchy and beyond is pretty good ) but then they stop the Steam train at the end of October just when the views are opening up when the leaves fall off the trees. Tourists can still get a diesel , but it’s not quite the same .
I travelled on a day train from Euston to Edinburgh and that was one amazing and memorable train journey that I had while in UK. You could enjoy all the beautiful landscapes, countryside views and Aberdeen looks damm amazing!
Eshwar. Did you mean KINGS CROSS to Edinburgh, not Euston? No worries, just that I did King X to Edinburgh in March and it's on the East Coast Line. Euston is West Coast and it goes to Glasgow, unless you changed somewhere perhaps?
@@mikeatterbury9896 Thanks, Yes you are right, it was Kings X. Its been a long while so got mixed up! I did change the train as I went upto Inverness. On west coast, had done Euston to Manchester.
I'm an American, but I still remember living in the UK when I was 10 to 13. My father was stationed at a base near King's Lynn and we got a week's vacation in the lake district in a cabin. We drove up into Scotland and stopped for lunch at Loch Lomond, and I drank in the scenery while I was lucky enough to hand feed some gentle swans by the sunny shore. By the time we made it up to Loch Ness the weather had turned and it was as dark and mysterious looking as the legends make it out to be. We ended up staying at a lovely inn at Inverness that night and drove back to the cabin the next day. That short trip to Scotland over four decades ago impressed me so much that touring Scotland has remained in the top 5 of my bucket list ever since, even when other destinations have changed. I will always be fond of Britain - and double thanks for introducing me to Doctor Who through the immortal 4th Doctor, Tom Baker!
With two young kids, both my wife and I working, your videos are well appreciated. Your travels definitely satisfy my urges to travel, and pilot vlogs has renewed my own interest in wanting to become a pilot. Finances aren’t quite there; but soon. So thanks, and cheers to a new year from across the pond!
Hi Noel, thanks for sharing this video. When I was in Scotland 2019 I was shocked at the price from Euston to Fort William. I took 2 trains and even with an overnight stay in Glasgow I saved £70. The sleeper and going through on a daytime ticket right through was too pricey. The journey to Mallaig is well worth it. Then you can get the ferry over to Skye and a short bus ride to Broadford where you get the bus over the Skye Bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh to connect with the line to Inverness, great. There you can get the train to King's Cross which brings you down through the Cairngorms. I suggest taking the day trains coz you see all the scenery. The route from Aberdeen to London is great too. Crewe in Cheshire is a major rail junction. See you next year Noel, happy new year and God bless.
Its actually New York that they call the city that never sleeps, not London. But absolutely fantastic trip report mate !! I love rail journeys and train travel is magical to me ... Fantastic !
Thanks for being an inspiration Noel! I am trying to find the time to create content, but working full-time running my own company and raising 2 kids is making it hard! Your awesome content keeps the dream alive for me. I have some footage from a trip within Australia from a month or so ago, but having trouble finding time to edit it. Hoping to pop across to the UK next year for the Farnborough Airshow! Take it easy, and enjoy your well earned Christmas/New Year Break!
From Australia. looks like a great trip, the mining trains carrying ore from the top of Western Australia are 5 kilometres long and require 6 locos to pull the load. These trains are the longest in the world.
@@patkelly6349 Mr Kelly, maybe it might be a good idea to check it out by doing some simple research. Western Australia is twice the size of the UK, the top end Broom is mining, so the ore trains are 5 ks long. The new trains have no drivers and are computer controlled. FACT CHECK before making your stupid comment.
@@patkelly6349 Not really. They did have one train pulling 88,000 tonnes of ore with 8 locos at 7.29km long, but most are in the region of 30,000 tonnes so would be between 3-4km long.
@@Hattonbank Thanks for your comment. Fact is: One of Australia's largest mining companies is BHP, the trains pulling iron ore from the Pilbara to the port of Western Australia can exceed 4 klm's this is due to demand. The summer time temperatures can reach above 50 degrees C, so the trains would probably be shorter in length due to extreme temps, it is all about supply on demand. There is an excellent TV series called "Railroad Australia". Cheers.
It makes you wonder why it takes 13 hours to get to Fort William. Before the War, the running time between London and Edinburgh was 7 hours. On a daytime train service. Amazing.
Having been on it twice it appears to stop over a few times on route allowing other traffic to pass. Then at some stage before Glasgow it splits into 3. 1 section for Aberdeen, 1 for Inverness & the last stage for Ft William. If it was to come up at full speed the guests wouldn't really get the full sleep.
Thank you Noel. My only experience taking the train in Europe was on the Eurostar from London to Paris and back in the same day. I was so fascinated growing up in the 80’s hearing about the Chunnel so I had to experience it for myself.
And not a mention of Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat. I have loved that poem since childhood so also loved the idea of this particular night journey, on Skimble's train.
My wife and I did a similar journey from London to Leuchars and yes, the bed was comfortable but tight! It IS difficult to get comfortable when there are two of you in it. We had very little sleep until we reached Carlisle and then the next thing I knew was the guard knocking and calling "half-hour from Leuchars". All things considered though, a great adventure and much better than when I first did the journey overnight in 1979. No showers in those days, cold or otherwise. Rannoch Moor is one of my favourite places, it has a severe beauty all its own.
Hey Noel, great video, I went on the sleeper when it was the old retro style carriages, it was a great experience. But one think to note is that Mallaig is actually the furthest point on the west highland line, I have been there and it is stunning. Take the Jacobite train from Ft. William to Mallaig and go over the glenfinnian viaduct, the one featured in most Harry Potter movies. This is also a stunning journey. Thanks for what you do😀
I don’t care how comfortable the seats are; they could be made of duck feathers but still I wouldn’t be able to sleep a wink if I’m not lying down. I discovered this fact the hard way years ago when I took the Paris-Nice sleeper, and hoping to save a few bob, I opted for the cheap seats; I literally did not sleep a second. What made it all the more galling (aside from ruining the subsequent first day in Nice), was nearly everyone else in my carriage appeared to sleep like babies. It’s not a train thing, though, as I can never sleep on long-haul flights, either. Normally a good sleeper; just need to be horizontal.
Awesome trip on the train! I love long distance train travel! It’s soo relaxing and the scenery is amazing. In Europe and UK I had a Europass and went to many countries. It’s a nice change from the stress of flying.
Hi Noel, in a moment of sadness, I contacted Caledonian Sleeper last year about distances, and they confirmed London-Ft. William at 521 miles and London-Inverness at 568 miles. Either way, as you said at Euston, the Caley Sleeper is the "longest" train in the UK. A superb video, and look forward to loads of adventures in 2022.
I drove from Dover to Fort William last November (continued to John O'Groats the next morning) and that stretch between north of Glasgow up to the top of the country is beyond beautiful. I've been lucky enough to visit the Norwegian Fjords, the Italian Lakes, the Alps, Niagara Falls and the Carpathians and this is right up there with them
An English man who loves haggis! As Sinead O'Conner once sang, "I love you in my heart English man"! Great vids, watch you all the time Noel. Love from haggisland! XXXXX
Wow. I live in London and didn't even realise these sort of trains existed here. Infact, I've never used them trains before or been to close to Euston in my 30 years lol
A nice year-end video, Noel. Glad to see you sampled the haggis on the train. I believe the Caledonian Express has exclusive rights to market the West Highland Haggis which is native to that mountainous region of the Scottish Mainland. Because of the hilly terrain and the steep inclines, natural selection in that breed of haggis has evolved to produce one leg shorter than the other. And because the haggis, when hunting its prey, circles the hilly terrain almost exclusively in a direction which is counter to the Earth's rotation, the downhill right leg is longer than the uphill left leg, which allows it to keep its balance. Consequently, most West Highland Haggis are served boneless to avoid arguments over who gets the larger, meatier leg. Anyway, hope you have a happy New Year and looking forward to your next adventures.
Well if one couple was served two bigger legs and another couple the smaller ones there would be no argument and they wouldn't even notice the difference.
Quite annoyed at his comment ! -they BREED at this time of year and are protected from Sassenach idiots with "Gravy guns" ... Haggis hunting starts on January 25th. (The "immoral mammaries" - I think it's called up there ) NEVER before ! , you sleekit cow'rin timorous beastie .....Slainte.
@@Salix631 Nice try, but the leg length disparity of the Schiehallion herd is excessive - due to all the World's gravy trees being focused there... 9.81 Metres in the second generation.... You'd need a tectonic plate to serve one of them.................!
Great video. I really fancied doing that , but just looked at the price. Just over £400 for the " double " Euston to Fort William. That is mega bucks . Could have got a short weekend break in Madrid for two. Flying from Edinburgh.
Indeed. It is very expensive and often an uncomfortable experience. This video shows it in just about its best light and even then he had to have a cold shower.
the London to Fort William sleeper is probably the 2nd longest UK train service after the CrossCountry Aberdeen to Penzance service which also takes approximately 13 hours
Looks great. You did well with the cost, too. Imagine the cost in using different trains and hanging around on platforms in the middle of the night, drinking coffee out of a vending machine. Loads of wear and tear on the body and nerves. I plan to do the trip myself one day.
I recently used the Lowlander from Edinburgh to London. The lounge at Waverley was shut. The Club Car was shut. Everything in the room rattled all night and I found the ride quality awful. And after almost no sleep at all I was awoken with a single piece of bacon in a plain white roll and a cup of instant coffee. For the Club Room price of over £200 I was offered just £20 compensation, so you did very well to get £100 back.
Always have to love it when Noel does trips around the UK. There aren't that many people out there who review UK travel products, but there can be some amazing carriers or train services running all across the country. Also, Noel, if you see this, have you got any tips for travelling to Chicago? I'm planning to travel that way next year from LHR to ORD but could use all the advice I can get to try and cut costs down. Cheers, and Happy Holidays!
The Caledonian Sleeper is far too expensive now. I did the old Sleeper from London to Glasgow in 2010 & I got a Bargain Berth for £39 ( I initially had to share with someone, but, just before we left the attendant came to the room & said that someone hadn't turned up & one of us could move to another room so we could have the rooms to ourselves ). Now with the new Sleeper I think they want to aim at the business traveller by pricing out the leisure travellers.
Just had a look at ÖBB Nightjet. Amsterdam to Innsbruck single sleeper around €200, with own WC/shower add €10. Of course it’s not a double bed, and there isn’t a Club Car: only a packaged breakfast.
Love this - done it once and got so enchanted by the comfort in a small space I ended up buying a Van and living in it - and now I do Scotland a lot :)
Great video Noel!!! That train looked amazing. I discovered your channel this year and it did bring back memories of times I’ve done flights and long distance trains. Have an enjoyable time in the Highlands and a happy exciting new year
Yes...please continue traveling,safely, in 2022. Since I'm too afraid to travel right now, I'm living thru ur adventures. Loved this train! Will someday be on it for myself. You've inspired me for future travels
Dear Mssr Noel Phillips, Esq. It's nice the Caledonian Sleeper Train between London Euston Station to Fort William, Scotland. You look like my Cousin in Salzburg, Austria-Europe. He has red hair, too. I wish you all the best. Faithfully, Ludwig
No eggs with your breakfast, what is wrong with you man? :-) That (almost unforgivable ommision) notwithstanding, it's been a pleasure watching you traverse the globe in these particularly challenging times - a real slave to your art. Looking forward ot seeing you in 2022. Thanks for sharing, from a gloomy, flat and unintersting rural Essex.
I know. That breakfast was pathetic. One sausage that looked like cheap hotdog meat, and thin sliced rasher Of bacon that looks like that cheap pre packed bacon you buy from the supermarket, tinned mushrooms that are not even fresh and a tiny piece of black pudding. And that’s after you’ve paid nearly 400 quid for the privilege!
have fond memories of travelling on this a few times in the noughties, but does look so much better - the bathroom especially! Seem to recall that the sink had to serve more than one purpose. And had to shower at Waverly for a fiver
A very merry Christmas, lovely to see your on my doorstep!! We live south of Rannoch near Pitlochry. Such a good price too.... Tempted me to take the caledonian to London to Explore. Thanks noel. 👍😉
I had supper on the old one. I really enjoyed it. It was some sort of fruit pudding & custard & I think I had tea with it. The tracks are so smooth. It was just enjoyable. It is a fantastic trip in the summer.
First off what an excellent video! Thanks for sharing it with us. We took the sleeper from London to Inverness a few years ago and while the train wasn't as luxurious as the new equipment it was still a spectacular journey. Looking forward to another sleeper trip when we can travel safely again. Thanks again.
As far as I can tell there has never been any hot showers since these trains were introduced and it would appear the problem still has not been overcome ....Does anyone know why ?
My wife and did this trip just before the new carriages came into use. Slept like a log. We got delayed for 59 minutes stuck in a station in the middle of nowhere. Can't remember which one. Got 50% back of what we paid You should have gone on to Mallaig even more stunning scenery.
My friends went on this a couple of weeks ago and got engaged while on it !!! Also just want to say if you are using a GoPro Hero 9/10 to vlog with you need to change the settings to 50fps to stop the light flickering 👍🏻👍🏻
Actually that wasn't the engine that brought you all the way up from London: a class 92 does part of the journey - as it's electrified. Then somewhere around Scotland - where it's a non-electrified track - a diesel does the rest of the trip. In this case, it was a class 66. Yes I'm a "train nerd", and no I don't care what you think. Besides, most of you that will make fun of me are probably Harry Potter fans i.e. grown adults liking a kids' book! ROFL!
No need to get defensive, nothing wrong with any type of nerdiness. I consider myself to be a plane, train and tram nerd! Incidentally, it is a Class 73 that does the hauling from Edinburgh to Fort William. You can see it at 17:00 in the video behind the Class 66. Not sure what the 66 was doing there unless the 73 had some technical problems and needed assistance. The 73s are ancient, originally for use on Southern Region’s third rail network and could work on both electric and diesel power. A few have been re-engined and are now pure diesel 73/9s and used to haul the non-electrified part of the Highland Sleeper services.
The 73s are just glorified barrier coaches now. They do very little work and are always either doubles up or headed by a 66 as they’re knackered but can provide the requisite electric power that the train needs for all its (cold) showers and whatnot.
@@fraserboyd5977 really, I didn’t know that. When I did the journey a couple of years ago it was just the one 73 that hauled us from Edinburgh to Fort William. Mind you we arrived 45 minutes late so perhaps it struggled! It can’t be that efficient utilising a double header to haul four or five carriages up to Fort William. Surely there are newer, more efficient (and reliable) locomotives that could do the job by themselves?
@@egpx - Being freight locomotives the Class 66's can't supply the electrical power needed to heat and to light passenger carriages, which is what the Class 73 is there to do. The Class 73's, which originally had a 600hp Diesel engine to enable them to shunt wagons in non-electrified sidings, now put down 1,600hp which makes them, in British Rail parlance, "Type 3's". One Class 73 is actually enough to haul the Edinburgh to Inverness portion over the steeply-graded Highland Main Line. The second locomotive is there for added insurance.
@@DaveSuperThomas yeah, I knew the 73s used by Caledonian Sleeper were re-engined. I guess it was a cheaper option re engining a 40-50 year old loco than forking out for something new to do the job.
Lucky you going through some of the most spectacular and breathtaking scenery in the UK. One of my favourite pictures is the Glenfinnan Viaduct.🥰 Lovely.
what a fantastic journey I've got to do this one day. I've been to fort William many years ago by car but its a very tiring journey if your the driver i cant believe what great facilities and luxury are on board the sleeper, absolutely fantastic its a must do for me for sure
