New Caledonian Sleeper trains slip to May next year
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The new rolling stock, was expected to begin its roll-out this autumn, but so far only 40 of the 75 carriages that were ordered have arrived in the UK.
The remaining 35 are currently in the final stages of construction in Spain and will be “delivered in the coming weeks”, the Caledonian Sleeper confirmed.
It said that its new fleet of trains will be operating from all stations by the end of May, in time for the peak Summer season. The launch of the Lowland service between London, Glasgow and Edinburgh will go live first, with the Highland service to Fort William, Inverness and Aberdeen following shortly after.
Serco, which operates the Sleeper, said the process of testing and gaining the necessary regulatory and operating approvals for the first new carriages in 35 years was “time-consuming and complex” and that this was the reason for the May launch.
Ryan Flaherty, Serco’s Managing Director at Caledonian Sleeper, said: “Our new trains will mark a magical new chapter in rail travel in the UK.
“The new sleeper carriages are absolutely superb, and will transform the experience of travelling by train between Scotland and England. We are sorry that we will not be able to launch the service this autumn, and understand that customers who wanted to travel on them in 2018 will be disappointed.
“But with five different accommodation types, as well as on board catering, dining and shower facilities, this is the most complex introduction of new rolling stock ever undertaken in the UK, and we are determined to get it right.”
Guests who have already booked on a Lowland service on or after October 28 will be offered a full refund or opportunity to rebook if they no longer wish to travel. For those who still wish to travel and had booked one of our new accommodation options, Caledonian Sleeper will refund the difference in cost.
Since Serco took over the Caledonian Sleeper service in 2015, the number of people travelling on it has increased by more than 20 per cent.
The new trains will be the culmination of an investment programmed carried out by Serco since it took over the Caledonian Sleeper franchise in April 2015. These have included opening a new Guest Services Centre in Inverness; a new booking website allowing guests to book up to 12 months in advance and the ability to book pets and bikes.
To find out more about the Caledonian Sleeper, visit sleeper.scot
