Sleeper freight

Caledonian Sleeper keen to expand its network by introducing trains to the Far North that also carry freight.

CALEDONIAN Sleeper is investigating the possibility of expanding its network by introducing trains between the Scottish Central Belt and the Far North.

The operator is in talks with HITRANS (Highlands and Island Travel Partnership) regarding the introduction of trains that would serve Wick and Thurso. It is also possible that whatever trains operate could have a mixture of passenger and freight on-board.

Speaking to RAIL on July 4, CS Customer Service Director David Simpson confirmed that discussions had taken place, but that much more needed to be identified before plans could be taken forward.

He said it was likely that trains would run daily, but that realistically they could not be introduced before the Mk 5 fleet now on order was in traffic, in order to release Mk 2 and Mk 3 coaches currently used by CS.

Simpson suggested that the ideal operation would use a Class 73 and Driving Van Trailer, with the DVT carrying palletised goods. If the market so dictated, former Mk 3 Sleeper vehicles could be used to carry freight.

He suggested that the market would be not only to meet the ferries to the Islands, but for people living in the Far North who wanted to travel to the Central Belt. He said that currently that is an all-day journey.

Should the idea come to fruition then more Class 73/9s would be needed from GB Railfreight, with CS likely to help fund the £2 million cost to rebuild the locomotives. It is likely that grants from Transport Focus would also be required to make the operations feasible.

Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf is aware of the plans, according to Simpson, but has yet to be involved in any discussions.

Currently CS operates two Sleepers, one from London Euston to Edinburgh/Glasgow Central and the other from London Euston to Aberdeen/Fort William/Inverness.

CS is owned by Serco and started running overnight on March 31/ April 1 2015. The current franchise is for 15 years.

SIMON MCCOMB. At Edinburgh on May 23, Caledonian Sleeper 92018 waits to run round its stock for the 2340 Edinburgh Waverley-London Euston. CS is investigating running Sleeper trains to the Far North. This would likely use existing rolling stock such as that the ‘92’...