December date for Sleeper Mk
MAIN line testing of the first Caledonian Sleeper Mk 5s could start in December, with the first rake of 16 carriages entering traffic next April.
Speaking to RAIL on August 29, CS Chairman Peter Strachan said that the five vehicles currently on test at Velim (Czech Republic) will move by rail to Polmadie depot, where they will be joined by a further three to complete a ‘unit’. He explained that CS considers each eight vehicles as a ‘unit’ and a full 16-vehicle set of MK 5s as a ‘rake’.
CAF is building 75 Mk 5s in Beasain (northern Spain). The first vehicles left Spain for the Czech Republic in August ( RAIL 834). These will be the only coaches delivered to the UK by rail, with the remaining 70 moving by ship from Bilbao to Teesport. This is a CAF logistical decision.
Strachan said that before Christmas, a full rake will be in the UK. Testing on the main line will probably start with 16 coaches, and will involve running from Polmadie to at least Carlisle, but more likely Lancaster. GB Railfreight, which already operates CS, will carry out the testing. Route clearance will be carried out at a later date.
Strachan said that plans for the introduction into passenger traffic were still being finalised, but would be phased. He explained that initially the aim is to keep the rakes close to Polmadie and ensure they return to base every couple of days.
This means that the ‘Lowlander’ is likely to be the first trains to use the stock, running between Glasgow Central/Edinburgh and London Euston. Progressively the ‘Highlander’ will be converted to Mk 5 operations. Strachan said that by autumn 2018 all four Mk 2/Mk 3 rakes will be replaced by the new stock.
The vehicles are numbered 15001-15011 for seated cars, 15101-15110 for club cars, 15201-15214 for the Persons with Reduced Mobility Technical Specification for Interoperability