New Caledonian Sleeper fleet undergoes trials ahead of full rollout

Caledonian Sleeper has trialled its new carriages running from Scotland to London Euston ahead of the rollout of the new fleet in May.

Serco, who operate the overnight rail service, announced plans in 2017 to overhaul its trains, promising to a deliver a “hotel-style experience”.

A total of 16 carriages have now been tested on routes from Scotland to London.

The fleet was built at a cost of over £100m and was part funded by a capital grant from Scottish Ministers of £60m.

A new Caledonian Sleeper carriage
A new Caledonian Sleeper carriage

The carriages will provide a hotel-style key card entry system, more accessible rooms, charging panels and WiFi throughout the train.

Room options include having a double bed with an en-suite, solo or twin club rooms with an en-suite, a classic room with a solo or twin bed, as well as comfort seats and rooms for passengers with reduced mobility.

Ryan Flaherty, Serco’s Managing Director at Caledonian Sleeper, said: “Caledonian Sleeper will undergo a huge transformation in 2019 and we are now entering the final stages of our testing and approvals programme.

“Bringing our new carriages into London Euston for the first time is an exciting landmark for the team, and we cannot wait until they are arriving and departing from the station six nights a week.”

The trains will initially be introduced on the Lowlander route between Glasgow/Edinburgh and London before being rolled out onto the Highlander which serves Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness.

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