GB Railfreight has announced that they have been working with Caledonian Sleeper to launch their new Mark 5 coaches, with a special train run this month for invited guests.
The overnight service is being transformed with the new passenger carriages and will begin full Mark 5 operations from the end of May 2019.
Over the past 18 months, GBRf has been working with Wabtec to modify twelve Class 92 and six Class 73 locomotives to haul these vehicles on both the Lowlander Caledonian Sleeper route, between Euston and Edinburgh and Glasgow, and in due course the Highlander Caledonian Sleeper routes to Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness.
The locomotives have been fitted with new Dellner couplings and electronics, which include additional safety features, improved on-train communication and power upgrades to supply the requirements for the train's air-conditioning, on-board showers and catering facilities.
In addition to locomotive provision, GBRf also supplies the drivers for each service as part of the long-term contract with Serco, who operates Caledonian Sleeper.
What did the officials say?
John Smith, Managing Director of GB Railfreight, said:
“The successful delivery of these locomotives and the drivers for the Caledonian Sleeper service demonstrates the value and skills in our rail service business.
It has been an exciting partnership with Serco and CAF, and the end result is a transformed service for passengers. We're very proud of our involvement in helping to secure this service between Scotland and England for years to come.”
Ryan Flahery, Serco's Managing Director of Caledonian Sleeper, added:
“GBRf is one of our trusted Caledonian Sleeper partners. We have worked closely to ensure that our guests will be able to experience the best possible service and are very pleased with the expertise and skills GBRf has brought to the table to help deliver these trains. We look forward to continuing our successful working relationship long into the future.”
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Freightliner can make better use of Anglia’s 90’s, if only to replace ageing 86’s. The modified 92’s are ideal for the sleeper services, and with 6 motored axles have better traction for the West coast banks, particularly in poor rail conditions. Some ingenuity in fitting a drop-head multi-coupler incorporating the near-universal Dellner. Scharfenberg would have been a little more difficult. The new Sleeper venture deserves to succeed.
What a daft clueless idiot convert a 90 to 92
Well Class 90 and Class 92 might be converted or have a new coupling fitted to connect to each other. As both locomotives are built by BREL.
What about inheriting few Class 90s from Greater Anglia to be used on the Caledonian Sleeper and to be refurbished or converted into Class 92 as Greater Anglia are replacing the Class 90 Mk3 Intercity with the 12-Car Class 745/1 EMU Stadler Flirt that will be introduced in service late this year.