PLEASE READ: I just want to take a moment to update you and clarify my position regarding travel in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Being a UK citizen, I consult the UK Foreign Office for advice on where I am travelling and what I may need to be aware of. At the time of writing, the Foreign Office advises against all non-essential travel abroad. In addition, non-essential travel within the UK is currently not permitted. With this in mind I am currently unable to travel and film content. I am lucky to currently have a large (about 6 months worth) of content already filmed so you can still expect a new video every Friday. I do however want to stress that I travelled in line with the advice of the UK Foreign Office where travelling outwith the UK and in line with UK law when travelling domestically at the time of recording. This advice will likely have changed in the time between recording and publishing. With that, I am hopeful that travel will once again be possible in the near future and I hope to get out and about filming again over the summer. Lastly, thank you for your continued support through these strange and difficult times. Stay safe! Kind regards, Dylan.
@@georgetaylor3525 You do understand George, that as the UK is the home of railways. Tunnels in the UK were built to the trains of the time. The rest of the World being a little later, meant they could build bigger tunnels etc and so bigger trains. That is why trains in the UK are smaller then elsewhere on the same gauge.
Even if your experience in the Caledonian Sleeper Club room was not up to first class standards, your video certainly is! I have been traveling vicariously through you for a while now - thank you very much. I particularly like the lack of music and blah-blah narration.
I like how you use captions instead of yammering constantly, it's a much nicer way of getting the information out succinctly. Great content, will be binging on the previous postings, add more shots of yourself.
I couldn't disagree with you more. I hate having to constantly read captions instead of looking at the visual details of the trip. You probably won't get many negative comments like this because most of us will just move on to something with a proper commentary. What a pleasure it is to watch videos like Paul Lucas's, where you get to appreciate something of the personality of the presenter.
Great to see a channel that doesn't rely on talking. Very well presented and extremely informative and a great way to show how your journey will be. Thanks Dylan
Here's a wee tip for anyone traveling long distance on U.K trains. Always book at least 3 months in advance and make sure you reserve your seat otherwise, there may not be a vacant seat for you to sit on. Buying a ticket on a train does not guarantee a seat. Secondly, always but a 2nd class ticket and if you want to upgrade to 1st ( preferable if you can't stand screaming kids which always seem to follow me on any trip I've been on ) but, wait till the train is moving before you ask the ticket inspector if you can upgrade. You'll pay anything fro £10 - £20 extra, not the £100's of pounds if you'd booked a 1st class ticket. Plus, never buy food or drinks on any train, they will charge you as much as they can legally get away with. Buy food and drink at a supermarket before you get to the station. And never buy food or drink in the stations either. Same rule applies at overcharging customers. On 1st class, you'll get all the tea and coffee you can drink for just a few pounds more. Not in 2nd class.
I really like the way your videos are put together. You don’t ramble on. You let the visual do the talking. I really enjoy it. It’s calming and informative.
Anyway, the generations of Scots who kept their bedroom windows open at night only had a bath once every week or two, and certainly never took a shower.
Great video. I did this trip last October but the opposite direction. After my wife had a cold shower I figured out the tap was labelled wrong! Hot was cold, cold was hot!
I live in Aberdeen. I so want to travel down on the sleeper again. I used to it every so often. I sleep so well on a train. I haven’t travelled on it since the new coaches. This has made me feel rather nostalgic
Very nicely made video, well done, no music, no voiceover, really factual. Thanks for letting the content reveal itself and not be overlaid with look-how-clever-I-am gimmicks. 10/10
I travelled from London Euston Station a couple of years ago, when I came first to the UK in 1978. Our destination was Bangor in North Wales, where I attended the PPS Camp. Greetings from Germany
Thank you for this video. I enjoy your content and information without stupid music and unnecessary chatter. This was very helpful 👍👍I have shared this with all my traveling friends and family
I took the Caledonian Sleeper last May from Edinburgh to London. I loved the experience, as it was my first sleeper train trip. I stayed in the club room with the en suite, which was nice. However, I did share it with my sister and it's an extremely tight fit for two adults. Never used the shower. I was so exhausted upon boarding at 11 pm, I went straight to bed. Woken with a start around 3 am when all the lights came on and a big bump - - connecting with the train from Glasgow, I believe. We thought we had until 8 am to depart the train in London but were told around 7:20 that we needed to pack up and get off. Otherwise, crew was great, room was comfortable and I am grateful for the experience.
I thought that the whole idea of using Dellner couplings on the new Mark 5 carriages from CAF in Spain was so that there wouldn't be the violent and noisy jerks which you used to get with the Buckeye couplings on the old Mark 3 carriages when the two sections of the Lowlander Sleeper were either split or attached at Carstairs Junction in the middle of Scotland's bleak and barren Southern Uplands!
Thank you very much for your trip report. I look forward to Friday for your new video. Of all the trip report channels I watch, you're the one I like the most, Dylan.Of all the trip report channels I watch, this is yours the best, Dylan! Yes, it's your channel that I prefer! I have already watched all the videos. It is you who explains the best, who is the most clear, serious and very sympathetic at the same time. Very pleasant to watch, I hope that at the end of the crisis, you will open a store of derivative products !!! Otherwise, for this trip report: I love the night trains, in addition it is very recent this one, it is very pleasant compared to the very old trains that we have. Yes, the station is very beautiful, I think the architecture of almost all the stations in Northern Europe is great. Thank you for your recommendations for breakfast, prices, extras etc etc. Very beautiful landscapes that you showed us.
Stumbled across this and found it extremely helpful. The wife and I are thinking of going to Scotland next year via this route instead of by car ( we live in Norfolk). I was, up until I watched this, reticent to to try this as I rarely ever travel by train. Watching this brilliant review has swung it for me. Thanks
I’ve been in the sleeper many times. Even though it is more expensive, aim to go for the rooms as the beds are INCREDIBLY comfy. Hope you are all happy and healthy!
Thank you, came across your channel by accident and was considering using the Caledonian Sleeper, as use the penzance sleeper many times. Your video has helped allot.
@@G_Diddler From a personal experiance the american commuters are way better, they might be slow but their very comfy unlike the ironing board seats you see on every train
Now then lad another grand video. Up here 8n North Yorkshire we like a cold shower keeps ya right for the day. Dylan hope you and your family stay safe and I can't wait for the blogs to start again.
I’ve been on the new stock twice now and 3 out of 4 journeys I’ve either had a cold shower or absolute no water pressure. You were lucky to be in cabin 5 - if you have one at the end of the coach ie 1 the ride and noise is horrendous. Serco and CAF have a lot to improve still
Also agree the breakfast isn’t great. It’s odd because I’ve had evening meals and they’re pretty good. Mind you they made this big fanfare about how they’d have full kitchens in the new stock and yet it’s still all microwaved food again.
In Canada, on the Montreal-Halifax run, they always sell the cabins from the middle towards the ends, so if you want a cabin away from the wheels, reserve early. On the classic 1955-era streamliner trains which run between Toronto and Vancouver (when there's no pandemic), the full bedrooms are in the centre and the open berth sections and single-bed roomettes at either end -- over the wheels.
Good film, Dylan - I stumbled across it when watching someone else's sleeper review. When London Euston was re-built in the 1960's they said they didn't put seats on the concourse as it would encourage people to linger. In those days though, trains had longer turn-round times and it was common to be able to board your train half an hour before departure. Nowadays train companies like to keep you waiting till the last minute before boarding. Therefore, they sometimes run out of concourse space at Euston! The First Class lounge at Euston is good, last time I used it I was travelling on a First Class Inter-rail Global Pass, and the staff weren't sure whether to let me in or not. Their attitude was something like - "Virgin Trains don't make much money out of Inter-Rail, so why should we?". After consulting a manager, they did relent though. I'm impressed you slept all the way to Dunkeld - no shunting noise in Edinburgh?
The sight of the "Highland Breakfast" in the Club Car not only made me feel quite sick, it also looked more like a serving for a child rather than an adult! When the new Mark 5 carriages from CAF in Spain were being built, we were told that the galley in the Club Car would have proper convection ovens (and not just microwave cookers) so that high-quality hot meals could be prepared! I've had better breakfasts than that in some 2* and 3* hotels. It's good to know that the on-board shoe cleaning machine worked. Pity the same couldn't be said about the main reason for upgrading to an en-suite Club Room - the hot shower in the morning! It would have been nice to have seen some video footage of the double-headed Class 73 Electro-Diesels (the only such locomotives of their type in the world) which now haul the Inverness portion of the "Highlander" over the hilly (and unelectrified) main line from Edinburgh. Although these little Bo-Bo's have been re-engined and now put down an impressive 1600 horsepower this was deemed insufficient for one locomotive to lift eight heavy carriages from sea level at Inverness over the gable summits of Slochd and Drumochter.
When I looked up this night train in 2017 it's pricing seemed relatively less sensitive to how far in advance one buys the tickets (costs about the same when bought ~1wk vs a few days in advance). Back then a standard seat cost about the same as Dylan spent on this trip, while rooms went for £280-350 each
@@lzh4950 On a long distance train say from London to Glasgow its usually a bit cheaper than buying a few days in advance or, at least it used to be plus, you get to choose which seat and in which coach you sit in, also remember to book a seat when buying the ticket. If you don`t book a seat you could find yourself standing the whole way. If you`re daft enough to spend £280 - £350 then that`s your choice. To me its just now worth it and i think he made a video where he wasn`t too happy with the over priced service - no hot water in the shower and poor quality meals. I`d have rather spent the money on an air fare and the rest of a nice hotel once there. Still, as this is his hobby, he`d have kicked himself if he hadn`t done it and it turned out well for everyone else. You learn from experience.
Merciful Heavens! A YT video without background music or hopeless commentary, thank you. If there is a tutorial on video production this should be used as the benchmark!
One banana haha! I'm a devil for the cheeseboard, but I don't fancy that train one bit. It's like a cheap caravan. It's about time WE started building coaches again...
I subscribed about a week or so ago and it has been a joy watching your videos taking me on travels to places I won't probably be going to, although this trip and the one from LA to Seattle both seem intriguing. . This video was particularly fun and with beautiful scenery too. Thanks for your work.
A wee tip.Obviously buy your tickets well in advance if you can, but you are tied in to a specific train and if you miss it by a minute, tough. Open ended tickets are quite expensive and don't come with a specific seat but you can ride the rout whenever you want; get off for a couple of hours at an intriguing wee village station and get back on the next one. Usually for a week. But if you need to make a connection they can't guarantee to be on time so you get a de facto open ticket. Couple of years ago I booked Newcastle to Oban via Edinburgh and Glasgow. Open ended and trains weren't crowded. Got into Edinburgh around 11.00, trains to Glasgow were every half hour so time for a stroll and lunch. Got to Glasgow around 1400. There were trains to Oban at 1500 and 1700. Taking the later one meant I could ckeck out a photography exhibition I had heard good things about. Oban train was a bit late but. who cares, I was booked into a seedy pub. I could return whenever I wanted within a week..
Thanks for giving us the size of the bed! I love travelling by night train but the beds are usually too short for me and unfortunately it seems the Caledonian Sleeper is no exception.
I've been on 1st class sleepers in Spain, India, Vietnam and Russia and I can't say I've ever had a good night's sleep, but I certainly like the eating and drinking on board. Thanks for the tour, Dylan; I might well give this one a try - if only to avoid the horrors of EasyJet and Luton airport (out nearest).
You're welcome! If you are looking to avoid flying, there is also a daytime train that runs this route. Cheaper and faster but then again, it's not the same as a sleeper train!
I traveled this route just over a year ago. They were still using the old cars on the service at that time. Having the en suite toilet would have been great, these new cars seem like a minor upgrade. I thought my room was ok for the price. The bed wasn't all that comfortable but I still slept ok. I'm glad my breakfast looked better than what they served you. I still think the Caledonian sleeper is a great way to travel between the highlands of Scotland and London. New to your channel but will be looking forward to seeing more videos.
Pretty good summary. I’m based near Inverness and have used the sleeper a lot, in its current and previous guises. But more recently I have used the Easyjet or BA services to reach London on account of cost. However, when the lock-down ends, I can see me using the sleeper a lot more. Much easier for social distancing and infection management, and goodness only knows what a hassle air travel is going to be like in the future! A railcard makes the journey fairly affordable. Last time I came up was the night they announced the pub closures, and Caledonian Sleeper summarily closed the lounge car, but it was quite reassuring to wall myself up in my cabin and not come out till Inverness!
Thanks! I quite often use Easyjet's route to Gatwick but I'm yet to try out BA's route since it was reinstated a few years ago. Like you say, the sleeper could be a key player though for people who want to guarantee social dostancing post lock down.
I really appreciate your thorough reviews, and.. most of all.. I like how you did the laying on the bed.. as I am 6'3.. I often wonder what sleeping on the cabins would be like for a tall person. Not many others are around our height and often they don't add it to their reviews as well.
Very good video. Covered things in great detail and order. Well shot. Just how I like my videos when I want to explore every detail of something that I've not yet done before. Happy travelling, when you can!
I don't know about a suitcase, but with my girth I'd certainly get stuck myself hahaha! But luckily I'm too broke to travel anywhere :D so glad for these virtual treats. I really liked your video, on to watch more :)
I disagree, I’ve used the Blue train a few times and it was consistently a Sauna and the sleep yukata was tiny. So overall not comfortable. The limited express and Shinkansen are a different story and comfortable
The "Olympic Javelin" train (now the HST's replacement) is made by Hitachi. In Japan it's called the Baby Shinkansen, and runs to cities that are big, but where it's not practical or economical to run actual shinkansen track. ...which is kind of a shame. A lot of the "fast but not shinkansen" trains at the moment all look totally different from each other. I hope they don't all eventually get replaced by the same train, with the only difference being the livery.
@@worldcomicsreview354 it’s extremely unlikely that Japan will ever have a single pattern train. There are already several different model Shinkansen and many different pattern limited express trains. Japan probably has more different types as well a models of train than any other country.
Beautiful Scottish vistas and great train. Thanks for a well presented tour. I visited GB over 20 years ago. Took a regular train from Edinburgh to London. Then went to a CS Lewis conference in Oxford. My Scottish Ross ancestors didn't have it so😉 lavish to travel all those kms.
Thank you for this very informative and detailed journal of your experience of the club standard cabin. It's good to see that I'm not missing much, although the double club cabin may be better. In 2019 I travelled with my husband to Edinburgh and we booked the double club room. We never got to use it because the water pumps were not working. We had to get a refund because we ended up in the standard class cabin with the coffin-style bunks, no shower, and no ensuite loo, just the one in the corridor, where you worry that you might get attacked by some weirdo on the way there or back. I read a review of this happening to someone else (via Tripadvisor) and it happened in 2023, so it seems that even now, they have not fully fixed the problem with the water pumps. Next time, we'll take two day trains and stop overnight in a hotel half way there. If you do review the double cabin, I'll be interested to see it.
Love your content!! Can't wait for you to return to the U.S and do some updated travels! Stay safe out there and I as well love your communication methods through subtitles. Take care.
Australian here. I travelled to Scotland in 2016 (damn that feels like ages ago now) and the Highlands are breathtaking. I would love to go back to Scotland one day and see the Scottish countryside again, and doing it by train seems to be a marvellous way to do it. Very jealous of your trip, you should know how lucky you are!
Great video mate, one of my mates who did a video like this before said the same thing pretty much. Think sometimes the experience Varys from person to person
The room slightly bigger than regular sleeper, plus point on this cab are lounge access and toilet+shower every room. Nice video btw, can't wait for next friday.
Doesn't look like things have improved much since my trip on the old equipment in 2018. The mens toilet was broken, the window shade didn't work, and there was only one waiter in the crowded dining car serving mediocre food. Only the scenery was great! Thanks for your superbly produced and informative video. I prefer your silent captions rather than a whole lot of irrelevant talking and giggling from folks trying too hard to be the star of the show. If I ever ride Caledonian sleeper again it will definitely be in a room with a toilet.
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I agree. I think they'd have been much better off refurbishing the old rolling stock like GWR did with their Night Riviera service over buying new coaches.
Fun thing! In Stockholm we have an area called Inverness wich is after a man who named his house after his wifes town in scotland that was located in this area in Stockholm 🙂
It's England. I'm sure the beer was good.. the banana was probably chemically ripened and not so tasty. Mehhhhhh.. not like they have a California or a Florida for growing fresh tropical fruit.
Great video, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The information was excellent to the point where I will now consider my next break will be a journey to London by sleeper.
There certainly appears to be some old 70s British Rail grot in the mix - some things never change. Very helpful vid thanks - I'm planning to use this service next Spring and your info is really useful.
other youtubers have said the same thing about the caledonian. if you want to take a trip go first class in India mate you can seat on the gangplank of a coach and watch the sun rise in Rajasthan or winter scene in the north. the TC ticket collector wont mind a bit but he'll tell you to be careful thats all. you can even have a pizza delivered to you at a station anyway good video and thank you for not talking.
It can. It has. Question is, do we deserve? Look at tejas. People vandalized it, lcd stolen and what not. Indian railway is the best provided we value it. We have trains like palace on wheels!
I've fancied going on the Caledonian Sleeper for a long time but never got round to it. I've got a few immediate things that need sorting out but I might save up a bit and go on it next year. Looks awesome!
From Australia. Go to Fort William in Summer, fantastic trip. I do like sleeper trains. Also I did go on the old carriages, still quiet & smooth running though . Done that trip 4 times to Fort William & Inverness.
Amenities kit very poor, clearly every expense spared, sadly this country does everything on the cheap. I agree your breakfast looked disappointing, again done on the cheap at your expense.
It does. Did first class in early 2000s on Virgin trains. Nice decent sized full english breakfast. Lots of tea. Did again couple years ago small breakfast designed by a 'top chef'.
Really like your train travel videos your written dialogue is excellent and your videoing is really very good ...I really get annoyed with some other videoers when it is not.So congratulations Dylan .May you go from strength to strength.Just never stop learning I rather get the feeling you get that yourself obviously an intelligent young man.
PLEASE READ:
I just want to take a moment to update you and clarify my position regarding travel in relation to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Being a UK citizen, I consult the UK Foreign Office for advice on where I am travelling and what I may need to be aware of. At the time of writing, the Foreign Office advises against all non-essential travel abroad. In addition, non-essential travel within the UK is currently not permitted. With this in mind I am currently unable to travel and film content. I am lucky to currently have a large (about 6 months worth) of content already filmed so you can still expect a new video every Friday. I do however want to stress that I travelled in line with the advice of the UK Foreign Office where travelling outwith the UK and in line with UK law when travelling domestically at the time of recording. This advice will likely have changed in the time between recording and publishing. With that, I am hopeful that travel will once again be possible in the near future and I hope to get out and about filming again over the summer.
Lastly, thank you for your continued support through these strange and difficult times. Stay safe!
Kind regards,
Dylan.
Dylan's Travel Reports Stay safe as well!
You too!
You mean the coronavirus is at the same stage or as in railway gague.
No. I'm from Huddersfield originally. Currently live in Scotland though.
@@georgetaylor3525 You do understand George, that as the UK is the home of railways. Tunnels in the UK were built to the trains of the time. The rest of the World being a little later, meant they could build bigger tunnels etc and so bigger trains. That is why trains in the UK are smaller then elsewhere on the same gauge.
Even if your experience in the Caledonian Sleeper Club room was not up to first class standards, your video certainly is! I have been traveling vicariously through you for a while now - thank you very much. I particularly like the lack of music and blah-blah narration.
Thanks! Glad you're enjoying the videos!
Mark Cunningham I’ve pretty much subscribed on the back of your endorsement! Agree on the joyous absence of muzak....
@@ernietaggert me too
@@DylansTravelReports Agreed.
@@DylansTravelReports what did you not like about it. Btw these vids are good to fall asleep too. Very relaxing
I like how you use captions instead of yammering constantly, it's a much nicer way of getting the information out succinctly. Great content, will be binging on the previous postings, add more shots of yourself.
Thanks! It's good to hear that you like the format.
@@DylansTravelReports Yeah, I really like captions rather than voice over. It gives the video a better ambience.
I couldn't disagree with you more. I hate having to constantly read captions instead of looking at the visual details of the trip.
You probably won't get many negative comments like this because most of us will just move on to something with a proper commentary.
What a pleasure it is to watch videos like Paul Lucas's, where you get to appreciate something of the personality of the presenter.
I have to agree with others that a none commentary is a nice change👍
Yes.. for the people who can SEE it is fine for the visually impaired we appreciate a good narrator.
Great to see a channel that doesn't rely on talking.
Very well presented and extremely informative and a great way to show how your journey will be.
Thanks Dylan
Thanks 😁
Here's a wee tip for anyone traveling long distance on U.K trains.
Always book at least 3 months in advance and make sure you reserve your seat otherwise, there may not be a vacant seat for you to sit on. Buying a ticket on a train does not guarantee a seat.
Secondly, always but a 2nd class ticket and if you want to upgrade to 1st ( preferable if you can't stand screaming kids which always seem to follow me on any trip I've been on ) but, wait till the train is moving before you ask the ticket inspector if you can upgrade. You'll pay anything fro £10 - £20 extra, not the £100's of pounds if you'd booked a 1st class ticket.
Plus, never buy food or drinks on any train, they will charge you as much as they can legally get away with. Buy food and drink at a supermarket before you get to the station. And never buy food or drink in the stations either. Same rule applies at overcharging customers.
On 1st class, you'll get all the tea and coffee you can drink for just a few pounds more. Not in 2nd class.
here's another wee tip...its called 'standard class' not second class these days.
Bib The Boulder Whatever ! It’s still not 1st
@@andyhughes5885 Steerage lol
I wondered if it was acceptable to bring your own food. That's nice that it's okay to do so.
@@tncowgirl34 Yes you can even alchohol
I really like the way your videos are put together.
You don’t ramble on.
You let the visual do the talking.
I really enjoy it.
It’s calming and informative.
Glad you enjoy 😁
You silly chap. The whole point of the freezing shower is to prepare you for the horrific Scots weather.
Excellent video ;)
So true! It's like a free trial.
LOL Louis
Anyway, the generations of Scots who kept their bedroom windows open at night only had a bath once every week or two, and certainly never took a shower.
@@faithlesshound5621 All without wearing trousers or underwear.
@@faithlesshound5621 prick!
I've just discovered your channel and really appreciate how you don't talk. Subtitles are way better
Thanks 😁
I love his method as well
I agree
Ty for not talking no offense sry it was rude. Also agreed Kcm
I disagree, I prefer the videos he talks on.
Great video. I did this trip last October but the opposite direction. After my wife had a cold shower I figured out the tap was labelled wrong! Hot was cold, cold was hot!
Thanks! Unfortunately, that wasn't the issue with my shower lol.
At 6:40 : A banana and beer. I must say, I approve.
I live in Aberdeen. I so want to travel down on the sleeper again. I used to it every so often. I sleep so well on a train. I haven’t travelled on it since the new coaches. This has made me feel rather nostalgic
Very nicely made video, well done, no music, no voiceover, really factual. Thanks for letting the content reveal itself and not be overlaid with look-how-clever-I-am gimmicks. 10/10
Thanks 😁
I travelled from London Euston Station a couple of years ago, when I came first to the UK in 1978. Our destination was Bangor in North Wales, where I attended the PPS Camp. Greetings from Germany
Thank you for this video. I enjoy your content and information without stupid music and unnecessary chatter. This was very helpful 👍👍I have shared this with all my traveling friends and family
Thanks! Glad you enjoy!
I've only recently discovered Dylan's Travel Reports and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. Great work !
Glad you're enjoying the videos 😁
As always, enjoyed. Being in a sort of lock down I am glad that you still give us a glimpse of your travels :-)
Glad you enjoyed!
I took the Caledonian Sleeper last May from Edinburgh to London. I loved the experience, as it was my first sleeper train trip. I stayed in the club room with the en suite, which was nice. However, I did share it with my sister and it's an extremely tight fit for two adults. Never used the shower. I was so exhausted upon boarding at 11 pm, I went straight to bed. Woken with a start around 3 am when all the lights came on and a big bump - - connecting with the train from Glasgow, I believe. We thought we had until 8 am to depart the train in London but were told around 7:20 that we needed to pack up and get off. Otherwise, crew was great, room was comfortable and I am grateful for the experience.
I thought that the whole idea of using Dellner couplings on the new Mark 5 carriages from CAF in Spain was so that there wouldn't be the violent and noisy jerks which you used to get with the Buckeye couplings on the old Mark 3 carriages when the two sections of the Lowlander Sleeper were either split or attached at Carstairs Junction in the middle of Scotland's bleak and barren Southern Uplands!
Thank you very much for your trip report. I look forward to Friday for your new video. Of all the trip report channels I watch, you're the one I like the most, Dylan.Of all the trip report channels I watch, this is yours the best, Dylan! Yes, it's your channel that I prefer! I have already watched all the videos. It is you who explains the best, who is the most clear, serious and very sympathetic at the same time. Very pleasant to watch, I hope that at the end of the crisis, you will open a store of derivative products !!! Otherwise, for this trip report: I love the night trains, in addition it is very recent this one, it is very pleasant compared to the very old trains that we have. Yes, the station is very beautiful, I think the architecture of almost all the stations in Northern Europe is great. Thank you for your recommendations for breakfast, prices, extras etc etc. Very beautiful landscapes that you showed us.
I'm glad you enjoy my videos. Overnight trains are my favourite too 😁. Stay safe!
Oh thanks to you !! You too, take care of yourself.
Stumbled across this and found it extremely helpful. The wife and I are thinking of going to Scotland next year via this route instead of by car ( we live in Norfolk). I was, up until I watched this, reticent to to try this as I rarely ever travel by train. Watching this brilliant review has swung it for me. Thanks
Pleased to hear! Enjoy your trip 😁
Brilliant, thankyou, honest and clear review without any annoying music and chatter or voice over👍
Thanks 😁
Another 5-Star effort! Thank you for letting us tag along, Dylan!
Thanks!
Someday, just to see if people stay till the very end, you should film yourself unlocking your door at home, holler "Hi mum! I'm back!"
😂
Oh yeses 🤣
Up at 1am watching(and enjoying) train reviews, RUclips algorithms playing with me! I’ve subscribed now so I can see more 🤣 great video
Thanks 🙂
Probably the clearest and most informative video of this trip Iv seen , thank you
Another awesome video! Thank you for sharing your travels! Looking forward to next Friday! Stay safe and healthy Dylan!
Thanks! Stay safe!
I honestly love your videos wish I had a travel buddy and enthusiast like you keep it going bro
I’ve been in the sleeper many times. Even though it is more expensive, aim to go for the rooms as the beds are INCREDIBLY comfy. Hope you are all happy and healthy!
Thank you, came across your channel by accident and was considering using the Caledonian Sleeper, as use the penzance sleeper many times. Your video has helped allot.
You're welcome. Glad i could be of assistance
Wish our trains here in America were top notch.
Your commuter trains are way better than the cheap fake british commuter trains
@@Comrade_Dyatolov How is that? You must have a reason or you are just jealous
@@G_Diddler From a personal experiance the american commuters are way better, they might be slow but their very comfy unlike the ironing board seats you see on every train
@@Comrade_Dyatolov I had a different experience on those American trains and they are even worse. Are you American btw?
@@G_Diddler no im not, im british but i travelled to america quite a few times as my grandad lives there
Now then lad another grand video. Up here 8n North Yorkshire we like a cold shower keeps ya right for the day. Dylan hope you and your family stay safe and I can't wait for the blogs to start again.
Thanks! You stay safe. PS I see we have a fellow Yorkshire man 😁
@@DylansTravelReports God's own country lol
Indeed it is 😂
Alas I am from the poor part where we eat bread and dripping not a multi millionaire caviar eater like yourself lol.
I’ve been on the new stock twice now and 3 out of 4 journeys I’ve either had a cold shower or absolute no water pressure. You were lucky to be in cabin 5 - if you have one at the end of the coach ie 1 the ride and noise is horrendous. Serco and CAF have a lot to improve still
Also agree the breakfast isn’t great. It’s odd because I’ve had evening meals and they’re pretty good. Mind you they made this big fanfare about how they’d have full kitchens in the new stock and yet it’s still all microwaved food again.
Ik, I was in an end cabin when I was took a classic room a few months ago. Was much better being in the middle.
In Canada, on the Montreal-Halifax run, they always sell the cabins from the middle towards the ends, so if you want a cabin away from the wheels, reserve early. On the classic 1955-era streamliner trains which run between Toronto and Vancouver (when there's no pandemic), the full bedrooms are in the centre and the open berth sections and single-bed roomettes at either end -- over the wheels.
Good film, Dylan - I stumbled across it when watching someone else's sleeper review.
When London Euston was re-built in the 1960's they said they didn't put seats on the concourse as it would encourage people to linger. In those days though, trains had longer turn-round times and it was common to be able to board your train half an hour before departure. Nowadays train companies like to keep you waiting till the last minute before boarding. Therefore, they sometimes run out of concourse space at Euston!
The First Class lounge at Euston is good, last time I used it I was travelling on a First Class Inter-rail Global Pass, and the staff weren't sure whether to let me in or not. Their attitude was something like - "Virgin Trains don't make much money out of Inter-Rail, so why should we?". After consulting a manager, they did relent though.
I'm impressed you slept all the way to Dunkeld - no shunting noise in Edinburgh?
The sight of the "Highland Breakfast" in the Club Car not only made me feel quite sick, it also looked more like a serving for a child rather than an adult! When the new Mark 5 carriages from CAF in Spain were being built, we were told that the galley in the Club Car would have proper convection ovens (and not just microwave cookers) so that high-quality hot meals could be prepared! I've had better breakfasts than that in some 2* and 3* hotels. It's good to know that the on-board shoe cleaning machine worked. Pity the same couldn't be said about the main reason for upgrading to an en-suite Club Room - the hot shower in the morning! It would have been nice to have seen some video footage of the double-headed Class 73 Electro-Diesels (the only such locomotives of their type in the world) which now haul the Inverness portion of the "Highlander" over the hilly (and unelectrified) main line from Edinburgh. Although these little Bo-Bo's have been re-engined and now put down an impressive 1600 horsepower this was deemed insufficient for one locomotive to lift eight heavy carriages from sea level at Inverness over the gable summits of Slochd and Drumochter.
I really miss your video man. This is the video of yours I have seen. Thanks for the lockdown memories.
Footnote : I forgot to mention in my previous comment : Do not travel on a Friday, as this is the most expensive day of the week to buy a ticket.
When I looked up this night train in 2017 it's pricing seemed relatively less sensitive to how far in advance one buys the tickets (costs about the same when bought ~1wk vs a few days in advance). Back then a standard seat cost about the same as Dylan spent on this trip, while rooms went for £280-350 each
@@lzh4950 On a long distance train say from London to Glasgow its usually a bit cheaper than buying a few days in advance or, at least it used to be plus, you get to choose which seat and in which coach you sit in, also remember to book a seat when buying the ticket. If you don`t book a seat you could find yourself standing the whole way.
If you`re daft enough to spend £280 - £350 then that`s your choice. To me its just now worth it and i think he made a video where he wasn`t too happy with the over priced service - no hot water in the shower and poor quality meals.
I`d have rather spent the money on an air fare and the rest of a nice hotel once there.
Still, as this is his hobby, he`d have kicked himself if he hadn`t done it and it turned out well for everyone else. You learn from experience.
@@andyhughes5885 Yeah in the end I went for a day train instead
Merciful Heavens! A YT video without background music or hopeless commentary, thank you.
If there is a tutorial on video production this should be used as the benchmark!
One banana haha! I'm a devil for the cheeseboard, but I don't fancy that train one bit. It's like a cheap caravan. It's about time WE started building coaches again...
Thank you for another awesome video, Dylan. Everyone, stay safe!
You're welcome! Stay safe!
Another great video, I’m travelling up to Edinburgh in one in August (hopefully). PS, I love your orange jacket 😊
Thanks!
I subscribed about a week or so ago and it has been a joy watching your videos taking me on travels to places I won't probably be going to, although this trip and the one from LA to Seattle both seem intriguing. . This video was particularly fun and with beautiful scenery too. Thanks for your work.
Thanks! Glad to hear you're enjoying 😁
Oh, that sunrise over the beautiful snowy Scottish mountains! Gorgeous views on that ride
A wee tip.Obviously buy your tickets well in advance if you can, but you are tied in to a specific train and if you miss it by a minute, tough. Open ended tickets are quite expensive and don't come with a specific seat but you can ride the rout whenever you want; get off for a couple of hours at an intriguing wee village station and get back on the next one. Usually for a week.
But if you need to make a connection they can't guarantee to be on time so you get a de facto open ticket. Couple of years ago I booked Newcastle to Oban via Edinburgh and Glasgow. Open ended and trains weren't crowded. Got into Edinburgh around 11.00, trains to Glasgow were every half hour so time for a stroll and lunch. Got to Glasgow around 1400. There were trains to Oban at 1500 and 1700. Taking the later one meant I could ckeck out a photography exhibition I had heard good things about. Oban train was a bit late but. who cares, I was booked into a seedy pub. I could return whenever I wanted within a week..
Excellent Coverage and u explained very well about each and every things related to your journey.. ✌️ Stay Safe
Thanks! Stay safe 😁
Great review and thanks for the time that you took to make it. A BIG thumbs up from me.
Thanks!
Thanks for giving us the size of the bed! I love travelling by night train but the beds are usually too short for me and unfortunately it seems the Caledonian Sleeper is no exception.
What a beautiful trip! Love the sound of the running train. Thanks for your video!
Great video.
Stuck at home, I enjoy watching your travels. Stay safe.
Shame the Mk5 carriages have suffered some damage, as you showed, already.
Thanks! Stay safe!
Thanks, Dylan!
The video gave me inspiration for my next trip over the pond.
Whenever the pandemic ends!
Thanks! Hope you enjoy your trip whenever it may be 😁
I've been on 1st class sleepers in Spain, India, Vietnam and Russia and I can't say I've ever had a good night's sleep, but I certainly like the eating and drinking on board. Thanks for the tour, Dylan; I might well give this one a try - if only to avoid the horrors of EasyJet and Luton airport (out nearest).
You're welcome! If you are looking to avoid flying, there is also a daytime train that runs this route. Cheaper and faster but then again, it's not the same as a sleeper train!
I traveled this route just over a year ago. They were still using the old cars on the service at that time. Having the en suite toilet would have been great, these new cars seem like a minor upgrade. I thought my room was ok for the price. The bed wasn't all that comfortable but I still slept ok. I'm glad my breakfast looked better than what they served you. I still think the Caledonian sleeper is a great way to travel between the highlands of Scotland and London. New to your channel but will be looking forward to seeing more videos.
Tbh, I'd say these cars are a downgrade as there are many faults with them. Imho they should hace just refurbished the old ones.
That fold out tray is rather flimsy! Cowboys, Ted! They're a bunch of cowboys!
Pretty good summary. I’m based near Inverness and have used the sleeper a lot, in its current and previous guises. But more recently I have used the Easyjet or BA services to reach London on account of cost. However, when the lock-down ends, I can see me using the sleeper a lot more. Much easier for social distancing and infection management, and goodness only knows what a hassle air travel is going to be like in the future! A railcard makes the journey fairly affordable. Last time I came up was the night they announced the pub closures, and Caledonian Sleeper summarily closed the lounge car, but it was quite reassuring to wall myself up in my cabin and not come out till Inverness!
Thanks! I quite often use Easyjet's route to Gatwick but I'm yet to try out BA's route since it was reinstated a few years ago. Like you say, the sleeper could be a key player though for people who want to guarantee social dostancing post lock down.
Super cool! I plan to take the same trip someday!
i love watching your travel distinations.
Pleased to hear 😁
I really appreciate your thorough reviews, and.. most of all.. I like how you did the laying on the bed.. as I am 6'3.. I often wonder what sleeping on the cabins would be like for a tall person. Not many others are around our height and often they don't add it to their reviews as well.
Thanks! It's not easy being tall lol
When I realised that a 'standard' (as opposed to a 'Super') size single bed (at least in my country) is only about as long as I'm tall (1.71m/~5'8")
Terrific. Thank you. The SCENERY!
Excellent 👌 content. I wish we could have this beauty in Nigeria I'm sure most people would prefer it compared to traveling by road and even by air
Very good video. Covered things in great detail and order. Well shot. Just how I like my videos when I want to explore every detail of something that I've not yet done before. Happy travelling, when you can!
Thanks!
I don't know about a suitcase, but with my girth I'd certainly get stuck myself hahaha! But luckily I'm too broke to travel anywhere :D so glad for these virtual treats. I really liked your video, on to watch more :)
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed!
“At least the breakfast comes with a side of scenery.” Great line 😀. And great video. The format you use is excellent. 👍 👏
When life was easier 💛great video!
Thanks 😁
This is one my favourite videos on RUclips
Japanese trains, buses, ferries seem to be top notch. Maybe some of their talent could be contracted to sort things out.
Maybe we should reincarnate Brunel to sort out the monstrosity that is Euston.
I disagree, I’ve used the Blue train a few times and it was consistently a Sauna and the sleep yukata was tiny. So overall not comfortable. The limited express and Shinkansen are a different story and comfortable
The "Olympic Javelin" train (now the HST's replacement) is made by Hitachi. In Japan it's called the Baby Shinkansen, and runs to cities that are big, but where it's not practical or economical to run actual shinkansen track.
...which is kind of a shame. A lot of the "fast but not shinkansen" trains at the moment all look totally different from each other. I hope they don't all eventually get replaced by the same train, with the only difference being the livery.
@@worldcomicsreview354 it’s extremely unlikely that Japan will ever have a single pattern train. There are already several different model Shinkansen and many different pattern limited express trains. Japan probably has more different types as well a models of train than any other country.
Beautiful Scottish vistas and great train. Thanks for a well presented tour. I visited GB over 20 years ago. Took a regular train from Edinburgh to London. Then went to a CS Lewis conference in Oxford. My Scottish Ross ancestors didn't
have it so😉 lavish to travel all those kms.
I want to visit Europe again and this time, take trains all over. You are making me hungry to do this!
Great video dude. Enjoyed watching. Me and a friend been thinking of doing this for some time now.
Thanks! Make sure to do it in the summer though or it'll be dark for most of the route.
Thank goodness there's no upcharge for scenery, lol. It really was lovely , shame about the shower and the bland breakfast though.
Don't give them any ideas 😂
Thank you for this very informative and detailed journal of your experience of the club standard cabin. It's good to see that I'm not missing much, although the double club cabin may be better. In 2019 I travelled with my husband to Edinburgh and we booked the double club room. We never got to use it because the water pumps were not working. We had to get a refund because we ended up in the standard class cabin with the coffin-style bunks, no shower, and no ensuite loo, just the one in the corridor, where you worry that you might get attacked by some weirdo on the way there or back. I read a review of this happening to someone else (via Tripadvisor) and it happened in 2023, so it seems that even now, they have not fully fixed the problem with the water pumps. Next time, we'll take two day trains and stop overnight in a hotel half way there. If you do review the double cabin, I'll be interested to see it.
Not good that it is less than a year old and it already has duct tape holding stuff together.
Love your content!! Can't wait for you to return to the U.S and do some updated travels! Stay safe out there and I as well love your communication methods through subtitles. Take care.
Thanks! I can't wait either 😁
Australian here. I travelled to Scotland in 2016 (damn that feels like ages ago now) and the Highlands are breathtaking. I would love to go back to Scotland one day and see the Scottish countryside again, and doing it by train seems to be a marvellous way to do it. Very jealous of your trip, you should know how lucky you are!
Oh yes, I never take it for granted getting to do these trips and having all this scenery on my doorstep.
Thanks we're taking the train in a few weeks, and this gave us a great idea what to expect
Cool, very interesting, thanks
Thanks for the memory. I took a train to Inverness a very long time ago. Must admit, I didn't recognize the station.
Great video !!
Thanks!
Very interesting, and useful for anyone considering traveling this way.
Great video mate, one of my mates who did a video like this before said the same thing pretty much. Think sometimes the experience Varys from person to person
Thanks! Yes some people will never have an issue with the showers ect, where as some seem to have it on every journey.
Thanks Dylan! This was fantastic! 👍🏾🙋🏾♀️
great, after this plague I will try 1st class and enjoy a great glass of whisky
Sounds like a plan!
The room slightly bigger than regular sleeper, plus point on this cab are lounge access and toilet+shower every room. Nice video btw, can't wait for next friday.
Thanks!
A touch of the IPA again, eh! Good man....
Doesn't look like things have improved much since my trip on the old equipment in 2018. The mens toilet was broken, the window shade didn't work, and there was only one waiter in the crowded dining car serving mediocre food. Only the scenery was great! Thanks for your superbly produced and informative video. I prefer your silent captions rather than a whole lot of irrelevant talking and giggling from folks trying too hard to be the star of the show. If I ever ride Caledonian sleeper again it will definitely be in a room with a toilet.
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I agree. I think they'd have been much better off refurbishing the old rolling stock like GWR did with their Night Riviera service over buying new coaches.
Amazing Train !!
I loved watching ur video sir. First time in my life, I saw a foreign luxury train. Waiting for ur next video.
Thanks 😁
Fun thing! In Stockholm we have an area called Inverness wich is after a man who named his house after his wifes town in scotland that was located in this area in Stockholm 🙂
Nice! I believe there is an Inverness in Florida as well.
Yes you are correct Dylan. Equidistant to Tampa (62 miles) and Orlando (61 miles)
Great video! Excellent scenery. I hope you reported the shower issue!!
Thanks! Tbh, I didn't even think of reporting the shower issue until it was too late.
beer and banana ... hmm i never tried that before.
It's England. I'm sure the beer was good.. the banana was probably chemically ripened and not so tasty. Mehhhhhh.. not like they have a California or a Florida for growing fresh tropical fruit.
Great video, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The information was excellent to the point where I will now consider my next break will be a journey to London by sleeper.
Glad you enjoyed 😁
A lot more civilized than flying.
I have no idea why YT recommended me one of your videos, but I'm glad it did. Very interesting content and the general idea is awesome. Subscribed. 😉👍
Glad you found us 😁
My dream 😊😊😊😊
There certainly appears to be some old 70s British Rail grot in the mix - some things never change.
Very helpful vid thanks - I'm planning to use this service next Spring and your info is really useful.
It looks like a great breakfast. Yum!
other youtubers have said the same thing about the caledonian.
if you want to take a trip go first class in India mate you can seat on the gangplank of a coach and watch the sun rise in Rajasthan or winter scene in the north. the TC ticket collector wont mind a bit but he'll tell you to be careful thats all. you can even have a pizza delivered to you at a station
anyway good video and thank you for not talking.
Such kind of train should come in india
It can. It has. Question is, do we deserve? Look at tejas. People vandalized it, lcd stolen and what not. Indian railway is the best provided we value it. We have trains like palace on wheels!
We will get even better than this after indian railway introduce private companies.
India is world famous for its enormous and efficient railway network. Most people belive the Indian people are proud of it..... or am I wrong?
So should flushing toilet in the slums.. but hey, priorities.. right?
I've fancied going on the Caledonian Sleeper for a long time but never got round to it. I've got a few immediate things that need sorting out but I might save up a bit and go on it next year. Looks awesome!
From Australia. Go to Fort William in Summer, fantastic trip. I do like sleeper trains. Also I did go on the old carriages, still quiet & smooth running though . Done that trip 4 times to Fort William & Inverness.
@@beagle7622 Scotland is one of my favourite places.
Amenities kit very poor, clearly every expense spared, sadly this country does everything on the cheap.
I agree your breakfast looked disappointing, again done on the cheap at your expense.
It does. Did first class in early 2000s on Virgin trains. Nice decent sized full english breakfast. Lots of tea.
Did again couple years ago small breakfast designed by a 'top chef'.
Really like your train travel videos your written dialogue is excellent and your videoing is really very good ...I really get annoyed with some other videoers when it is not.So congratulations Dylan .May you go from strength to strength.Just never stop learning I rather get the feeling you get that yourself obviously an intelligent young man.
Thanks for your kind words 😁
In the light of climate change, sleeper trains have a role to play. I often took the sleeper to London from Inverness when I lived in the Highlands.
Global warming nonsence...🤔
@@douglasgreen437 spelling lessons required
Very well done. It is on my "bucket list!" Thank you!
Thanks!