Sleepers - Now and Then

Rising Star creates Rising Performance

ScotRail and EWS, Britain's leading rail freight operator, have reached a new agreement which sees improved reliability and performance for ScotRail's Caledonian Sleeper. Inverness Provost William Smith today named a class 67 locomotive "Rising Star" in a special ceremony at Inverness Station. He said: "It is a great pleasure to be invited to carry out this ceremony today. The Caledonian Sleeper is a vital link between the Highlands and London and I am pleased to see ScotRail's continuing commitment to improving the service."

"The name "Rising Star" is highly appropriate" says ScotRail's acting Managing Director Peter Cotton, "not only because it's journey is through the night but with the successful introduction of the Class 67 locomotives we have seen a rise in performance. ScotRail is committed to the future of the Caledonian Sleeper and this agreement which is part of an on-going partnership with EWS, will secure a more reliable service for both the Inverness and Aberdeen Sleepers well into the next franchise. Prices for travelling on the sleeper are over 35% lower today than before privatisation and with an improved range of tickets the sleeper is an excellent way to make the best use of your time when travelling from the Highlands to London."

"EWS is delighted to be working with ScotRail to provide modern and reliable traction for the important Sleeper services," says Nigel Smith, General Manager, Rail Industry Services, EWS. "The class 67 locomotive will provide ScotRail's passengers with improved reliability, helping to ensure that journeys operate normally and to time all of the time."

The Class 67 locomotives will now haul the Caledonian Sleeper between Inverness and Edinburgh and Aberdeen and Edinburgh offering superior pulling power and greater reliability compared to the 30 year old class 47 locomotives which have been used in the past. The agreement between ScotRail and EWS also sees a refurbishment and improvement programme for the Class 37/4 locomotives which are used to haul the Fort William train. The name "Rising Star" is an echo of the past and a tribute to the powerful steam locomotives used 40 years ago. The class 67 locomotive (67027) has been named after a BR Britannia Pacific locomotive (70027) built in the 1950s to do the same job as today's class 67s.

Bargain Berths are available on the ScotRail website from just £19 bed and breakfast one way. Other fares start at just £40 one way for the seated service and £69 for a berth. To book telephone ScotRail telesales on 08457 55 00 33.

Sleeping Carriages on the Highland Railway

"We understand that the directors of the Highland Railway at their last meeting resolved to place sleeping carriages on the road between Inverness and Perth. These carriages form part of the trains which leave Inverness at 7.35 pm and Perth at 1 am; and a small extra fare will be charged for their use. They will be contracted for in a day or two, and built without delay, on the principle which will be considered the best after consideration and inspection of the sleeping carriages running over the southern railway systems. The boon which will thus be conferred on the travelling public is very considerable."