On-going testing of the new Mk5 carriages for the Caledonian Sleeper has brought the old and new trains side by side, well away from the depot.
Six of the new carriages were out for winter testing on March 9 between Polmadie depot, Glasgow and Fort William, and on the return working passed the carriages they will replace at Tulloch. The old stock was nearing the end of its journey from London Euston.
Caledonian Sleeper says the testing of the new stock, which has cost £100million, is entering the final phase, with preparations being made for the new fleet to begin operating by the end of May 2019.
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A grant from the Scottish Government has provided £60m of the cost of the 75 new carriages. The new trains will feature three different types of cabin (some en suite), plus accessible rooms for guests with reduced mobility, as well as seating. Other features include a hotel-style key card entry system, device charging panels and wi-fi throughout.
The new carriages will initially be introduced on the ‘Lowlander’ route between Glasgow or Edinburgh and London before being rolled out within a matter of months onto the ‘Highlander’ route, which serves Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness.
