Serco’s Caledonian Sleeper launches

The inaugural scheduled service of Serco’s new Caledonian Sleeper train franchise departs from Fort William for London Euston this evening (Tuesday March 31) to traditional bagpipe music.

“This marks another exciting next stage in the transformation of the service, and I plan to personally experience the inaugural journey alongside our first guests,” said Caledonian Sleeper Managing Director Peter Strachan.

Over £150 million is being invested in a new fleet, to be launched in 2018. The fleet is part funded by a £60m capital grant from the Scottish Government, and will be built by Spanish rolling stock manufacturer CAF.

• For more on this story, read RAIL 772, published on April 14.