New Caledonian Sleeper trains delayed until October

A new £100 million fleet of Caledonian Sleeper carriages with en suite showers and double beds will be introduced six months late, operator Serco announced today.

The news came as the first of the 75 coaches arrived in Glasgow from Spain.

Double room accessible to wheelchair users with lower basin.

Passengers were due to start using the new trains in April, but Serco said there had been production delays.

A spokesman said: “There has been slippage in the manufacturer’s programme”.

The carriages are being built by CAF in northern Spain, which also produced Edinburgh’s trams.

“These are new designs and, as is often the case, there are some unexpected challenges and delays during design and manufacture.

“Club Room” with ensuite.

“With the trains designed to be in service for a long time to come, they’re taking the extra time now to get them right.”

The carriages will replace ones that have been used on the overnight routes between Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Fort William and Inverness for up to 40 years.

The first five carriages to have arrived at the Polmadie rail works on the southside of Glasgow will be used for testing and have not been fitted out internally.

They travelled via the Channel Tunnel from a test track in the Czech Republic.

“Classic” single room – strangers will no longer share.

Club car for food and drink, served by a full kitchen, replacing the current ones which just have microwaves.

“Comfort Seats” have charging points, reading light and locker for valuables.