A look back at the First Scotrail Sleeper

On 31st March the first Serco Caledonian sleeper service departed from Fort William bound for London Euston. Serco has been contracted to run the sleeper as a standalone franchise for the next 15 years with promised investment in the service hospitality, menu and the much anticipated new trains that will arrive from 2018. Traction will be provided by GB Railfreight with, in the most part, class 92's and re-built class 73/9's hauling the train.

Here is a look back over the past 10 years while the Caledonian Sleeper has been part of the First Scotrail franchise with EWS (later DB Schenker) providing traction power:

Shortly after departing Castairs 90028 heads north Edinburgh in 2012.

Sleeper accommodation on board the Mk3 coaches.
The trains also provided seated accommodation and a
very popular lounge car in Mk2 coaches.

37427 with the Fort William portion in 2005

Class 67's replaced class 37's and 47's on the diesel portions.
67009 is seen in the early hours at Edinburgh Waverley.

37427 crosses one of the many viaducts of the West Highland line

Class 90's clocked up many thousands of sleeper miles
between London and Scotland. Scotrail liveried 90024
acts as ECS loco at Euston

An unusual visitor late in the DB schenker operation was
Chiltern liveried 67015 seen outside Inverness depot after
working the sleeper during 2015.

Sleeper stock at London Euston ready for the overnight trip.