Question Regarding Caledonian Sleeper

I’m doing a Caledonian sleeper service from London Euston to Carlisle but here’s the question would it have to pass Bingham? New Street as of 2026 they stop at Birmingham International which is one stop from Birmingham new Street

I mean in train sim world we have technically still got the whole route London Euston to Milton Keynes Birmingham new Street to crewe and Preston to Carlisle (though back dated )

 

No they avoid Birmingham new street

 

ok another question can it be diverted to Birmingham new Street if there was engineering works or issues on it’s usual route. Grok said Apparently, I don’t know if this is true. The old sleepers from the old BR days used to go to Birmingham new Street up to crewe

 

is there two Birmingham Internationals ?

Birmingham International And Birmingham International north junction

 

Nope, the Class 92 isn't cleared for New Street. They way its been pathed is, if it can't go via Bescot, it will run via the Trent Valley and won't call at Birmingham International.

 

ah Ok got you and if that can’t be done they divert on the ECML ?

 

Correct which is what happened a few weeks ago

 

Do you have a clue as to why ? Too much current drawn maybe ?

 

I always assumed it was purely down to engineering works that they divert down the ECML but a few month back I wa awaiting for it late night and a fellow rail fan swore blind that they are contracted with a freight company to run so many ECML diversions a year to maintain traction knowledge. Whether it is true or not I’ve no idea but it did kind of make sense in my head

 

Yeah, there's been work at the very end of the WCML North of Preston recently, so the trains went ECML to just make it easier for crews.

In response to traction knowledge, the drivers are actually WCML drivers normally with conductors. They are slowly training us Sleeper drivers on the ECML, there are currently 3 that sign both routes.

Crew changes are at Doncaster or Newcastle when running ECML.

 

The Caledonian Sleeper would be foul of the points, New Street can accommodate up to 12 cars (350)

 

thanks for the insight, I’ll take pleasure in telling that guy he is wrong if our paths cross again

 

Yes but doesn't prevent from crossing the station without stopping ?

 

True it can generally pass Birmingham new street but it would have to be at 15 maybe 20 mph and without stopping but there has to be a reason why the class 90 ain't cleared

Caledonian sleeper probably doesn't divert there because it would slow down the service massively there are sections on that line where you have to slow down to a crawl some due to points and some due approach control on the line as I have found out

there are two sections of this line where there is approach control where I had to slow down to a crawl and wait for a signal to clear

 

you mean ECML i take it