Edinburgh to get virtual look at Caledonian Sleeper trains during ‘The Fringe’

Scotland’s capital is to be given a unique insight into the new fleet of Caledonian Sleeper trains with a special virtual reality event during the Fringe.

The rail service will be prominent in Edinburgh Waverley Station for two days, inviting members of the public to glimpse into the future of overnight travel.

Entering a virtual reality portal located near Platform 2, people will be able to explore a stunning recreation of the new carriages. Created by digital media studio Soluis, the virtual reality tour will allow users to walk through the Club Car and discover the rooms on the new trains, a number of which will be en-suite.

Ryan Flaherty, Serco’s Managing Director at Caledonian Sleeper, said: “Our new trains will transform Caledonian Sleeper, heralding a new era of rail travel and ensuring a truly timeless experience for all guests.

“We are so proud of the new trains and everyone in the team is excited to give people a sneak peek, thanks to the immersive virtual reality experience we have developed in partnership with Soluis. This is a chance for current and prospective Caledonian Sleeper guests to delve into the exciting world of the new trains and to whet their appetite ahead of their introduction in just a few short months.

“We are also looking forward to welcoming plenty of festival goers to our VR portal – and perhaps next year they will travel to the Fringe on one of our new trains.”

The virtual reality event will run on Sunday August 19 and Monday August 20. And those who attend will be able to enter an exclusive competition to be in with the chance of winning a return trip for two on the new trains.

Scott Grant, CEO of Soluis, said: “As frequent users of this service ourselves, we were delighted when the team behind Caledonian Sleeper approached us. This was an ideal opportunity to create a digital version of the new trains that would both inform and excite guests around this unique form of transport and accommodation.”

“The virtual reality Sleeper carriages deliver a uniquely immersive format that leaves no doubt as to the intended quality of the guest experience.”

The new trains are set to make their debut from October of this year, ushering in a new standard of overnight travel between Scotland and London. The fleet, built at a cost of over £100m and part funded by a capital grant from the Scottish Ministers of £60m, has been designed to accommodate the modern-day traveller and cater to both business and leisure travel guests. A range of accommodation options will be offered, including:

• Comfort Seats
• Classic Rooms (twin or single)
• Club Rooms (twin or single with en-suite)
• Caledonian Double (double bed with en-suite)
• Fully accessible rooms for guests with reduced mobility

Other new features will also be included, such as a hotel-style key card entry system, more accessible rooms, charging panels and WiFi throughout the train.

The trains will initially be introduced on the Lowlander route between Glasgow / Edinburgh and London from October. There will then be a phased transition on the Highlander route, which serves Fort William, Aberdeen and Inverness.

To discover more about the new trains, visit Caledonian Sleeper’s dedicated website at newtrains.sleeper.scot

The virtual reality event at Edinburgh Waverley Station is free and will run from 10am to 8pm on Sunday August 19 and from 8am to 8pm on Monday August 20.

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