Caledonian Sleeper’s new carriages. Credit: Serco Group plc.

Caledonian Sleeper’s new carriages were tested on the UK rail network for the first time before their planned introduction into service later this year.

Four Mark 5 carriages are currently being tested on the West Highland Line from Glasgow to Arrochar & Tarbet. Testing on this line will continue in the following weeks before moving onto the West Coast Main Line.

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Rail operator Serco will introduce a total of 75 such carriages, valued at £100m, into the overnight Caledonian Sleeper rail service in multiple phases.

“Taking some of the new carriages out on the network for testing marks an exciting phase in our development programme.”

Serco Caledonian Sleeper new trains director Magnus Conn said: “Taking some of the new carriages out on the network for testing marks an exciting phase in our development programme.

“The purpose is to monitor the interaction between vehicle and track, and to check ride comfort in a variety of suspension states and speeds.

“As testing progresses onto the West Coast Main Line later this month, we will be conducting a variety of tests including running at up to 110mph.”

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Developed by Spanish company CAF, the carriages arrived in the UK in January following mandatory trials at the Velim Test Centre in the Czech Republic.

The new carriages feature various accommodation options such as comfort seats, twin and single rooms, twin and single club rooms with en-suite bathrooms and double-bed suites with en-suit bathrooms.

They will also be equipped with Wi-Fi, charging panels and hotel-style key card entry system.

Initially, the rail carriages will be introduced on the Lowlander route between Glasgow / Edinburgh and London from October this year, followed by a transition to the Highlander route.