Awakening the Sleeper with help from ICON and Tru Vue 

Overnight travel is a particularly Scottish story. Since the North British Railway launched the first sleeper between Glasgow and London in 1873, the service has swept slumbering businesspeople to early morning meetings, hastened fish to hungry London markets, and transported tourists to the bright lights and excitement of the big city. Northbound, the sleeper has daily roused the towns and villages of Scotland, delivering the day’s news and mail, and bringing weary wanderers home to the Highlands. No other train service has played such an integral part in connecting communities across the country, and all through the ‘wee sma’ hours’.

Today, only a small percentage of people have the opportunity to experience the magical atmosphere of overnight travel. We hope to reveal its unique appeal and significance to the story of Scotland’s Railways to a wider audience.

We will use the grant to conserve and make accessible our Mk3 sleeper carriage 10580. This was acquired direct from its last day of service in 2019 and was secured for the nation by SRPS volunteer and former Chief Operator ScotRail, Jim Summers, who travelled in it regularly. It was delivered fully stocked and made up for service.

Using Tru Vue’s Optium Acrylic to screen the doorways of berths and crew areas, we will protect the carriage’s historically intact interiors while creating an immersive space undisturbed by traditional barriers. Visitors will be able to explore, engage with stories from our oral history collection, and celebrate the railway people who have worked through the night, whatever the weather or challenge, with a ready supply of hot coffee and a readier smile.

Our carriage conservators, Collections Manager, and Visitor Experience Supervisor will complete the project over the 2025/6 winter season and we will welcome visitors aboard in February 2026 as part of our 2026 exhibition on overnight travel. 

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