C2C train from Carlisle to Whitehaven

[JohnL1979]

Hi and sorry in advance if this is not the right place to put this thread.

Me plus two others are doing the C2C in April. Does anyone know how likely it is we would get three bikes on a train from newcastle to Carlisle and then (possibly the difficult bit) from Carlisle to Whitehaven?

I've rang the train company who say there's only two spaces for bikes on the train from C to W. But there's some comments online saying it's conductor discretion. Any first hand experiences would be much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Gixxerman]

When my buddy and me did it a few years back we had the same fears. Despite the fact that there were 3 bikes to get on at Carlisle, the gaurd fitted us on with no issues. He asked was where we were getting off so he he could get the loading order correct and to remove the panniers. During the journey, there were bikes going on / off the train at most stops. At one point there were 8 bikes on the train (some being in the storage place and others being held by the riders near the door). We I asked the guard about it, he said that they were used to it on this section and they do their best to accomodate everyone.
Now this is just my experience. It might be normal or it might just have been a nice gaurd. It would be interesting to hear other peoples experiences.

 

[Globalti]

Down at he other end of the Lakes we have taken our bikes to Barrow and ridden back to Lancaster a couple of times and we've also used the Settle-Carlisle a few times and even when there have been other bikes in the compartment we've never been turned away. The guards are pretty relaxed on these lines.

 

[JohnL1979]

When my buddy and me did it a few years back we had the same fears. Despite the fact that there were 3 bikes to get on at Carlisle, the gaurd fitted us on with no issues. He asked was where we were getting off so he he could get the loading order correct and to remove the panniers. During the journey, there were bikes going on / off the train at most stops. At one point there were 8 bikes on the train (some being in the storage place and others being held by the riders near the door). We I asked the guard about it, he said that they were used to it on this section and they do their best to accomodate everyone.
Now this is just my experience. It might be normal or it might just have been a nice gaurd. It would be interesting to hear other peoples experiences.

That's great thanks very much. Seems to be similar to what others have experienced. Think we'll give it a go. Cheers

 

[Pale Rider]

An alternative may be one of several bike buses which run to service the route.

Three of you wouldn't fill the bus, but the promo video for this service features a party of three.

Might be worth an inquiry.

https://stanley-travel.com/the-bike-bus/

 

[AndyRM]

An alternative may be one of several bike buses which run to service the route.

Three of you wouldn't fill the bus, but the promo video for this service features a party of three.

Might be worth an inquiry.

https://stanley-travel.com/the-bike-bus/

Good shout. Pretty sure it heads from just outside the old pedestrian Tyne Tunnel in Wallsend, at least that's where I've seen it loading folk.

You'd probably be alright on the train too. Guards are decent sorts in our neck of the woods.

 

[Pale Rider]

Good shout. Pretty sure it heads from just outside the old pedestrian Tyne Tunnel in Wallsend, at least that's where I've seen it loading folk.

You'd probably be alright on the train too. Guards are decent sorts in our neck of the woods.

I think the operator of the service - Stanley Travel - has the contract for the replacement bus service while the Tyne pedestrian tunnel is being refurbed.

Or at least Stanley is one of the contractors.

A Whitehaven trip would be an individual booking.

The OP would have to weigh up the value difference between bike bus/certainty and three railway tickets/some uncertainty.

I also reckon the OP would be OK on the train.

I've spoken to lots of C2C riders over the years and have never heard of train difficulties.

Also in the OP's favour is April is, I imagine, still off-peak.

I think accommodation on the route gets booked up months in advance for peak times.

 

[Soltydog]

Hi and sorry in advance if this is not the right place to put this thread.

Me plus two others are doing the C2C in April. Does anyone know how likely it is we would get three bikes on a train from newcastle to Carlisle and then (possibly the difficult bit) from Carlisle to Whitehaven?

I've rang the train company who say there's only two spaces for bikes on the train from C to W. But there's some comments online saying it's conductor discretion. Any first hand experiences would be much appreciated.

Thanks

The train company will always give the 2 bike rule blurb but most conductors on this route are used to the bikes & will allow as many as possible. Quite often the train on this route is 2 carriages, but rather than the usual 2 carriages it is often made up of 2 1 carriage train, each with a bike storage space
If you are unlucky & the conductor will only allow 2 of you on, the 3rd one can remove wheels from bike & then it's no longer a bike, just luggage
Earlier this year I got a group of 7 on at Bridlington after they had done WOTR, 4 in bike storage area (top & tailed) & then 3 in luggage rack minus the odd wheel here & there