Train operators and bikes

[rich p]

Specifically these 3 - East Midlands Trains, Northern Rail, First TransPennine Express

6 of us are thinking of doing a route which will entail using one or more of these operators. Their policies appear to be that bikes are 'welcomed' but no more than 2 per train.
Does anyone know if this is a strict rule and always applied, even off-peak?

 

[Trumpettom001]

I took the train from Hull to Leamington Spa. First leg was Northern Rail - there was plenty of space for two loaded touring bikes, and at one point there were 10 bikes total on the train (My tourer and 9 bmx bikes......). The ticket guy didn't even look twice at the pile of bmxs at the back of the carrage - they weren't blocking anything, and the train was pretty much empty. Can't comment on the other services I'm afraid.

 

[mcshroom]

Northern are very accommodating and as long as you don't get the pacer tram things then they can fit lots of bikes (I've been one of ten before as well - my tourer, two roadies, and a set of very muddy mtbs).

TPE don't have a massive amount of space on their new trains (seats folding up that only really fits two) but I think they have a disabled bit further down the train so off peak you may be ok. The TPEs that travel to Manchester Airport can get a little crowded at all times of day though. They do say you need a reservation for some routes but I've never been checked.

East Midlands I've never used but seem to use super sprinters and express sprinters for most of their routes so there should be room if they will allow it.

 

[Bigsharn]

Northern tend to be the better ones for handling bikes, just sit with them

 

[Soltydog]

Specifically these 3 - East Midlands Trains, Northern Rail, First TransPennine Express

6 of us are thinking of doing a route which will entail using one or more of these operators. Their policies appear to be that bikes are 'welcomed' but no more than 2 per train.
Does anyone know if this is a strict rule and always applied, even off-peak?

Never used EMT but with FTE & NR it very much depends upon the conductor on the day. I work for NR & we have some conductors who try & stick to a max of 2 bikes no matter how quiet the train is but most are quite flexible, but 6 adult bikes might be pushing it a bit depends on the coaching stock too

 

[andym]

East Midlands I've never used but seem to use super sprinters and express sprinters for most of their routes so there should be room if they will allow it.

I'm guessing from the fact that rich_p lives near Brighton, that he may be thinking of using the EMT service from St Pancras. It's been a while since I've travelled that line, and I've never travelled it with a bike, but IIRC (and you can believe wikipedia) they operate the High Speed Trains like ones on the lines from Paddington to the west country. These should have a guards van capable of carrying 6 bikes.

 

[Flying Dodo]

I use the East Midlands trains regularly in/out of St Pancras with my bike. They have a stated policy of no more than 2 bikes per train, and that's all that you can book a space for.

Most of their trains are Meridians which have a small compartment at one end where you can place bikes. You can squeeze 3 bikes in without going over the hatch marked area on the floor designated for access to the cab. However there is one train manager normally on the Nottingham route who, although friendly, sticks rigidly to the rules and won't allow more than 2 bikes on. Normally however, outside peak times it's not usually an issue and I've seen 6 bikes crammed in there.

On the services to Leicester, Derby, Sheffield, they run some old HST's which have a proper guards van which has loads of room for bikes. If you check the timetables, you'll see the code for the train at the top.

Be aware if you're going to Market Harborough or Loughborough, they have short platforms, so if the bikes are in the back, you'll either have to get out at the prevous stop and run down the platform to stand with the bike in the corridor (which are very wide) further up the train, or carry the bike down either 1 or 2 carriages.

 

[andym]

FD - thanks for that.