Trains

[MickL]

What is it about people and trains, I have to catch 2 every day to get to work, When getting off the train you can see the people waiting to get on, I wonder which part don't they get ? Fat Bloke Hi~vis gear on, holding bike getting off the train is not going to fit in the 12" gap they allow you get past them.

 

[HLaB]

I find when I have the bike more people give me room exiting a train, they don't want to get oil on their clothes ; there's always some idiot though.

 

[Bollo]

What is it about people and trains, I have to catch 2 every day to get to work, When getting off the train you can see the people waiting to get on, I wonder which part don't they get ? Fat Bloke Hi~vis gear on, holding bike getting off the train is not going to fit in the 12" gap they allow you get past them.

Usually 'civilian' behaviour on my commute - most regulars understand that the quicker you get off, they get on.

 

[littlelegs]

I have had someone physically walking staight at my bike then looking puzzled at me while I am trying to get off, very weird. The thing was he was looking through the window before the doors unlocked, so he must have seen me standing there with the helmet on and everything...

He didn't move until I said calmly erm I can't go anywhere while you are stood in front of the wheel lol. Kind of grumbled something at me and eventually stepped aside.

 

[jimboalee]

Happened to me.
Just barge through them.

 

[Bodhbh]

The ones on the train are as bad sometimes. Trying to squeeze past as you get in the station even tho you've been stood at the doors the last 5mins, with you're finger hoovering over the 'open' button. I dunno, not like you have any right to get off first, but the sooner you do, the sooner everyone else can get out easily without a bike in the bloody road.

 

[Brahan]

Although I don't normally condone violence I think there's still some room for it in our world. I'm sure a good hard smack in the face will make them think twice. One of those, 'straight on, right on the nose' ones that make your eyes water. Or you could attach a chainsaw to your handlebars.

 

[MickL]

It happens all the time here. I just stand still in the doorway until they move. Then they usually realise that they can't get on until I get off, and I can't get off until they move out of the way.

Some times you can see the logic process working in there heads.

 

[Downward]

Do they have a train station in Dudley apart from Sandwell ??

 

[PBancroft]

I don't take the bike on he train very often, but the last tme I did I remember everything being too narrow, despite being in the carriage marked for bikes. The storage bit had barely space for one bike, let alone the two it claimed to have, and as everyone else has noted, doorwas designed for foot passengers only.

One chap fought his way in as I tried to leave, clambering over my bike and knicking his shin on my metal pedals. The wounded puppydog look on his face was classic, half anger, half realisation.

 

[Molecule Man]

And then there's the people who insist on sitting on the fold-down seats in the bike storage area (this is on South-West trains), even though the train is half empty.

Not at all irritating, but quite entertaining, are the bovine fools who follow cyclists into the guards van of inter-city trains, and then look all confused that there are no seats.

 

[MickL]

Do they have a train station in Dudley apart from Sandwell ??

Cosley, Tipton and Dudley port.

 

[Bollo]

And then there's the people who insist on sitting on the fold-down seats in the bike storage area (this is on South-West trains), even though the train is half empty.

This happens on the 450s a lot. If there's no space, I don't have a problem and I'm happy to just hold my bike where it's less of a problem for everybody else. But you do get the odd one (either spotty yoof looking for trouble or 'I'm making a point' businessmen) who insist. I usually prop the bike up right next to them as "it's the only place we're allowed to leave the bike".

The bike spaces on the 444s are pretty much unofficial luggage areas now. As there are no alternative large luggage areas and the trains 'serve' Heathrow via Woking, my problem is more with SWT for inadequate luggage-space provision rather than the poor sods trying to get their holiday suitcase on the train.

 

[Molecule Man]

This happens on the 450s a lot. If there's no space, I don't have a problem and I'm happy to just hold my bike where it's less of a problem for everybody else. But you do get the odd one (either spotty yoof looking for trouble or 'I'm making a point' businessmen) who insist. I usually prop the bike up right next to them as "it's the only place we're allowed to leave the bike".

Yes, I've done that, after explaining very clearly that that's what is about to happen, and that there's a risk of getting dirt on their clothes that is easily avoided by sitting on a proper seat.
I take it the 450s are the relatively new trains with the bike space next to the toilet?
Are the 444s the older trains with the bizarre, narrow cupboard as a bike space? I used to hate those when travelling between London and Exeter. There were occasions when it was so busy I had to perch myself on the little shelf next to my bike. At least I usually got on at the start of the journey.

 

[Bollo]

444s (Desiros) are used from London Waterloo to places like Weymouth and Bournmouth. Mainly white livery - two carriages per group of 5 with bike spaces using wheel-bender type bike holders screwed into the floor. No drop-down seats.

450s mainly blue livery that do the Pompey run - bikes just lean up against a bulkhead with a restraining strap. 4? Drop-down seats, so if only one seat is used, then all cycle space effectively disappears.

I think the ones you're on about are the unrefurbed 158s? The refurbished ones have spaces for two bikes with drop-down seats but the 'cupboard' has been removed.