A.Baxter Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 (edited) Hi all, I'm studying transport design at uni and my current project is called "the good journey". i know i hate taking my bike on the train so i presume a lot of others on here do too. Has any body got specific personal experiences, or any pictures of trudging to fit bike in allocated areas, or any horror stories of anything going wrong whilst using the cycle coaches. It would be much appreciated and also if anybody does give me any info/pictures would you let me know if i can use them in my project please . Thanks Adam. Edited October 8, 2012 by A.Baxter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamKidney Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Would over-crowding be an example? The outgoing trains from Leeds are a prime example at around 5-8pm. Always massivley overcrowded, and despite bike designated areas we always seem to be of a lower priority to the operator when it comes to getting on board. I've frequently been told to wait for another train, and had to force my way onto the train. Other passengers attempting to board the train will often say that they are the priority, and tell me to leave the train to allow them to board, which is wrong considering everyone has to pay the same amount depending on the destination. They're not safe, always carry way over the maximum permitted capacity, and make the commuters journey umpleasant and uncomfortable. Adding a coach or two to the current consist would improve things massively. I know Northern Rail have a number of the older Diesel units in store that could be used on these runs doubled up with each other to provide more space... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.Baxter Posted October 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Yeah Sam thats exactly the kind of thing I am looking for man cheers. You don't mind if i quote some of the things you said do you ? Keep it coming guys Adam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamKidney Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 Not a problem at all! Glad to help mate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azarathal Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 I don't know if this helps but currently I hate using trains. Why spend too much money on an overcrowded, sweaty and hostile atmosphere and be treated poorly by the public and staff for dragging my bike onto the train when I can drive? Some journeys it'll cost me slightly more but it's well worth the extra cost of fuel - which I can split the cost of with a second rider. Only on 100+ mile journeys do I take the train. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.Baxter Posted October 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 yeah man every little helps mate cheers cos things that have come directly from a source like asking you on here is perfect evidence for my research thanks very much The more the better people I highly appreciate it if you guys just spent a coupe of moments writing your thoughts on this topic or adding pictures or personal stories. Personally i have been turned away for not having a reservation before which i couldn't get because the ticket office was closed, i was only going on a ten minute ride and was getting off at the first stop. Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.Baxter Posted October 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 is there anybody else who would be able to give some input. Some things to think about : 1. Have you ever had a problem fitting your bike in an allocated area? 2. have you been turned away with a bike for any reason before ? 3. only certain rail services require a bike pass/reservation, does this get confusing ? 4. has your bike ever been damaged or stolen due to the limited interest in cycle travel from companies and government ? and anything else related to travelling with your bike Adam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalopS Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 1. Have you ever had a problem fitting your bike in an allocated area? 2. have you been turned away with a bike for any reason before ? My handlebars always seemed to be too wide to fit in the bay on (northern rail I think) trains. For the daily commuters I'd imagine they don't have this problem. I've not been let on before because of that and a couple of time because there were too many people on the train for bikes to be allowed on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A.Baxter Posted October 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 cheers carl again some good quotes to be used thanks Adam. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ogre Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 only 2 bikes per train irregardless of the number of carriages on that train. only applies to a few real jobsworths on the line i use alot. fricken nightmare. if we're picking hairs the wheel clamps are never big enough for proper fun bikes... or bar spacing. theres a lack of security or open priority to the seats near the bike bit, i like to sit opposite my bike or in the first 2 rows of seats near it, otherwise i'll stand... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradJohnson Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 On the way to Radfest, our train from york to kings cross was a big train, at the very front of the train there was a full carrage just for bikes, when we put our bikes on, the train conductor closed the doors and left us in the carrage. The train set off and we where stuck in this room, To get out, we had to walk through a kitchen and then all the way though first class (which was around 6 carrages) with 66L bergans on our backs. we then had to walk a further 6-7 carrages to find a seat. Whilst travelling we where worried about our bikes being so far away from us and when the train stopped we knew the doors would be opened straight away so anyone could get onto the bike carrage and take bikes. when we got off the trian we had to run all the way to the carrage to collect our bikes, as we got there the conductor was about to shut the doors and the train was about to carry on with out bikes still on board, we had to plead with the conductor to open the doors so we could get out bikes. as we left the train the conductor muttered under his breath, "useless bast..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake Posted October 8, 2012 Report Share Posted October 8, 2012 I've never had any problem with my bike and the train. I use southern railway if that makes a difference? People are always nice, I can generally get away with having my bike anywhere and they've never turned me down before. I also never have to pay extra My one bad experience was when I didn't know the train platform only had enough room for the first 4 carriages, and I was in the 6th or 5th. It didn't mention it until it was approaching the platform. I then had to carry my bike above my head (and the heads of those sitting down) just to get off at my stop. never made that mistake again though, too scary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnarled Posted October 9, 2012 Report Share Posted October 9, 2012 is there anybody else who would be able to give some input. Some things to think about : 1. Have you ever had a problem fitting your bike in an allocated area? I live in a quieter area and only ever commute from Middlesbrough to Darlington, these only consist of 2 - 3 carriage trains but there is dedicated pushchair/bike space at each end of the train. Being a quiet route I almost never have a problem finding space! 2. have you been turned away with a bike for any reason before ? O have never been turned away, but again, probably because of the rather quiet route I take. 3. only certain rail services require a bike pass/reservation, does this get confusing ? I never knew this! I've always obliviously boarded a train assuming my bike wouldnt offend anyone as it probably rivals a suitcase, push chair or dog in annoyance/space. 4. has your bike ever been damaged or stolen due to the limited interest in cycle travel from companies and government ? Nope, I hold onto my bike as if it were my first born! especially whilst travelling on a train where people could trip over it etc (im too nice!) and anything else related to travelling with your bike People asking me where my seat is annoys me! hehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_VD Posted October 14, 2012 Report Share Posted October 14, 2012 I remember taking my trials bike on a train to Manchester I think it was. A Virgin train. Probably 2006. Reserved it by phone before arriving at the station. And it was a pretty off-peak train so the main carriages were deserted. I arrived at the outbound platform, and the train arrived. The conductor got off, noticed I had a bike and came over. "No you can't put it on the main carriage, it needs to go at the back in a storage compartment". I thought OK, no worries, and asked him about how it worked getting the bike off the train. He said, wait with it and I'll get an official from Manchester to open the storage door when you arrive. So we pulled in at Manchester and I waited. And waited... Until I thought "this is ridiculous I need to get off". So I hastily ran down the aisle with bike in tow to get to a main carriage door. And what do you know that really annoying beeping sound happened, and the doors closed just before I could get to them. So because of staff incompetence, I missed the stop and had to get off at the next one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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