http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: bikes on trains (originally “Booking”) en Mon, 18 May 2026 21:54:32 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=5#post-381608 Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:24:55 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 381608@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Yes. I think most TOC websites are based on white-labelled Trainline front (&amp; back?) ends which doesn't allow it, maybe purposely as it is potentially open to abuse.</p> <p>Hopefully I haven't committed a bothy location promulgation-type faux pas by sharing here, but it is out there anyway on train enthusiast-type fora. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=5#post-381607 Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:20:18 +0000 Morningsider 381607@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>MB - thanks. The arcane ways of the British rail system never ceases to amaze. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=5#post-381606 Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:09:03 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 381606@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Morningsider top tip - if you create an account at gwr.com, you can make seat or bike bookings for any TOC's trains without purchasing tickets through GWR. Have just tested bike booking at PIT and you get a booking reference for chit collection at Scotrail machine (or presumably also ticket office).</p> <p>Useful for when one holds an open return... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=5#post-381601 Thu, 16 Oct 2025 22:10:28 +0000 Morningsider 381601@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just back from a few glorious days up in Perthshire, managed to give the MTB a bit of a work out. Got the ember bus to Perth on the way out but decided I would train it back from Pitlochry as the old legs were felling it a bit.</p> <p>Tried to book a ticket and bike space on the ScotRail app. The only issue is, adding a bike reservation requires you to get a physical ticket - which the app insists cannot be collected at Pitlochry station. This is nonsense as Pitlochry has a ticket office.</p> <p>Anyway, problem solved by taking a detour into Pitlochry while out on a ride yesterday to buy a physical ticket for today. Not ideal.</p> <p>Of course, despite bike reservations being mandatory on the booked service - no-one checked my reservation or ticket, and the train was an old Class 170 commuter rather than a HST. Grr. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=5#post-381071 Sun, 07 Sep 2025 10:30:30 +0000 Tulyar 381071@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>EGIP (still to be completed with Almond chord plus new station (Winchburgh (and Kirkliston?)) plus a station on former airport terminal at Turnhouse would be sensible here (site also used for small private planes &amp; the air freight terminal, &amp; next to long stay car parks fro EDI - with shuttle bus service to main passenger terminal (shuttle bus also collided with tram &amp; derailed tram a few years ago)</p> <p>EGIP delivered all trains as 100mph electric all with bike spaces 2.4 m long (easily fit in 4 bikes or tandems etc At peak times 12 trains/hr via 5 routes &amp; fastest services every 15 min via FKK use GLQ-HYM to avoid delay inbound - typically 35 minutes. 4tph via Bathgate 2 tph via Shotts 1 tph via Carstairs. Change at Falkirk G for via Cumbernauld</p> <p>Generally via FKK using Class 385 (4/8 coach) Via Airdrie Class 334 (3/6 coach), via Shotts/Carstairs mostly Class 380 </p> <p>All with 2.4m bike spaces</p> <p>Express coaches run 24/7 via M8, carry bikes but not easy to load, hint that Ember may start on this route as well as Citylink &amp; Flixbus </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380978 Wed, 03 Sep 2025 09:22:41 +0000 fimm 380978@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So on the train from Livingston to Edinburgh yesterday. I wave my ticket at the guard, and he goes past the bikes, all seems fine.<br /> After a bit he comes back.<br /> "Is that your red bike?" he asks<br /> Oh what now, I think.<br /> "Yes," I reply.<br /> "Where did you get your mudguards? I've got a bike very like that and I'd like to get some mudguards for it...!" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380970 Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:19:36 +0000 chdot 380970@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks Fimm</p> <p>Seem to be two of these throughout the day</p> <p><a href="https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V2I684oo3Lg" rel="nofollow">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=V2I684oo3Lg</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380969 Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:30:15 +0000 LaidBack 380969@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote>The advantage of folding it is that I can say "Look! It isn't a bicycle! It is folded!" in spite of the fact that it at least as awkward an object in its folded as in its unfolded form.</blockquote></p> <p>@fimm - yes just done my commute this morning to Pitlochry on my used Raleigh 7 speed creaky folder. Excellent V brakes for going down via Moulin.<br /> Guard was very good as French tourist taking a bike box on board to get tram to airport. (Too big or expensive for taxi run?)<br /> So he sat on 3 coach train at blue marked wheelchair space and my bike plus a folded pram for on. Other dedicated green bike space had two gravel bikes on so guard invited us both along platform to use the space. He didn't want bike folded in case another bike came on. Thought it easier to move and park. Good young guard! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380968 Tue, 02 Sep 2025 13:52:28 +0000 fimm 380968@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>To answer this properly:<br /> <blockquote>On basis of ‘2 bikes per space’, what is ‘official capacity’?</blockquote><br /> 4 bikes. They are 2 x 3 carriage trains, i.e. 6 carriages, and each set of 3 has a bike space and a "wheelchair" space. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380966 Tue, 02 Sep 2025 11:27:29 +0000 chdot 380966@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks</p> <p>Interesting </p> <p>Slightly on topic -</p> <p>“</p> <p>He said: “Anyone wanting to cycle on the road from say, Livingston to Edinburgh, has to go on the carriageway with its heavy traffic, which can be quite dangerous. </p> <p>“</p> <p><a href="https://archive.ph/2025.09.02-100835/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/bike-daft-grandad-clears-dirt-12409174" rel="nofollow">https://archive.ph/2025.09.02-100835/https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/bike-daft-grandad-clears-dirt-12409174</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380965 Tue, 02 Sep 2025 10:56:52 +0000 fimm 380965@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Train staff didn't appear to make any comment (I had headphones in). They have always been good on that route. I remember an incident where there were, I think, two cancelled trains in the afternoon rush hour and everyone just crammed on with bikes in all the vestibules.</p> <p>It is funny rolling stock. As well as the official bike racks (definitely more than two bikes) there are big spaces for wheelchair users where you can put a bike or bikes, more awkwardly than in the racks of course.</p> <p>I think I was the only person with a folder. I have a cheap Halfords folder these days, so I try not to fold it (and didn't this morning). If I do fold it, I then tend to go to the "wheelchair" space. The advantage of folding it is that I can say "Look! It isn't a bicycle! It is folded!" in spite of the fact that it at least as awkward an object in its folded as in its unfolded form. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380960 Tue, 02 Sep 2025 09:24:09 +0000 chdot 380960@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Presume train staff ok/‘resigned’?</p> <p>Any folders?</p> <p>On basis of ‘2 bikes per space’, what is ‘official capacity’?</p> <p>Is it always same type of train/number of coaches? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380959 Tue, 02 Sep 2025 09:02:32 +0000 fimm 380959@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think 14 bicycles this morning - 5 in the racks I was using, and I was trying to count all the others. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380802 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 12:04:06 +0000 fimm 380802@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>That route has always been busy with bikes, because public transport in Livingston is so &lt;rule 2&gt;. I feel like that train has got particularly busy with bike recently. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380795 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 11:33:46 +0000 chdot 380795@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“thought it was worth posting here”</p> <p>Definitely!</p> <p>Has it been a gradual increase over years or a noticeable post Covid bump? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380790 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 10:54:57 +0000 fimm 380790@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Not a one-off, but typical numbers in the morning - perhaps slightly more than usual, but only by a bike or two. For no particular reason I counted them and thought it was worth posting here. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380789 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:46:02 +0000 chdot 380789@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@ Finn </p> <p>Is that a one off ‘party’ or a gradual increase in bike commuter numbers? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380785 Tue, 26 Aug 2025 08:57:45 +0000 fimm 380785@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>11 people with bicycles getting off the train to Livingston North this morning. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380759 Mon, 25 Aug 2025 06:47:27 +0000 Tulyar 380759@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I influenced the design spec of the Class 380, which carried over to the Class 385, and the upgrading of Class 334 included provision of a matching bike space to same detail (&amp; changing the coupling to Dellner 10 so that ALL electric trains crossing Central Scotland are 100mph &amp; coupling compatible (to deal with breakdowns etc)</p> <p>CUK tandem riders often use Ayrshire lines for days out</p> <p>The standard bike spaces are now 2.4m long, by the door vestibule, have the draught screen cut back to allow for smooth boarding</p> <p>On 318/320 units 75 mph locals around Glasgow the bike spaces are 1.4-1.5m with similar cut back draught screens</p> <p>Talk is that Scotrail might go after the Class 350 (110mph) released by new trains in W Midlands, which are Siemens &amp; possibly compatible with Class 380</p> <p>The Class 380 detail was used to sort out HST's by fitting 6 tip up seats in place of 3 fixed pairs to provide 3 metres of space in Coach C, but the access from door vestibule is tight</p> <p>Images welcomed </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380653 Wed, 20 Aug 2025 08:07:32 +0000 chdot 380653@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Well</p> <p>There’s actually LOTS of info on SR website </p> <p>Don’t know when it was last updated, but there are now videos of <em>many</em> train types (2nd link)</p> <p><a href="https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/cycling/bikes-trains" rel="nofollow">https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/cycling/bikes-trains</a> </p> <p><a href="https://www.scotrail.co.uk/guide-travelling-bike-train" rel="nofollow">https://www.scotrail.co.uk/guide-travelling-bike-train</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380652 Tue, 19 Aug 2025 23:12:33 +0000 LaidBack 380652@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@chdot - Staff definitely more understanding/helpful.</p> <p>Can be of course. Often challenged by the size and quantity of wheelie suitcases in use now. Bike users are generally more aware of space and how to make it work. Was on a train where cases were just left in corridor in front of rack. Guard had to re-pack while visitors watched! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380623 Mon, 18 Aug 2025 16:35:12 +0000 chdot 380623@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“Basically he still has power to remove anything he considers is blocking a corridor.”</p> <p>Was on a train to Falkirk the other day. </p> <p>Got on at HYM to the coach with the green flash - (notionally for 4 bikes - but only if you interlace them). Found 4 already on so put our 2 next to doors away from platform side. </p> <p>Ticket man came and said we’d have to move them. ‘But it’s alright, just go to coach with wheelchair space. Don’t worry, plenty time, I’ll come back and show you’. </p> <p>He did, all fine. </p> <p>Staff definitely more understanding/helpful. </p> <p>So must be some training going on. </p> <p>However much more clarity on all rolling stock would be helpful. There are many coaches with blue bands that have the horizontal bike holders. </p> <p>And there are some sets with <em>only</em> blue bands! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380619 Mon, 18 Aug 2025 11:32:12 +0000 LaidBack 380619@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@Yodhrin - main issue from staff point of view is whether you can lift a bike on board. However some staff still think bikes should be hung up which is impossible for many e-bike owners. Traditional view of bike as lightweight sports equipment prevails.<br /> The Activity Coach is the answer for some lines but not able to be used above 70mph so niche.<br /> LNER set such a barrier to bike use that almost any ScotRail train is better. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380614 Mon, 18 Aug 2025 08:34:52 +0000 Yodhrin 380614@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I wish their guidelines were a bit more explicit and general. I've fancied an Urban Arrow Shorty for a while, but would they take it on the 334? They seem to assume "cargo bike" means regular UA's or longtails which aren't allowed on that model due to the length of the bike bay, but the Shorty is no longer than my Gazelle which is allowed, and its cargo box is narrower than the Gazelle with panniers which also hasn't ever been an issue, but because the guidance is so wishy-washy and so much depends on whether the Guard is in a grumpy mood or not I've held off buying one because I don't want to risk having to argue the toss when I'm trying to catch the last train out of Waverly or whatever. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380613 Mon, 18 Aug 2025 08:15:35 +0000 Frenchy 380613@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I was one of at least 9 cyclists trying to squeeze into the, I think, 6 advertised cycle spaces on a busy Bristol-London train yesterday. Everyone claimed to have a reservation, which seems unlikely, but I did notice that the space that I had a reservation for said it was reserved for a different journey, so maybe it was overbooked somehow.</p> <p>Very helpful guard got us all squeezed in. I also learned that there are unadvertised cycle spaces, presumably to help with situations like this. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380611 Sun, 17 Aug 2025 23:37:38 +0000 bakky 380611@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Glad of your pioneering here, the more they see the more they are aware! Shame Scotrail can't provide adequate / consistent enough training though - you shouldn't have to persuade them. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380610 Sun, 17 Aug 2025 22:13:28 +0000 LaidBack 380610@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Had to use ScotRail to assist with an Urban Arrow delivery today. Was to Helensburgh and wasn't that keen to cycle the 70 plus miles from Edinburgh.<br /> So... I had screenshots of the ScotRail web pages which day what bikes can go on what trains plus a pic of the 'cargo bike and tandems allowed on certain trains' sign plus a tape measure.<br /> Cycled to be at Waverley early to get on the 8am. Train left from Platform 9 so luckily the lifts are big enough as had to use two to get over. Despite obscure platform a crowd gathered including a cyclist competing for same space. There was another four bike area on next unit as was 8 coach train but he was getting off at Linlithgow. Was able to help me get the cargo bike front wheel on train which I appreciated. (Had makeshift ramp just in case stowed in bucket).<br /> Guard duly came round and asked 'who had trailer on train?'. Guys bike was sticking out a bit but was clear my caused by me selfishly taking all the space (!).<br /> I then told him it was a cargo bike and technically allowed (even encouraged as on a sign). He was decent guy and looked at the screenshot but it could have gone badly. Basically he still has power to remove anything he considers is blocking a corridor. So the on-paper cargo bike might be fine but seeing the large UA was not likely to go down so well.<br /> Later on he came by to chat about bike spaces. All in all a good outcome but not without stress. Another customer with quite small Veloe was almost barred a coouple of weeks ago from returning with it at Queen St. Again due to staff not being aware of that type of bike. She did get on after assuring guard it was within the guidelines. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380046 Thu, 19 Jun 2025 12:27:15 +0000 Baldcyclist 380046@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>My MTB and Pashey both have weirdly wide bars, never been chucked off a train with either.</p> <p>Even with 'both' spaces taken I just get on the train, never been chucked off because of that either.</p> <p>I did get chucked off once for not paying, when they had started rolling out card payments, but not all trains could take card payments yet, and I had no cash. Wasn't so bad as I at least got over the bridge so only had to cycle half way home. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380045 Thu, 19 Jun 2025 11:39:10 +0000 Yodhrin 380045@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I *think* the Waverly to Helensburgh Central via Glasgow Queen Street uses 334 refurbs? Not enough of an anorak to know for sure on sight alone. Usually when I've taken them they have two carriages with the fold-down seating double bike spot. And yeah I've seen other people happily stacking their bikes 3 or 4 deep, but with the weight of mine I wouldn't trust it to remain upright unless it's strapped in. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13193&page=4#post-380044 Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:23:49 +0000 chdot 380044@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>“I only just got the second place“</p> <p>Presume train not full of passengers?</p> <p>I wouldn’t panic. </p> <p>Long time since (most/central belt) train staff enforced 2 bike rule - as long as ‘nested’ well enough. Some are ok with using door space. (Potentially a problem where there are no bikes/buggies/luggage stickers - more of an issue on lines where trains don’t always stop at same side platforms at all stations.)</p> <p><em>Some</em> units with the green stripes above the doors also have bikes spaces at the blue door too. Most 170s (3 coaches) are like this, but a few only have one coach with ‘bike space’. </p> <p>Most(?) 158s have the ‘bike bar’ in both coaches. </p> <p>I suspect neither type run on the line you use. </p>