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Bikes on trains from Arrochar & Tarbet to Glasgow?

(4 posts)
  • Started 8 years ago by Mandopicker101
  • Latest reply from chdot

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  1. Mandopicker101
    Member

    Hello

    Some friends and I are planning an autumn ride with our children from Balloch to Tarbet. We're looking to make this into a little bit of an adventure with an overnight stay and then take the train back down to Glasgow. While the adults could do it in an afternoon, some of the children might not so we decided to head off the endless cries of 'I'm tired!' and have an overnight stop.

    I note from Scotrail's website that cycle reservations are needed on the West Highland line, but as we're going in a few months time it's not an issue. However, can anyone say how many bikes you can get onto one of these trains? We might be as many as 10-12 in our group.

    Any thoughts welcomed!

    Posted 8 years ago #

  2. kaputnik
    Moderator

    The West Highland Line has a dedicated pool of Class 156 units, these can take 6 bikes hung vertically from the wheel in a fairly capacious compartment at the end of the train. The units are generally coupled in pairs from Fort William (Mallaig half, Fort William half) and depending on the time of day a 3rd unit may join from Oban at Crianlarich. So you might get multiples of 6, 12 or 18 bikes.

    This is a photo of the stowage;

    Depending on the guard's helpfulness and the size of your kids bikes, they may allow them to be stowed in a different manner so as not to take up one of the wheel-hanging spaces.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  3. Mandopicker101
    Member

    Righty-o: this looks not unlike some of the trains I've used of late going to Glasgow Central out of Waverley.

    One child in the party has a 24-inch wheeled bike, the other three are on 20-inch bikes. I could see these being strapped onto the racks while grown-up bikes hang on the hooks. We could, maybe, squeeze into a six bike compartment.

    I'll make enquiries of Scotrail.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  4. chdot
    Admin

    "I'll make enquiries of Scotrail"

    Check this first (good) -

    http://www.citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=14973&replies=6#post-190939

    Posted 8 years ago #

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