CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Commuting

Scotrail carriage identification? (cr*p cycle provision)

(10 posts)

No tags yet.


  1. Smudge
    Member

    About a month ago I whinged on twitter about crap supposed cycle provision, (on the older carriages, iirc someone said the space was originally for parcels?).
    "@scotrail" suggested I pass my complaint to customer services, well today I finally got a reply, and amongst the flannel was
    "During my investigation on your comments I have looked at the picture you posted on twitter and judging by the picture, it does not appear that your bicycle is stored in an actual designated storage space."

    Now given it was just inside the door with the picture of a bike and the conductor instructed me to put the bike there, I would disagree just a bit(!) but before I make a snotty reply can anyone identify the carriage type and give me any further info?

    Many thanks,
    S

    ps, in case the pic doesn't show try here:
    http://twitter.yfrog.com/es2ylxyj

    Posted 11 years ago #

  2. crowriver
    Member

    Some of the older Sprinters on the Perth/Inverness line have these 'facilities'. Usually one can fit two bikes in, though they often protrude into the doorway.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  3. Smudge
    Member

    Thanks Crowriver, Mrs S (who comes from a Railway background) suggested "Sprinter" as well from my poor description, it was on the Edin - Falkirk line, though I can't remember if it was the GQS or Dunblane line.

    The crazy thing is my handlebars on the Surly wont even fit through the door, and I had to remove the panniers to get the back end in, of course it's too short anyway... if that is not the "official" cycle provision then I don't know what is as I am unaware of any other spaces on these carriages!

    Posted 11 years ago #

  4. kaputnik
    Moderator

    It's either a class 156 or a class 158, both of which are 1980s-era "Sprinter" units. Judging by the slightly sloping sides of the cubby-hole space, I'm going to go with a 158.

    It was the class 156 that had the parcel lockers at the back, which have now been converted into very adequate cycle / luggage spaces.

    Scotrail refurbished a lot of 158s in the late 2000's. These units have a regular bike-rack inside the carriage, like this. This doesn't look like one of them, but they received some cascaded from other operators. I have found an old picture of a class 158 interior that matches yours here. At the bottom of this page is the same space, but with the partition removed and a perch-seat and wheelholder for bikes added.

    So I assume it's an unrefurbished Class 158.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  5. gembo
    Member

    smudge, I have had my bike in those cupboards many times on trains in and out of Edinburgh. They are the place you are supposed to put you bike. Not ideal and when two bikes in them even less ideal.

    The best trains for bikes are the ones on the slow route between Edinburgh and Glasgow, via shots. Room for at least six bikes hanging up. Rarely another bike on the train. Pity they don't use this rolling stock on routes where lots of folk want to bring their bike on the train.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  6. Smudge
    Member

    Thanks for the comprehensive reply Kappers, the pic with the folder in looks similar, though on the ones I've seen here there is also an unhelpful raised step at the far end of the cupboard which is too shallow to rest a wheel on but deep enough to force the bike to protrude out into the passageway from the doors into the train.
    It's also of course where they store the ramp for wheelchair access (just on the left as you look into the cupboard) further reducing the space.

    I shall have a think about how to best educate my sceptical and unhelpful "Customer Relations Advisor"

    Posted 11 years ago #

  7. Smudge
    Member

    @Gembo, thanks, I was trying to remember where I'd seen the hanging racks :-)
    From Mrs S "shame that's the only good thing about them, they're old, rattly uncomfy and slow"! lol

    Posted 11 years ago #

  8. Smudge
    Member

    What the hey, for your general entertainment I present the full email fob off, erm, answer from Scotfail:

    "Dear Mr Smudge

    Thank you for your email dated 18 November 2012. I am sorry you have had cause to complain.

    During my investigation on your comments I have looked at the picture you posted on twitter and judging by the picture, it does not appear that your bicycle is stored in an actual designated storage space.

    Our conductors cannot permit further cyclists on board once the capacity level has been reached. I can assure you however that we are looking into ways of expanding the capacity available. We do appreciate all customer feedback. Therefore, I have logged your comments for the attention of the appropriate manager for use during our regular reviews.

    Please also be assured that we are committed to providing guaranteed cycle spaces on trains where reservations are required. These can be pre-booked through our Customer Relations office on 0845 601 5929 0845 601 5929, and we will book a cycle space (subject to availability) for those customers that book in advance.

    Thank you for contacting ScotRail. If there is anything else we can help you with, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

    Should you need to reply to this email, please respond to scotrailcustomer.relations@firstgroup.com.

    Yours sincerely

    Xxxx Xxxxx
    Customer Relations Advisor"

    Posted 11 years ago #

  9. crowriver
    Member

    Pity they don't use this rolling stock on routes where lots of folk want to bring their bike on the train.

    Presumably they would have to electrify those lines first, which could be a tad costly.

    Posted 11 years ago #

  10. kaputnik
    Moderator

    The best trains for bikes are the ones on the slow route between Edinburgh and Glasgow, via shots. Room for at least six bikes hanging up. Rarely another bike on the train. Pity they don't use this rolling stock on routes where lots of folk want to bring their bike on the train.

    You mean the class 156. Those are diesel too, and can reach the giddy speeds of 70mph so are generally relegated to slower services or those with low ridership or other speed / axle loading restrictions, like the West Highland line. Class 158 and Turbostars can fairly barrel along at 90mph. I believe that's the fastes Scotrail has to offer.

    Posted 11 years ago #

RSS feed for this topic

Reply

You must log in to post.


Video embedded using Easy Video Embed plugin