Taking a cycle on a train

Fred_Bear_2

I want to take my bike on a Chiltern Railways train next Sunday from London to Birmingham. I have called the Chiltern Railways helpline twice but they don't have the information I need. They told me to go to Paddington for the information, but this would be a three hour round trip for me.
What I want to know is:
1. Can I reserve a place for my bike if I book my ticket online?
2. How and where is the bike stored on the train? I understand that the bike cannot be locked to the structure of the train, so what is to stop the bike falling over and getting damaged? Also could the bike be stolen?
If anyone can help me with these questions I would be very grateful.
Fred

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Whenever I've done it, I've sat between carriages alongside the bike.

As for theft, if you leave it only between stops theft won't be possible.

Fred_Bear_2

Thanks for your quick reply PPPL!

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

Whenever I've done it, I've sat between carriages alongside the bike.

I don't understand what you mean by 'between carriages.'

Also there are a lot of stops between London and Brum.

anewman

I think pew means the sort of erm vestibules that are usually where you enter the door on the train. There's usually a small area therewith a seat or two (and on some of the trains I've been on a bike rack too.)

darich

It's been many years since i had a bike on a train but the advice i got from the station was it's no problem if it's outside of rush hour. also no charge for taking the bike on.
During rush hour i was told it would be far more problematic and likely to be refused. And if i was permitted on then I'd probably be charged for taking the bike on.

It turns out i didn't do it during rush hour so simply sat with the bike in front of me and rode home from the station

Altarf

http://www.atob.org.uk/Bike_Rail.html

robt_2

http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/travelling-with-us/taking-your-bike/

and

Cycle Policy - Primary Phone Number 08456 005 165



10 seconds on google

Fred_Bear_2

Altarf, thanks for the link. It doesn't answer my questions but it's a useful website nevertheless.

robt, that's the helpline I called twice. The first time I got no information at all, the second time I found out that there was no charge for bikes but for any more information I will need to ask at Paddington station.

dzug1

You can't reserve a place for your bike, nor do you need to.

The bike is stored in the vestibule where you get on the train. There is nothing to lock it to, yes it can fall over, and yes it can be stolen. You need to sit nearby and keep an eye on it.


Just turn up at Marylebone station, buy your ticket (advance tickets are not available on Chiltern on Sundays) and away you go. If you travel after 11am it will be cheaper.

Note that the above differs between train companies so may not be universally true

AlwaysPondering

I looked at taking my bike on the train (Virgin Trains) and after lots of emails, phoning etc came up with the following.

If you have a folding bike, it can be taken on the train with no booking etc, as long as it is folded up.

If you have (as I do) a normal bike, it has to be booked onto the train when you purchase your ticket (cannot be done online).. and each trip has to be booked.. i.e. a return trip would need two bookings.. I wanted to commute using my bike.

In the end I did the figures and have found getting an old motorcycle works out cheaper..