Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

[Paulatic]

When the decision was made to use class 153 that’s all they had available. If the decision was made today I’m sure it would be a lot different with so much younger stock now sitting idle.

Scot rail seem to have a cycling theme with the new upholstery on Class 380

[Sweep]

If trains to Glasgow could be more bike friendly, that would help a lot..

How would you be getting to Glasgow?
Avanti west coast is now very bike friendly.

From Leeds. Do Avanti go from Leeds? If so that's good to hear. Do I have to hang the bike up?

I thought about the sleeper and carrying on till Fort William, but the man in seat 61 said something about having to get up at Edinburgh and move the bike. My planned trip last year involved coming back on the sleeper. I end up in Preston or Crewe, so have to get back across somehow. I've actually got relatives half way between Preston and Leeds, so I suppose I could use the cycle.

Of course this all depends which ports Calmac are running from. Over the years we've been going it's changed.

No, avanti is west coast only.
From leeds you could always take the train up the wondrous settle carlisle line to carlisle. (Might need to change at mo due to major engineering project tho maybe has finished) - northern, dodgy history of course but have always been easygoing with bikes. The ride on the line is always a pleasure.
Then take avanti from carlisle to glasgow.
If you need to kill time in carlisle there's a very good spoons 2 mins from station - up a back alley, open rear entrance to pub yard where bikes can be locked in sight.

[SA_SA_SA]

... the Class 153 ....Can't self rescue ...

I am curious how a train rescues itself?

[landsurfer]

... the Class 153 ....Can't self rescue ...

I am curious how a train rescues itself?

Passenger trains in the UK are primarily of the DMU, DEMU or EMU TYPE ...
The diesel variants will have one traction engine per carriage, the EMU type one traction bogie per carriage.
If an engine or motor fails the unit can self rescue using the other drive systems.

The new Class 43 hauled short rake units being used very successfully bu GWR and Scotrail have of course 2 power cars.

Even the new all electric Class 800 Hitachi units used on the ECML have one diesel engine fitted for hotel power and self rescue.

The class 153 is a single carriage, with a single engine and a single hydrostatic system ... if it breaks it's time for a tow ...

[millimole]

.

The class 153 is a single carriage, with a single engine and a single hydrostatic system ... if it breaks it's time for a tow ...

There are specialist rail companies that run 'rail recovery' services such as Rail Operations Group here's a Facebook link to a video just such an instance (albeit an EMU not a DMU).
https://www.facebook.com/railoperations ... 453486514/

[landsurfer]

.

The class 153 is a single carriage, with a single engine and a single hydrostatic system ... if it breaks it's time for a tow ...

There are specialist rail companies that run 'rail recovery' services such as Rail Operations Group here's a Facebook link to a video just such an instance (albeit an EMU not a DMU).
https://www.facebook.com/railoperations ... 453486514/

Not much use in the Highlands then ...
There where a fleet of "Thunderbird" 47 and 57 locos that where stationed around the network for a few years on recovery work, ROG work the midlands mostly.

[Oldjohnw]

Breakdown recovery

[SA_SA_SA]

.... Can't self rescue...

But the point seemed to be to tag some cycle /luggage carrying 153s into another dmu as needed...so why can t the rest of the normal dmu rescue the 153?

[Bmblbzzz]

The question was asked if these carriages can take trikes. I know they can take tandems and although I don't know official policy re trikes, in practice it looks as if there's plenty of room. It's very good to see these carriages IMO.

[Adamcycles17]

If trains to Glasgow could be more bike friendly, that would help a lot..

How would you be getting to Glasgow?
Avanti west coast is now very bike friendly.

From Leeds. Do Avanti go from Leeds? If so that's good to hear. Do I have to hang the bike up?

I thought about the sleeper and carrying on till Fort William, but the man in seat 61 said something about having to get up at Edinburgh and move the bike. My planned trip last year involved coming back on the sleeper. I end up in Preston or Crewe, so have to get back across somehow. I've actually got relatives half way between Preston and Leeds, so I suppose I could use the cycle.

Of course this all depends which ports Calmac are running from. Over the years we've been going it's changed.

Avanti don't serve Leeds. So you can go Leeds to Preston, Preston to Glasgow and then Glasgow to Oban. No bike hanging on that route. Leeds to Edinburgh does require hanging your bike up due to the train design.

Sleeper: The van car goes to Aberdeen so yes you have to move your bike at 0400. Also there is no connection to Oban without a long wait at Crianlarich.

CalMac routes are pretty settled until they get their two new big ferries, which are very delayed.