West Highland Railway extra bike space

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
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Paulatic
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Re: Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

Post by 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
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Re: Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

Post by Sweep »

mikeymo wrote:
Sweep wrote:
mikeymo wrote: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.
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Re: Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

Post by SA_SA_SA »

landsurfer wrote: ... the Class 153 ....Can't self rescue ...

I am curious how a train rescues itself? :D
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landsurfer
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Re: Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

Post by landsurfer »

SA_SA_SA wrote:
landsurfer wrote: ... the Class 153 ....Can't self rescue ...

I am curious how a train rescues itself? :D


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 ...
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millimole
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Re: Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

Post by millimole »

landsurfer wrote:.

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/
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landsurfer
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Re: Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

Post by landsurfer »

millimole wrote:
landsurfer wrote:.

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 ... :D
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.
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Re: Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

Post by Oldjohnw »

Breakdown recovery
Breakdown recovery
John
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Re: Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

Post by SA_SA_SA »

landsurfer wrote:.... 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?
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Re: Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

Post by 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.
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Re: Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

Post by Adamcycles17 »

mikeymo wrote:
Sweep wrote:
mikeymo wrote: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.
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Paulatic
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Re: Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

Post by Paulatic »

Very early days but my insider in the Scotrail industry informs me there is current discussion on what changes are going to be needed after Covid.
On the table are a lot less commuter timed trains, a lot more weekend leisure driven trains which will include a lot more bicycle carrying carriages.
I’ve got my fingers firmly crossed :D
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Paulatic
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Re: Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

Post by Paulatic »

Finally after a long wait they are running.
3E240F8A-3956-4432-AE70-DC6EB7A11195.jpeg
I don’t think it’s going to be this year for me now :(
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Re: Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

Post by mjr »

I've seen reports of a £10 supplement if you want to sit in the bike car, with all non-paying cyclists competing for the 2-4 spaces in the other part of the train. Is that correct?

Seems a bit steep for a single-line bike ticket, dearer than whole-network day tickets in NL or BE and single-line ones in France.
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Jdsk
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Re: Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

Post by Jdsk »

Is that related to this:
https://www.scotrail.co.uk/scotrail-highland-explorer

Jonathan

Do I need a special ticket?
The ScotRail Highland Explorer carriage has 24 seats as well as 20 cycle spaces. Seats in this carriage will be reserved for those who purchase a 'Highland Explorer ticket', which will be available from 7 August.

If you buy a Highland Explorer ticket, you'll benefit from the following:
A seat in our newly designed Highland Explorer carriage with exterior livery that encapsulates the Scottish scenery
Larger cushioned seats
USB and plug socket charging points
Table maps on board detailing the route, with recommendations on where to walk, cycle and visit
Access to a QR code at each table, providing links to further inspiration on places to visit in Scotland
Those with Standard Class rail tickets will still be able to travel on this service, and they will be seated in the Class 156 carriages, which make up the rest of the train.
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Re: Scotrail introduce carriages with spaces for 20 bikes

Post by mjr »

Jdsk wrote: 14 Jul 2021, 8:54pm Is that related to this:
https://www.scotrail.co.uk/scotrail-highland-explorer
I believe so. I see no prices on that page.
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