Bikes on Romsey to Salisbury railway?

[james01]

A group of 4 cyclists wish to travel mid-week (not rush hour) as part of a tour on this route. Anyone know if there's a reasonable chance of getting 4 bikes aboard?

[phil parker]

They normally only have space for two bikes, but if I were you I would enquire at any SW Trains station just in case!

[horizon]

I took my bike withh full panniers on the train from Southampton to Salisbury at the beginning of August. There were three bikes on. The trains are three carriages (?) with one cycle area for two bikes (three can be squeezed). Technically you cannot get four on (or even one if the spaces are already filled) but there is still a chance if there are no other bikes on. Worth splitting up and getting on in the vesitubles. This line BTW is very busy. I wouldn't rely on it but as you know everything depends on the actual circumstances (and guard).

[horizon]

They normally only have space for two bikes, but if I were you I would enquire at any SW Trains station just in case!

What would you enquire about? Extra carriages maybe? Formally it will simply be a no-no.

[phil parker]

What would you enquire about? Extra carriages maybe? Formally it will simply be a no-no.

You're right - it probably will be a simple no, but it's still worth enquiring. I have been on a SW train with a friend, both of us with bikes and booked places and the guard has allowed an additional cyclist on the train from Basingstoke to Andover (quiet train).

It's also worth seeing how frequent the trains run and booking two consecutive trains if they're only half an hour apart. Maybe an enquiry might prompt an alternative resolution from a helpful SW Trains employee?!

[maxwellhadley]

Two rail companies operate trains on this route: SWT, as part of the 'figure-of-6' Salisbury-Romsey-Southampton-Romsey' service, and FGW, as part of the Wessex Main line routes (Brighton/Portsmouth to Bristaol/Gt Malvern/Cardiff). The FGW trains are 3-car sets, and run about once per hour at about 20 past the hour. The SWT trains run once per hour at about 10 to the hour: these are 2-car sets. The SWT service stops at the intermediate stations & is a bit slower as a result.
You may have better luck on an FGW train rather than an SWT, but the official capacity is 2 bikes: however, reservations are possible on this route. On the other hand, the SWT trains are generally less full outside peak hours

[andymiller]

... so assuming what max says is correct and that you get a ticket that's valid for both services, if you are unlucky and can't all get on the FGW service, there'll be an SWT train along in 10 minutes.

[cjchambers]

Definitely avoid the FGW Portsmouth-Cardiff train if you can (always busy) and try to get one of the shorter/slower SWT routes, even if you have so split into two groups. During the week they're often pretty much deserted.

[Merrylegs]

I pre-booked the FGW Great Malvern to Romsey - returning last Saturday and outward the week before. It got busy on the Bristol stretch but quieter between Salisbury and Romsey. The guard said they are supposed to take a max of 2 bikes but will do what they can. Wheelchairs always trump bikes (even if bikes pre-booked). At one point there was a combination of 3 bikes, prams, and 3 lads with mountain bikes - I was the only one to have pre-booked.
The message seemed to be they will try and be helpful but nothing is guaranteed.
The return train was only 2 carriages.

[james01]

Thanks for all the replies, you've confirmed pretty much what I've come to expect with trains. We'll probably try getting on but have a backup plan in case of failure (possibly the 2 fitter riders will ride the journey unladen, letting the 2 on the train take all the luggage )

[andymiller]

Thanks for all the replies, you've confirmed pretty much what I've come to expect with trains.

You'll find that they are really quite easy to use. There are probably thousands of cyclists using the train in Britain every day without any problems (except for the odd bus replacement service).

And as Max has said, there are two train companies operating on that line with trains ten minutes apart. There really shouldn't be any need for people to ride the journey.

[maxwellhadley]

A slight correction: the service is approximately every 30 minutes, with trains alternating SWT/FGW. Both companies use class 158s, but most (not all) of the FGW sets have a third middle car added. This is actually a modified driving car from another set, with the driver's cabin sealed off