Virgin trains and bikes...

[RedRider]

I'm looking for a bit of advice and info about travelling by train Euston to Liverpool next week if anyone can help. What's the rigmarole for taking a bike on Virgin Trains? Does it need an extra ticket? Will I need to be at the platform three hours before travel?

Cheers

 

[MossCommuter]

http://bit.ly/y4n92l

 

[RedRider]

Cheeky but ta.

 

[MossCommuter]

To be fair I have no experience of how well it actually works so stories of anyone's actual experience might be interesting.

 

[vernon]

Have a look here http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/passenger_services/cyclists.html

I have not had any problems with any of the train operating companies when travelling with my bike.

Book in advance and get a cycling reservation. You get cheaper fares and a guaranteed spot for your bike.

 

[mcshroom]

Virgin are real sticklers for having a reservation for travel (though if they see an orange ticket tied to a bike they don't tend to check it's for that train). The reservations are free, and if you book through a website like southern or chiltern then it's an option as part of the ordering process.

In practice they have two sorts of train. Pendolino's have a space in the front car for bikes at Euston (so give yourself time to walk the whole length on the train if it's one of those). They are about 8 carriages long.

Voyager's are shorter (5 carrages) and have dangly spaces inside coach A (again usually far end of the train). To use these you need to hang your back wheel on the hook provided.

If you have a cycle reservation the staff are fine, but don't expect to be allowed to board without one.

 

[RedRider]

Thanks all Looking forward to showing my nephews my new bike when I arrive, they'll think I've cycled all the way! (Which I hope to do this year...)

 

[growingvegetables]

Virgin are real sticklers for having a reservation for travel (though if they see an orange ticket tied to a bike they don't tend to check it's for that train).

+1 - and occasionally a little ... "stroppy" as they "explain" it to you.

Worth trying the reservation advice here? - hey, it'd just be nice to know it works for Virgin. (Hint - I know it works for Student Finance England )

 

[Arch]

Try and arrive in plenty of time, and ask platform staff which end the cycle space will be in. You have a slightly better chance than 50/50 of being right then - although how sure or right they are can depend on the station and staff member.

 

[subaqua]

as others have said, you need a reservation, and be prepared to move along the train as you get close to your arrival station, although as you are end to end ing it there shouldn't be a problem. when i change at crewe/chester it gets a bit hectic and scary that my bike will stay on the train and i will get off. speak nicely to the train manager and things should be great. if you are lucky and you can get a 1st class ticket for the same as cattle class the TM will be a lot more helpful than if you are in cattle.

 

[Cush]

Just posted my Good experiance on Virgin trains on another thread. The rule is four bikes or two tandams

 

[RedRider]

Just posted my Good experiance on Virgin trains on another thread. The rule is four bikes or two tandams

That's good to read. I'm heading upto Cumbria at Easter to visit friends but'll prob take me walking boots and not my bike then. (Although the roads around Appleby way do look tempting every time I'm there.)

I'm still to book so I'll deffo try growingvegetables advice when I get on the phone tomorrow. It seems straight forward and all the advice is reassuring.

 

[Cush]

Fetch your bike the Eden valley is great for riding and it has an excellent train service suitable for liniar rides.

 

[Red Light]

Don't forget a lock and cable - your bike will be at one end of the train and your seat might be at the other.

 

[RedRider]

Well I telephone booked then collected our tickets today - that's ten pieces of card between the two of us - and it's strangely satisfying my mechanical companion has his/her (?) own.
We shall be travelling on Thursday so look out for the next gripping installment some time after then!