"Pauline" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "John B" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> > Pauline wrote:
> >
> > > Please excuse me delurking and asking and bringing up the old 'bikes
on
> > > trains' chestnut. I would have tried the CTC site but it's offline at
> the
> > > moment.
> > >
> > > Just how many bikes can fit on a single long distance type of train
> operated
> > > by Central Trains? I'm trying to book a trip to East Anglia over
Easter
> for
> > > two of us, but every single train on 3 different days I've checked on thetrainline.com will
> > > only accept one bike.
> >
> > A good link for bikes on trains is the a2b sie:
http://www.atob.org.uk/Bike_Rail.html
> >
> > Sorry to bring bad news, but it seems they only take two on long
distance
> > trains :-( If Trainline is only allowing one then perhaps the other space is
already
> > booked. Certainly Central Trains reservations should be able to tell you
> or try
> > the national bookings number.
> >
> > But "should be able to' in trainspeak often means can't be bothered.
> >
> > > The Central Trains hotline person didn't know the answer
> >
> > See above re trainspeak
> >
> > > and could only suggest turning up and trying to get on the train.
> >
> > Pathetic response. Push for an answer.
> >
> > Cannot you travel by Anglia Trains? - they are far more cycle friendly
> >
> > John B
> >
> >
> >
>
> Thanks for the AtoB link.
>
> I'm trying to get from Brum eastwards, so Anglia Trains are not an option.
>
> Like you said, the AtoB link shows that there are two bike spaces per
train.
> The weird thing is that I have checked a dozen or so different train times on the Brum New St-Ely
> route using thetrainline and every single train
seems
> to have exactly one bike space already booked. The only one that would allow me to book 2 bikes
> turned out to be rail replacement bus service on Easter Sunday and I don't fancy our chances with
> that option.
>
> Why does it have to be so hard? It looks like are choices are down to :
> (a) take separate trains,
> (b) travel via London including getting from Euston to Liverpool St
(cycling
> it fills me with fear - is it possible to get bikes in London taxis?)
> (c) even worse option, hire a car
>
>
> Pauline
>
>
The online ticket booking system appears to be flawed when it comes to bikes - I just had the same
problem with booking 3 guys and 3 bikes to go to Southport from Brum
- the answer is the good old telephone !
Call the booking service and do it that way - don't take no for an answer when it comes to the bikes
- and here's another tip ... never mind that they are not the obvious choice book with GNER's call
centre and get immediate sense rather than the voice recognition rubbish that The Trainline inflicts
on you (go to GNER's website for the number)
Good luck
RG