Bike on the train

paulo6891

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone has travelled to either belfast/cork from Dublin or vice versa with their bike? I know that you have to use the luggage van, but was wondering how secure this is? I wouldn't have thought very! Can people just walk in and out of it? Would I need my U-lock or would my cable lock suffice? Trying to keep the weight down, but if theres a chance ill lose my bike, I wont be taking the risk!

Thanks

Victor

Yes, do lock it. Always have two different types of lock. I presume when you get where you are going you will have to lock it also.

paulo6891

Hi Victor, thanks for your opinion. As soon as I get off the train in Newry, I hop on the bike and head back to Dublin!

petethedrummer

I've chanced the enterprise a few times without a lock and it hasn't been taken. But i prefer to lock a wheel to the frame. They don't open that door unless specifically requested to, so you'd probably be ok without the lock.

If you don't want to carry a lock on your return journey, you could always sit near the back and get out at Drog and Dundalk and see if anyone tries to steal it. Remember to get back on though.

paulo6891

If one has to request getting into the van, I imagine its relatively secure. Plus surely there is CCTV?! I think I'll bring my cable lock just incase. My friend will be bringing his lock (probably Ulock), so if we lock them together, I imagine they should be OK.

petethedrummer

I don't think there is CCTV on the train. Not sure about the platforms either.

studiorat

I do it all the time. The 8 oclock train to Cork has bike racks in the carriage. They are too small for a full suss mountain bike though:)

I usually use the luggage van and lock the bike in there, usually leave it lying down too!

I have issues with paying to bring the bike, last week I brought about 100Kg of music gear in two flight cases and a trolley; which takes about 4 times as much room as a bike. I didn't need to pay to put it in the luggage van, yet when I bring a 10Kg bike I have to pay. Doesn't make sense to me at all...

nerraw1111

The new bike racks basically take the place of seats, so Irish Rail might argue that it needs to be paid for.

I left a bike in the Guard van and it is easy to get in and out without asking for permission. I went back and forth to check on mine and only encountered a staff member once and the door was open.

If someone wanted to nick a bike from the van, they could.

Victor

studiorat wrote: »

I have issues with paying to bring the bike, last week I brought about 100Kg of music gear in two flight cases and a trolley; which takes about 4 times as much room as a bike. I didn't need to pay to put it in the luggage van, yet when I bring a 10Kg bike I have to pay. Doesn't make sense to me at all...

You are only entitled to bring about 25kg of luggage (except children going to boarding school).

If you fold and bag your bike, it is treated as ordinary luggage.

Sr. Assumpta

Victor wrote: »

You are only entitled to bring about 25kg of luggage (except children going to boarding school).

If you fold and bag your bike, it is treated as ordinary luggage.

Do you have to put the children in bags, or can they be squeezed into the overhead racks un-bagged? Perhaps they could be wedged into the bike racks?

Victor

You need one of those very large suitcases to carry more than one. Leave air and water for them. :pac:

But lets not go there.