Where to store suitcase on the train?

fussyonion

Sorry if this sounds silly, it's just that I haven't been on the train in years.

I'll be taking the train to Mayo soon and bringing a large suitcase (on wheels).
Where do I store it on the train? It obviously won't fit in the overhead rack and I don't particularly like the idea of storing it far away from my seat where I can't see it.

Where do you keep your case?

Captain Chaos

There is a floor level rack area at one end of each coach for larger items. I wouldn't really worry about leaving a case out of sight on an Intercity train imo.

SeanW

Captain Chaos wrote: »

There is a floor level rack area at one end of each coach for larger items. I wouldn't really worry about leaving a case out of sight on an Intercity train imo.

I would - suitcase theft is becoming something of an issue and as usual, our government is nowhere to be found. My mother still takes the Sligo train ferquently and let me know that its' a routine problem. Indeed, the last time I took the train, it had stopped in Mullingar because a woman (who I think was either Indian or Middle Eastern) complained that her luggage had been taken. I witnessed the conversation between the woman and staff member, but unfortunately I did not see the scumbag who took her stuff.

My advice, anything you couldn't stand to lose, put it into a smaller dufflebag and put it on the overhead rack, and even then keep an eye on that. Only put stuff in the end-of-corridor racks that you can easily replace.

Jem72

You have a few options with suitcases if you are concerned about leaving it unattended.

1. If you can arrange to be 25 minutes early for a train, you should be able to sit right at the end of the carriage by the luggage rack. Problem solved.

2. Many of the seats arranged in bays will take quite a large suitcase between the seat backs especially if it isn't a hard shell case.

Failing that, if the suitcase has a suitably sturdy handle or frame, you could bring a bicycle lock and lock the case to either the luggage rack or the bicycle storage area if that is empty.

Louche Lad

SeanW wrote: »

I would - suitcase theft is becoming something of an issue and as usual, our government is nowhere to be found. My mother still takes the Sligo train ferquently and let me know that its' a routine problem. Indeed, the last time I took the train, it had stopped in Mullingar because a woman (who I think was either Indian or Middle Eastern) complained that her luggage had been taken. I witnessed the conversation between the woman and staff member, but unfortunately I did not see the scumbag who took her stuff.

My advice, anything you couldn't stand to lose, put it into a smaller dufflebag and put it on the overhead rack, and even then keep an eye on that. Only put stuff in the end-of-corridor racks that you can easily replace.

Yes, suitcase theft is indeed a thing, and not just in Ireland. Even putting a bag on the overhead rack isn't always safe: a manager at a former workplace had his laptop bag stolen from an overhead rack on the train in London.

On another train in London a teenager near me had his bag stolen from the overhead rack: what the thief did was to put their own similar bag (with just rubbish inside) next to his, and "accidentally" take the wrong bag. This was tragic for the teenager as he was on a school trip to Germany — I have since wondered whether he had to abandon his trip (and chance of a lifetime?) because of the theft.

I put anything especially valuable in a small backpack I keep between my legs.

Jem72 wrote: »

You have a few options with suitcases if you are concerned about leaving it unattended.

1. If you can arrange to be 25 minutes early for a train, you should be able to sit right at the end of the carriage by the luggage rack. Problem solved.

2. Many of the seats arranged in bays will take quite a large suitcase between the seat backs especially if it isn't a hard shell case.

Failing that, if the suitcase has a suitably sturdy handle or frame, you could bring a bicycle lock and lock the case to either the luggage rack or the bicycle storage area if that is empty.

I thought I was the only one who locked my suitcase to the luggage rack. :-)

cython

Jem72 wrote: »

You have a few options with suitcases if you are concerned about leaving it unattended.

1. If you can arrange to be 25 minutes early for a train, you should be able to sit right at the end of the carriage by the luggage rack. Problem solved.

2. Many of the seats arranged in bays will take quite a large suitcase between the seat backs especially if it isn't a hard shell case.

Failing that, if the suitcase has a suitably sturdy handle or frame, you could bring a bicycle lock and lock the case to either the luggage rack or the bicycle storage area if that is empty.

Please don't do this, as while the bicycle area may be empty when you board, you might be early, or someone may board at a later stop with a bike and be unable to stow their bike, and they may not be able to identify the case owner to get it unlocked either. By all means lock it to a luggage rack, but as has been highlighted here countless times, IR staff on trains other than the driver are few and far between, so potentially blocking someone who has paid for a bicycle ticket is very bad form, IMHO.

I did once recently (almost as it happened behind me) witness an attempted bag snatch on a Port Laoise bound train, group of young lads get on the train at Park West, walk along the carriages until they see a bag within easy reach, grab it, and run off with it, the victim chased after them and got it back.

Such incidents are few and far between so don't be worried, but at the same time don't be complacent.