Cargo bike on Dublin/Galway train?

fader123

Any chance of getting a cargo bike on the Dublin/Galway train? My brother and I are planning a cross-country trip but we'd love to get the train one way… He has a Yuba Kombi e6 which is 1920mm long, the Irish Rail website says max length 1800mm. However I have read elsewhere that longer bikes are allowed on to trains which have a separate area for bikes, rather than the racks in the passenger carriages. Also saw that new carriages with more bicycle space have been brought in recently. Not sure if any of that applies to the Dublin-Galway route, would appreciate any up-to-date information. Should say that I will be on a regular road bike, the plan is for him to carry my luggage!

sorry don’t have an answer but best of luck with the trip, sounds awesome

Patsy167

It will need to fit in a space like this picture - https://irishcycle.com/2022/08/19/irish-rail-implements-bicycle-checks-for-trains-with-limited-capacity/

CramCycle

It would be tight but you should manage it at a slight angle, bring a bungee cord to hold it in place and turn the front wheel sidewards and bungee it to the rail so it doesn't fall. I'll try and measure it with a tape tomorrow evening for you

fader123

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122047061#Comment_122047061

thanks a million, really appreciate all the help.

Wishbone Ash

Are you planning on travelling during peak summer season? That might make it a little more difficult if there are other cyclists and may attract the attention of a 'jobsworth' IR steward. Otherwise you should be ok.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122047738#Comment_122047738

Just make sure it's pre-booked, that gets you around most of the jobsworths, although not all

KevRossi

If this is the bike then you might be in a small spot of bother. I think the top of the rear carrier is going to be an issue as you have to put the bike at a stupid angle in the trains (see photo from Patsy167 above). It will butt off the wall and it's possible the front wheel will then be over the top of the rack.

Also, it's tight getting the bikes into the carraiges themselves as the bend from the vestibule in to the main seating area is really tight.

Maybe it will work.

Bus Eireann take bikes for a €10. They have to be either in a carboard box, or packed in such a way that they won't interfere with other peoples luggage.

Alternatively there are plenty of companies transporting stuff from Galway-Dublin each day, maybe give them a ring.

beggars_bush

Take off the front wheel. It'll fit then

breadevery

I've a very similar bike. Brought it on the train once but as others have said, getting in on and off, particularly through the inner door on the cartriage is tricky. Also, if yours is like mine, the rear mech is very low, and with the stands on the train, there was only one gear on the bike that put the mech in a position that kept it safe from getting damaged by the stand

breezy1985

Ast over in the transport forum. Those lads know every class of train running.

From what I remember reading that forum the new "goods carriage" trains are on 99% of the Cork-(Limerick)-Dublin trains but not on any other line.

It will be tough getting an extra large bike on and into the space. Probably won't have a problem with staff on the Galway side but Heuston station has lost the run of itself security wise.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122047934#Comment_122047934

Bikes on Bus Eireann do not have to be packed. But the driver can refuse you if the luggage space is full and also a lot of those new TFI (green/yellow) coaches have no luggage compartment and im almost certain there are no Bus Eireann to cities like Galway who are served by train and private coach.

Cabaal

Cork/Dublin line 100% has a guard/goods carriage which will take a large cargobike like a R&M Load 75.
No idea about Galway line but I know the Waterford line certainly doesn't sadly :(

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122052587#Comment_122052587

The odd Cork/Dublin still doesn't but most do and they really are so much handier than those in carriage racks.

Tombo2001

When does this come on stream?

https://irishcycle.com/2023/11/09/passengers-get-a-sneak-peek-of-new-irish-rail-carriages-which-will-increase-bicycle-capacity/

breezy1985

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122052614#Comment_122052614

I know it lists the inter city routes but I was under the impression that these would be used for the Dublin commuter trains and not the longer routes.

CramCycle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122052675#Comment_122052675

That was very much the impression from the twitter video posted with Eamon Ryan, the longer thean the DART but still technically commuter lines.

Geuze

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122052614#Comment_122052614

That refers to 41 more ICR coaches, which will be added to the existing ICR trains to make them longer.

I have not heard any way of knowing which set will be lengthened.

There are 63 ICR sets.

fader123

Just wanted to update the thread and confirm that we were able to get both bikes on board!

We were spotted on the platform by an Irish Rail official who checked our bookings (we had booked seats and the two bikes) and brought us straight to our carriage. He quickly moved a few cases that had been left in the bike area and then the brother and I lifted in his cargo bike without too much trouble. Luckily my brother had already removed the front carrier, don't think it would have fit otherwise. We locked the bikes together, probably unnecessarily as the cargo bike weighs a ton…

This was on the Wednesday morning 925 train from Heuston to Galway Ceannt.

We then spent the next 5 days cycling out to the very West of Connemara, and back across the country via Cong, Athlone and the Royal Canal. We didn't have much luck with the weather, Hurricane Ernesto hit Galway the same day we did, followed the next day by Storm Lilian! But it was still a great adventure. Thanks again to all who answered the thread, really appreciated.