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Taking a surf board on the train???

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calypso1802

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Hi

my daughter is off to st ives travelling from Bristol temple meads, would i have to book the board on in advance - its approx 6ft long?

I have read that i would have to pay £10 for it each way??

But then also was advised to phone in advance and it could be stored elsewhere o the train?

Any ideas??

thanks :D
 
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Ferret

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Hi

my daughter is off to st ives travelling from Bristol temple meads, would i have to book the board on in advance - its approx 6ft long?

I have read that i would have to pay £10 for it each way??

But then also was advised to phone in advance and it could be stored elsewhere o the train?

Any ideas??

thanks :D

Per the National Rail Conditions of Carriage, surfboards are not permitted on board the train.
 

Clip

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Per the National Rail Conditions of Carriage, surfboards are not permitted on board the train.

FGW allow it though. They would be fools not to given the amount of people who like to surf down the South West
 

Ferret

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oh ok so where would they go?

On the roof rack of a car I suppose!

If the method of transport is an XC Voyager, then I'd say there is no chance of being allowed on board with a surf board. If it's an HST, there's an outside chance it'll be allowed in the Guards Van. BUT, the rules are that surfboards cannot be carried on a train, so if you want to take a surfboard on holiday then travelling by train is not really an option.
 

quarella

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From FGW Website
Can I take a surfboard / large item on the train?

It is possible to take a surfboard or similar item on board, as long as it can be carried on by one person.

Any items over 1 metre long in any direction may incur a £5 surcharge and must be booked in at the station you are departing from.

Please also see the National Conditions of Carriage for Luggage, Articles, Animals and Cycles.
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=3637

No mention on XC website.
 

Flamingo

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They fit in the bikespace, usually. Bike-shed on a HST. Try and be sensible about travelling times, don't try to use the train at peak hours, or busy times. Try travelling between 10am and 3pm Mon-Fri, or Saturday (Not Sunday afternoons, they can be worse than peak weekday).

Get to the station in plenty of time, and talk to the platform staff when you get there, they may be helpful.
 
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Clip

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On the roof rack of a car I suppose!

If the method of transport is an XC Voyager, then I'd say there is no chance of being allowed on board with a surf board. If it's an HST, there's an outside chance it'll be allowed in the Guards Van. BUT, the rules are that surfboards cannot be carried on a train, so if you want to take a surfboard on holiday then travelling by train is not really an option.

Dont you work for FGW? Is so then you should seriously brush up on what they do and do not allow you to carry on board.

Can I take a surfboard / large item on the train?
It is possible to take a surfboard or similar item on board, as long as it can be carried on by one person. Any items over 1 metre long in any direction may incur a £5 surcharge and must be booked in at the station you are departing from.
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=1706#q240
 

Flamingo

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I'm nearly insulted. I work proper trains, lots of carriages and separate engines, not a burger van with those new-fangled sliding doors!
 

Ferret

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I'm nearly insulted. I work proper trains, lots of carriages and separate engines, not a burger van with those new-fangled sliding doors!

I work proper trains too. Occasionally! If only we had more of them.........
 

calypso1802

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it says book it at the station - can you do this over the phone?

and do i call bristol temple meads or first great western??
 

Flamingo

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Try Temple Meads first, better to speak to them directly.
 

Ferret

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They are getting us to work the little ones now, Harmonisation, dontcha love it! :D

Still not happened on our railway yet....

Anyway, we've digressed so apologies to the OP!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
it says book it at the station - can you do this over the phone?

and do i call bristol temple meads or first great western??

Which train are the tickets for? Is it an Cross Country Advance, an FGW Advance or an Off Peak Return valid on any operator?
 

calypso1802

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Still not happened on our railway yet....

Anyway, we've digressed so apologies to the OP!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Which train are the tickets for? Is it an Cross Country Advance, an FGW Advance or an Off Peak Return valid on any operator?

hi the tickets are advance on the way down and first advance on the way home.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Try Temple Meads first, better to speak to them directly.

anyone know where i find the number for temple meads as can't seem t find it anywhere?
 

ainsworth74

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hi the tickets are advance on the way down and first advance on the way home.

But with which operator? First Great Western or Cross Country?

anyone know where i find the number for temple meads as can't seem t find it anywhere?

You might well struggle to find a number for the station itself as they tend not to be published as otherwise they get swamped with passengers ringing for ticketing information or train times.
 

AlterEgo

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But with which operator? First Great Western or Cross Country?



You might well struggle to find a number for the station itself as they tend not to be published as otherwise they get swamped with passengers ringing for ticketing information or train times.

Stations are all ex directory. Rail staff can contact them via the switchboard.

They won't speak to a passenger over the phone.
 

Ferret

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To the OP - do they tickets say Great Western Only or XC Only? If it's XC only, then the surfboard won't be allowed on board...
 

ainsworth74

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Stations are all ex directory. Rail staff can contact them via the switchboard.

They won't speak to a passenger over the phone.

Thanks, that's what I thought the situation was but always good to get it confirmed :)
 

AlterEgo

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To the OP - do they tickets say Great Western Only or XC Only? If it's XC only, then the surfboard won't be allowed on board...

I find this quite strange. Do their Summer Saturday services to Newquay also have this ban? Newquay is a surfer's haven!
 

Ferret

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I find this quite strange. Do their Summer Saturday services to Newquay also have this ban? Newquay is a surfer's haven!

It's a Conditions of Carriage thing - the table at the rear regarding specific articles that can and cannot be carried provides the all-important information, including what is chargeable and what is free. It looks like FGW are happy to ignore this, which is fair enough as their HSTs have the room. XC's Voyagers on the other hand have nowhere practical to store a big surfboard, hence them not being allowed on board.

The list, for idle interest reads:

Pushchairs, carrycots and wheelchairs can all be carried free of charge, mobility scooters are at the company's discretion. Canoes, surfboards and sailboards are not permitted, skis and skiboards, and golf equipment are, but subject to a fee not exceeding half the adult fare. Unloaded and loaded guns cannot be carried.
 
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calypso1802

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But with which operator? First Great Western or Cross Country?


.

hi they are traveling with FGW - have just booked the tickets!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
To the OP - do they tickets say Great Western Only or XC Only? If it's XC only, then the surfboard won't be allowed on board...

hi- i haven't got the tickets yet - only ordered them today so should be with me in a few days.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I have also added the option of the tv in the seat (FGW) - but it didn't come up in the total cost do you pay for that when you're on the train - have reserved the seats in carriage D like it says - just to help them pass the time!!
 

Ferret

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I think you have to sort the seatback TV charge on the train by following the on-screen instructions.
 
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