Cycle space on SWT 444's and 450's

[deanparkr]

Hi,

I'm thinking about being more green and using the bicycle more!

I wondered how awkward it would be to carry a cycle on the train and wondered if people could advise..

I know there are cycle spaces on 444's but I wonder how many? Is it just one coach?

Are there any cycle spaces on SWT's 450's?

Lastly, does anyone actually carry a bike on the train? Whats it like.. are there alot of problems?

Thanks for any input

 

[class 313]

Can be a lot of problems on 319s when they are packed, even when not actually. I think its only one coach on a 444, with a handful of spaces only.

 

[D306]

Can be a lot of problems on 319s when they are packed, even when not actually.

whats that got to do with 450s/444s??

 

[Techniquest]

To answer the OP, 444s do have some limited space (as they are express trains) but I don't know how much. 450s do have cycle space in them within the Standard accommodation next to First Class. I only know as I sat next to said accommodation on a 450 recently. And yes, people do use them. A family of cyclists got on at Liphook and alighted at Haslemere with their cycles.

 

[Tom B]

ADMINISTRATOR NOTE:

Several posts have been removed owing to their abusive content.

A member has been banned, temporarily in the first instance, so that I can liase with the other staff with regard to what the permanent sanction should be.

 

[Techniquest]

Would you like me to edit my post to remove the first couple of paragraphs?

 

[Tom B]

Just done it.

 

[Juniper Driver]

whats that got to do with 450s/444s??

Two coaches on 444 hold three bikes each and I really should know where they are.
(Near the toilet)

(In the middle three coaches as I remember,one also holds wheelchairs.

Can't remember on 450's at the moment,I really should pay more attention.:roll:

 

[class 313]

Two coaches on 444 hold three bikes each and I really should know where they are.
(Near the toilet)

(In the middle three coaches as I remember,one also holds wheelchairs.

Can't remember on 450's at the moment,I really should pay more attention.:roll:

I don't think 450s have any racks as such. But may have more 'space' to put bikes.

 

[Coxster]

deanparkr,

Firstly, I can only apologise for the foul-mouthed and disgusting attitude just displayed by 'class313' and 'D306'.

In answer to your question, South West Trains has a policy on the conveying of cycles on it's services, referring only to non-foldable bikes. Folding bicycles are exempt from the restrictions and can be stowed as luggage. If you are planning to travel on a 'West of England' service (London Wateroo to Salisbury / Yeovil / Exeter and beyond) then you must obtain a reservation at least 24 hours in advance.

If travelling on any other service then it may be worth going about obtaining one anyway, but you are not required to do so. That said, you will be unable to carry your bike on the train if all dedicated cycle spaces are already taken. Said reservations are free and can be obtained by phoning the Customer Service Centre on 0845 6000 650.

There are no restrictions on services travelling between Ascot and Guildford via Aldershot in either direction at any time of the day.

The white Class 444s have dedicated, bike-only space for six cycles per five carriage unit (spread over two coaches), where as the four carriage blue Class 450s have just two. In the case of the latter, the fold down seating area is permitted for use by cycles (in addition to the dedicated storage area) if unoccupied by seated passengers. When I have travelled in this area of the train, I have observed a black/yellow Tensabarrier that can be used by the cycle's owner to cordon this area off.

There are time restrictions on when cycles may be conveyed. Cycles may NOT be carried on South West Trains' services:-

1) Arriving into London Waterloo between 07:15 and 10:00 inclusive, or departing from London Waterloo between 16:45 and 19:00 inclusive. These restrictions apply if travelling from or to stations within the area bounded by Alton, Dorking, Guildford, Hook and Reading.

2) In the morning peak when travelling out of London Waterloo to any station as far out as, and including, Feltham or Strawberry Hill.

3) On services departing from Clapham Junction between the hours of 07:45 and 09:00.

4) At any time if travelling on a Megatrain ticket.

Hope that helps

 

[Techniquest]

Just done it.

Ta, saved me a job

 

[class 313]

PM sent Coxster.

 

[deanparkr]

Woah, Ive just got back and I dont know whats happend in this thread but..

wow..

Anywho, thanks so much for the info! It seems to be totally random whether I catch a 444 or 450 train from what I can tell so was not sure if cycles were allowed on both. I didnt know you could have cycles in the main part of the 450.

Thats brill, I might give it a trial soon. though will probably have a look to see how near capacity these cycles stores are. It would be a pain to get to the station and then find there is no room!

Thanks

 

[455/8]

hey i've had a quick read and the 450s can carry 2 bikes in the the same coach as the guards office and the first class is the bike storeage is next to the standard toilet or if you are in a HC unit its still in the same place just there is no first class.

as juniper driver has said above the 444's can carry 6 bikes in one 5 car unit.

the easiest way to identify from the outside of the train as to where you can put bikes is if you look on the doors of the train you will see a picture of a cycle in a yellow box on the doors that you can put a bike.

hope this helps

Alan

 

[paul1609]

I quite often use the bike spaces on the Portsmouth Line south from Guildford. I've never seen all 6 spaces taken. On 450s the cycle space is more often full of luggage and prams and cyclists normally place there bikes in the vestibule areas.

 

[Juniper Driver]

I don't think 450s have any racks as such. But may have more 'space' to put bikes.

You know what I just can't remember.:?

 

[455/8]

the 450's don't have racks to store bikes in like the 444's instea they have an area next to the standard toilet that has fold down seats and a velcrow strap to be able to secure 2 bikes only but as said before people down always go to these areas on the train they put there bikes just in the vestibule which they shouldn't do really but its down to the guards disgression as to if they can stay there or not, i generally tell people to move to the correct place on the train unless its only one stop they are travelling but thats just what i do on the trains other guards just tend to ignor it unless some one says somethign to them.

Alan

 

[deanparkr]

Well ive done my week of travelling with the bike!

Its very easy with the 444's as there was always less than 3 cycles on board.

Did have some problems with the 450 though where we had 4 cycles on board so I went in the corner oposite to the door. I was speaking to some people there who say that cycle space is a problem with the blue trains (450) but most of the time the guards dont seem to mind and that they have seen around 10 bikes in the 450 at some times where the kids are coming out of school.

I think I will continue to carry my bike, just hoping I see less of the 450's and more of the 444's!

Quick Q What is the gaurd says the bikes arnt allowed to stay? Would you have to get off at the next station?

 

[Juniper Driver]

What is the gaurd says the bikes arnt allowed to stay? Would you have to get off at the next station?

Would have thought so.

Been paying more attention to the 444's.

The two Motor Coaches DMC1+DMC2 No bike spaces.

DMC2 Country End generally.
TOSLS (3 Bike Spaces) Standard Toilet
TOSL (3 Bike Spaces) Standard Toilet
TOSLW (Wheelchair Access) Universal Toilet + Standard Toilet
DMC1 (First Class) London End generally

DMC 1 also classed as 100 Coach
TOSLW=========== 300 Coach
TOSL ============ 400 Coach
TOSLS============ 500 Coach
DMC 2 ============ 200 Coach

 

[455/8]

Quick Q What is the gaurd says the bikes arnt allowed to stay? Would you have to get off at the next station?

if the guard of the train said that you couldn't get on the train with the bike then you wouldn't be able to board at that station if the train was between stations then you would have to leave the train at the next station most of the time the guard will allow you to say if your not travelling too far thats what i do anyway, if you would only be travelling say 2 or 3 stations then i would let you travel but it depends on which guard you get as some can be quite stricked. i have only had to ask someone to leave my train once.

Alan