Travelling with a double bass

[button_boxer]

Does anyone have any experience of travelling with very large luggage (in this case a double bass), in particular on East Coast? My band has been offered a gig in Aberdeen and I'm wondering whether it'll be possible for us to get to it without having to drive. No problem for me with small instruments but the double bass player is understandably less comfortable with the idea...

They would most likely be starting from Newark, so East Coast all the way to Aberdeen but I can't see any direct services so they'd need to change somewhere on the way. Presumably the bass would need to go in the DVT or equivalent so where's likely to be the easiest place to change (don't know the date yet but we'd be travelling up on a Saturday and back on Sunday if that makes a difference)? Or is the whole idea a lost cause...?

 

[wintonian]

You might find it useful to be aware of what of the National Conditions of Carriage say on this:

2. Condition 46 allows you to take small items of Luggage and Articles into the
passenger accommodation of a train. Small items are considered to be those with
dimensions not exceeding 90 x 70 x 30 cm with a weight not exceeding 50kg. Each
passenger (aged 5 years or more) may take three small items into a train free of
charge, however, the dimensions of only two of these items may exceed 55 x 40 x 20 cm.

3. A fee not exceeding half the adult fare for your journey is charged for:
• each additional item in excess of a passenger’s free allowance; and
• any item with dimensions exceeding 90 x 70 x 30 cm.

4. A Train Company may refuse to accept Luggage or Articles in passenger
accommodation if any of the following apply:
• the restrictions listed in Condition 49 apply;
• the item would obstruct doorways, gangways or corridors;
• the dimensions of the item exceed 100 x 100 x 100 cm; or
• in the opinion of the Train Company’s staff, the item is only suitable to be
conveyed in a luggage van.

49. Restrictions
Any Train Company may (notwithstanding the terms set out in Conditions 46 to 48 and
Appendix B) refuse to accept an item of luggage, an article, an animal or a cycle if, in the
opinion of its staff:
(a) it may cause injury, inconvenience or a nuisance or it may cause damage to
property;
(b) there is not enough room for it;
(c) the loading or unloading may cause delay to trains; or
(d) it is not carried or packaged in a suitable manner.
Any Train Company’s staff may refuse to accept an item of luggage, an article, an animal
or a cycle even if it has been conveyed by train in the past. This Condition applies from the
start of your journey and also if you need to change trains. Other terms, conditions and
restrictions are set out in Appendix B.

NRCOC

In reality it most likely will only be an issue if the guard considers the item to be causing an obstruction or a possible safety hazard, this I would have thought is more likely to be an issue on busy trains.

 

[ainsworth74]

I would suggest contacting East Coast and see what they say. As for a route you could take a East Coast service to Edinburgh change onto another East Coast service for onwards travel to Aberdeen (or make the change at York which might be simpler as it is a smaller station than Edinburgh and perhaps easier to navigate around). Both HSTs and DVTs would have space to carry a double bass I would have thought, but it might require a bit of arranging in advance rather than just turning up on the day and hoping for the best.

 

[Birdbrain]

I travelled from Leeds to Kings Cross on East Coast with a Euphonium and didn't have any problems. I put it underneath the table, and even though it poked out into the aisle a bit, the guard wasn't too worried as the Air Con in our coach was broken, she was occupied handing out free bottles of water!

 

[YorkshireRider]

Yep my advice would be the same as ainsworths and send an email off, maybe would advice to pick a train from Newark that terminates at Newcastle or Edinburgh and change at that terminating station, that way there is no time pressure to get the double bass of before the train leaves the platform. Guards and platform staff have been known to forget and dispatch the train.

 

[Max]

Yep my advice would be the same as ainsworths and send an email off, maybe would advice to pick a train from Newark that terminates at Newcastle or Edinburgh and change at that terminating station, that way there is no time pressure to get the double bass of before the train leaves the platform. Guards and platform staff have been known to forget and dispatch the train.

Definitely good advice. There was a time when my bike was locked in the DVT on East Coast and nobody came to let it off at Doncaster (the staff were miles down the platform), so I had to stay on the train to the next stop! Make sure the station is aware you're coming so that the staff can give you a bit of a hand.

 

[scotsman]

There's nowhere on ScotRail units for a double bass, so it has to be East Coast to Aberdeen

 

[me123]

I know for a fact that Scotrail will not carry a Double Bass (at least not between Aberdeen and Glasgow) - this has been confirmed by some Double Bassists that I know! (That said, things may have changed in the past few years). Nevertheless, make sure you get the East Coast train. Best thing to do would be to contact them in advance and let them know what you plan to do with regard to

It might be a good idea (if possible) to travel to Edinburgh or Newcastle and change there, unless you want to be like poor Max and get overcarried to Leeds or something! Getting your stuff out of the DVT at the terminus is a less risky move, as there's plenty of time.

And good luck! I've had the "joys" of travelling across Scotland with a Bass Clarinet, and I know the fun and games you can have getting on and off trains. Thankfully, Bass Clarinets are much smaller than Double Basses, but do sympathise! To be honest, I never thought that this was much of an issue; DB players tend only to carry a bow around and use the instruments that are at the venue. Of course, that requires instruments to be available at the venue.

 

[Lampshade]

What time does the Northern Lights depart Doncaster/York? If it can go in one of the power cars you're laughing.

 

[button_boxer]

Thanks for the advice. Looks like it's possible at least, as long as we contact the company in advance. The point about changing at the terminus is a good one (at least for the northbound trip, not so feasible for the return).

 

[GodAtum]

How many band members are travelling with you? It might be cheaper and easier hiring a minibus!

 

[ChrisTheRef]

I tried double bass once, but I couldn't get it under my chin :P

I'd follow the advice about alighting at the terminating station (Newcastle is probably easier than Edinburgh)
Try www.eastcoast.co.uk for contact details.

 

[Legzr1]

Split it into two singles?

 

[Pumbaa]

Split it into two singles?

 

[jon0844]

Get on early, set up in the buffet car and make out it's a special performance sponsored by the train company. You'll probably not even need tickets then!

 

[PaulLothian]

A number of years ago I travelled with about 15 other musicians by GNER to London, en route to Eurostar and a town twinning event in France. Our bass player fell ill and couldn't travel, so we 'only' had four guitars in flight cases (all bigger than the maximum)and about a dozen other instruments.

Not a problem to GNER staff at that time - we started a session in our carriage, and some of our group devised a dance (the Great Northern Two-step) which they danced in the aisle. The only problem was the number of other passengers coming along the train to join in. I somehow don't think it would happen these days...

 

[Peter Mugridge]

More than once I have seen people lugging double basses around on the Underground - how on Earth do they get them through even the wide barriers in the first place?!

 

[button_boxer]

More than once I have seen people lugging double basses around on the Underground - how on Earth do they get them through even the wide barriers in the first place?!

Presumably by lifting them up above barrier level. Although a double bass is large it's mostly an empty box so doesn't weigh as much as you'd expect.