Left Bag on Train that’s still in service

[Joey Beauchamp]

Hi all,

I left my rucksack on the above seat racking on a Plymouth to Edinburgh Crosscountry when we alighted about an hour ago at Birmingham New Street.

The train doesn't get to Edinburgh until 23.04. Is there any point trying to get through to control to ask the train manager to locate it or am I at the whims of the lost property office at Waverley?

If anyone is on the train, would be lovely if you could hand it in to the train manager or wherever you get off. If you DM me I can describe exactly where it is.

 

[skyhigh]

There is no harm in contacting XC - the Twitter team should be able to contact Control and ask someone to look for it.

The problem with such a long journey is the bag could be removed by staff at any point and end up lost in the system, as different operators do different things and there is no central system.

 

[Joey Beauchamp]

There is no harm in contacting XC - the Twitter team should be able to contact Control and ask someone to look for it.

The problem with such a long journey is the bag could be removed by staff at any point and end up lost in the system, as different operators do different things and there is no central system.

I'm not on Twitter so I'll just leave it and hope for the best. I've already completed the online form for Edinburgh but it's a bit frustrating they don't even ask which train you were on.

Last time I lost my bag it was on the Eastbourne to Ashford train. I just went back to Bexhill when the same train came back and the guard handed it to me!

 

[800Travel]

I'm not on Twitter so I'll just leave it and hope for the best. I've already completed the online form for Edinburgh but it's a bit frustrating they don't even ask which train you were on.

Last time I lost my bag it was on the Eastbourne to Ashford train. I just went back to Bexhill on my lunch break and the guard handed it to me!

They are also available on Facebook messenger. Would be worth trying to contact them, they are usually very helpful. There is of course a risk however that they do just say to log it with lost property companies.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Would it be helpful to suggest that the OP also got in touch with LNER as a back up to Cross Country, simply because most of the Stations the train is calling at now before terminating at Edinburgh will involve LNER staff who could potentially pass on a message to the train crew? I know it's a long shot.

 

[Peter0124]

According to RTT, one of the units detaches at Newcastle so it could end up there.

 

[Joey Beauchamp]

According to RTT, one of the units detaches at Newcastle so it could end up there.

I was in the front coach, so that shouldn't happen.

The service was very busy so I think it's unlikely it would be spotted as lost property before Edinburgh, especially as it halves at Newcastle.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I was in the front coach, so that shouldn't happen.

The front carriage coming into Birmingham New Street (coach L) became the very rear after that train reversed at Derby and so it will be detached at Newcastle.

 

[Joey Beauchamp]

The front carriage coming into Birmingham New Street (coach L) became the very rear after that train reversed at Derby and so it will be detached at Newcastle.

The announcements at Bristol Parkway were very clear that the front at that point would be carrying on to Edinburgh. But just checked Realtimetrains and that was wrong. So it is going to Newcastle and I've reported it at the wrong station!

 

[voyagerdude220]

The announcements at Bristol Parkway were very clear that the front at that point would be carrying on to Newcastle. But just checked Realtimetrains and that was wrong. So it is going to Newcastle and I've reported it at the wrong station!

"Carrying on to Newcastle" could be interpreted to mean either way but personally I'd think it was only going as far as Newcastle, which is correct. It would help if the announcement also emphasised which portion of the train was continuity towards Edinburgh.

 

[Joey Beauchamp]

"Carrying on to Newcastle" could be interpreted to mean either way but personally I'd think it was only going as far as Newcastle, which is correct. It would help if the announcement also emphasised which portion of the train was continuity towards Edinburgh.

Sorry, changed to "Edinburgh" - it's been a long day!

The online site for the lost property company in Newcastle won't even let you lose something on a Crosscountry train (no option for that), so I'll have to give them a ring in the morning.

Only good thing is that the unit is going to the depot, so would certainly think it will get removed rather than a possibility of it heading South again.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Dec 2025 ==

UPDATE:

I phoned Newcaste station and spoke to a very helpful lady who told me that it hasn't been handed in, but the unit would've only been checked quickly for stray passengers and the bag may therefore have been missed.

If it's gone to Tyne Yard depot then the bag will almost certainly be found because the trains have a full clean at the maintenance yard before going back into service. However, any lost property gets sent back to Newcastle station in a taxi on Sunday afternoons, so I've got a full week to wait! If it was an LNER train, she could've phoned their depot to check, but she didn't even have a number for Tyne Yard, which seems crazy!

If anyone can give me a number for Tyne Yard so I can ring them and ask if they've got it, that would be very useful.

The train went back into service as the 06.40 to Plymouth and is now in between Derby and Chesterfield. If my bag was missed at the depot then I've absolutely no chance!

 

[noddingdonkey]

It does feel like there ought to be some procedure for bringing a forgotten bag to the attention of the right people to prevent it causing a security alert.

 

[WirralLine]

It does feel like there ought to be some procedure for bringing a forgotten bag to the attention of the right people to prevent it causing a security alert.

I agree. Only a couple of nights ago I had a pair of panicked passengers board my train in Manchester who had left their bag (complete with clothing and passports) on a Transpennine express service they had just connected from. The service they got off wouldnt have reached its final destination (Liverpool) for another 10mins or so. I was of no use at all as I have no contact numbers for other TOCs, only internal, and I have no contact numbers for Lime Street. I could have tried the "any station" number but its hit and miss whether you get through to the right person or if theyre willing to help.

As it was quite late at night, the passengers were getting no response through TPEs socials, the lost property page was showing an error, and in the end there wasnt much I could do. Frustrating when you know exactly where the train is and yet are unable to contact anybody to potentially A, avoid a security alert, and B save a lot of hassle for the passenger to get their stuff back easier.

 

[Elecman]

My daughter once left her bag containing her travel passes in the rear set on a Arriva Rail train when the rear set was taken out of use so they all had to locate into the front set. Panicked phone call from her. I rang a contact in Arriva and they got hold of control, who passed a message to the guard and at Crewe daughter was personally handed her bag and passes by the guard all accomplished in 10 -15 minutes from her call

 

[bleeder4]

I did the same once. I got off a Euston to Edinburgh Avanti service at Birmingham New Street and realised I had left my bag in the overhead storage. I went back to Birmingham New Street when the return working came back in later that day and the bag was still there where I left it, so I was able to quickly retrieve it.

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

I got off a SWT (it was still SWT then) train at Feltham. I went to see the person in charge who phoned Richmond station telling them what the bag was like and where it was. I got the next train to Richmond and picked up my bag. Excellent customer service.

 

[moogal]

It does feel like there ought to be some procedure for bringing a forgotten bag to the attention of the right people to prevent it causing a security alert.

It really does - last year I left a suitcase on the overhead rack of a London Northwestern train (I travel regularly with just a backpack so had completely forgotten about it) - only to remember as the train was pulling out of the station. As soon as I got home I searched their site for any way to get in urgent contact but could only find the usual feedback/complaint type forms. Thankfully it was late at night and that service was quiet and due to terminate a few stations along and run to the depot for the night so the chances of someone making off with it were fairly slim.

The online "report lost item" form was fine, and I did get a call late the following day to say they'd got it at Northampton station, so was able to go and retrieve it. But on the night it'd have been very reassuring to be able to call and make sure the onboard staff were aware.

The week before last I was on another late night LNR station, and on getting off noticed that another passenger had left their bag in the overhead rack when they'd got off at a previous station, so was able to alert the guard on the platform before leaving - hopefully whoever it was got their stuff back.

 

[Joey Beauchamp]

It took nearly two weeks for the lost property to come back from Tyne Yard to Newcastle and my bag wasn't among it.

Should I give up now, or is it worth persevering?

These are what I see as the possible scenarios:

• It was moved to the other unit and ended up at Edinburgh. The only way I could see this happening is if the cleaning staff or another passenger handed it to the train manager. Wouldn't they have just left it with staff at Newcastle?
• It was missed by Tyne Yard and went back towards the West Country in the morning. That gives me an awful lot of stations to check, but I could maybe start with Plymouth, where it terminated
• Someone took it off the train between Birmingham and Newcastle and handed it in. The train was still well loaded at Brum, but I guess it's possible it emptied out enough for my bag to become noticeable as not having an owner
• It was nicked. Not much I can do if that happened!

 

[Lewisham2221]

It took nearly two weeks for the lost property to come back from Tyne Yard to Newcastle and my bag wasn't among it.

Should I give up now, or is it worth persevering?

These are what I see as the possible scenarios:

• It was moved to the other unit and ended up at Edinburgh. The only way I could see this happening is if the cleaning staff or another passenger handed it to the train manager. Wouldn't they have just left it with staff at Newcastle?
• It was missed by Tyne Yard and went back towards the West Country in the morning. That gives me an awful lot of stations to check, but I could maybe start with Plymouth, where it terminated
• Someone took it off the train between Birmingham and Newcastle and handed it in. The train was still well loaded at Brum, but I guess it's possible it emptied out enough for my bag to become noticeable as not having an owner
• It was nicked. Not much I can do if that happened!

Unfortunately, this is the reality of lost property on the railway. Unless you realise quick enough and manage to inform a proactive member of staff fairly quickly, it can end up pretty much anywhere

 

[OneTrackMinded]

It took nearly two weeks for the lost property to come back from Tyne Yard to Newcastle and my bag wasn't among it.

Should I give up now, or is it worth persevering?

These are what I see as the possible scenarios:

• It was moved to the other unit and ended up at Edinburgh. The only way I could see this happening is if the cleaning staff or another passenger handed it to the train manager. Wouldn't they have just left it with staff at Newcastle?
• It was missed by Tyne Yard and went back towards the West Country in the morning. That gives me an awful lot of stations to check, but I could maybe start with Plymouth, where it terminated
• Someone took it off the train between Birmingham and Newcastle and handed it in. The train was still well loaded at Brum, but I guess it's possible it emptied out enough for my bag to become noticeable as not having an owner
• It was nicked. Not much I can do if that happened!

Although I can’t offer much advice as to where it might be, I suggest in future you should invest in something like an AirTag and place it in one of the pockets, so you can track it. Then you’ll know exactly where to go if you’ve lost it.

Sorry this happened to you and hoping there wasn’t anything too valuable in the bag.

 

[father_jack]

Did you register it on GWR Missingx.com ? Just in case it ended up on a terminator at Bristol or Plymouth after it went around the country ?

 

[Joey Beauchamp]

Although I can’t offer much advice as to where it might be, I suggest in future you should invest in something like an AirTag and place it in one of the pockets, so you can track it. Then you’ll know exactly where to go if you’ve lost it.

Sorry this happened to you and hoping there wasn’t anything too valuable in the bag.

Yes, with hindsight I was wishing I'd done that. There's absolutely nothing to identify me as the owner, apart from I obviously know the contents. Nothing too valuable, mainly clothes, but it all adds up.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Dec 2025 ==

Did you register it on GWR Missingx.com ? Just in case it ended up on a terminator at Bristol or Plymouth after it went around the country ?

I just had a look and there was a green rucksack at Temple Meads but that was registered on the 11th. Would be a bit odd if it was mine, especially as the unit terminated at Plymouth the next day.

I think I will register it anyway, just in case.

 

[Alex-B]

I agree. Only a couple of nights ago I had a pair of panicked passengers board my train in Manchester who had left their bag (complete with clothing and passports) on a Transpennine express service they had just connected from. The service they got off wouldnt have reached its final destination (Liverpool) for another 10mins or so. I was of no use at all as I have no contact numbers for other TOCs, only internal, and I have no contact numbers for Lime Street. I could have tried the "any station" number but its hit and miss whether you get through to the right person or if theyre willing to help.

As it was quite late at night, the passengers were getting no response through TPEs socials, the lost property page was showing an error, and in the end there wasnt much I could do. Frustrating when you know exactly where the train is and yet are unable to contact anybody to potentially A, avoid a security alert, and B save a lot of hassle for the passenger to get their stuff back easier.

If you're ever after public phone numbers for TOCs and station operators to give out, they are all listed at:

TOCs​

https://www.nre.co.uk/travel-information/find-a-train-company/

Stations​

https://www.nre.co.uk/stations/

As an example for the case you've mentioned, TPE is listed here, public phone number 0345 600 1671, open 6am to 11pm 7 days a week. Lime Street is listed here, linking to Network Rail's (as the station operator) 24/7 public contact number 0345 711 4141.

It's not always perfect, especially overnight when some operators close their public lines, but it's very useful. Same thing for passenger assist stuff that's complex, not related to the current journey or if the app isn't working, each operator's passenger assistance team's direct public phone number are on the TOC pages as well.

 

[WirralLine]

If you're ever after public phone numbers for TOCs and station operators to give out, they are all listed at:

TOCs​

https://www.nre.co.uk/travel-information/find-a-train-company/

Stations​

https://www.nre.co.uk/stations/

As an example for the case you've mentioned, TPE is listed here, public phone number 0345 600 1671, open 6am to 11pm 7 days a week. Lime Street is listed here, linking to Network Rail's (as the station operator) 24/7 public contact number 0345 711 4141.

It's not always perfect, especially overnight when some operators close their public lines, but it's very useful. Same thing for passenger assist stuff that's complex, not related to the current journey or if the app isn't working, each operator's passenger assistance team's direct public phone number are on the TOC pages as well.

Extremely helpful and pages bookmarked. Thank you!

 

[Horizon22]

I just had a look and there was a green rucksack at Temple Meads but that was registered on the 11th. Would be a bit odd if it was mine, especially as the unit terminated at Plymouth the next day.

I think I will register it anyway, just in case.

Might have been taken off by crew at Bristol, handed into to staff and then it was logged accordingly. But again a long shot based on your direction.

Unfortunately lost property on the railway is a total minefield to recover because of the mobile nature, you don't know when / if it was handed in, if it was by whom (probably multiple involved), or whether it remained on-board for a prolonged period or train has reversed, gone to depot etc. Or it could have been nicked, unfortunately or just never formally logged.

 

[mm333]

I once left a present (a flat picture so it probably didn’t stand out on the overhead racks) on a late night Intercity 225 after I got off at the terminus at Leeds.

Having realised when I got home, I knew, because it terminated in platform 6, that it was cleaned at Leeds station then formed the 0630 from Bradford-London. I went back to Leeds about 0645, boarded the carriage as it arrived, retrieved the item and then carried on with my day.

 

[Tetragon213]

Unfortunately, this is the reality of lost property on the railway. Unless you realise quick enough and manage to inform a proactive member of staff fairly quickly, it can end up pretty much anywhere

You can also get some crew who can't give two tosses about this sort of thing.

I lost a gym bag on an XC service, and I never saw it again, in spite of multiple attempts to find it back through contacting as many of the stations as I could. It seemingly just disappeared. The staff I spoke to from XC and Virgin Trains all seemingly couldn't have given a monkey's backside about providing anything beyond empty platitudes.

On the other hand, you also get some crew who are more than willing to go the extra mile to reunite lost property with its rightful owners.

I once left a bag on a train from Bristol to Manchester, and it wasn't at Manchester's lost property office. However, my notebook happens to have my phone number and email on the inside cover, and the lost property crew who found it DID use the number to phone me early the next morning to inform me they had it. One very expensive last-minute journey later, and I was reunited with my bag. I was very thankful for those crew, and wrote a lovely compliment through the appropriate TOC's website; I do hope it got passed down to them.

 

[Joey Beauchamp]

I once left a present (a flat picture so it probably didn’t stand out on the overhead racks) on a late night Intercity 225 after I got off at the terminus at Leeds.

Having realised when I got home, I knew, because it terminated in platform 6, that it was cleaned at Leeds station then formed the 0630 from Bradford-London. I went back to Leeds about 0645, boarded the carriage as it arrived, retrieved the item and then carried on with my day.

I would’ve gone back to Birmingham the morning after, but a combination of work and childcare meant I couldn't. I've had it confirmed today that it's not been handed in at Bristol or Plymouth which, to be fair, was a long shot anyway.

 

[Skimpot flyer]

I did the same once. I got off a Euston to Edinburgh Avanti service at Birmingham New Street and realised I had left my bag in the overhead storage. I went back to Birmingham New Street when the return working came back in later that day and the bag was still there where I left it, so I was able to quickly retrieve it.

In this day and age, that is astonishing!

 

[Tetragon213]

In this day and age, that is astonishing!

Not that surprising, actually.

On the day I left my bag behind on that service to Man Picc, if I'd actually tracked the unit down properly and waited for its return working, I would have found it when it passed by New Street for the 2nd time. The useless fool/s who checked the train at Man Picc evidently failed to notice my bag, hence why it ended up where it did, thankfully noticed by crew who actually give a damn, and hence used the contact information in my notebook to call me.