Determining train type/bike space arrangement on GWR service

[clarabel600]

Hello all

My first post, and the main reason for registering is to get some help from the knowledgeable folk of this forum.

We are planning to travel from Bristol to Penzance with our bikes on the train. We do have bike reservations, however, I'm unable to get accurate information from GWR helpline regarding how the bike spaces are arranged on this particular service. Essentially I'd like to find out whether it's the vertical bike hanger arrangement as found on the new IETs, or the more accommodating HST style horizontal bays. Frankly, it's really not possible for us to hang the bikes on hooks.

I've been given all sorts of conflicting information by the GWR helpline. First they said that all services on the route are IETs, and later that some are HST but on these no bike spaces are reservable on these.
Are there any resources for determining the accurate information regarding train type and layout of a particular service?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

many thanks
c

 

[py_megapixel]

For trains heading west from Bristol you can determine it by looking at where the train starts from. If it's coming through from London (some might also start from Swindon, I can't remember) or Birmingham/somewhere north of Birmingham (such as Newcastle) then it will be an IET or Voyager respectively - these have the awkward hangers which are as you say a pain to get the bike into. From anywhere else it is most likely to be a Turbo or an HST, which have horizontal spaces.

 

[clarabel600]

Hi! Thanks for your reply, that's useful information. The service I’m booked on originates at Bristol Temple Meads.
It did get me searching in the right direction though and I came across a brilliant website: realtimetrains.
The detailed view confirms that my service is “Pathed as Class 80x on diesel” ie it’s an IET.
This has really saved me a frustrating episode at the station.
I did find that other services on the same route are HST trains, but I can’t seem to be sble to book my bike on these. Either all the bike spaces are pre-booked or possibly the HST services are non-reservable for bikes. Is anyone able to confirm this?

 

[Doctor Fegg]

I did find that other services on the same route are HST trains, but I can’t seem to be sble to book my bike on these. Either all the bike spaces are pre-booked or possibly the HST services are non-reservable for bikes. Is anyone able to confirm this?

GWR's online bike booking is very hit-and-miss. I had to book one on Saturday, and neither the main GWR site nor the older MixingDeck would do it. I cycled across to Paddington and the helpful staff sorted it out in a minute. I'd suggest going to a staffed station to book it if you can, or if not, try contacting GWR on Twitter or WhatsApp.

 

[clarabel600]

I contacted GWR on whatsapp and they have confirmed that bike spaces on HST services are non-reservable. (It’s the same people that initially told me that all services on my route are IETs, so I would take it with s pinch of salt, but) it does seem to correlate with the fact I’m unable to reserve a bike on any of the HST services I tried so far.
So one is just left with the unsavoury option of turning up and hoping for the best!

 

[clarabel600]

Does anyone know how many bike spaces are usually available on a Castle Class HST service?