Luggage Storage On Trains

[boxy321]

I thought it was a Volvo!

Oh wait thats an XC90 isnt it!

How many people have googled X90 after reading this? A wretched bus thing!

 

[trainophile]

No, but I did have to Google IATA (trolley bags) as I have never heard of it before .

 

[Bletchleyite]

Sorry. For reference, it's the International Air Transport Association, who define collaborative standards for aviation. One such standard, which has made it into law in many countries, is the maximum size of a carry-on bag, which is 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (or an Imperial equivalent). Not every airline goes that big (Ryanair, for example, is smaller) but most do, and a wide range of bags are available on the market which are precisely that size.

 

[Greenback]

It doesn't I suppose help that the airlines' charging mechanisms encourage a smaller number of larger bags when a larger number of smaller ones is invariably better for everyone.

When we put a bag in the hold, it's quite small compared to some that I see on the carousel at the end of the flight. It's thes ehuige bags that are the problem when travellers use the train to get to and form the airport.

I realise that not everyone can limit themselves to carry on luggage alone. They might be going for a few weeks, or have gifts and equipment to carry with them as well as their clothes. You're right that the airlines are contributing to the problem, but then what do they care about whether big bags will cause difficulties on a train?!

I don't think any IATA trolley bags should be on the floor level racks, though - put them up. It's not hand luggage if you can't handle it (Or ask someone to help).

I can't argue with that. I always put smaller bags up on the overhead racks, but it seems that a lot of people have an aversion to that, and would much rather place them on an adjoing seat, or on the lower shelves of the main luggage racks.

I often get irritated by such thoughtless and inconsiderate behaviour, but I hardly ever say anything. The most I'll do is to move the bags myself!

 

[trainophile]

I can't argue with that. I always put smaller bags up on the overhead racks, but it seems that a lot of people have an aversion to that, and would much rather place them on an adjoing seat, or on the lower shelves of the main luggage racks.

I often get irritated by such thoughtless and inconsiderate behaviour, but I hardly ever say anything. The most I'll do is to move the bags myself!

Oh yes, along with feet on seats, filthy trolley wheels on seats makes my blood boil. Some people plonk the case on the seat (wheels down) while they sort their other stuff out, and then subsequently lift the case onto the rack. Why??? :roll:

 

[3141]

I do get annoyed sometimes with the lack of consideration shown by those who stick smaller bags in the racks instead of on the overhead racks. I've been on some trains where the big racks have been full to bursting but the overheads hardly had a bag on them.

My experience tends to be different: smaller bags on the overhead racks, large bags on seats, and not enough use of the luggage stacks. But I attribute that (to some extent) to the frequent announcements to "keep your belongings with you at all times". No wonder some people don't want to put their luggage on a stack several yards away that they cannot keep an eye on.

I never suggested most people would do, but do consider that at that price the suitcase(s) was collected from your home and delivered to the door of your destination (holiday accommodation in our case) plus the hassle & stress of dragging it around the station and on/off the train is removed makes it (at least to us) good value for money, it seems even better value aswell when compared to what so called 'no frills' airlines charge these days for merely stowing a case in the aircrafts hold.

Back in about 1960, BR offered a luggage in advance service. There was Collect and Convey, where they collected it from your home and you collected it from the station at the other end; Convey and Deliver, where you took it to the station and they delivered it at the other end; and Collect, Convey and Deliver, where they did the lot. The first two cost two shillings and ninepence (about 14p) and the last one cost five shillings and sixpence (27½p). How would that compare with a charge of £24.99 today?

 

[gsnedders]

My experience tends to be different: smaller bags on the overhead racks, large bags on seats, and not enough use of the luggage stacks. But I attribute that (to some extent) to the frequent announcements to "keep your belongings with you at all times". No wonder some people don't want to put their luggage on a stack several yards away that they cannot keep an eye on.

Especially if it's a large case and the luggage racks are full; what am I meant to do? Put it in another coach? That'd be unattended luggage, and then we might get stopped while the BTP investigate it!

 

[infobleep]

That appears to be a standard Desiro feature. The 444s, which operate from London to the popular resorts of Bournemouth & Weymouth, also have effectively zero lugggage space, despite having an 'express' arrangement with end doors. They could, and should, easily have been specced with luggage stacks bolted instead of seats at strategic locations.

As it passes through Southampton Airport Parkway. I don't know how popular the airport is but I'm sure it must generate some luggage. Also I'm sure people travel to stations Su has Euston and King's Cross must have some luggage on these trains.

On a slight tangent, I found crossing London with luggage awkward. Of course I tend to use the tube and not actually consider the fact t I could probably get bus between stations using a bus.

I remember reading the sign at Penrith asking passengers not to being so muxh luggage with them. I wonder how many passengers heed Virgin West Coast Trains' advice? May be repeat users of the trains perhaps?

 

[Ash Bridge]

Back in about 1960, BR offered a luggage in advance service. There was Collect and Convey, where they collected it from your home and you collected it from the station at the other end; Convey and Deliver, where you took it to the station and they delivered it at the other end; and Collect, Convey and Deliver, where they did the lot. The first two cost two shillings and ninepence (about 14p) and the last one cost five shillings and sixpence (27½p). How would that compare with a charge of £24.99 today?

Sounds like a bargain, was it as reliable and did it offer next day delivery as today's services seem to achieve though?

 

[Greenback]

My experience tends to be different: smaller bags on the overhead racks, large bags on seats, and not enough use of the luggage stacks. But I attribute that (to some extent) to the frequent announcements to "keep your belongings with you at all times". No wonder some people don't want to put their luggage on a stack several yards away that they cannot keep an eye on.

Maybe things are different in your part of the world. The end of coach racks ar eusually pretty full on the GWR and ATW trains that I mostly use. The overhead racks are often almost empty.

I get a bit paranoid if I've got a big bag at the end of coach. I regularly take a look to make sure it's still there, even though there are no valuable items in it.

Especially if it's a large case and the luggage racks are full; what am I meant to do? Put it in another coach? That'd be unattended luggage, and then we might get stopped while the BTP investigate it!

This is a problem on modern trains. On some services, there simply isn't the capacity to meet demand. On the 150's that go to Pembroike Dock, there isn't really any luggage space at all apart from the overhead racks. Passengers use the vestibule space, the tip up seat areas and also put the bigger bags on the seat next to them.

I have a lot of sympathy in these sort of situations. Fortunately, the trains are seldom rammed, so mostly we all just about get by.

 

[3141]

Sounds like a bargain, was it as reliable and did it offer next day delivery as today's services seem to achieve though?

Sorry, I can't precisely remember over a period of getting on for 60 years, but I think it did it in two or three days. I lived in London and was at university in Manchester, and it was good for the start and end of terms. Also many people used it when going on holiday.

I get a bit paranoid if I've got a big bag at the end of coach. I regularly take a look to make sure it's still there, even though there are no valuable items in it.

Yes, so do I, preferring to sit where the stack is in my line of sight rather than behind me, and checking to see that it's still there after alighting passengers have finished going past it. I think psychologists have a name for this sort of thing!

 

[Deafdoggie]

I get a bit paranoid if I've got a big bag at the end of coach. I regularly take a look to make sure it's still there, even though there are no valuable items in it.

Coming back from holiday with my three children and my mother (and a case each) I'd agreed to take my mums case (and mine) off the train and down the platform, so she didn't have to worry. Shame I forgot exactly what her suitcase looked like! I took the wrong one, and had a bloke running after me down the platform at Crewe! Fortunately he was getting off there too. meanwhile, my mother goes past the luggage rack, sees her case and thinks I have forgotten! HoHum.