Do any trains still allow motorbikes?

[Sable]

I am wanting to visit my missus parents house to sort out their PC, get her old tata truck started, and nabble a few little things. I could take the Trackstar (a 125cc 4 stroke) up the M1/M6/A90 to Aberdeenshire, but good lord that's going to be 12 hours per way of utter yawn inducing brain damage. If I can get the tata going I can drive back down with the bike in the back. We did it in a car a few times, and it was boring enough in that. I also don't have any time off work due, so cant make a week of it camping and such.

The thinking was get the bike on a train from London to Edinburgh or Aberdeen and ride the Scotland bit. After calling a few train lines though, none of them want a petrol bike on the train.

I would swear years ago I used to see motorbikes in the guards carriage next to the push bikes. Cant remember what train line it was though.

Anyone know any train lines that still allow motorbikes on to trains?

[Northern Monkey]

in 2 words, No chance.
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[Jonathan A]

To my knowledge they don't let the public put anything in the guard's compartment any more. Modern trains don't even have guards compartments bigger than a cupboard. Even on some of the older trains which have a big guard's compartment, the guard probably won't even have access to it.

Why not just get the train up there?
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[Scotsman37]

I concur you will not be able to do that because it's a fuelled bike i.e. combustible fuel is not allowed on a train due to it being an enclosed space unless it can be stored externally on an open to the air flat carriage instead, but that is mostly on mainland Europe!

As quoted on National Rail website!

Articles and Animals not carried
Articles exceeding one metre in any dimension that cannot be carried by the passenger concerned. This includes canoes, hang-gliders, sail/surf
boards, large furniture and any large musical instrument that cannot be carried without assistance.
Motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters and motorised cycles.


Here's a website about Europe transporting your bike.

https://www.railsavers.com/

[Marmalade]

My folding ped that went in a bag to carry on nearly got me lobbed off a train once because the ticket hitler got a tiny whif of petrol.
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[esullivan]

I think your only option would be to ship the bike ahead of you, using some generic man-with-a-van service. You take the train and have the bike delivered to the parking lot near your destination station.

Having just done six hours down the M1 on Sunday, I feel your pain. Literally. My butt and knees still ache.
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[Rogerborg]

[dydey90]

Where are you going to and from for a 12 hour journey?

I'd suggest just planning in a few decent stop offs to stretch your legs or have a snack, then ride in 2-3 hour slots.

I always remember getting kicked off a train in Grantham when I was 16 because I was going from Loughborough to Leeds and worked out the fastest route was to go across to Grantham and jump on the Flying Scotsman. According to the guard a ticket saying "Any possible route" doesn't mean shit when you're that good at your job.
So I got kicked off the train, at 16, with no money, no credit on my phone, miles from home and with no other transport. The guard was also nice enough to tell the ticket office not to let me on any other trains either. If they have the slightest excuse to abuse the small amount of power in their grasp, they'll do it.
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[Chalky.]

Split it into 3 parts and put it in a great big suitcase?

[Cadbury]

[Clutchy]

Why can't you just get the train up there without your bike as someone else has said
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[thx1138]

meh, just ride the bike there

[1198]

The train would be quicker, quieter, more comfortable and, if you book it early / take advantage of what offers are on, probably a reasonable price.

[Sable]

Nadgers. Bike ride it is then.

More specifically the journey is West London to Alford area (sp?). Last time I used a train for the journey it took me 2 hours to get to Kings Cross, about 8 - 9 hours on the train up to Aberdeen with a change near the middle. Then an hour to Huntley, and a long and pricey cab ride to Alford. This was over 10 years ago, 90's I think.

The journey back down the train broke down and we all ended up on coaches. I hate being reliant on trains, especially when I am in a hurry.

The intent of getting a bike on the train is to skip the huge motorway up the M1 and M6, and by riding to Potters Bar (north of London), and riding from Edinburgh / Aberdeen I could cut out the faffy bits of the train journey at either end.

The last time we did the run in a car it took 10-11 hours. Neither of us are fast drivers. Im mentally adding on another hour for 4 stroke 125'ness.

[Ariel Badger]

in about 76 I purchased a non runner Velocette from a guy in Sheffield. the pan was to push it 2 miles to the train station and put it on the train and when I got to Birmingham push it home. All went well until Birmingham New St as the platforms are under the station and I should have raised the bike using the lift but could not see the lift driver. The front brake worked so I pushed it onto the escalator and hung on. All was well until we reached the top and the escalator bottomed out against the frame. Letting go of the brake may well have allowed the stairs to eject me in a forwards manor but my hand was locked on until the police hit the emergency stop button
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[Polarbear]

I took a motorbike from york to Bristol on the train once however that was when it was British Rail and guards were helpfulish.
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[Kickstart]

Hi

Not heard of anyone doing it for years. I did it in 1987 from Liverpool to Winchester (with the fun of changing train at Birmingham New Street - I did manage to use the lifts).

All the best

Keith
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[Polarbear]