I'm planning to take the intercity train and head down to Wollongong with a mate in a few weeks time. We're both going to have our bikes. I know you have to hang the bikes somewhere but don't know the exact details. Whereabouts are the bike racks located? Are there bike racks at the front end and back end of the carriage or only 1 rack per carriage? Are they normally occupied?
Cheers.
I didn't know that! The only time I saw something resembling vertical bike storage was on the Blue Mountains line.
Unless it's a recent thing, I don't think Intercity trains are generally fitted with bicycle racks (unless I'm blind and the train people are just extra polite in not telling me about them). Regional trains let you store your bike but charge you for the privilege.
I'm pretty sure the South Coast line and Newcastle lines use the same intercity trains. i.e these ones. Correct me if I'm wrong. Those trains have bike racks where you hang the bike vertically from the front wheel.
They don't use the V Sets on the South Coast Line.
I don't have a good memory unfortunately. When I look at the InterCity trains planned for 2019 though (e.g. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/central-coast/lo…) it appears that bikes, prams and wheelchairs will all share the same space and they aren't building exclusive bicycle racks after all (despite all the requests from Cycling NSW etc)?
If you're heading to Wollongong on a Sunday morning I wouldn't worry (unless an event was planned for that day). It's generally empty and a decent number of people in the city will disembark by Hurstville. I have been crammed on other long-distance trains on Sunday and people are generally more understanding on these days.
I think you mean to say Central Coast and Newcastle line? Although they have different colours, like this
Never seen that blue design.
On the newer trains, people just tend to chain their bikes around the middle pole.
go in non-peak times and take it with you and slot it in between the seats
everyone hates cyclists during peak hour… cos it takes up all the space
Am thinking of going on a Sunday, taking an morning service. You reckon it'll be busy then?
i'd say weekend mornings/evenings would be fine
if carriage is relatively empty, you and friend can put bikes on certain rows while u sit together =)
No.
They only have those hanging bike racks on the V-Sets which run to Newcastle and the Blue Mountains. OSCARS are used for the South Coast and they don't have the racks.
Guess my memory has failed me :( I take the Newcastle and Blue Mountains so I assumed the Wollongong line would have the same type of trains but I haven't been down Wollongong direction in ages. Good to know they have OSCARS running down the South Coast, my mate and I will take up some side seats. Thanks heaps!
Ride down. It's stunning
Here's a pic of my bike on the train:
bike on train
Forgot if the opposite side had a hook as well.
This is an older train from Newcastle to Sydney. Newer trains don't have it.
I think from memory there is only 1 hook on the V sets like those. The other side is luggage storage I think?
Kudos for being able to lift it on and off this hook.
What the hell? NSW has bike racks on their trains! - Ughh….QLD sucks!