What can I take with me on the train?

[whole diary]

[devon_metro]

My personal record includes one large ikea bag full of clothes, a large suitcase, a small bag and not forgetting a mountain bike... That was an interesting journey!

[broadgage]

On a recent trip my luggage though not bulky, was well in excess of the permitted weight, about 120 KG.
Consisted of sealed lead acid batteries, so in bulk less than "normal" luggage but very heavy. Fairly easly handled with 4 small strong bags and a luggage trolley.

Some years ago I conveyed a large roll of armoured cable, this was placed in the power car of an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) without problems. I took the wise precaution of wearing an orange overall, thereby IMPLYING that I was staff but without actually making any false claim.
No attempt to evade the fare was made, I had a valid ticket, though no one asked for it.

[John R]

The 1430 Edinburgh to KX was delayed for 6 minutes at Berwick yesterday, due to passengers with excess luggage being accommodated. So 9 late off Berwick resulted in lost pathing beyond Newcastle and a 28 minute late arrival into London. That's the other side of travelling more than you are entitled to.

[broadgage]

The 1430 Edinburgh to KX was delayed for 6 minutes at Berwick yesterday, due to passengers with excess luggage being accommodated. So 9 late off Berwick resulted in lost pathing beyond Newcastle and a 28 minute late arrival into London. That's the other side of travelling more than you are entitled to.

True, though in my case no delay was caused due to careful planning on my part. 120 kilos of batteries if suitably packed are loaded or unloaded as quickly as normal light luggage.
The large drum of cable was loaded with assistance, and unloaded quickly.

[dog box]

I have had passengers on board with......upright Dyson vac, plasma tv, chest of drawers , wicker chair, metal bed frame. professional fishing gear, golf clubs, 100 flower pots, sack truck ...

[broadgage]

Are gas cylinders allowed ? if containing non flammable gas ?
I recently carried a cylinder of carbon dioxide on a local train without problems, but not certain if it is actualy allowed.

[JayMac]

CO2 has a classification of Dangerous Goods even though it is non-flammable and non-toxic. Class 2, I believe.

The National Rail Conditions of Carriage specify that 'Dangerous Goods' may not be carried on passenger trains and one would assume they'd used the same classifications as for other forms of transportation.

[Cynthia]

I know you can take a dog with you on the train, but I'm unsure of the rules with regards the seats.  Last time I took Echo with me on the train, a member of staff approached me and said "You're not allowed to have the dog on the seat, madam" to which I replied "She's not on the seat, she's sitting on my lap - she sulks if she can't look out of the window".  The gentleman rolled his eyes heavenward and wandered off, shaking his head.  I'm not sure whether he could have insisted that I made Echo sit on the floor?

[LiskeardRich]

I know you can take a dog with you on the train, but I'm unsure of the rules with regards the seats.  Last time I took Echo with me on the train, a member of staff approached me and said "You're not allowed to have the dog on the seat, madam" to which I replied "She's not on the seat, she's sitting on my lap - she sulks if she can't look out of the window".  The gentleman rolled his eyes heavenward and wandered off, shaking his head.  I'm not sure whether he could have insisted that I made Echo sit on the floor?

The NRCoC^▸ (National Rail Conditions of Carriage) state

Animals and containers must not occupy seats, otherwise a charge will be made.

So to me that means Echo can have a seat as long as you pay for her to have that seat.

[grahame]

Of course, just because there's rules doesn't mean that everyone follows them ...



Aldgate East, 4th Feb 2014

[John R]

I know you can take a dog with you on the train, but I'm unsure of the rules with regards the seats.  Last time I took Echo with me on the train, a member of staff approached me and said "You're not allowed to have the dog on the seat, madam" to which I replied "She's not on the seat, she's sitting on my lap - she sulks if she can't look out of the window".  The gentleman rolled his eyes heavenward and wandered off, shaking his head.  I'm not sure whether he could have insisted that I made Echo sit on the floor?

The NRCoC^▸ (National Rail Conditions of Carriage) state

Animals and containers must not occupy seats, otherwise a charge will be made.

So to me that means Echo can have a seat as long as you pay for her to have that seat.

But the NRCoC also state:-

Some domestic animals are permitted to travel with you (as set out in Appendix B). Animals are not allowed on seats in any circumstances

I guess it is possible that a large dog sitting in front of an empty seat would effectively render it occupied, which might be where the charge point comes from.  Or maybe it's only relevant for the scenario of a container placed on a seat.

[bobm]

Of course, just because there's rules doesn't mean that everyone follows them ...



Aldgate East, 4th Feb 2014

Perhaps she was worried about not getting a seat.  (Puts bringing your own decaf teabag into context*)

* See other thread http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=13625.0

[Cynthia]

I know you can take a dog with you on the train, but I'm unsure of the rules with regards the seats.  Last time I took Echo with me on the train, a member of staff approached me and said "You're not allowed to have the dog on the seat, madam" to which I replied "She's not on the seat, she's sitting on my lap - she sulks if she can't look out of the window".  The gentleman rolled his eyes heavenward and wandered off, shaking his head.  I'm not sure whether he could have insisted that I made Echo sit on the floor?

The NRCoC^▸ (National Rail Conditions of Carriage) state

Animals and containers must not occupy seats, otherwise a charge will be made.

So to me that means Echo can have a seat as long as you pay for her to have that seat.

But the NRCoC also state:-

Some domestic animals are permitted to travel with you (as set out in Appendix B). Animals are not allowed on seats in any circumstances

I guess it is possible that a large dog sitting in front of an empty seat would effectively render it occupied, which might be where the charge point comes from.  Or maybe it's only relevant for the scenario of a container placed on a seat.

Yes, but Echo wasn't sitting on the seat, or in front of a seat, she was sitting on my lap, where she was taking up less room than if she had been sitting on the floor!  I guess we had the other passengers on our side, as they were all grinning conspiratorially at Echo, I think the conductor, or whatever they're called these days, couldn't be bothered to argue.

[broadgage]

I have always believed that dogs and other animals are not allowed on seats even if the seat is paid for, but would presume that a dog on the owners lap is fine.

On a near empty train I must admit to having placed a dog on a seat, but only after protecting the seat with a blanket carried for the purpose.
No matter how empty the train may be, most people would object to a seat covered in dog hair from the previous journey. Therefore officialy, NO DOGS ON SEATS, unofficialy it seems to be turned a blind eye to provided that there are plenty of vacant seats, AND the seat is protected by a clean blanket or other suitable article.

[SDS]

Ive seen someone (attempt to) use a microwave in the quiet coach on a late night service. Needless to say it tripped the plug sockets.

Hair straighteners.
George foreman grill.