Surfboards etc

[whole diary]

[Kernowman]

Hi,

I'm planning on taking my 6ft surfboard with me from Penzance to Paddington in a few weeks time (It likes to get around). Having spoken to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) it appears that I can reserve it a space in the Hst's TGS for £5. Pretty reasonable I reckon, considering Nat Express will take it for £10 but I can't book it in advance; it's an 'if there's space on the day' policy and likewise Flybe will take it from Newquay for £30 'if there's space on the day' (golf clubs and skis can be booked on in advance but not surfboards). Presumably if there's no space on the day I'm a bit snookered.

As far as I know Cross Country appear to have a slightly erratic policy towards surfboards - they're ok on Hst's, although I guess you could book a cycle space on a Voyager and turn up with a surfboard instead (they both take up similar space).

I did take a 7 and a half foot Mini mal surfboard from Aberystwyth to Penzance (using Aber's left luggage office and changing at Wolverhampton on route) once but it was twenty years ago (and went without a hitch). I'm just a bit worried that the new trains on the Great Western intercity network will see less flexibility in terms of conveying items such as surfboards.

Incidentally hire car companies tend not to do roof racks (unless you're hiring in the ski resorts of mainland Europe), you can hire an estate car of course but, with some operators, you could end up with a saloon.

Anyway any constructive comments would be welcome.

Km

[LiskeardRich]

£5 sounds as good as it will get.
What is megabus policy, as they run twice daily Penzance to London.

As an aside I don't imagine the Thames being that good for surfing. 

[TonyK]

As an aside I don't imagine the Thames being that good for surfing. 

Could be, with a bit of inventive opening of that barrage at high tide!

[Fourbee]

Having spoken to GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) it appears that I can reserve it a space in the Hst's TGS for £5.

I assume that is the fare I stumbled upon the other day. For those with Avantix^▸ (Ticket Issuing System used on board trains) you can put in London Paddington (other stations on the GWR network seem to work) to Penzance and there is a GWR SURFBOARD fare for £5; it's listed as a single, so it will be a fiver to get it back home again as well.

If possible when putting stuff in the TGS I try and reserve a seat in coach A just to make it easier when boarding (geddit? *groan*) and alighting as you've got to walk round. There is a door from coach A, but it's not offically for passenger use IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly).

[Tim]

If possible when putting stuff in the TGS I try and reserve a seat in coach A just to make it easier when boarding (geddit? *groan*) and alighting as you've got to walk round. There is a door from coach A, but it's not offically for passenger use IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly).

Coach A is the quite carriage.  Assuming you are content with that, you should be able to select "quiet carriage" when booking online. 

[LiskeardRich]

And if you don't want to be quiet select coach B

[Kernowman]

£5 sounds as good as it will get.
What is megabus policy, as they run twice daily Penzance to London.

Megabus' policy is as follows:

"megabus.com does not check luggage or provide receipts for luggage transported on the bus by the passenger.

We don’t mind what your luggage is packed in, we only ask that it weighs no more than 20kg and be no bigger than a standard ‘large’ suitcase. The maximum size of a single bag is 200cm (width + height + depth).

Alternatively you may take two or three bags so long as they do not occupy more space than a single bag of these dimensions or exceed the maximum weight limit of 20kg once the luggage is combined.

You can also take a piece of small hand luggage on board with you and it must either fit on your lap or under the seat in front of you. Please be advised that passengers wishing to travel with more luggage than one standard sized suitcase and one small piece of luggage that can fit on your lap or under the seat in front of you, you may have items refused."

Personally I always like to try and get the train wherever realistically possible

As an aside I don't imagine the Thames being that good for surfing. 

I'll let you know on that one!

Km

[ChrisB]

And if you don't want to be quiet select coach B

How do you do that then?

[LiskeardRich]

And if you don't want to be quiet select coach B

How do you do that then?

I'm sure the telephone helpline or a station can do it?

[Kernowman]

I went into Penzance booking office today to book my surfboard from Penzance to Paddington on Wednesday (I already have a ticket for me). They didn't know how to book/sell a surfboard ticket so they told me to turn up with the board on the day, which is what I'm going to do.

KM

[old original]

There's nothing to actually book, you just have to pay the £5, for which you get a ticket for your 'board.

[Kernowman]

There's nothing to actually book, you just have to pay the £5, for which you get a ticket for your 'board.

That's what I attempted to do

[TaplowGreen]

Just out of interest........why are you taking a surfboard to London?

[Kernowman]

Just out of interest........why are you taking a surfboard to London?

The short answer: I'm from Cornwall and I live in London and I like taking my stuff between the two!     

Km

[old original]

There's nothing to actually book, you just have to pay the £5, for which you get a ticket for your 'board.

That's what I attempted to do

..and they couldn't do that?  That's appalling