I'm intrigued by the fact that such a ticket exists. I can kind of see the logic of it, but it's interesting that it's so different to the process for taking a bike on a train when, as you say, they both take up a similar amount of space; the board being a bit longer and probably wider but also flatter and, I'd imagine, easier to stand vertically.
Exactly
The whole thing is an interesting area. Re bikes, for example at St Erth today, the four carriage Penzance to Manchester voyager has space for two reserved and one unreserved bike. The three car 150 working the branch has space for four bikes (in the bike area at the front of the unit) with additional space by the door vestibules for bikes/surfboards etc (the door vestibules seem to be used as much as the bike space for this).
Cross country has an interesting policy towards luggage, for a long distance operator, - please don't take too much of it and if you have got a lot of it they can recommend a road haulier - and if you're taking a surfboard to/from Newquay get an
HST▸ .
I've got an inflatable roof rack so if it comes to it I guess I can attach stuff to the roof!
On another note though I hope Great Western don't go the way of Cross Country regarding luggage when the new trains come into circulation.
