Unexpected limit in the UK train baggage areas

Busy platform at King's Cross station in London
A bit claustrophobic perhaps. Well, who can blame them. The railway environment means you might have to rub shoulders with some of those pesky passengers that make the railways so busy and difficult to maintain (image ... Network Rail) Network Rail

There is a baggage squeeze on the UK network. The growing pains on UK trains are down to a leisure travel surge, harking back to the days of day trips to the seaside resorts and holidays at home. The echoes are of the seventies and eighties, when loco-hauled trains were the norm, and an endless supply of redundant old coaches could be pressed into service, almost at will. Today’s close-coupled, fixed-formation multiple units offer less flexibility and are often left wanting for space. That’s proving a bigger problem than ever on Britain’s crowded railways.

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Author: Simon Walton

Simon Walton is UK correspondent for RailTech.com and Railfreight.com

4 comments op “Unexpected limit in the UK train baggage areas”

lewis wills|14.12.23|09:57

I travelled across Canada by train many years ago,and the train company operated a checked in baggage service so large cases were not cluttering up carriages,the train had a baggage car. Way too conventional for Britain’s high tech,no space trains eh? Nearly all of the new trains on the network have one thing in common-loads less space,legroom and comfort than the HSTs etc that they replaced

Marky DUCATI FERRARI ITALIA!! Russell|14.12.23|10:25

I think uk trains are a total pain. I either drive where luggage is free and safe or use the coach where luggage is free and safe. Trains in UK are a bit crazy really. The companies cant make up their mind whether to honour a service it just cancel services. My car is more reliable and you know what. I dont need a ticket. Even network rail CEO was stranded other day. What are we doin???

Yvonne Walker|15.12.23|09:16

Add a baggage van. Charging for luggage doesn’t increase space, it simply breeds resentment.
Train fares are already exorbitant. Give us value for money , use your common sense by reducing too-high management salaries and BRING BACK THE LUGGAGE VAN!!!

Chris Adshead|27.12.23|15:32

Overhead storage is way too small on most new trains so even small cases dont fit.

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Unexpected limit in the UK train baggage areas | RailTech.com

Unexpected limit in the UK train baggage areas

Busy platform at King's Cross station in London
A bit claustrophobic perhaps. Well, who can blame them. The railway environment means you might have to rub shoulders with some of those pesky passengers that make the railways so busy and difficult to maintain (image ... Network Rail) Network Rail

There is a baggage squeeze on the UK network. The growing pains on UK trains are down to a leisure travel surge, harking back to the days of day trips to the seaside resorts and holidays at home. The echoes are of the seventies and eighties, when loco-hauled trains were the norm, and an endless supply of redundant old coaches could be pressed into service, almost at will. Today’s close-coupled, fixed-formation multiple units offer less flexibility and are often left wanting for space. That’s proving a bigger problem than ever on Britain’s crowded railways.

Want to read more?

Subscribe now!

Take advantage of our exclusive offer to get full access to all premium content.

See the offer

Author: Simon Walton

Simon Walton is UK correspondent for RailTech.com and Railfreight.com

4 comments op “Unexpected limit in the UK train baggage areas”

lewis wills|14.12.23|09:57

I travelled across Canada by train many years ago,and the train company operated a checked in baggage service so large cases were not cluttering up carriages,the train had a baggage car. Way too conventional for Britain’s high tech,no space trains eh? Nearly all of the new trains on the network have one thing in common-loads less space,legroom and comfort than the HSTs etc that they replaced

Marky DUCATI FERRARI ITALIA!! Russell|14.12.23|10:25

I think uk trains are a total pain. I either drive where luggage is free and safe or use the coach where luggage is free and safe. Trains in UK are a bit crazy really. The companies cant make up their mind whether to honour a service it just cancel services. My car is more reliable and you know what. I dont need a ticket. Even network rail CEO was stranded other day. What are we doin???

Yvonne Walker|15.12.23|09:16

Add a baggage van. Charging for luggage doesn’t increase space, it simply breeds resentment.
Train fares are already exorbitant. Give us value for money , use your common sense by reducing too-high management salaries and BRING BACK THE LUGGAGE VAN!!!

Chris Adshead|27.12.23|15:32

Overhead storage is way too small on most new trains so even small cases dont fit.

Add your comment

characters remaining.

Log in through one of the following social media partners to comment.