Heading back up North once exams finish and as I'm carless I was thinking of getting a bike bag and hauling it on the train with us. Apart from the fact that there will probably be changes and it'll be a pain in the backside I was also thinking that on the trains I've used recently, esp Virgin, then there is barely enough space for normal luggage never mind a bike bag? Ideas/opinions? Thinking maybe just post the thing (or leave it at home)

Depends on the train, soem virgin ones have space for 3 bikes hanging in the middle of the train and massive luggage areas, others have space for 4 at the end of the quiet coach and tiny luggage areas.

Try and travel at a non peak time (lunchtime is good, avoid sunday evening wor rush hour) and it wont make any difference anyway.

Put a pair of slicks on it and pedal North – probably won't take that much longer 🙂

you're prob right. i think it might be easier to box it up 🙁 endless and more money