Anyone know if they are enforcing this new policy that bikes have to be booked 24hrs in advance on every train.

Especially thinking of Manchester Piccadilly out to Edale.

I’m a northern train driver and haven’t heard anything about it being enforced mate.

Northern don’t have any policy about it. Basically a case of squeeze the bike on to whichever ramshackle heap of shit turns up vaguely on time.

TransPennine Express have a new policy (as of mid-May) where bikes have to be booked 24hrs in advance although how strict they are about enforcing it. Last time I travelled with them was just before that policy came in, I just rocked up at the station, bouyght a ticket and got on. The conductor, when he checked the ticket, said about the new policy coming in and I made it clear how stupid it was.

The line from Piccadilly out to Edale is Northern Rail so you shouldn;’t have any issues. Other than the trains being ramshackle heaps of shit…  😉

northern are getting new trains in august.

 northern are getting new trains in august.

Of which year…?

http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rolling-stock/first-of-northerns-98-new-trains-arrive-in-uk-for-testing  now end of year , thats this year hopefully

A train geek friend of mine says the new northern units have reduced or no bicycle capacity though, so careful what you wish for!

At least you can currently actually get a bike on them outside rush hour.

Thanks all.

Best plan my little trip before August then.

I’ve done Piccadilly out to the Peak District several times (various stations as far as Grindleford).  I’ve never experienced any problems, even with six bikes already on board (on the return journey).  As long as the guard could squeeze past, they’ve seemed quite relaxed about it.

That said, I usually travel mid-morning on a weekday, so I’m not sure about weekends or the rush hour.

As crazy-legs said, Northern don’t do bookings.

It’s fun when the most inaccessible bike is the first off the train . . .