Northeast - Tandem on New Jersey Rail

Has anyone tried taking a tandem on New Jersey Rail?

I'm hoping to use NJ rail to skip Camden and the New Jersey suburbs on our way out of Philadelphia for a few days of riding around the Pine Barrens and the shore.

According to the NJ rail web site, bicycles are allowed at any time on the Atlantic City train, but I'm specifically wondering if a tandem will fit around the corner from the train entrance to the seating area.

Has anybody tried this?

Thanks,

- Bruce

this page on NJ Transit (http://www.njtransit.com/rg/rg_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=BikeProgramTo)
talks about "standard-frame bicycles".

I don't know anything about the legal implications, but I would guess that most NJ transit employees who might see you trying to bring a bicycle on board would think that a tandem does not qualify as a "standard frame".

Ken

That's a good point. Thanks for the info link.

I called NJ Transit and, after speaking with one guy who wasn't too sure, I got a phone number for someone on the Atlantic City Line (609-343-7174) who was very helpful. It sounds like on some of the commuter trains there are hooks to hang bicycles, and then a tandem wouldn't fit, but at least on the Atlantic City Line (and probably others - I've only been on the Philly / New York line), they keep bicycles in the wheelchair area of some of the cars. The person I spoke with said it probably wouldn't be a problem, especially off-peak and that they try to accommodate you.

I'm still wondering about getting around the corner going into the train, though. Maybe I'll do a dry run in the next couple of days.

Some of the NJ lines have elevated and low platforms and as such have a set of middle double doors. Getting into those doors doesn't require a turn, its a straight/short shot directly to the flip up seats where you tie down the bike. If you can find an on/off like that, it'd be pretty easy.

If you have do it from the low platform/climb up the stairs and make that narrow turn, its going to be a trick. I'd bet its possible for two people (I got good at it for a large standard frame), but probably awkward especially if anyones in the first row of seats on the car or its particularly busy.

I'd look for an elevated platform on/off and try to be as 'off-hours' as possible.

Good luck.

Back in the 70's, I used to ride over the Ben Franklin Bridge through Camden and find Atlantic Ave. I used to follow this almost all the way to Berlin, NJ. From there, I'd take Jackson Rd right into the Pine Barrens.

I've taken my Xtracycle on NJTransit a couple times, and the conductors were very accommodating. As it happened, the train I took did not have room for the extra-long bike, which was bad luck, but the conductors were all understanding and helpful. It's a good idea to approach the conductor before getting on, and ask his/her advice in obsequious terms, such as "is there a car on this train where I wouldn't be in the way with this thing?"

Oh, and speaking from personal experience, its also helpful to have a 9-year old girl with you.

If in doubt, go to the station --preferably with the bike-- a day or two before you need to do this, and ask the conductor then. If it's the same train, same time, it'll probably be the same conductor. If that particular train doesn't have the appropriate space, the conductor may know which train does. This technique has worked for me. As I understand NJTransit rules, it all comes down to the conductor's discretion; whatever the rules say, you do what the conductor says, even if it's contrary to the guidelines. In my experience they're more willing to bend the rules in your favor than against.

Thanks for the tips.

I stopped by 30th Street Station the other day in the afternoon (so not necessarily the same conductor) and asked about a tandem and the conductor basically quoted the official regulations: "standard-frame bicycles" and said that they definitely wouldn't allow a tandem. I'd try it in the morning, but decided to just leave a day earlier after my stoker gets off work and take the Tacony-Palmyra bridge to avoid Camden and stay in Marlton at a hotel with a pool. I'd like to pursue this further, but, honestly, I'm kind of excited that we're going to leave our house in Kensington and bike all the way.

I'd appreciate any tips on rides around the Pine Barrens, though. We have several days and one of them will be spent on a canoe on the Oswego river, but are hoping to explore the Barrens, minus sand/dirt roads.

The other option I looked into was Patco, which doesn't appear to have any specific regulations against tandems, except that the bike is supposed to fit in a place ours definitely won't. There's no conductor on Patco, so we could probably get away with it, but I'd be a little wary of our return from Lindenwold.

- Bruce