VT_Speed_TR

Bicycles can now come on the Amtrak Vermonter unboxed, just roll on. There was a local news story showing the new roll on service on the Amtrak Vermonter, though only room for 4 bikes. The Vermonter runs from DC, NYC, then thru conn & Mass up to northern Vermont. I'm thinking I'll try it to travel down to Mass, then tour back to here.

Hugh Morris

That is great news! Though not in the immediate future, I'm considering an east coast jaunt, and this makes it much more enticing. I like the train, but boxing up my big bike is a hassle I never want to endure.

would love to hear some first hand accounts of the service / ease of accessibility. (just how easy can it be to get a heavily loaded bike into the bike area of the train?)

adventurepdx

I like having roll on service too, though boxing up a bike is not as big a hassle on Amtrak as it would be vs plane or bus. The Amtrak provided boxes are HUGE and all you (usually) need to do is remove pedals and turn handlebars. (Sometimes with bigger handlebars, you might have to turn them down.) But it's so much better if I don't have to box a bike!

I saw this on Instagram yesterday:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEyh4WCtViB/
So the bikes need to hang by a hook. Doesn't look like a lot of space there, and I wouldn't want to try to hang up a bike that's too loaded.

Hugh Morris

Hmmm, not quite what I was picturing and definitely looks like my bags would have to come with me, but any access is infinitely better than none. Thanks for sharing that photo!

Walter S

Can you roll on at any station or just those with baggage-check?

Steve B.

From the article I read in the NY Times, you have to remove the front wheel as well as take any bags and panniers off and with you.

indyfabz

Yes. Per the Amtrak web site, whenever there is roll-on service you must remove all large bags from the bike.

indyfabz

I believe it varies by service. For example, the Boston to Maine service only allows bikes on and off at certain stations while the Capitol Limited allows bikes on and off at all stations.

Walter S

Same as with the boxed bicycles. But boxed, I tend to sneak some light gear in there and nothing gets said. It's a bit more obvious of an issue without the box.