Traveling with an S&S tandem on Amtrak
03-23-09, 05:02 PM
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Traveling with an S&S tandem on Amtrak
Hi, we have an S&S coupled tandem and are planning to travel from Chicago to Springfield, IL (and then ride our tandem back). Amtrak has 5 trains a day on this line, but only one has baggage service.
Does anyone have experience on Amtrak trains where no baggage service is provided, but that has "bring-your-bike-onboard" service? I was thinking of doing a quick uncoupling (3 front couplers) and fold it. Does Amtrak accept that as a bike, or will they still think it is a tandem?
Or can I just separate it in 2 and carry it on as 2 bikes?
I tried calling Amtrak, but the lady on the phone didn't understand the concept of a tandem....
As always, any feedback is appreciated
Duppie
Does anyone have experience on Amtrak trains where no baggage service is provided, but that has "bring-your-bike-onboard" service? I was thinking of doing a quick uncoupling (3 front couplers) and fold it. Does Amtrak accept that as a bike, or will they still think it is a tandem?
Or can I just separate it in 2 and carry it on as 2 bikes?
I tried calling Amtrak, but the lady on the phone didn't understand the concept of a tandem....
As always, any feedback is appreciated
Duppie
03-23-09, 07:16 PM
#2
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I don't know if the trains are the same, or not, but:
On the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner (which runs up and down the California Coast--or at least the lower half), each car has a little section for bicycles (room for 3 bicycles). Their racks are designed to hold your bike vertically by the wheels. If memory serves, I usually break the front third off the tandem, then hang each wheel from a separate hook. Both pieces swing a bit, so we usually make a little padding out of gloves, helmets, and anything else that's around.
Please keep in mind, everything that happens on an Amtrak train is at the discretion of the conductor. Sometimes they just let us role it on. Other times we have been refused completely.
On the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner (which runs up and down the California Coast--or at least the lower half), each car has a little section for bicycles (room for 3 bicycles). Their racks are designed to hold your bike vertically by the wheels. If memory serves, I usually break the front third off the tandem, then hang each wheel from a separate hook. Both pieces swing a bit, so we usually make a little padding out of gloves, helmets, and anything else that's around.
Please keep in mind, everything that happens on an Amtrak train is at the discretion of the conductor. Sometimes they just let us role it on. Other times we have been refused completely.
03-23-09, 07:56 PM
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I don't know if the trains are the same, or not, but:
On the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner (which runs up and down the California Coast--or at least the lower half), each car has a little section for bicycles (room for 3 bicycles). Their racks are designed to hold your bike vertically by the wheels. If memory serves, I usually break the front third off the tandem, then hang each wheel from a separate hook. Both pieces swing a bit, so we usually make a little padding out of gloves, helmets, and anything else that's around.
Please keep in mind, everything that happens on an Amtrak train is at the discretion of the conductor. Sometimes they just let us role it on. Other times we have been refused completely.
On the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner (which runs up and down the California Coast--or at least the lower half), each car has a little section for bicycles (room for 3 bicycles). Their racks are designed to hold your bike vertically by the wheels. If memory serves, I usually break the front third off the tandem, then hang each wheel from a separate hook. Both pieces swing a bit, so we usually make a little padding out of gloves, helmets, and anything else that's around.
Please keep in mind, everything that happens on an Amtrak train is at the discretion of the conductor. Sometimes they just let us role it on. Other times we have been refused completely.
So what happens if you get refused? I thought that Amtrak has assigned seats for a specific train # (much like traveling by air). Can you get on the next train, or will they refund the ticket?
Duppie
03-24-09, 06:05 PM
#4
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Thanks for the info. Maybe I should walk down to the Amtrak station here in Chicago and check out one of those trains....
So what happens if you get refused? I thought that Amtrak has assigned seats for a specific train # (much like traveling by air). Can you get on the next train, or will they refund the ticket?
Duppie
So what happens if you get refused? I thought that Amtrak has assigned seats for a specific train # (much like traveling by air). Can you get on the next train, or will they refund the ticket?
Duppie
When our tandem has been refused passage, they have always been more than willing to refund our tickets...if for no other reason than to get the angry man out of their station.
Always good to have a backup when dealing with Amtrak:
Our trips usually run in the opposite direction from yours, so our backup is usually: have Amtrak store the bike (this service varies by station), take the train home, then come back with the car. This is a pain on 100 mile rides.
I would suggest booking the train before the train that has checked baggage. In the event they don't let you on, you could theoretically pack your tandem in a bike box for the next one. Stations that accept luggage are supposed to sell bike boxes for $15.
