Bikes on trains in the UK

I have used the Virgin East Coast Kings Cross/Edinburgh train a lot with my bike. I have never had an issues of theft or damage. You need to make a bike reservation at the time of booking. When you print your tickets at the station you will get a bike reservation ticket as well. Some platform staff ask to see this to confirm the reservation.

They have a separate bike carriage that can only be accessed by the train guard. The only people who will be able to access it are the guard and people putting their bike in or taking it out at stops. It does say not to lock your bikes, but you could quickly put a small ulock or cable lock on, as long as the guard doesn't see you. Usually they wait outside the carriage while you go inside with your bike.

Make sure you let a member of the platform staff know you have a bike reservation so they can arrange the train guard to unlock the carriage for you. He/she will open the door, let you put your bike in, then lock it behind you.

The bike stands in the carriage are these ones:

They have a single strap (a car seat belt material) with a plastic buckle. This attaches around your top tube. There is also a metal channel on the floor for the wheels. The is potential for the front wheel/handle bars to sway abit. If you are worried about scratches I would wrap the frame with inner tubes.

I always walk to the bike carriage end of the train 5mins before my stop. The train guards 'office' is usally the same end as the bike carriage. So he/she will see you and remember to unlock the bike carriage at the stop. This isnt an issue as Kings Cross will be the termination point. But it does mean you will be there as soon as the bike carriage doors open.

If you are worried, take a few bungee cords and foam pipe insulation (from plumbing merchants) so you can protect any bits you like and bungee it up tight.

I regularly take my carbon frame on the train with no real worries.

It be fine, I'd recommend the sleeper thought, a little cheaper than Virgin/LNER.