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I assume most cargo bikes like the bullitt will be a non-starter (either in policy itself or in the way train staff choose to implement their policy).
I think you might struggle to physically get a Bullitt on a train tbh. I used to take a normal bike into London on SW Trains regularly, but while their policy was that it was ok, it was regularly difficult because the trains were too busy. I’ve had to wait for the next train a couple of times.
A Bullitt is going to be way harder. I’ve tried with mine once and abandoned as it looked too busy. On a SW Train (on the Reading line) the trains have a dedicated bike / shared limited mobility area down the side of the toilet where the seats flip up. That’s the only place you’d be able to put a bike that long and you’d need the entry point to be clear to get it in. The smaller SW Trains trains have a bike area near the doors. Else, it’s going to have to be diagonally in the entry/exit point by the doors, which is going to block access. I seem to remember measuring across the train and at 2.5m long I don’t think it’ll go sideways door-to-door.
TLDR; you need a clear run in and an almost empty train. Else it’s going to be difficult.
Jonny69-
100% forgotten that trains can get busy!
Up here outside of the commuter hour the trains run with very very few people on board. At rush hour yes, its very unrealistic to get anything bigger than a normal bike on, even with that, struggle about half the time. Thankfully only a few mins to next train and thats always been quieter, but yes, you SE folks have a much more congested network.
BrickMan
Cheers, yes, that's a good idea.
I've heard enough stories from some disabled people to fear the experience of trying to board a train with a non standard bike. I assume most cargo bikes like the bullitt will be a non-starter (either in policy itself or in the way train staff choose to implement their policy).
the omnium mini seems like the obvious choice but I think is too small for my needs; the mini max seems like a sensible choice for selected infrequent train travel - looks a bit like a normal bike, shorter than a tandem and if someone decides its width is a problem, its rack could be grudgingly removed.