Luggage storage on Southwest Trains
 

I will be taking a train from London Waterloo to Lymington Pier (will be going to Isle of Wight) - I will have a light 22 inch rolling suitcase. Is there somewhere to store this near where I sit? I have been unable to find this information out on their website.

You can place your bag in the overhead rack or at the end of the car. Sometimes there is room between the seats but don't count on it (or even on the seat next to you if the train isn't full)

But mainly - at the end of the car or up in the rack.

What time of day will you be traveling? As janisj said, you can definitely put the bag in the overhead rack, but unless you are going at rush hour, there should be no problem keeping it by your feet (next to you). Southwest Trains are generally very clean and have friendly staff. But it's a long trip, so you be sure to get a snack at Waterloo, these trains don't have a snack service! Have fun and enjoy your trip!

For Lymington, you need to change trains at Brockenhurst, but it's just a matter of crossing to the other side of the same platform. The trains from London Waterloo to Brockenhurst normally have a service of snacks and refreshments (with a bar or a trolley), but there is a much bigger choice on Waterloo station.

>>>these trains don't have a snack service<<<

Actually the first part of this journey, from Waterloo to Brockenhurst will normally have a refreshement trolley that's wheeled up and down the train. Selection is limited and prices are high, but it's always an option. Otherwise you could bring something with you.

As far as luggage space is concerned, the newer SW trains don't have spaces between the seats, so you really have to use the overheads or a spare seat. Best avoid doing this during the rush hour period.

Geoff - we posted at the same time!

If you get there a little bit early, you can easily fit your suitcase into the slots at the end of the carriage, if not above your head.

Travelling on one of these trains recently with a much, much bigger suitcase during the evening rush hour, it really was a question of sucking and seeing.

Though most of most carriages is 2 seats/aisle/2 seats, there's rather more space at the end of some carriages (strictly speaking for wheelchairs) and some carriages have a sort of vestibule near the guard's office.

The Waterloo-Brockenhurst bit is usually two 5-car sets joined together, so most trains have two vestibules. I ended up patrolling the train, together with the world's most cumbersome case, till I found a space for it - a carriage or two away from where I found space for me to sit. I had to go back and check it wasn't inconveniencing anyone a couple of times, and had to move it once. But, since everyone's in the same position some time, no-one minded much.

Since the train stops at Southampton Airport, you're unlikely to be the only person with a case - even in rush hours, when no-one usually has cases.

Thanks for all the replies! I won't be traveling during rush hour, so hopefully it won't be too crowded and I can keep it near me.

wow - Britsh trains are the worst in Europe, seemingly third-worldish = in most European counries' train systems the question would be moot- a;ways IME ample room for luggagea to be stored.

Blame it on Dr Beeching IMO!

Most European countries do exactly the same - storage at the ends of each carriage.

hi Theresa,

if you are on a train with a refreshment trolley, it wil lbe difficult to keep the suitcase with you, as the gangways aren't wide enough.

don't want to tempt fate, but I've never heard of anyone having problems leaving luggage in the luggage racks at the end of the coach.

Pal - please leave my old friend Dr. Beeching out of this. as I have mentioned before [yawn] we used to live in his house, so I have an unreasonable instinct to defend him.

>>we used to live in his house,<<

No ghostly whistles from the last train to Adlestrop?

1. There aren't any luggage racks in most carriages on the 10-car SW trainsets. IN fact, I don't believe I've ever seen ANY in standard class.

2. Trains STILL go to Adlestrop - though they hoot, rather than whistle, these days. They even stop at the tiny garden built (and, till a year ago, maintained by of all people Roddy Llewellyn) a few miles up the line in honour of Peter Parker, Beeching's successor and the man widely credited with preserving the line.

It's not the trains that disappeared (they're now at least twice as frequent, with up to five times the capacity, as pre-Beeching): it's just Adlestrop station that's gone.

No ghostly whistles from the last train to Adlestrop?>>

no, no ghostly whistles, though he did change the name of the house, from "Rose Cottage" to "Old Cobblers".

no, I'm not making that up.

Flimflan says: <There aren't any luggage racks in most carriages on the 10-car SW trainsets. IN fact, I don't believe I've ever seen ANY in standard class>

and there is the solution - bite the bullet and pay a bit extra for first class and just lay your baggage on a nearby seat.