Travel with road bike by train/Amtrak?

I am considering taking my nice road bike by train/Amtrak to New York to do an AIDS ride (50, 85 and 100 mile loops). I haven't decided whether I will be registering yet but am considering my options. There is one transfer each way and on the way to NY, I would have to take a bus to the Ohio station. On the return trip, I have the option to take the train all the way home.

I read the section about bicycles (here) and am a bit apprehensive about bringing my bike on the train (I would probably have to resist the urge to check on it every 10 minutes). How would it work? Would I have to take it out myself to transfer to the next train, along with my regular luggage? Is it better to pack it up in a box? It seems like Amtrak cannot guarantee anything about the train I will take (since it is so far in the future--September) but I plan to call Amtrak and ask them about whether my bicycle could be transported on the bus.

Does anyone have experience with this? How did it go? Anything you would have done differently if you had to do it again?

All I know is that my son drove our exchange student to CT to visit a friend a few years ago. He had his bike with him. We called to double check if it was OK to bring the bike on the train back to Boston. They said yes.
He got to the train statin in New Haven and was told he could not bring the bike on the train. So, I would check and double check with Amtrak.

There is a post on the Northeast portion of BikeForums about bikes and Amtrak. They are not very cyclist friendly. I think they allow bikes in the baggage area of some stations (from what I understand of some of the posts). A few wrote letters to Amtrak complaining.

If you find out anything, let me know. I am very curious. One day we would like to travel by Amtrak with our bikes to Washington DC.

JoAnn

We did take the Amtrak train with our bikes just 2 weekends ago between Vancouver and Seattle. (On the day we returned it was cold rain then wet snow-rain. Good thing we didn't cycle the distance.)

He had a folding bike, which he simply put in its cloth (not hard case) carrying bag and it was checked in as baggage.

I had to box up my bike in bike box...which you can ask if they have a used one. To avoid paying $5.00. As you may know, you must have your own tools to take off pedals and turn the handlebar to fit into box.

It was no problem. The key thing is to get to the station over 1 hr. early to give yourself lots of time. Be prepared to buy a new bike box if they don't already have a used one.

My partner has done several Amtrak train segments across the U.S. in the last 4 years. He entrusted them to transfer his touring bike in a bike box to another train at New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, St. Paul's. He was getting off and on at different points and cycling several hundred kms. in between different cities. In some cities, he asked them to keep his bike box if it wasn't needed by anyone else when he returned several days later.

In other situations, he got to the city really late at night..and the hotel was close by. So he left bike in box at station and picked it up next day.

His experience with Amtrak has been courteous and reliable. He had never had to personally transfer the bike in box himself for train transfers.


Never get there late, plan, ask if the station even offers new bike boxes and make sure the box is clearly tagged and marked.

My Mom is coming down to LA to visit family when UK-Elephant and I ride in on the AIDS LifeCycle. UK-E will be flying home from LA with her bike as checked luggage, but I'll be flying back a week later from San Francisco. Mom suggested that we take the train back to SF from LA. She checked with them about taking the bike. Answer was that I pack it (I'm buying a Packworks EEP for it) and arrive with it at the station an hour before departure. The bike rides in the luggage car as checked luggage. If it's at all like trains in Norway, I'll be able to watch how it's handled and where it's stowed in the luggage car. I'm not worried. The flight stretches will be more worrisome.

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Originally Posted by shootingstar

We did take the Amtrak train with our bikes just 2 weekends ago between Vancouver and Seattle. (On the day we returned it was cold rain then wet snow-rain.

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But you live on the west coast, which is a little more bike friendly than the old Midwest ;)

Thank you so much for your comments and I will make sure to take precautionary measures (get there 1 hour early, ask the train staff multiple times).

If I decide to travel via train (and not just ship it), I will let you know how it goes.

The St. Louis to KC Amtrak is very bike-friendly because of the Katy Trail. The bikes are leaned up against the front of the car, where they take out a seat to leave room. You do have to pay extra and reserve a spot (I think they only allow 3?) The only problem we had was it was a quick train stop and we had to scramble to roll the two bikes up onto the train (the conductor did help). However, the Katy forum has stories of people being denied, even though they prepaid a spot.

Call the local train station and try to get specifics. A box may be safer, but it you have to transfer it yourself, this could be more difficult. Is there a local bike forum where you could look for advice? Maybe call a bike shop in NY and ask for tips.