Travelling with special items
Whether you’re bringing a bike, pushchair or musical instrument, we’re here to help you understand what you can and cannot take on board Grand Central trains.
Bikes
- We have space for 2 bike reservations per Grand Central train.
- Bike spaces must be reserved when purchasing a ticket and are available on a first‑come, first‑served basis.
- If you have a folding bike, it must be folded before boarding and carried as normal hand luggage within our three‑item limit (not exceeding 90 x 70 x 30 cm).
- Road‑legal electric bicycles up to 25kg can be taken on our trains.
- E‑scooters are not permitted.
- Bikes must be stored in designated areas.
Pushchairs & buggies
- Pushchairs and buggies must be folded or collapsed before you board.
- Pushchairs and buggies need to be stored in the end‑of‑carriage luggage rack or by the doors in Coach F, behind the bars.
Special items such as musical instruments or sports equipment
- Smaller musical instruments, sports equipment and similar items can be carried on board provided they do not exceed our maximum luggage dimensions (90 x 70 x 30 cm).
- Any luggage that exceeds 90 x 70 x 30 cm or our three‑item limit cannot be brought on board.
Firearms are not permitted on board
- Grand Central does not permit the carriage of licensed firearms on any of our services.
National Rail Conditions of Travel:
"23.4 - Unloaded firearms, properly licenced, with prior permission of the Train Company and carried in accordance with the law and any other specific instructions are permitted."
Luggage FAQs
Find quick answers to common questions regarding luggage limits, prohibited items and accessibility below.
Are there any prohibited items?
For the safety and comfort of all passengers, certain items are not allowed on our trains, such as:
- Hazardous materials: dangerous goods such as flammable liquids and explosives
- Oversized luggage*: Exceeding the 30 x 70 x 90cm dimensions
- Unsecured large objects: Any unsecured large object that may cause injury or obstruction
- Disruptive items: Items that cause inconvenience or a nuisance to other passengers due to their properties e.g. odour or leakage issues
- Firearms: Grand Central does not permit any licensed firearms on our services
- E-scooters: Motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters and e-scooters are not permitted on our trains or at our stations
- Damaged batteries: For safety, e-bikes with damaged or "modified" batteries cannot be carried
*Oversized luggage includes but is not limited to: Canoes, surfboards, sailboards, skis, snowboards, golf equipment, amusical instrument or furniture exceeding the 30 x 70 x 90cm dimensions
Where should I put my pushchair?
Pushchairs must be folded and stored in the end-of-carriage luggage racks or in the designated storage area by the doors in Coach F. Please do not leave in the aisles or doorways.
Can I bring a mobility scooter on board?
Wheelchair and mobility scooter users can use the designated wheelchair spaces within the following coaches:
- Coach F (Standard)
- Coach E (First Class)
We are able to accommodate wheelchairs and scooters within the following dimensions:
- 70cm wide
- 120cm in length
- 300kg maximum weight including passengers
For more information on boarding a Grand Central train with a mobility scooter, please visit our dedicated page here: https://www.grandcentralrail.com/help/travel-assistance/electric-mobility-scooters
Can I put my bag on a seat?
Luggage and pets are not permitted on seats. If a bag is occupying a seat needed by another passenger, you will be asked to move it. Please note that seat reservations are for passengers only.
Do Grand Central trains have wheelchair spaces?
Yes. Every Grand Central train has dedicated wheelchair spaces, located in Coaches E and F. These spaces are reserved exclusively for wheelchair users and must be kept clear of luggage, prams, or folding bikes at all times to ensure they are accessible for those who need them.
If travelling with a wheelchair and you need help with boarding or navigating the station, we recommend booking Passenger Assist. You can book this in advance to ensure our teams are ready to help you on and off the train. For more details on our accessibility services, please visit our travel assistance page here.
How do I board with my bike?
Please arrive at least 10 minutes before departure. Head to Coach B, show your booking PDF to the train manager and they will help you access the cycle storage area.
What are the safety rules for E-bikes?
For the safety of all passengers, we enforce the following:
- No charging: E-bikes and batteries cannot be charged on board or at stations
- Battery safety: Batteries must not be removed on board. You cannot cspare batteries or bikes with damaged or modified battery systems.
- Emergency access: Do not lock your e-bike to the train structure. In case of a battery fire, evacuate the area immediately and notify the crew.
Are firearms permitted on Grand Central trains?
No, Grand Central does not permit the carriage of licensed firearms on any of our services.
This is in accordance with our rights provided within section 23.4 of the National Rail Conditions of Travel.