The Chainlink

From Todd Scott's blog, Amtrak will be beginning roll-on service for bikes on its lines to Detroit, Grand Rapids and Lansing:

 

http://www.m-bike.org/blog/2011/04/28/amtrak-aiming-for-roll-on-bic...

 

Goody! I'll still drive most of the time for the flexibility it gives me, but it does remove an impediment for many people.

 

David

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Getting closer:

http://www.lmb.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&am...

(seen via Chicago Streetsblog)

I was also part of this pilot back in May. I took the train from Union Station to Dowagiac. The racks were very nice but were also said to be a stopgap measure while brand new cars with custom bike racks are being built. Overall these racks will probably only be in service for a few years while newer cars with permanent racks get phased in. If I remember I will post a few pictures from the train and ride around Dowagiac. 

Here's a pic of my bike on the 7:30a out of Union. Funny that the guy that got on one stop after me for the pilot also had an IRO. 

My impression of the racks is that they are sturdy, allow for plenty of secure points to lock your bike, and are fairly easy to get the bike into. Only downside would be that on a crowded train it is tough to turn the bike back around to get it back to the vestibule exit. Also, stairs are fairly narrow which, in my opinion, would make it fairly difficult to haul heavier bikes onboard. 

Thanks!

I notice each bike has its own electrical outlet....

So do we know when this may be official? I've had an idea for a trip to Jackson and a ride to Adrian to look at home architecture for a few years.

Jordan Snow said:

Here's a pic of my bike on the 7:30a out of Union. Funny that the guy that got on one stop after me for the pilot also had an IRO. 

My impression of the racks is that they are sturdy, allow for plenty of secure points to lock your bike, and are fairly easy to get the bike into. Only downside would be that on a crowded train it is tough to turn the bike back around to get it back to the vestibule exit. Also, stairs are fairly narrow which, in my opinion, would make it fairly difficult to haul heavier bikes onboard. 

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