I understand that some of the stations on the trans Algarve route are some way away from the towns they are named for. So does anyone know if you can take a bicycle on the train? Do you get charged for the bike? Thanks

Bikes free. Get a light bike as you have to hump it up on to the train through the goods door.

Thank you Tombo. I take it PT doesn't have raised platforms at it's station then? Guard van - haven't had those in UK for years, least ways not on my local line. Is it always at the back?

No there is no Guards Van.
On the regional service, e.g. VRSA to Faro there is usually only two carriages.
You put the bike into the front near the driver through the double doors.
You used to be able to go up a few steps and in the single doors but that has been stopped.
There are ladder type steps into the double doors.
You will have time and probably someone will give you a hand. But a heavy
touring bike with panniers is going to be difficult.

Heard on the grapevine that the lack of raised platforms and no finance to sort it means that euro rules could force the line to close.

You can see the potential problem with loading a bike here: http://www.algarvebus.info/006.htm

These trains are the modern ones, which replaced the old silver ones a little while ago - which were even more difficult to board!

This is from Tom Allen who maintains the brilliant bus & train websites.

"The only ones with raised platforms are those that were rebuilt for the new AP trains plus Lagos, which got a new station about 3 years ago.

These are Tunes, Albufeira, Loulé, Parque das Cidades and Faro.

Some of the others eg Vila Real de Santo António are not too bad but I have had difficulties myself at Silves, Portimão, Ferragudo and Tavira to name but few. Luckily there's usually someone on hand to assist (another cyclist often as not) but otherwise it does mean lodging it in the doorway and either leaping off and retrieving or dropping it onto the platform. The latter not advised of course."

So now we know

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Modern. They have to be about 25 years old. They are ex Renfe and have a million miles on their clocks having tramped across the spanish pampas for years.
Having said that they are an improvement on the old 30+ year old models which they replaced. The aisles are wider and the airconditioning works good. CP does a good job considering the age of the rolling stock and the company being bust.
The fares are still cheap and the timekeeping and reliability is excellent.
Only too frequent "acts of God" cause disruption. People and animals killed on the track.
Bit different from Network rail. Vandalism, signalling failure and track
problems.

Agree Tombo. Excellent service. Used it quite a few times with bike. 9 times out if 10 there is someone to help. Putting up and taking down from the hook needs to be practised!

Hey Tombo, I certainly agree with the reliability of the service but

was not my experience on a 32C day last year (on one of the "new" trains) when I had to endure Lagos to Conceicao - the AC didn't help at all, it was hellishly hot!

Hey Mike

"Putting up and taking down from the hook needs to be practised!"

You have hang the bike from a hook?????

There are 4 hooks on the wall. They look a bit like this - http://railtec.org/railtec.org/Bike-...ike_hooks.html

Thanks for that, what happens if all the hooks already in use? Do I have to get off the train?

No everyone just stacks them against the walls!

Hey Mike:

What's the "usual" number of bikes on these local trains, if there is such a concept ?
I assume a higher amount during the heavy tourist season but what is it like in the winter months, that is, if you know ?

Are there hooks in both train carriages ?

LL