What's the proper luggage etiquette on UK trains? I've been on a lot of trains in the UK but never with luggage. I'll be there in a couple months, using trains with at least one carryon bag, or maybe a larger bag if my packing skills fail me.
I'm assuming that any bag that fits in the overhead bin goes there. And, if it doesn't? I recall often seeing large bags stashed in the little area between cars. What does the rule book say?
There will often be a couple of large luggage racks at the end or in the middle of the carriage as well. Those are often full, but I don't think I have ever seen the overhead luggage shelf full. I find I can tuck a small bag or case under my seat on most trains. If you leave the case in a corridor or blocking a door you may get told to to move it because it's an escape route. To be honest unless you are going to have tons of luggage you shouldn't have a problem.
j.c - You've pretty muched nailed it. There is baggage storeage at both ends of the rail car for pieces that can not fit in the overhead. These storeage locations fill up fairly quickly. I've also seen people adjusting baggage at the end of the rail cars to get there piece to fit.
Bags can go overhead (if they fit) or in luggage racks (normally at the ends of each carriage, sometimes there's one in the middle.) There may also be a few gaps between seat-backs (rarer nowadays). Or you can put a bag under the seat in front of you. (Not under your own seat in such a way that it impinges on the legroom of the person behind you.)
If you can put your bag at the top of the rack, do so. This leaves the lower parts for people with difficult-to-lift cases. Also, it's easier to see if someone tries to wander off with it.
Do not put bags in the aisle. You're not supposed to put bags on seats, but if there are plenty of free seats it's ok. (Otherwise, don't.)
Anthony
Ir helps to follow Rick's mantra of packing light. What might be fine for the airport or your car at home, may be difficult to negociate on the train. In some case, you may be on a smaller, local/commuter train that really doesn't allow for luggage areas or overheads of any size. This happened to me going from Newcastle to Carlisle.
The bag I'll be taking will be a 20x9x14 carryon. If I need another bag, I'll leave it in Left Luggage. I'll be hauling the bag from King's Cross to Edinburgh, Edinburgh to York, and York to King's Cross. Pretty sure those trains have overhead bins.
[EDIT: Victoria, I meant to say you are right about those local and commuter trains. In my experience, a lot of the trains running from London into the southeast are essentially commuters, and configured as such. The smaller the bag the better.]
Never had a problem with our carry ons. Except once (I think Salisbury to Bath) when the car we happened to choose was loaded with bicycles and backpacks - hoardes of young travelers - strewn in the entrance of the car and aisles. Everyone just picked their way around the mess as best we could; no one seemed to mind.
