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Some rail related Q's:

Are bike compartments indicated on the doors of trains (I recall some
discussion of this point)?

Normally, but I couldn't say with FGN & SWT. On the Voyagers they're at the
end of standard class accommodation. (Coach F)

On a Voyager (if that's what VT run between Southampton & Sheffield),

Almost certainly. That said, I got on a Pendolino that was running between
Birmingham & Manchester (also a Cross country (Voyager) route) the other
day. Had to wheel my bike into a disabled space as there was noone to open
the bike compartment for me.

can I expect a sort of bike rack that needs the bike to be lifted into
place? Can I walk from the bike rack to my seat or do I need to exit
the train and reboard as in the days of guards' vans?

Yes, hangs from the front wheel fairly easily. It's at the end of coach F,
easily accessed from the rest of the train.

What do people
do about security (I assume you're not allowed to lock the bike to the
train); I intend to lock my panniers to the bike and they won't have
much of value in them anyway.

I normally lock it to the retaining clip for the rear wheel. No one's ever
mentioned it.

Final rail Q: Having not travelled with VT before, can I expect to get
grub? The web site is incredibly vague and I can't work out (a) if
food is available and (b) if it is, how I get hold of it. I think I
can assume there isn't a dining car.

There's a shop on a Voyager. It sells fairly good sandwiches, and pretty
good coffee.

Good journey.

A