Is LNER the Ryanair of the rail? Train firm accused of 'pretending to be a plane but more expensive' after imposing three bag airline-style limit

Rail passengers are being told they can only take one large suitcase and two bags on board trains on one of Britain's main routes amid airline-style luggage limits.

Customers using London North Eastern Railway (LNER) services between London and Scotland have seen signs on the network advising them of baggage allowances.

The operator is warning travellers they can have a maximum of one large suitcase, a carry-on bag and a small handbag - but is also urging them to 'travel with less'.

While National Rail's conditions of carriage issued in 2012 state that only three items are allowed on trains, it is rare to see an operator advising passengers of the rule.

But Government-run LNER is installing posters on its network to remind customers about limits during busier periods when there is less space, reported the Telegraph.

While LNER has put up similar signs in the past, the issue was brought to light this week by author Christopher Howse, who wrote 2013 book The Train in Spain.

Mr Howse tweeted a picture of a poster, saying: 'Trains are pretending to be planes, but more expensive. Now it's one piece of hand luggage and two bags on LNER.'

It comes as LNER tries to cope with a huge spike in leisure travel following the pandemic, with 30 per cent more customers now travelling on its 956-mile network on Sundays than in 2019.

Passengers have tweeted photographs in recent months of suitcases stacked up against windows and along corridors on services as people struggle for space.

In an attempt to avoid such scenes at busy times, LNER allows suitcases up to 90cm by 70cm by 30cm, but says a size of 80cm by 57cm by 30cm will 'fit nicely in the racks at the ends of the coaches'.

Very large bags may need to be placed in dedicated storage areas onboard, while pushchairs need to be folded and stored in the designated luggage area. Those wanting to carry a non-folding bike need to make a reservation before they travel.

LNER warns that luggage might be refused on our trains if it 'may cause injury, inconvenience or a nuisance or it may cause damage to property'.

Luggage will also be banned if 'it's going to obstruct doorways, gangways or corridors' or if 'there is not enough room for your luggage'.

In comparison, Ryanair's bag policy is that everyone gets one small personal bag to take on board, but can then pay for more cabin bags for £6 to £38 and pay for check-in bags for £12 to £60. The costs vary depending on the time of booking, the flight dates and the route. 

A spokesman for transport watchdog London TravelWatch told MailOnline today: 'Train travel must be accessible for everyone - it's unacceptable when spaces reserved for wheelchairs or passengers with mobility issues are blocked with suitcases or oversized bags.

'We know these conditions of travel have been in place for over a decade but it is important that train companies communicate any luggage restrictions clearly with passengers. Particularly if they are now having to enforce the rules more due to capacity issues.'

Former shadow transport secretary Norman Baker, from the Campaign for Better Transport, told MailOnline: 'The idea of letting the private sector innovate is a good one, but bureaucratically this could be a nightmare to enforce.

'That said, this is a sure sign of success that passenger numbers are on the rise.'

Lumo, a low-cost rival operator to LNER since October 2021, also has baggage restrictions which allow customers one small bag and one medium suitcase.

Rail industry sources told MailOnline that it is believed Lumo's restrictions came in very swiftly because its services quickly became popular with students enticed by low fares to transport large amounts of luggage to and from university.

Lumo's boss Martijn Gilbert suggested in February that travellers with large suitcases should have to pay more than those taking 'just a laptop or a small rucksack'. 

An LNER spokesman told MailOnline today: 'This is nothing new. The National Conditions of Carriage – used by all train operators – set out a limit of three bags per person.

'During particularly busy periods we use posters to remind customers of our policy. Unlike many of the airlines who operate on our London-Scotland route, LNER does not charge passengers to bring bags on to the train and does not impose weight limits.

'We simply ask that customers are able to manage their own luggage without additional help, unless of course they are an older or disabled customer and have booked help through passenger assistance.'

LNER took over services on the East Coast Main Line after Virgin Trains East Coast returned the franchise to the Government in June 2018. Its principal destinations are London, Leeds, York, Newcastle and Edinburgh - but it runs as far north as Inverness.