I sent in some questions to CountryLink on their website regarding the BodyBag, and the rigmarole I went through in last year’s booking, where I had to make a booking to Casino and then vary it back to Coffs Harbour. This was their response:

You will be pleased to know that our booking restrictions for the 7.15am Sydney to Casino XPT were reviewed in July of this year and you will be able to booked to Coffs Harbour up to 325 days in advance.

In regard to the request for your bike being transported in the ground effects body bag, this would not be accepted for transport on CountryLink due to the restrictive space allocated in the cargo area of the trains.  I will forward this email and the web site you mention to our relevant Management for their review.

I responded, with a question about how the restrictive space affects the acceptability of the BodyBag, but haven’t received an answer. Perhaps they lie the boxes flat, or stack them vertically one on top of the other (for the two bikes allowed) on the wall.

There may be numerous ways that they pack them, that precludes a soft casing, but might allow a wider hard casing, and  I guess I’ll have to wait and see if they decide in my favour. It’s still not a big deal to depend on boxes – just a shame to have spent the money on a bike bag that I can’t use.