London Midland Great Escape

[gordonthemoron]

is on again, 19.10.13 to 03.11.13. £15 standard, £9.90 with railcard for as many journeys on LM services as you like in one day. See LM website to get your voucher, there are some restrictions timewise depending on day

 

[Polarbear]

I note that the T&C's have changed again - specifically with regard to the time of travel on certain routes.

The ability to travel at any time within the greater West Midlands is a good thing, but I think that enforcing the restrictions on the Crewe - London service is a potential nightmare.

The way I read the restrictions is that I now can't set off from Crewe before 09:30 on a weekday, making a day return to London less viable. On Saturdays, I can travel at any time from Crewe but those passengers who are hoping to travel from Stations between Stafford & Nuneaton (inclusive) are barred until 12.45?

Given that the Great Escape is effectively a "Rover", how on earth is that going to be enforced?

 

[gordonthemoron]

except Tamworth or Atherstone. However, reading the info on the website I expect that is because they do not have other LM services. So passengers from Stafford, Rugely or Lichfield can travel via New Street and those from Nuneaton can travel via Coventry. or to be more perverse, the first 3 can go via Stone and Nuneaton can go via Atherstone.

 

[Crossover]

except Tamworth or Atherstone. However, reading the info on the website I expect that is because they do not have other LM services. So passengers from Stafford, Rugely or Lichfield can travel via New Street and those from Nuneaton can travel via Coventry. or to be more perverse, the first 3 can go via Stone and Nuneaton can go via Atherstone.

Except Crewe can go via Birmingham

It is an odd rule and I'm sure many will hop on at Stafford and say they did so at Stoke...

 

[Polarbear]

From the LM website;

Weekends

To prevent overcrowding, Great Escape tickets are not valid on direct services to London Euston from Stafford, Rugeley, Lichfield and Nuneaton before 1245hrs on Saturdays (feel free to travel via Birmingham/Coventry, though). There are no other time restrictions at weekends.

Having re-read this, I'm not 100% clear on it's exact meaning (or actual intent). Does it mean Great Escape (GE) tickets are not valid between the above points before 12:45 on Saturdays, or just that GE tickets cannot be used from those listed stations before 12:45?

If the former, I would assume those boarding at points north of Stafford could use the through London services. If the latter, anyone intending to go south of Nuneaton would have to go via Birmingham which isn't fantastic if you are making your way from places like Crewe or Liverpool.

 

[43074]

From the LM website;

Weekends

To prevent overcrowding, Great Escape tickets are not valid on direct services to London Euston from Stafford, Rugeley, Lichfield and Nuneaton before 1245hrs on Saturdays (feel free to travel via Birmingham/Coventry, though). There are no other time restrictions at weekends.

Having re-read this, I'm not 100% clear on it's exact meaning (or actual intent). Does it mean Great Escape (GE) tickets are not valid between the above points before 12:45 on Saturdays, or just that GE tickets cannot be used from those listed stations before 12:45?

I think it means you cannot use the direct Trent Valley service from the above points to London Euston before 12:45 on Saturdays, because it says ''feel free to travel via Birmingham/Coventry'' instead.

 

[IanD]

I think it means you cannot use the direct Trent Valley service from the above points to London Euston before 12:45 on Saturdays, because it says ''feel free to travel via Birmingham/Coventry'' instead.

Or head north and double back from Stone/Stoke/Crewe/Tamworth as appropriate

 

[Polarbear]

I've sent an e-mail to LM to see if they can clarify & I'll post back here once I receive a reply.

 

[bnm]

Or head north and double back from Stone/Stoke/Crewe/Tamworth as appropriate

Or board when you like Sat AM and get off at Milton Keynes for half an hour.

 

[nlogax]

is on again, 19.10.13 to 03.11.13. £15 standard, £9.90 with railcard for as many journeys on LM services as you like in one day. See LM website to get your voucher, there are some restrictions timewise depending on day

Ta for the pointer Just got myself a voucher for the 19th.

 

[Polarbear]

Righto - reply received from London Midland. Not the news I wanted but not entirely unexpected;

Even though Crewe is not named, if you caught a train from there before 10.00, you would be travelling through Stafford, Rugeley Trent Valley, etc before the 1245 restriction. As trains before this time are extremely busy at the best of times - even without promotional offers been on - we have had to restrict passengers from travelling on these services regrettably.

So, yes, if you wished to travel from Crewe before 10.00, you would have to change at Stafford and travel via Birmingham New Street to London Euston.

I hope you enjoy your Great Escape, whichever route you take!

I'll happily abide by the rules, but I can foresee a lot of people getting caught out by this restriction. Could be interesting...!!:roll:

 

[greatkingrat]

Sounds completely unenforceable to me. Perhaps you should ask if you are allowed to travel Crewe - Atherstone? If yes, then ask if you are allowed to travel Atherstone - Euston

 

[Crossover]

As far as I'm concerned, I'll take a copy of the restrictions they've published, show it if asked and say I have travelled from Stoke (which I will have) and that it doesn't mention nor imply that it isn't valid from there.

I wonder if either:
a) the person answering the email didn't really get the rule either
b) someone did understand but are trying to backtrack out of a potential problem they have made themselves
......

 

[gordonthemoron]

Quite, and are passengers boarding at Rugby & Milton Keynes allowed on the Crewe services?

 

[Crossover]

Quite, and are passengers boarding at Rugby & Milton Keynes allowed on the Crewe services?

Apparently so.

A lesson in how to make things needlessly complicated!

 

[martinsh]

Just want to check other people agree with me on this.

As far as I can see the "travel at any time" area includes the whole of the Trent Valley line, so I should be able to travel the whole distance Stafford - Euston on the 0841 on weekdays ?

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Righto - reply received from London Midland. Not the news I wanted but not entirely unexpected;



I'll happily abide by the rules, but I can foresee a lot of people getting caught out by this restriction. Could be interesting...!!:roll:

Me and Class 92 went on the first train of the day out of Crewe to Euston and we were fine.

 

[IanD]

Just want to check other people agree with me on this.

As far as I can see the "travel at any time" area includes the whole of the Trent Valley line, so I should be able to travel the whole distance Stafford - Euston on the 0841 on weekdays ?

As it leaves Rugby after 0930 the I can't see any reason why not.

 

[bnm]

According to the advertising of the offer on the landing page:

Avoid the queues!

Our Great Escape days are very popular, so to avoid queuing please try to collect your tickets in advance (outside the rush hours is best).

Tickets are available for collection from all London Midland-served stations from Saturday 5 October 2013.

My emphasis in bold

Tried recently to collect mine, for use on the 30th October, from Cheltenham Spa. No dice.

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Cheltenham Spa is outside LM's normal territory - do they even serve Cheltenham at present?

 

[sonic2009]

Cheltenham Spa is outside LM's normal territory - do they even serve Cheltenham at present?

Yes they do.

A Friday only service from Birmingham New Street - Gloucester departs BHM at 2300, calling University, Bromsgrove, Droitwich Spa, Worcester Shrub Hill, Ashchurch, Cheltenham Spa & Gloucester arrives in at 0020.

I don't know whether its a franchise requirement, but i suspect they run the service to get a share of Birmingham - Cheltenham fare revenue.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

According to the advertising of the offer on the landing page:

Avoid the queues!

Our Great Escape days are very popular, so to avoid queuing please try to collect your tickets in advance (outside the rush hours is best).

Tickets are available for collection from all London Midland-served stations from Saturday 5 October 2013.

My emphasis in bold

Tried recently to collect mine, for use on the 30th October, from Cheltenham Spa. No dice.

Maybe a quick tweet to LM? Or Email?.

 

[gordonthemoron]

were still vouchers available for all dates when I checked yesterday

 

[bb21]

I don't know whether its a franchise requirement, but i suspect they run the service to get a share of Birmingham - Cheltenham fare revenue.

They won't get much of the ORCATs revenue with that one train a week that is for sure.

 

[alex17595]

There is not really a rush for these tickets unless you want to travel on a Saturday.

 

[gordonthemoron]

yes, however last time I could only get vouchers for 1 saturday, whereas this time I have 2

 

[Crossover]

Me and Class 92 went on the first train of the day out of Crewe to Euston and we were fine.

Myself and starmill ended up on a WMDR as someone *cough* starmill *cough* brought the wrong voucher...but the guard on our service was clutching a Great Escape leaflet so I'm not sure if he would have comfronted anyone. The service was dead anyway!

yes, however last time I could only get vouchers for 1 saturday, whereas this time I have 2

I had one for one, but they released some more the other day so I have one for the last Saturday now as well

 

[Bevan Price]

Warning - if using a Great Escape on Saturday 2 November. There is engineering work north of Crewe from 17:15 onwards, with rail replacement buses operating instead of trains.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Myself and starmill ended up on a WMDR as someone *cough* starmill *cough* brought the wrong voucher...but the guard on our service was clutching a Great Escape leaflet so I'm not sure if he would have comfronted anyone. The service was dead anyway!

At least the day went ok for you, I always enjoy a WMDR bash, extremely good value for the are covered. Me and class 92 had a good day in London apart from nearly reverting to SILK after having my tickets pickpocketed on Wembley high street!

 

[alastair]

At least the day went ok for you, I always enjoy a WMDR bash, extremely good value for the are covered. Me and class 92 had a good day in London apart from nearly reverting to SILK after having my tickets pickpocketed on Wembley high street!

From the Forum guidelines:

Please remember many members do not understand rail “jargon” (including acronyms, station codes and specialist terms). Such terms should be correctly defined the first time they are used; codes and abbreviations must not be made up.

Apologies, but as a matter of interest,what does WMDR, SILK, and class 92 mean?

 

[MikeWh]

Apologies, but as a matter of interest,what does WMDR, SILK, and class 92 mean?

WMDR = West Midlands Day Rover/Ranger
SILK = Stranded individual, location known

class92 is another forum user.