Missing Train 1400 ex KGX 02/04

[Deerfold]

I'm looking at travelling on Thursday 02/04 from London Kings Cross (KGX) to Newcastle (NCL).

I already have a ticket valid between London and York (YRK) and have been trying to find advance tickets for the remainder of the journey.

My ideal train would be the 1400 from KGX but I can't get journey planners to display this train from London or York.

VTEC's website doesn't give any changes for that day and it is on RTT.

Anyone any idea what's going on, or should I just book another close train?

 

[najaB]

Anyone any idea what's going on, or should I just book another close train?

That train is pick-up only at Newcastle.

 

[Deerfold]

That train is pick-up only at Newcastle.

Is that just on that day?

It comes up on other days - and the VTEC website says there's no changes that day.

Most confusing.

 

[najaB]

Is that just on that day?

It comes up on other days - and the VTEC website says there's no changes that day.

Most confusing.

It isn't a change, it's been in the timetable for ages. I think that the Chieftain and the Aberdeen trains are pick-up only at Newcastle, Darlington and York for the Easter getaway period. They're set-down only southbound.

 

[Deerfold]

It isn't a change, it's been in the timetable for ages. I think that the Chieftain and the Aberdeen trains are pick-up only at Newcastle, Darlington and York for the Easter getaway period. They're set-down only southbound.

Am I missing something? I can't see anything in the timetable to say it's pick up only on certain dates. I'm not arguing they're not, merely that it's not very clear.

http://www.virgintrainseastcoast.co...metables/east-coast-14-dec-to-10-may-2015.pdf

 

[andrew bell]

It's Maundy Thursday, a lot of people will be travelling that day. To relieve congestion and overcrowding certain trains are pick up/set down only

 

[Deerfold]

It's Maundy Thursday, a lot of people will be travelling that day. To relieve congestion and overcrowding certain trains are pick up/set down only

I quite understand that.

What I'm wondering is how I'm supposed to know that from the published timetable and advice that there's no changes to trains.

 

[Failed Unit]

I quite understand that.

What I'm wondering is how I'm supposed to know that from the published timetable and advice that there's no changes to trains.

It won't show up in the journey planners?

However if you as for London - Edinburgh, click on the calling points and it does show this specifically on the day.

If you arrive at Kings cross it will be first stop Berwick on the boards so people without reservations won't see it.

I must admin the VTEC website neither mentions this or the extension to Edinburgh of some trains over Easter.

 

[Deerfold]

It won't show up in the journey planners?

However if you as for London - Edinburgh, click on the calling points and it does show this specifically on the day.

If you arrive at Kings cross it will be first stop Berwick on the boards so people without reservations won't see it.

I must admin the VTEC website neither mentions this or the extension to Edinburgh of some trains over Easter.

No, but I started off by looking at the printed timetable (well, the pdf version on their website).

Surely, you'd expect there to be some mention either in the timetable or in the altered services section of the website.

Although this time I'm on an advance from York, it's not uncommon for me to be on an open ticket, checking the printed timetable as I travel towards Kings Cross - in fact if I was going to York I may have just gone for 1400 anyway.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes you would think so. Not everyone uses the Journey Planner.

 

[Failed Unit]

No, but I started off by looking at the printed timetable (well, the pdf version on their website).

Surely, you'd expect there to be some mention either in the timetable or in the altered services section of the website.

Although this time I'm on an advance from York, it's not uncommon for me to be on an open ticket, checking the printed timetable as I travel towards Kings Cross - in fact if I was going to York I may have just gone for 1400 anyway.

I agree that East Coast don't handle this as well as previous operators. Even national express would have had a PDF on the website for that day. I guess they expect regular users to know that the do this around all public holidays and irregular users to check journey planners.

Not good for someone on the Thursday to turn up only to be told they are on the 1430 instead.

 

[anthony_g]

It's Maundy Thursday, a lot of people will be travelling that day. To relieve congestion and overcrowding certain trains are pick up/set down only

You clearly forgot to mention the long bank holiday weekend, so might be overcrowded to the max.

 

[Deerfold]

I've asked the question on VTEC's Facebook page to see what they say (meanwhile I've booked on another service).

 

[najaB]

No, but I started off by looking at the printed timetable (well, the pdf version on their website).

Surely, you'd expect there to be some mention either in the timetable or in the altered services section of the website.

Technically it's not a 'change' as they would have planned this since the timetable was created, but I agree they should have a link to 'Holiday Timetable' or similar. They do show as pick-up only if you use the journey planner though:

 

[Deerfold]

Technically it's not a 'change' as they would have planned this since the timetable was created, but I agree they should have a link to 'Holiday Timetable' or similar. They do show as pick-up only if you use the journey planner though:

It may not be a change from their plan, but it's a change from the published information.

It may indeed be what they do every year, but it's not a journey I've done before.

All is fine if you use the journey planner - I was merely making the point that using the printed timetable and the published changes should also alert you to the fact you can't use the 1400.

As an aside, can they enforce the pick up only restriction if it's not mentioned in either? Do we have to check everything on the journey planner or boards before boarding a train (I often don't pass within sight of the larger boards when entering Kings Cross).

 

[najaB]

All is fine if you use the journey planner - I was merely making the point that using the printed timetable and the published changes should also alert you to the fact you can't use the 1400.

I agree that it should be highlighted on the website, I believe this is an oversight as they did have information about the amended timetables at Christmas. Probably due to getting the new website up and running.

As an aside, can they enforce the pick up only restriction if it's not mentioned in either? Do we have to check everything on the journey planner or boards before boarding a train (I often don't pass within sight of the larger boards when entering Kings Cross).

Yes, they can. The Guard will normally make several announcements before leaving Kings Cross in case people have missed it.