Edinburgh to Bolton 17/02/2016

[thealexweb]

On Wednesday 17th February I am due to travel from Edinburgh Waverley to Bolton (changing at the Wigan stations) on a Virgin Trains West Coast and connections advance purchase ticket. And I return on Saturday 20th February via the same route with the same type of ticket.

I booked only yesterday as the National Rail website says the current problems last only up to Monday 1st February. I looked on RealTimeTrains and my services are, as of right now, still booked to run. How likely is it that I will be able travel without disruptions? If not, why are advance purchase tickets and reservations still able to be booked?

 

[cuccir]

Tickets and reservations are bookable because they're expecting to run the services!

The most recent update does suggest that the work could suffer delays, but 17th Feb does give quite a long window after the predicted finish of works on 31st Jan. I'd be more nervous if booked in the first week of February. You can keep up on the news by searching for the Lamington Viaduct.

If work is still going on, then diverted trains/rail replacement buses will be available, with relaxed restrictions on Advance tickets (ie you can travel earlier if you need to get to your destination at the same time), as outlined here.

 

[Howardh]

It's just happened to me that after booking, the line's down but as mentioned on another thread I got a full refund.

Always in Jan I book a trip to Glasgow for the Curling, no probs until this year; but I always half expect not to travel due to bad weather (usually expect snow - not flooding!) but the comfort is that if the train on your ticket doesn't run you are entitled to a refund.

Doesn't help if you MUST make the trip, nor if you are there and can't get home!

If I HAD to travel to Edinburgh (from the NW in my case) I's probably book two cheap advance tickets, one up the west coast and the other up the east just to make sure; probably a bit extreme but might be cheaper than getting a refund on one and having to pay full price to go the other way.

Wonder how many on here have booked two separate possibilities in advance to make sure they are covered to get to, say, an interview etc?

 

[scotsman]

I think it's unlikely that you'll be able to travel undisrupted. You'll be able to use trains as normal to/from Carlisle, with a coach connection from there to Edinburgh. Will probably add around two hours on to each journey.

 

[thealexweb]

Thank you for all for your advice

 

[exile]

I think it's unlikely that you'll be able to travel undisrupted. You'll be able to use trains as normal to/from Carlisle, with a coach connection from there to Edinburgh. Will probably add around two hours on to each journey.

That would be true if he travelled today - but he's travelling on 17th Feb.

 

[scotsman]

That would be true if he travelled today - but he's travelling on 17th Feb.

I stand by my advice.

 

[Starmill]

I stand by my advice.

Shame all of the TOCs and Network Rail do not agree with you...

 

[thealexweb]

It is now confirmed the line will be shut on my days of travelling. And all the cheap advance purchase tickets for going via ECML seem to be sold out.

 

[scotsman]

Shame all of the TOCs and Network Rail do not agree with you...

You were saying...?