All Line Rover in June - Need some help

[bengley]

I'm planning an ALR in June, but I'm not doing what most do on here, (racking up mileage) I am hosting some meetups all around the country for another (non-railway) forum.

I will start the ALR on June 3rd, with this expiring on the 9th June.

I want to hold my first meetup on this day in Manchester, at about midday, so I preferably want to be there by 11:30. I realise this may not be possible to do directly because of the stupid restrictions added to the ALR recently, so I am willing to make any changes or silly routes to make this possible.

My first question, then, is - how would I get to Manchester by midday from Chesham?

I then plan to spend the 4th June doing general ALR stuff, maybe trekking into the Scottish highlands. This journey will start from Manchester so the restrictions are not a problem.

5th June has a meetup planned in Edinburgh, I would probably stay in Edinburgh or somewhere else in Scotland overnight if I'm going to the Highlands, so this meetup needs to be at about 11am, with me arriving at EDB by 10:30

6th June will be another ALR day.

7th June will be a meet in Birmingham, hopefully at about midday.

8th June will be a meet in Bristol, starting at 11:00am.

9th June will be my final ALR day and also the trip back to Chesham, with the last train leaving Baker Street at 00:25, so I have all day and most of the night to get as many nice lines in.

Can anyone recommend any interesting lines worth seeing?

Is my order of things good, or can I improve it? I want to spend my time with as little time waiting for trains as possible, so maybe the order of my meetups could be improved?

I could potentially cancel one of the meetups and just have three, giving me more time to tour the country so to speak.

Cheers.


P.S Just had an idea. As the ALR is a season ticket, would it be allowed to buy a ticket from Euston to Wembley Central (train passes a 00:01) to use on the sleeper on the 2nd June? This way I could work my way down the country, starting in Edinburgh.

 

[rail-britain]

I want to hold my first meetup on this day in Manchester, at about midday, so I preferably want to be there by 11:30. I realise this may not be possible to do directly because of the stupid restrictions added to the ALR recently, so I am willing to make any changes or silly routes to make this possible.

My first question, then, is - how would I get to Manchester by midday from Chesham?

Why would this be an issue, your journey for the day is commencing at Chesham?
Please provide your suggested travel plan that you think might be an issue

 

[bengley]

Why would this be an issue, your journey for the day is commencing at Chesham?
Please provide your suggested travel plan that you think might be an issue

Chesham - Baker Street

Baker Street - Euston Square

Euston - Manchester Piccadilly (this train needs to depart Euston before 10:00am and this is not allowed with the ALR)

 

[Deerfold]

Chesham - Baker Street

Baker Street - Euston Square

Euston - Manchester Piccadilly (this train needs to depart Euston before 10:00am and this is not allowed with the ALR)

Don't forget that the ALR won't cover you from Chesham. I'm unsure about the validity between Chalfont and Latimer and Baker Street (NR is fine).

 

[bengley]

Don't forget that the ALR won't cover you from Chesham. I'm unsure about the validity between Chalfont and Latimer and Baker Street (NR is fine).

I know, I've got oyster so it's not an issue if I have to pay the small price to get into London.

 

[Deerfold]

I know, I've got oyster so it's not an issue if I have to pay the small price to get into London.

You should be able to go over to Paddington / Reading / Birmingham. I can't find the times from the new timetable but based on current times if you leave Paddington at 0800 you'd be at Manchester Picadilly for 1159.

(Reading a0825 d0841, Birmingham NS a1018 d1031)

In fact if you don't mind a 0519 or 0551 start from Chesham you could get the similar 0706 out of Paddington (arrive 1059) or the easier 0730 Paddington - Reading a0757 d0811 to manchester a 1139).

 

[rail-britain]

your journey for the day is commencing at Chesham?

What I really meant was :
What is the first railway station you will use

I wasn't sure if Chesham was mis-spelt as no station was found

You could travel from Euston to somewhere like Watford Junction, by London Midland, then travel on the next service northbound from there (if it calls at Watford Junction)
Alternatively, you could travel from Paddington, changing at Reading as above, however you would need to make sure a change at Birmingham is not required (ie a direct service Reading to Manchester would be preferred)

 

[bengley]

My plan is possibly going to be better if I start from Scotland and work down, so is this

Just had an idea. As the ALR is a season ticket, would it be allowed to buy a ticket from Euston to Wembley Central (train passes a 00:01) to use on the sleeper on the 2nd June? This way I could work my way down the country, starting in Edinburgh.

Feasible?

 

[MCR247]

There has been numerous debates about it, but if you want to get into Edinburgh early, you get the Highland leaving at 2115 on a ticket to Winsford (if people say it is valid?) and change at Dunblane

 

[bengley]

There has been numerous debates about it, but if you want to get into Edinburgh early, you get the Highland leaving at 2115 on a ticket to Winsford (if people say it is valid?) and change at Dunblane

I definitely don't want to get there that early!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I've changed my plan slightly, here's the version of the plan I posted on the forum I'm organising this for.

 

[Flying Snail]

My plan is possibly going to be better if I start from Scotland and work down, so is this



Feasible?

I would get a single to Watford Junction instead as the train picks-up there at 00.10, less of a logic gap to explain if you encounter someone not enclined to unusual ticketing.

If you are getting a berth go to the attendant as soon as they open and get sorted, in the unlikely event they take exception to the split ticket you would still have the alternative of getting the 23.34 LM to Watford and boarding the sleeper there.


On your plan in general, from looking at your rough itinerary I would say you could do it much cheaper on advances, off-peaks and local rovers.

 

[bengley]

I would get a single to Watford Junction instead as the train picks-up there at 00.10, less of a logic gap to explain if you encounter someone not enclined to unusual ticketing.

If you are getting a berth go to the attendant as soon as they open and get sorted, in the unlikely event they take exception to the split ticket you would still have the alternative of getting the 23.34 LM to Watford and boarding the sleeper there.


On your plan in general, from looking at your rough itinerary I would say you could do it much cheaper on advances, off-peaks and local rovers.

Thanks for the advice, I will do that RE the sleeper.

Price isn't an issue. I really just want to be able to change my plan at the last minute which I wouldn't be able to do with off-peaks or advance tickets.

 

[garnon]

I would get a single to Watford Junction instead as the train picks-up there at 00.10, less of a logic gap to explain if you encounter someone not enclined to unusual ticketing.

If you are getting a berth go to the attendant as soon as they open and get sorted, in the unlikely event they take exception to the split ticket you would still have the alternative of getting the 23.34 LM to Watford and boarding the sleeper there.
On your plan in general, from looking at your rough itinerary I would say you could do it much cheaper on advances, off-peaks and local rovers.

Nice advice - duly incorporated into my own planning - thank you

 

[4SRKT]

I know, I've got oyster so it's not an issue if I have to pay the small price to get into London.

Is the ALR valid on Euston > Manchester trains before 10:00 if you board at stations other than Euston? If so, get the Metropolitan line from Chesham to Moor Park, then to Watford. Walk to Watford Junction and take a train to Milton Keynes to pick up the 09:20 Euston > Piccadilly there at 09:50.

 

[bengley]

Is the ALR valid on Euston > Manchester trains before 10:00 if you board at stations other than Euston? If so, get the Metropolitan line from Chesham to Moor Park, then to Watford. Walk to Watford Junction and take a train to Milton Keynes to pick up the 09:20 Euston > Piccadilly there at 09:50.

Can't pick up Virgin before 10:00 at Euston, Watford Junction or Milton Keynes. They have all this covered unfortunately

 

[nedchester]

Can't pick up Virgin before 10:00 at Euston, Watford Junction or Milton Keynes. They have all this covered unfortunately

Single Euston to Harrow or somesuch? Combining rover with ordinary ticket is valid isn't it?

 

[island]

Yes, and the train does not have to stop where you change from one ticket to the other.

Warning: If too many people go and do this, ATOC is liable to further tighten ALR rules, or add extra restrictions to the ALR and then introduce a new, higher-price ALR without the restrictions.

 

[t0ffeeman]

Use LM from Watford to Rugby/Stoke.