When the direct route is slower: what would you do?

[nitten_travell]

Sometimes a direct route takes longer than changing trains part way. My question is: how long (or short) does the time saving need to be for you to twist or stick?

On Tuesday I need to travel from Newtongrange to Didcot Parkway. I usually travel via London but Kings Cross will be closed that day. I dislike CrossCountry’s rolling stock and will actively avoid it. I’ll be travelling for work with a super off-peak single and can expense a seatfrog upgrade. Thus the only thing to decide is the route.

There are, realistically, two options:

The 0852 direct Avanti service, arriving at Euston at 1454 (and thence to Paddington).

Or - take the 0852 but change at Carlisle (arr 1005 dep 1050) getting to Euston at 1413. Time saved: 41 mins

My question is: would anyone consider 41 minutes enough of a time save to ditch the direct service?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Presume the 0852 Avanti service from Edinburgh to London Euston is the slower one which is routed via Birmingham New Street, whereas the connection at Carlisle is for an Avanti service originating from Glasgow Central (possibly the 0936) which is headed for London Euston but is not routed via Birmingham New Street.

If you don't mind the likely 44 minute connection / waiting time at Carlisle, then the overall reduction in journey time should still prove worthwhile.

 

[The exile]

Sometimes a direct route takes longer than changing trains part way. My question is: how long (or short) does the time saving need to be for you to twist or stick?

On Tuesday I need to travel from Newtongrange to Didcot Parkway. I usually travel via London but Kings Cross will be closed that day. I dislike CrossCountry’s rolling stock and will actively avoid it. I’ll be travelling for work with a super off-peak single and can expense a seatfrog upgrade. Thus the only thing to decide is the route.

There are, realistically, two options:

The 0852 direct Avanti service, arriving at Euston at 1454 (and thence to Paddington).

Or - take the 0852 but change at Carlisle (arr 1005 dep 1050) getting to Euston at 1413. Time saved: 41 mins

My question is: would anyone consider 41 minutes enough of a time save to ditch the direct service?

Rather depends on how vital those 41 minutes are. On a one-off 6 hour journey I’d probably opt for the through service - but I’ll happily sprint to save myself 15 minutes on my regular 30 (or 45!) minute commute.

 

[Class800]

Sometimes a direct route takes longer than changing trains part way. My question is: how long (or short) does the time saving need to be for you to twist or stick?

On Tuesday I need to travel from Newtongrange to Didcot Parkway. I usually travel via London but Kings Cross will be closed that day. I dislike CrossCountry’s rolling stock and will actively avoid it. I’ll be travelling for work with a super off-peak single and can expense a seatfrog upgrade. Thus the only thing to decide is the route.

There are, realistically, two options:

The 0852 direct Avanti service, arriving at Euston at 1454 (and thence to Paddington).

Or - take the 0852 but change at Carlisle (arr 1005 dep 1050) getting to Euston at 1413. Time saved: 41 mins

My question is: would anyone consider 41 minutes enough of a time save to ditch the direct service?

10-15 minutes for me. But also would depend on the connection time, reliability of connecting service, and frequency of alternative trains if the connection were to be missed

 

[Mcr Warrior]

10-15 minutes for me. But also would depend on the connection time, reliability of connecting service, and frequency of alternative trains if the connection were to be missed

Indeed. In the example posted by the OP, it should be possible to ascertain whether the following Avanti departure (from Glasgow Central) was definitely running / had left on time, before deciding to alight from the slower service (originating from Edinburgh) at Carlisle.

 

[Tester]

Sometimes a direct route takes longer than changing trains part way. My question is: how long (or short) does the time saving need to be for you to twist or stick?

On Tuesday I need to travel from Newtongrange to Didcot Parkway. I usually travel via London but Kings Cross will be closed that day. I dislike CrossCountry’s rolling stock and will actively avoid it. I’ll be travelling for work with a super off-peak single and can expense a seatfrog upgrade. Thus the only thing to decide is the route.

There are, realistically, two options:

The 0852 direct Avanti service, arriving at Euston at 1454 (and thence to Paddington).

Or - take the 0852 but change at Carlisle (arr 1005 dep 1050) getting to Euston at 1413. Time saved: 41 mins

My question is: would anyone consider 41 minutes enough of a time save to ditch the direct service?

I would do it.

In fact by changing at Crewe (1200/1223) rather than Carlisle, you can save another 10 minutes (arrive Euston 1403 rather than 1413).

All subject to reality of course, but easy to monitor.

It's not unusual for the possibility to be announced on the approach to Crewe.

 

[nitten_travell]

Presume the 0852 Avanti service from Edinburgh to London Euston is the slower one which is routed via Birmingham New Street, whereas the connection at Carlisle is for an Avanti service originating from Glasgow Central (possibly the 0936) which is headed for London Euston but is not routed via Birmingham New Street.

If you don't mind the likely 44 minute connection / waiting time at Carlisle, then the overall reduction in journey time should still prove worthwhile.

Yes, it's because the Avanti services from Edinburgh go via Birmingham. I could potentially save even more time (minutes) changing at Crewe.

Rather depends on how vital those 41 minutes are. On a one-off 6 hour journey I’d probably opt for the through service - but I’ll happily sprint to save myself 15 minutes on my regular 30 (or 45!) minute commute.

As some who was born and raised in the north of England, and now lives in Scotland, it's a source of amusement to see tube and rail passengers in London sprint to get on board, when the next departure is likely single digit minutes away!

10-15 minutes for me. But also would depend on the connection time, reliability of connecting service, and frequency of alternative trains if the connection were to be missed

This is my thought - knowing my luck the service from Carlisle would get cancelled or something irritating.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Often I change trains to get places quicker, although sometimes, it ends up slower (40m late TPE).
And sometimes I purposefully add changes to make it slower, to go somewhere not direct but valid with my ticket.

 

[nitten_travell]

I would do it.

In fact by changing at Crewe (1200/1223) rather than Carlisle, you can save another 10 minutes (arrive Euston 1403 rather than 1413).

All subject to reality of course, but easy to monitor.

It's not unusual for the possibility to be announced on the approach to Crewe.

So they may say "if you are travelling to London, it will be quicker to get off here and go to platform XX"?

 

[Tester]

So they may say "if you are travelling to London, it will be quicker to get off here and go to platform XX"?

Exactly so, and adding that if your ticket permits it.

Generally same platform (5) but of course always check.

Whilst you wouldn't be able to check that the next train has left Liverpool before yours leaves Warrington, you could certainly check that it isn't cancelled or affected by severe delay to the inbound working. If so get off at Warrington and pick up the train you would have taken from Carlisle. Two strings to your bow!

 

[miklcct]

Sometimes a direct route takes longer than changing trains part way. My question is: how long (or short) does the time saving need to be for you to twist or stick?

My "transfer penalty" is 3 minutes. In other words, if by changing, I can save at least 3 minutes compared on a direct service, giving that everything else is the same and there is no other penalty (such as walking and waiting), I will change.

In concrete words, if I am on a northbound Jubilee train with Wembley Park as my destination, when arriving Finchley Road, there is a Metropolitan train at the platform, I will cross the platform immediately to take the Metropolitan train because the time saving is more than 3 minutes.

 

[nitten_travell]

Much to ponder, when I ought to be doing more productive things, thanks all!