GWR from Paddington, ticket restriction C4

[317362]

A question, is the bar on using this ticket in he evening on GWR only applied to joining at Paddington, or can Elizabeth line trains be used to access GWR at Slough/Maidenhead/Twyford? (Even where the GWR train being boarded has left Paddington between 1600-1900)

The reference pages quote on 'trains'

Not valid on trains timed to depart after 16:00 from London Paddington on Great Western Railway services until 19:01

Ticket Restriction C4 | National Rail

Ticket restriction details C4. Each train ticket restriction code states when and/or on what train(s) the ticket is not valid and the days and/or dates that these restrictions apply.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

Just wondered, currently regularly doing a journey that involves this so any minutes welcome. Have asked GWR staff on each trip and got one 'yes', one 'no', one 'sometimes' and one 'don't know'

 

[Watershed]

It all comes down to how you interpret the wording. In the absence of any other clarification (e.g. restriction code 2C, which has different restrictions for boarding at Milton Keynes vs Euston) I would see it as meaning that those services are barred throughout their journey, not just for boarding at Paddington.

 

[soccermad]

Tickets with restriction C4 are not valid on any FGW train departing Paddington between those times regardless of when or where you intend to board I am afraid

 

[FenMan]

A question, is the bar on using this ticket in he evening on GWR only applied to joining at Paddington, or can Elizabeth line trains be used to access GWR at Slough/Maidenhead/Twyford? (Even where the GWR train being boarded has left Paddington between 1600-1900)

The reference pages quote on 'trains'

Not valid on trains timed to depart after 16:00 from London Paddington on Great Western Railway services until 19:01

Ticket Restriction C4 | National Rail

Ticket restriction details C4. Each train ticket restriction code states when and/or on what train(s) the ticket is not valid and the days and/or dates that these restrictions apply.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

Just wondered, currently regularly doing a journey that involves this so any minutes welcome. Have asked GWR staff on each trip and got one 'yes', one 'no', one 'sometimes' and one 'don't know'

This restriction bars using evening peak GWR services originating at Paddington, so it also bars changing from an Elizabeth Line service to a GWR service at, say, Maidenhead.

 

[317362]

Thank you for clarifying, I will continue to Elizabeth line to Reading and then change into Newbury stoppers starting at Reading in that case...

 

[MarlowDonkey]

Thank you for clarifying, I will continue to Elizabeth line to Reading and then change into Newbury stoppers starting at Reading in that case...

After Slough I think the GWR services are routed onto the Relief lines. So if an Elizabeth LIne train reaches Slough first, it's going to stay ahead of the GWR service in any case.

 

[Jimini]

After Slough I think the GWR services are routed onto the Relief lines. So if an Elizabeth LIne train reaches Slough first, it's going to stay ahead of the GWR service in any case.

It's normally at Dolphin Junction, east of / before Slough (assuming you're referring to the Didcot services).

 

[JonathanH]

After Slough I think the GWR services are routed onto the Relief lines. So if an Elizabeth LIne train reaches Slough first, it's going to stay ahead of the GWR service in any case.

It's normally at Dolphin Junction, east of / before Slough (assuming you're referring to the Didcot services).

Off peak the GWR trains cross at Dolphin Junction before Slough, in order to stop on the relief line platforms. During the peak they go further on the main line and cross at Maidenhead East.

Given we are talking about peak time, a train has to reach Maidenhead first to be in front.

On the matter of the L5 (for Newbury to London off peak tickets, not C4) restriction, I note that the electronic restrictions in BRFares only appear to apply at Paddington on GWR evening services, and not at stations further west. Likewise, where C4 is still used (eg Newbury to Shenfield) again the electronic restriction for evening services is only at Paddington.

In either case, an itinerary changing onto a GWR train from Paddington at Reading can therefore be purchased.

However, it still seems easier to explain catching a service originating at Reading having travelled from Paddington on the Elizabeth Line, than trying to prove not being on a Paddington originating train all the way.

 

[Watershed]

There is no obligation on the passenger to prove their 'innocence'. If they're travelling in accordance with the itinerary they selected when buying their ticket, the ticket's validity cannot sensibly be disputed.