Options to get from Reading to Liverpool Lime St (15/03)

[DanielDeronda]

Was supposed to be travelling this morning from Reading to Liverpool Lime St, changing at Birmingham New Street (0915 from RDG, 1130 from BHM).

I had a look on National Rail and the first three XC trains to BHM have been cancelled, leaving only the 1015.

Even in normal circumstances these trains are extremely busy, but with only one direct service to 1315, I assume getting a seat will be virtually impossible.

Are there any other options available to me to get to BHM (hotel booked for tonight in Birmingham, so need to check in). It looks like West Midlands Trains services are running ok.

And Avanti WC services will be busier than normal as Liverpool are playing Spurs.

I guess I'll just have to grin and bear it for the 1015 XC service, and hope it's not cancelled as well.

 

[Bletchleyite]

What ticket(s) do you have?

Into London and via WMT or Avanti to Brum? Or Reading-Oxford-Bicester (walk across)-Brum? Chiltern aren't running into Marylebone.

Whether any of these are valid will depend on your tickets held.

 

[DanielDeronda]

What ticket(s) do you have?

Into London and via WMT or Avanti to Brum? Or Reading-Oxford-Bicester (walk across)-Brum? Chiltern aren't running into Marylebone.

Whether any of these are valid will depend on your tickets held.

I've got Advance singles between Reading & Birmingham & Birmingham to Liverpool.

My only saving grace is the 1015 XC service is showing as an 8 coach service so I'm hoping for at least 1 unreserved carriage. And starts at Southampton stopping at just Guildford.

 

[SteelWeelApeal]

Be on the platform as it arrives (0957, although it might be a few mins before that as it has lots of pathing time) and I would guess you’d get a seat (although hard to predict). Stopping only at Southampton and Guildford will have helped, and quite a few get off (and on) at Reading, so be there ready to replace them as soon as they get off.

 

[D1537]

Oddly, the ECS for the 0915 Reading-Manchester is currently en route from Eastleigh to Reading, yet the train itself is still showing as cancelled.

It's a 9-car which splits at Manchester to form two southbound services (1303 to Bristol and 1325 to Bournemouth), neither of which are showing as cancelled.

Edit: ah never mind, it's going to form 1O08 starting at Reading which has been cancelled from Birmingham.

Remind me why I never use Cross-Country again...

 

[DanielDeronda]

I'm at the station now, so got about 40mins before it's due into Reading. I'll keep an eye on any last minute changes to platform.

I could have done AWC from EUS but they've already cancelled trains coming back after Liverpool Vs Spurs.

Times like this I wish I could drive!!

 

[JBuchananGB]

It looks like your optimum journey now is to stay on that train to Stafford (arr. 12.32) then catch the train from there (dep 13.06) to Liverpool (arr. 1404).

 

[Haywain]

It looks like your optimum journey now is to stay on that train to Stafford (arr. 12.32) then catch the train from there (dep 13.06) to Liverpool (arr. 1404).

That will make checking in to a Birmingham hotel a touch tricky.

 

[DanielDeronda]

In coach L, 1 of the unreserved carriages.

Due BHM at 1151, the LNWR service to Lime St is at 1227 & my hotel is literally outside 1 of the exits from BHM. Due 1418.

Just hope they find some drivers for my return journey tomorrow!!

 

[JBuchananGB]

There is a 12.27 from Birmingham arrives Liverpool 14.18. The Reading train gets into Birmingham about 11.50. Would that give you time?

 

[DanielDeronda]

There is a 12.27 from Birmingham arrives Liverpool 14.18. The Reading train gets into Birmingham about 11.50. Would that give you time?

That's exactly the 1 I'm hoping now to get, just leaving luggage at front desk. Should all be ok. Just went into a panic when I saw the multiple cancellations this morning.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Mar 2026 ==

All sorted, on the LNWR train now.

Have submitted delay repay claim for £10.35, all of my split advance single from RDG to BHM. Should be an open & shut case!!

 

[AlterEgo]

Why aren't you claiming for the full journey?

 

[JBuchananGB]

I'm sure the OP could have claimed for the combined cost of the two tickets Reading to Liverpool, but strictly speaking in this case he has made two journeys, because he has exited the station at Birmingham and checked into a hotel, then started another journey from Birmingham to Liverpool.

But in the case of a ticket check on the second journey he would have had to rely on the fact that his previous train had been cancelled, in order to make the advance ticket valid.

 

[Haywain]

I'm sure the OP could have claimed for the combined cost of the two tickets Reading to Liverpool, but strictly speaking in this case he has made two journeys, because he has exited the station at Birmingham and checked into a hotel, then started another journey from Birmingham to Liverpool.

The OP will still have been delayed arriving into Liverpool compared to their original plans, and caused by the cancellations of XC services.

 

[DanielDeronda]

I have submitted my claim to XC to include the WMT service that caused me to arrive 63 mins late at Liverpool Lime St, and an extra £7.65.

There was also a 30+ min delay on the return leg from Liverpool to BHM. So another £3.82 or 50% of the £7.65 ticket value.

So I should get just under £22 back from an original £36 return fare.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Mar 2026 ==

And 1 final delay on the way home from Birmingham to Reading this lunchtime, so another £5.18, given the delay was 37mins.

So basically every leg of the journey was delayed!!