How to check for "& Connections" before buying Advance?

[TheManOnThe172]

How does one find out, before booking a ticket, whether a particular leg of a multi-leg Advance will be tied to a specific service, or allow the flexibility of "& Connections"?

I am trying to book an Advance from St Albans, changing at St Pancras and Derby, to Matlock. The passenger would like to spend an hour or so in the British Library as part of the change at St Pancras.

I understand that the Thameslink leg St Albans-St Pancras will specify the service to be taken without flexibility. I am unsure about the Derby-Matlock leg, and want to check before buying.

Using Trainsplit/Raileasy, I can insert extra change time - but seemingly only the same extra time at each change. Adding an extra 60 mins gives an acceptable price, and a suitable itinerary as far as Derby - but then involves an unwanted extra hour's wait at Derby unless Derby-Matlock is "& Connections".

 

[Bletchleyite]

Check if the train you're booked on is shown as reservable on Realtime Trains. If it is you'll have a place booked on it and have to use that one.

Also ensure you get paper tickets as arguably with an e-ticket that flexibility doesn't apply as the itinerary is on your ticket in full.

 

[TheManOnThe172]

Check if the train you're booked on is shown as reservable on Realtime Trains.

Thanks for this. Sadly, all legs are reservable.

Any suggestions of how to add 60 or 90 minutes extra change time at St Pancras but not at Derby?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Thanks for this. Sadly, all legs are reservable.

Any suggestions of how to add 60 or 90 minutes extra change time at St Pancras but not at Derby?

On any trainsplit powered one, in the advanced options if you specify "change at" "St Pancras" it'll give you the option to add extra change time.

 

[Amaranthe]

Thanks for this. Sadly, all legs are reservable.

Any suggestions of how to add 60 or 90 minutes extra change time at St Pancras but not at Derby?

Above image shows advanced options on TrainSplit website showing extra change time of 60 minutes at St Pancras and 0 minutes at Derby

 

[TheManOnThe172]

Brilliant - thanks.