Advance first valid via Preston?

[voyagerdude220]

Hi all,

I've got an advance first ticket between Blackburn and London Euston.

The question, is that my booked route is via Manchester Picc, with only the Pendolino (i.e. Manchester Picc to London Euston) section reserved.

Could I therefore take a train to Preston, and then a TPE to Manchester Picc, because of me not being tied to any specific trains between Blackburn and Manchester?

I know I can take any train between Blackburn & Manchester, I just don't know if I would be ok via Preston?

Thanks.

 

[yorkie]

The official policy taken by the rail industry (as detailed in the 'Advance Fares FAQs') is that you may take non-reserveable trains but not reserveable trains.

As TPE is reserveable the official answer is "no" but TPE are often more relaxed when you use them as the connecting TOC, but my view is that you should seek permission from the guard before boarding. (If you are lucky enough to get one of the TPE guards based on this forum, they'll know it's you when you ask them! )

 

[Solent&Wessex]

The official policy taken by the rail industry (as detailed in the 'Advance Fares FAQs') is that you may take non-reserveable trains but not reserveable trains.

As TPE is reserveable the official answer is "no" but TPE are often more relaxed when you use them as the connecting TOC, but my view is that you should seek permission from the guard before boarding. (If you are lucky enough to get one of the TPE guards based on this forum, they'll know it's you when you ask them! )

Generally yes, this would be true. Should you be on the "& connections" part of the journey folk are generally less bothered about which train you take. My only word of caution is that Blackburn to Manchester via Preston would not be that obvious choice for this leg of the journey, so you may encounter some difficulty. I know that Advance tickets do not always follow normal routeing rules, however just be aware that via Preston isn't normally a permitted route for this journey.

 

[voyagerdude220]

Many thanks for the replies. It is indeed VWC & Connections, but like you say it's the fact Preston has its own 'premium' ticket for Blackburn to Manchester tickets.
I'll just see in the morning how things are running and decide what to do.