Bangor to Northampton fares and routing?

[jaffa]

Hi, this is my first post so go easy on me!

I am trying to get to Northampton from Bangor (Gwynedd) on the 1st Dec or 30th November later on in the day, returning the 6th December in the morning or maybe late on Sunday 5th. I have done this journey before, and have either been able to get an advance ticket for £8.60 each way, or failing that an off peak return to Northampton for £38.90, or advance singles each way to Milton Keynes Central for £7.90 and then singles from Milton Keynes Central to Northampton for £4.90 each way.

However, there do not appear to be any off peak returns available for this route anymore! I don't know if it's just me being thick, but it will not let you go direct from Bangor-Milton Keynes and then Milton Keynes-Northampton on an off peak ticket, it's not listed as an option on the nationalrail site, and it's not listed as an option on the Virgin Trains website either, this is on anyday
They suggest going from Northampton-Crewe or via Birmingham which takes a lot longer and involves more changes, I am just wondering whether Bangor-Northampton via Milton Keynes is no longer a valid route?! Also there seem to be no advance singles available to Northampton anymore, I have e-mailed London Midland and Virgin Trains, with London Midland replying stating there is an "issue" with this fare and that they are working on it, this was e-mailed about a week ago and I'm just a bit confused as to what is going on! I don't know if anyone has any suggestions as to why this is, also if there is anyother way of getting between these places cheaply and quickly?

I'll be grateful if someone can help me with this matter!
Thanks very much.

 

[First class]

An off peak return is £57.90.

You can get this at a train station on the day.

The websites can't interpret the restriction properly because it only allows that fare for the very last connection (9pm -ish) from Northampton which is incorrect.

YOU CANNOT BREAK YOUR JOURNEY ON THE OUTWARD PORTION.

Restriction : VN
These restrictions apply
Monday to Friday. By any train
on other days.

OUTWARD TRAVEL
You may travel on any train
that is scheduled to DEPART as
shown below:

RETURN TRAVEL
You may travel on any train
that is scheduled to ARRIVE as
shown below:

DEPART: LONDON EUSTON
At or after 0905, but not
valid on the 1610.

ARRIVE: LONDON EUSTON
At or after 1000

DEPART: LONDON MARYLEBONE
By any train.

ARRIVE: LONDON MARYLEBONE
At or after 1005

DEPART: LONDON PADDINGTON
Between 0810 and 1640 or after
1831

ARRIVE: LONDON PADDINGTON
At or after 1010

DEPART: MILTON KEYNES CENTRAL
At or after 0905, but not
valid on the 1640.

ARRIVE: MILTON KEYNES CENTRAL
At or after 1020

DEPART: READING
Between 0835 and 1710 or after
1859

ARRIVE: READING
At or after 0940

DEPART: WATFORD JUNCTION
At or after 0900.

ARRIVE: WATFORD JUNCTION
At or after 1020

* Break of journey is not
permitted on Outward Travel.

 

[jaffa]

Thanks very much, that's a great help, sorry I was quoting the prices with a young person's railcard, I forgot to mention. So I can still travel via Milton Keynes Central?

 

[First class]

As long as Milton Keynes is a valid route you'll be fine.

breaking journey means leaving the station area... it doesn't prohibit changing trains.

 

[bb21]

If I understand it correctly, Bangor uses Routeing Point Shotton and Northampton is a Routeing Point. Valid map combinations are BC+TV, CH+BC+TV, CL+LC and LC, none of which permit travel via Milton Keynes as there is doubling back between Wolverton and Milton Keynes, unless there is an easement somewhere?

 

[John @ home]

Valid map combinations are BC+TV, CH+BC+TV, CL+LC and LC, none of which permit travel via Milton Keynes as there is doubling back between Wolverton and Milton Keynes, unless there is an easement somewhere?

Relevant Easements:

Journeys from Northampton to Crewe or Stoke on Trent or to stations north of Crewe or Stoke on Trent made on tickets routed Any Permitted may go via Milton Keynes. This easement applies in both directions.

Journeys from Northampton to Rugby and beyond may go via Milton Keynes on Sundays only. This easement applies in both directions.

It seems to me that Easement 30 means that a walk-on Bangor Gwynedd - Northampton ticket is valid via Milton Keynes because it is route Any Permitted but an Advance ticket for the same journey is not valid (except on Sundays) because it is route VWC & Connections.