Caersws - London Terminals

[Llanigraham]

I have an Advance ticket for the 17th Nov, Caersws - London Terminals, via Birmingham.

I intend catching the 0627 from Caersws and was thinking of changing to Virgin at New St, but I note from here: http://www.fastjp.com/#home that I could change at Galton Bridge and catch the Chiltern Railways to Marylebone.

1) Does Galton Bridge count as "via Birmingham"?

2) What unit is the Chiltern likely to be?

3) Haven't checked on the return journey, but would it matter who I came back with?

Just goes to prove we signallers know naff all about tickets and routes!!

 

[crehld]

If you have an advance ticket aren't you restricted to booked trains? Especially the Brum to London bit?

 

[button_boxer]

I have an Advance ticket for the 17th Nov, Caersws - London Terminals, via Birmingham.

What exact ticket(s) do you hold? An Advance ticket (which would be restricted to the booked trains only) would be routed either Chiltern & ATW or VT & connections, the "via Birmingham" fares are not Advance but rather Anytime or Off Peak.

If you have an Off-Peak or Anytime via Birmingham, the Galton Bridge to Maylebone passes through Birmingham Snow Hill and Moor Street so that should be OK.

 

[Llanigraham]

If you have an advance ticket aren't you restricted to booked trains? Especially the Brum to London bit?

I'm not booked on any trains, but to get to my meeting I have to catch the 0627
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

What exact ticket(s) do you hold? An Advance ticket (which would be restricted to the booked trains only) would be routed either Chiltern & ATW or VT & connections, the "via Birmingham" fares are not Advance but rather Anytime or Off Peak.

If you have an Off-Peak or Anytime via Birmingham, the Galton Bridge to Maylebone passes through Birmingham Snow Hill and Moor Street so that should be OK.

Class - Standard
Ticket Type - Off-Peak R
Caersws to London Terminals
Route - via Birmingham
Validity - As advertised.
(bought via ATW)

I don't specify a particular train as I don't know what time my meeting will end in London.

 

[Merseysider]

I'm not booked on any trains, but to get to my meeting I have to catch the 0627
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Class - Standard
Ticket Type - Off-Peak R
Caersws to London Terminals
Route - via Birmingham
Validity - As advertised.
(bought via ATW)

I don't specify a particular train as I don't know what time my meeting will end in London.

That's not an Advance ticket then.

If you hold a flexible ticket you can take any route allowed the NRG which passes through Birmingham. A journey changing at Smethwick is on a permitted route.

 

[Llanigraham]

That's not an Advance ticket then.

If you hold a flexible ticket you can take any route allowed the NRG which passes through Birmingham. A journey changing at Smethwick is on a permitted route.

See, that proves that we signallers know nothing. I bought a ticket early this week for a date in ADVANCE, therefore to me it is an Advance ticket.

Thanks, so I might just go that way. I'm hoping it might be a bit less crowded than having to fight my way through the masses at New St. Anyone know what the units are? Loco hauled or Units?

Don't suppose they do a breakfast in First, do they? Might be worth up-grading.

 

[Merseysider]

See, that proves that we signallers know nothing. I bought a ticket early this week for a date in ADVANCE, therefore to me it is an Advance ticket.

Thanks, so I might just go that way. I'm hoping it might be a bit less crowded than having to fight my way through the masses at New St. Anyone know what the units are? Loco hauled or Units?

Don't suppose they do a breakfast in First, do they? Might be worth up-grading.

It's easy to get muddled up every now and again someone says they have an 'off peak open return'

Yep, you'll find Smethwick a much more pleasant interchange than Birmingham. Just up the stairs to the upper platforms, well signposted.

Were any advance tickets available for your preferred itinerary on the 0627 out? If not, did you consider splitting at Birmingham? Chiltern have some very reasonable prices in advance, even at busy times.

 

[Llanigraham]

It's easy to get muddled up every now and again someone says they have an 'off peak open return'

Yep, you'll find Smethwick a much more pleasant interchange than Birmingham. Just up the stairs to the upper platforms, well signposted.

Were any advance tickets available for your preferred itinerary on the 0627 out? If not, did you consider splitting at Birmingham? Chiltern have some very reasonable prices in advance, even at busy times.

I've changed at Smethwick a couple of times going to medicals at Solihull, so know the station, but thanks.

Possibly they were, but with a Disabled Adult Rail card and the fact that I can claim the price back I'm not that worried. It has only cost £43.70! Might look at it next time.

 

[PermitToTravel]

The Chiltern will be a 168. I can't remember but I think you'd get a bacon roll in the business zone

 

[Llanigraham]

I presume that if I did travel up on Chiltern I could still travel back on Virgin?
That way I can catch the Cambrian at B'ham International and guarantee getting a seat.

 

[PermitToTravel]

Yes, that'll be fine.

 

[Gareth Marston]

A good value fare even at full price, choice different routes /operators and no restriction on using London termini in the evening peak as the last train back to Mid Wales leaves in the peak so there's no option of waiting till after 1900.

We got the 1743 to Glasgow via Birmingham from Euston a couple of weeks ago on a Wednesday and it was half full, ATW was already in INTL when we arrived and got a table no problems.

 

[Llanigraham]

A good value fare even at full price, choice different routes /operators and no restriction on using London termini in the evening peak as the last train back to Mid Wales leaves in the peak so there's no option of waiting till after 1900.

We got the 1743 to Glasgow via Birmingham from Euston a couple of weeks ago on a Wednesday and it was half full, ATW was already in INTL when we arrived and got a table no problems.

It is a good price, Gareth!

Never had a problem getting out of London, even at the peak hours, but having a NR ID in my wallet works well! I nearly always try to change at Intl; it is so much easier.

 

[Gareth Marston]

It is a good price, Gareth!

Never had a problem getting out of London, even at the peak hours, but having a NR ID in my wallet works well! I nearly always try to change at Intl; it is so much easier.

Cambrian - London tickets all have a VJ restriction which means the off peak tickets are valid in the evening peak returning to Mid Wales. There's been some problems in past with some Virgin staff not realizing this "they can't believe its no restricted" but not recently.

 

[Llanigraham]

I've had bigger problems when I have left the cat at Ludlow and come back Paddington and Newport. Get told that my ticket isn't valid as it is not passed Swansea. Have even come back via Oxford to Hereford to stop the argument.

 

[bnsf734]

But did you get the cat back from Ludlow, was it still waiting for you....