Combining tickets at pick up only points?

[Class377]

On the 24th I'll be travelling to Blackpool. Currently I have an advance ticket from Watford Junction to Blackpool South, with the first leg of the journey travelling to Crewe on a Virgin Trains Chester service.

As far as I understand it, this service is pick up only at Watford Junction (8:03?) but it may be easier for me to travel into London from my home station (St Albans) and get on board at Euston, rather than travelling by car/bus/Abbey Line to Watford Junction.

If I was to buy a single from Euston to Watford Junction and held an advance from Watford Junction northwards (to Crewe on this service) would it be valid? Or would I need to buy an entirely new ticket from Crewe, as technically travelling from Euston to Watford Junction isn't valid on this service?

 

[jkdd77]

This was discussed at length in previous threads, and no clear consensus was reached, although my personal view is that it is valid.

I dimly recall someone else contacting Virgin on their 'Online Chat' service and being told that a similar split at Milton Keynes on a 'pick up only' train was valid, although I can't find a link to the webpage I once remember viewing saying this.

If they did say yes, you could presumably print off the 'chat' as proof to gateline staff that Virgin will accept such a split.

 

[DeeGee]

it may be easier for me to travel into London from my home station (St Albans) and get on board at Euston, rather than travelling by car/bus/Abbey Line to Watford Junction.

Someone will no doubt discuss the fare, but in my mind the fact you have to consider the above is quite a ridiculous indictment on our railways!

How much time will you save?

 

[Class377]

I'm not entirely sure on how much time I'd save by doing that, but it's about 20 minutes into London, a 10 minute transfer and then about 15 minutes into Watford Junction (so about 45 minutes). Abbey Flyer is timetabled at about 20 minutes but the frequency is so low I'd have a long wait at Watford anyway so that's about an hour or so, and driving to Watford Junction at that time in the morning would mean getting a lift and getting someone else to drive just over an hour return trip for me first thing in the morning.

@jkdd77, thanks very much and I'll consider doing that. I would have definitely bought from Euston if this was my original plan but when I first bought it I relied on a lift to Watford (before realising how early it really was) and so I'm trying to consider a way to get there - biggest problem is it's before the local buses start up on a Saturday!

 

[hairyhandedfool]

I believe the last discussion on this subject was this thread which had no real consensus and the op decided not to risk it.

 

[34D]

.

If I was to buy a single from Euston to Watford Junction and held an advance from Watford Junction northwards (to Crewe on this service) would it be valid? Or would I need to buy an entirely new ticket from Crewe, as technically travelling from Euston to Watford Junction isn't valid on this service?

Surely you'd buy a St Albans to Watford route any permitted maltese cross?