Complex reservation question

[6Gman]

I am travelling from Crewe to Fife next week.

On the outward journey I've reserved Crewe - Haymarket - Leuchars.

On the return I've reserved Leuchars - Waverley - Crewe with a 25 minute connection.

If my train from Leuchars is 20" late and I get off at Haymarket do I lose my reservation from Waverley (since on departure the seat would be empty)?

 

[causton]

do I lose my reservation from Waverley (since on departure the seat would be empty)?

Technically I would say yes, although if you explained and had the reservation coupon I am sure they would understand (either the guard or whoever had got in your seat!)

 

[bb21]

If you make it onto the same train you were meant to be on from Haymarket, I cannot see any reason how anyone can argue that you are not entitled to it, as long as you are there to claim the seat from Waverley. If someone refuses to move then they will have to be turfed out.

Of course you have no more entitlement to that seat between Haymarket and Waverley than anyone else.

This is a quite different situation to one where you turn up at Newcastle and expect the occupants, who took up the vacant seat in good faith, to move.

 

[Goatboy]

I can't imagine anyone would have time to remove the reservation card on the 4 minute journey to Haymarket anyway.

 

[34D]

Technically I would say yes, although if you explained and had the reservation coupon I am sure they would understand (either the guard or whoever had got in your seat!)

I agree with Causton. I believe that Barry Doe has previously advanced the same point of view.

HOWEVER, the two stations are so close, that you could say that you were walking through the train to find your seat.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

It appears to be local custom that the two stations, Waverley and Haymarket, are likely to be treated as one and the same place on long distance services which call at both. This custom cannot be presumed to apply in every instance, but I'd guess that the chances of anyone being concerned at the distinction is even less probable than the already unlikely event of the incoming service being delayed.

I wouldn't give it another thought. There are many more troubling things to worry about.

 

[IanD]

If you make it onto the same train you were meant to be on from Haymarket, I cannot see any reason how anyone can argue that you are not entitled to it, as long as you are there to claim the seat from Waverley. If someone refuses to move then they will have to be turfed out.

Of course you have no more entitlement to that seat between Haymarket and Waverley than anyone else.

This is a quite different situation to one where you turn up at Newcastle and expect the occupants, who took up the vacant seat in good faith, to move.

Presumably he's getting on at Haymarket the stop after Waverley if on the way to Crewe.

 

[bb21]

Presumably he's getting on at Haymarket the stop after Waverley if on the way to Crewe.

Ah, yes, I was thinking that it was an East Coast service, and completely forgot about the Virgin service.

In that case, the argument put forward by 34D may well be reasonable.