First class 7-day all line rover

[CallySleeperKid]

It must vary for different people.

For mine, there are no tight connections as we're going and visiting destinations as tourists, and not going "line bashing"

Same here,

Being as me and my partner will be taking first clas ALR's then we want to make the most of the time doing the longer runs and enjoying the freebies involved! Runs like Wrexham - Marylebone, Caledonian Sleeper, Night Riviera, Arriva Trains Wales North South Premier, Euston - Glasgow and Edinburgh - Kings Cross. whist trying to sample a bit of first class with as many companies as we can. Also travelling at some of the times where is usually more expensive, early morning or evening, to see what the food is like on the breakfast and evening meal menus. And also keeping it to a couple a main runs and maybe a connecting service each day, I can't expect my partner to be train hopping every half hour! Like you say, treat it as a holiday and enjoy the best thats on offer.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
My latest thinkings, not checked any times yet, don't intend to until I know if we are actually going yet, but so far we have....................

WEDNESDAY
DERBY – NEWCASTLE - CROSS COUNTRY
NEWCASTLE – LONDON KINGS CROSS - EAST COAST
LONDON PADDINGTON – PENZANCE - FIRST GREAT WESTERN NIGHT RIVIERA
(SPEND NIGHT ON FIRST GREAT WESTERN NIGHT RIVIERA)

THURSDAY
PENZNACE – BRISTOL TEMPLE MEADS - FIRST GREAT WESTERN
BRISTOL TEMPLE MEADS – CARDIFF CENTRAL - FIRST GREAT WESTERN
CARDIFF CENTRAL – HOLYHEAD - ARRIVA TRAINA WALES NORTH SOUTH PREMIER
(SPEND NIGHT IN HOTEL IN HOLYHEAD)

FRIDAY
HOLYHEAD – WREXHAM CENTRAL - ARRIVA TRAINS WALES
WREXHAM CENTRAL – LONDON MARYLEBONE - WREXHAM & SHROPSHIRE
LONDON EUSTON – INVERNESS - FIRST SCOTRAIL CALEDONAIN SLEEPER
(SPEND NIGHT ON FIRST SCOTRAIL CALEDONIAN SLEEPER)

SATURDAY
INVERNESS – GLASGOW - FIRST SCOTRAIL
GLASGOW – CREWE - VIRGIN TRAINS
CREWE – DERBY - EAST MIDLANDS TRAINS
(SPEND NIGHT AT HOME, FRESHEN UP, NEW BAG OF CLOTHES ETC.....)

SUNDAY
LANGLEY MILL – LEEDS - NORTHERN RAIL
LEEDS – LONDON KINGS CROSS - EAST COAST
LONDON EUSTON – ABERDEEN - FIRST SCOTRAIL CALEDONIAN SLEEPER
(SPEND NIGHT ON FORST SCOTRAIL CALEDONAIN SLEEPER)

or

SUNDAY
DERBY – YORK - CROSS COUNTRY
YORK – LONDON KINGS CROSS - GRAND CENTRAL
LONDON EUSTON – ABERDEEN - FIRST SCOTRAIL CALEDONIAN SLEEPER
(SPEND NIGHT ON FORST SCOTRAIL CALEDONAIN SLEEPER)

MONDAY
ABERDEEN – GLASGOW - FIRST SCOTRAIL
GLASGOW – FORT WILLIAM - FIRST SCOTRAIL
FORT WILLIAM – LONDON EUSTON - FIRST SCOTRAIL CALEDONIAN SLEEPER
(SPEND NIGHT ON FIRST SCOTRAIL CALEDONIAN SLEEPER)

TUESDAY
LONDON ST PANCRAS – SHEFFIELD - EAST MIDLANDS TRAINS
SHEFFIELD – LANGLEY MILL - NORTHERN RAIL

Again I have put the trains I believe to have first class in italics

 

[First class]

PENZNACE – BRISTOL TEMPLE MEADS - FIRST GREAT WESTERN
BRISTOL TEMPLE MEADS – CARDIFF CENTRAL - FIRST GREAT WESTERN
CARDIFF CENTRAL – HOLYHEAD - ARRIVA TRAINA WALES NORTH SOUTH PREMIER
(SPEND NIGHT IN HOTEL IN HOLYHEAD)

I think that might be tricky in terms of the distance you are going in one day. Not checking TT though so may be wrong.

 

[87031]

87031
When you reserved your sleepers, had you already purchased your 1st ALR? (in other words, do you have to prove you have the ticket at the time you make the reservation??)
Thanks

no they just asked what ticket i would have and that was it
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
another thing i did on ine was from the start date my first train waas 2354 so i got it to start at midnight and used it on the Caledonian sleeper that night with a ticket to Winsford...best way to get maximum value.

to give you some ideas this is what i did last summer

Crewe-Fort William
Fort william-Mallaig
Mallaig-Fort William
Fort William-Euston

Paddington-Newquay
Newquay-Taunton
Taunton-B'ham
B'ham-Lpool

Crewe-Inverness
Inverness-Aberdeen
Aberdeen-York
York-Lpool

L'poo-Manc
Manc-Dawlish (photo day)
Dawlish-Manc
Manc-Lpool

Lpool-Leeds
Leeds-Taunton
Taunton-Penzance
Penzance-Padd (FGW sleeper)

Kings X-York
York-Bristol PKY
Bristol-Cardiff
Cardiff-Chester Wag express

only reason wy i came home the extra night is because i couldnt get a birth on the Night Riviera on Fri night....i clocked 4700 miles but aim to get more next time

 

[323235]

I think that might be tricky in terms of the distance you are going in one day. Not checking TT though so may be wrong.

I had a look and its actually quite easy to do if you set off from Penzance between 0505 and 0940
It Would give you longer Connexions than setting off at 10am, which is the last point you could realisticly depart Penzance

 

[A60K]

another thing i did on ine was from the start date my first train waas 2354 so i got it to start at midnight and used it on the Caledonian sleeper that night with a ticket to Winsford...best way to get maximum value.

That's novel - not quite sure if that was technically valid or necessary, but it worked for you OK!

Interestingly, I believe it is still the case that if you take an overnight service in continental Europe and are using a 'rover' ticket, then you only need validity for the arrival day. This is very useful if you've got a 4-in-8 type ticket, meaning you could start at 19.30 on Monday and only need to use the box for Tuesday. I don't suppose there's a similar concession in the UK?

 

[CallySleeperKid]

So, just a couple of things I need clearing up.....

Can seat reservations and sleeper reservations be made at any staffed station, or would I need to ring each company individually?

Can reservations be made online?

On the subject of the actual ALR ticket, is it best to have it kept in a plastic wallet, one of the national rail ones for example, to avoid ticket collectors in a hurry scribbling all over them or punching holes in them? I doubt it makes any difference but when the same ticket has to last a week, I would not want a ticket collector in a rush scribbling on it or punching holes in it.

On the same note, are ALR accepted in station ticket gates, or is it best to just leave by a staffed gate and show them the ticket?


Off on a totally different subject, does anyone have a list of stations which have showers for use by people with a first class ALR, also first class lounges? We are not planning a mad dash to do as many miles as we can, just to have a nice week of first class travel.

Any help would be fantastic.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

So, just a couple of things I need clearing up.....

Can seat reservations and sleeper reservations be made at any staffed station, or would I need to ring each company individually? Available at all staffed stations

Can reservations be made online? No, not unless you buy a ticket too

On the subject of the actual ALR ticket, is it best to have it kept in a plastic wallet, one of the national rail ones for example, to avoid ticket collectors in a hurry scribbling all over them or punching holes in them? I doubt it makes any difference but when the same ticket has to last a week, I would not want a ticket collector in a rush scribbling on it or punching holes in it. Yeah, why not?

On the same note, are ALR accepted in station ticket gates, or is it best to just leave by a staffed gate and show them the ticket? Probably accepted, but not worth the risk. Go through the staffed barrier


Off on a totally different subject, does anyone have a list of stations which have showers for use by people with a first class ALR, also first class lounges? We are not planning a mad dash to do as many miles as we can, just to have a nice week of first class travel. Euston, Paddington, Edinburgh, Glasgow Cntl

Any help would be fantastic.

Hope that helps

 

[clagmonster]

That's novel - not quite sure if that was technically valid or necessary, but it worked for you OK!

Interestingly, I believe it is still the case that if you take an overnight service in continental Europe and are using a 'rover' ticket, then you only need validity for the arrival day. This is very useful if you've got a 4-in-8 type ticket, meaning you could start at 19.30 on Monday and only need to use the box for Tuesday. I don't suppose there's a similar concession in the UK?

The Conditions of cairrgae state:
"You may use two or more tickets for one journey as long as together they cover
the entire journey and one of the following applies:
(a) they are both Zonal Tickets (unless special conditions prohibit their use);
(b) the train you are in calls at the station where you change from one ticket to
another; or
(c) one of the tickets is a Season Ticket (which for this purpose does not include Season
Tickets or travel passes issued on behalf of a passenger transport executive or
local authority) or a leisure travel pass, and the other ticket(s) is/are not."

"For the purposes of this Condition, a “leisure travel pass” means any multi-journey
ticket (excluding Season Tickets) valid for:
(i) at least 7 consecutive days; or
(ii) at least 3 days in a period of at least 7 consecutive days
and includes rover tickets, travel passes, flexipass tickets and BritRail passes."

Firstly, the train needs to be booked to pass Winsford after midnight, , so that there is a valid ticket covering the whole journey. Assuming this case, the tickets are obviously not both zonal tickets, nor does the train call at Winsford, so parts a and b are ruled out. Therefore, referring to c, the Crewe-Winsford ticket is not a season or leisure travel pass, but the rover counts as a leisure travel pass, therefore it is perfectly valid to split like that.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

Firstly, the train needs to be booked to pass Winsford after midnight, , so that there is a valid ticket covering the whole journey. Assuming this case, the tickets are obviously not both zonal tickets, nor does the train call at Winsford, so parts a and b are ruled out. Therefore, referring to c, the Crewe-Winsford ticket is not a season or leisure travel pass, but the rover counts as a leisure travel pass, therefore it is perfectly valid to split like that.

The HL Sleeper is booked through Winsford at 0004

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Hope that helps

Cheers

 

[87031]

The Conditions of cairrgae state:
"You may use two or more tickets for one journey as long as together they cover
the entire journey and one of the following applies:
(a) they are both Zonal Tickets (unless special conditions prohibit their use);
(b) the train you are in calls at the station where you change from one ticket to
another; or
(c) one of the tickets is a Season Ticket (which for this purpose does not include Season
Tickets or travel passes issued on behalf of a passenger transport executive or
local authority) or a leisure travel pass, and the other ticket(s) is/are not."

"For the purposes of this Condition, a “leisure travel pass” means any multi-journey
ticket (excluding Season Tickets) valid for:
(i) at least 7 consecutive days; or
(ii) at least 3 days in a period of at least 7 consecutive days
and includes rover tickets, travel passes, flexipass tickets and BritRail passes."

Firstly, the train needs to be booked to pass Winsford after midnight, , so that there is a valid ticket covering the whole journey. Assuming this case, the tickets are obviously not both zonal tickets, nor does the train call at Winsford, so parts a and b are ruled out. Therefore, referring to c, the Crewe-Winsford ticket is not a season or leisure travel pass, but the rover counts as a leisure travel pass, therefore it is perfectly valid to split like that.

i checked the rules you have from conditions of carriage before i did it, just worked better for me because i was starting from Crewe but anyone travelling from Euston wouldnt benefit
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

So, just a couple of things I need clearing up.....

Can seat reservations and sleeper reservations be made at any staffed station, or would I need to ring each company individually?

Can reservations be made online?

On the subject of the actual ALR ticket, is it best to have it kept in a plastic wallet, one of the national rail ones for example, to avoid ticket collectors in a hurry scribbling all over them or punching holes in them? I doubt it makes any difference but when the same ticket has to last a week, I would not want a ticket collector in a rush scribbling on it or punching holes in it.

On the same note, are ALR accepted in station ticket gates, or is it best to just leave by a staffed gate and show them the ticket?


Off on a totally different subject, does anyone have a list of stations which have showers for use by people with a first class ALR, also first class lounges? We are not planning a mad dash to do as many miles as we can, just to have a nice week of first class travel.

Any help would be fantastic.

Train managers are not allowed to scribble on the ALR but id recommend a plastic wallet, as for the Showers AVOID Kings X there not the best and thers a charge. Aberdeen is superb very modern nice showers 1st class lounge with loadsa complimentries to gorge on, Fort William showers are good and Paddington 1st class lounge is nice too

 

[djw1981]

We're doing one in February:

Starting Sunday

Liverpool - Wrexham (MR and ATW)
Wrexham - London Mar (WSMR)
London Eus - Edinburgh (FSR Sleeper)

Suggest that you could fit more into your morning here than just wait for the EC train - you could go via Stirling to Alloa, or round Fife Circle etc.

Edinburgh - Glasgow (EC)
Glasgow - London Eus (VT)
London Pad - Penzance (FGW Sleeper)

Penzance - Exeter - London Pad (FGW)
London Eus - Edinburgh (FSR Sleeper)

Edinburgh - Newcastle - Durham - York (EC/XC/TPE)
York - Liverpool (TPE)

BACKPACK CHANGE IN LIVERPOOL - CLOTHES FOR REMAINING DAYS

Liverpool - Windermere (TPE+VT)
Windermere - Oxenholme - Euston (TPE+VT)
Euston - Romford (staying with family)

Romford - Cambridge (via Cntl London)
Cambridge - Romford

Romford - Euston (LUL)
Euston - BhamNS (VT)
BhamNS - Liverpool (LM)

 

[Flying Snail]

Can seat reservations and sleeper reservations be made at any staffed station, or would I need to ring each company individually?

In theory yes. In reality I would strongly suggest you reserve all your sleepers by phone to the relevant TOC.

For seat reservations station staff aren't a problem, for standalone sleeper reservations in my experience they are a bloody nightmare.

Obtaining a reservation only supplement to go with a rover type ticket for FSR sleepers is now next to impossible, even in the unlikely event of finding a staff member capable of navigating through the reservation computer it appears that Scotrail have severely restricted/removed the availability of these supplements in favour of inclusive tickets and free reservations for FSR premium open tickets.

I would also suggest you book by phone early as even though it is possible to get these reservations directly from them FSR give limited quotas to these types and they can run out even when the train itself is far from full.

Can reservations be made online?

Only as part of a travel ticket purchase.

On the subject of the actual ALR ticket, is it best to have it kept in a plastic wallet, one of the national rail ones for example, to avoid ticket collectors in a hurry scribbling all over them or punching holes in them? I doubt it makes any difference but when the same ticket has to last a week, I would not want a ticket collector in a rush scribbling on it or punching holes in it.

It is a very good idea. Most ticket checkers would know better but there are enough idiots out there that will either ignorantly or absent-mindedly mark your ticket, having it in a wallet will provide an extra barrier and give you time to challenge anyone who attempts to mark the ticket.

On the same note, are ALR accepted in station ticket gates, or is it best to just leave by a staffed gate and show them the ticket?

Some gates will accept them, some won't. Best thing would be to avoid putting it into them unless absolutely necessary.

 

[A60K]

The Conditions of cairrgae state:
"You may use two or more tickets for one journey as long as together they cover
the entire journey and one of the following applies:
(a) they are both Zonal Tickets (unless special conditions prohibit their use);
(b) the train you are in calls at the station where you change from one ticket to
another; or
(c) one of the tickets is a Season Ticket (which for this purpose does not include Season
Tickets or travel passes issued on behalf of a passenger transport executive or
local authority) or a leisure travel pass, and the other ticket(s) is/are not."

"For the purposes of this Condition, a “leisure travel pass” means any multi-journey
ticket (excluding Season Tickets) valid for:
(i) at least 7 consecutive days; or
(ii) at least 3 days in a period of at least 7 consecutive days
and includes rover tickets, travel passes, flexipass tickets and BritRail passes."

Firstly, the train needs to be booked to pass Winsford after midnight, , so that there is a valid ticket covering the whole journey. Assuming this case, the tickets are obviously not both zonal tickets, nor does the train call at Winsford, so parts a and b are ruled out. Therefore, referring to c, the Crewe-Winsford ticket is not a season or leisure travel pass, but the rover counts as a leisure travel pass, therefore it is perfectly valid to split like that.

My apologies - it completely slipped my mind that the rules had been changed/modified to give rovers the same status as seasons. I remember having a discussion with a conductor back in 1989 about a North West Rover and how validity commenced on a WCML train diverted via Manchester, which I won't bore you with!

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Train managers are not allowed to scribble on the ALR but id recommend a plastic wallet, as for the Showers AVOID Kings X there not the best and thers a charge. Aberdeen is superb very modern nice showers 1st class lounge with loadsa complimentries to gorge on, Fort William showers are good and Paddington 1st class lounge is nice too

Thanks for that, I would have my ALRs in a plastic wallet without doubt.

The information on the showers is great, Will will be using Aberdeen, Paddington and Fort William during our trip I should think.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

In theory yes. In reality I would strongly suggest you reserve all your sleepers by phone to the relevant TOC.

For seat reservations station staff aren't a problem, for standalone sleeper reservations in my experience they are a bloody nightmare.

Obtaining a reservation only supplement to go with a rover type ticket for FSR sleepers is now next to impossible, even in the unlikely event of finding a staff member capable of navigating through the reservation computer it appears that Scotrail have severely restricted/removed the availability of these supplements in favour of inclusive tickets and free reservations for FSR premium open tickets.

I would also suggest you book by phone early as even though it is possible to get these reservations directly from them FSR give limited quotas to these types and they can run out even when the train itself is far from full.

Thats quite a worry and to be honest I think thats bad on First ScotRails front! I would assume you can book no earlier than the 3 months advance that the normal tickets go on general sale? This is going to effect my whole trip, Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Have got this website, but not sure how up to date it is, give you a list of hat you get in first class on all companies....

http://www.rail-britain.co.uk/what_you_get_for_first_class_index.html
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
While I think about it, do any companies charge for seat reservations? obviously with the exception on the Claedonain Sleeper and Night Riviera? Just so I know when I go to make my booking and im not surprised by a hefty charge!

 

[jay jay]

Evening guys

I have been reading this thread with great interest and have decided to do this myself in January. Sorry to be ignorant but I am struggling to understand something.

If I purchase a 1st class all line rover, will this ticket be valid on Sleeper services for a First Class berth - or will I have to pay extra for that berth? If so, can you tell me how much extra this will be for the Scotland and FGW sleeper. Thanks a lot!

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Evening guys

I have been reading this thread with great interest and have decided to do this myself in January. Sorry to be ignorant but I am struggling to understand something.

If I purchase a 1st class all line rover, will this ticket be valid on Sleeper services for a First Class berth - or will I have to pay extra for that berth? If so, can you tell me how much extra this will be for the Scotland and FGW sleeper. Thanks a lot!

You can indeed travel in first class on the sleepers, but you will have to book a berth, in advance, at a cost of between £40 and £45. And from what I am led to believe, there is very few berths set aside for ALRs (on the Caledonian Sleeper) so you will need to book well in advance, as close to the 3 month prior release date of your planned journey.

 

[jay jay]

You can indeed travel in first class on the sleepers, but you will have to book a berth, in advance, at a cost of between £40 and £45. And from what I am led to believe, there is very few berths set aside for ALRs (on the Caledonian Sleeper) so you will need to book well in advance, as close to the 3 month prior release date of your planned journey.

Thanks for the reply! Is that berth that you have to book a single or do you have to share?

Thanks

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Thanks for the reply! Is that berth that you have to book a single or do you have to share?

Thanks

First class berths on The Caledonain Sleeper are single berths, only standard share.

All berths on the Night Riviera are single berths, and are declassified. If you like, seated is standard class and berths are first class, and if I remember rightly, I read somewhere that its only passengers in berths can use the lounge car, but I may be wrong.

 

[jay jay]

First class berths on The Caledonain Sleeper are single berths, only standard share.

All berths on the Night Riviera are single berths, and are declassified. If you like, seated is standard class and berths are first class, and if I remember rightly, I read somewhere that its only passengers in berths can use the lounge car, but I may be wrong.

Excellent - so if I wish to do this in say Feb / March I can go to a sales point at my local station and say I wish to book a sleeper berth from say London to Fort William, First Class in conjunction with a First Class ALR and they will sell me the berth. I can then purchase the all line rover just before I travel

Thanks

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Excellent - so if I wish to do this in say Feb / March I can go to a sales point at my local station and say I wish to book a sleeper berth from say London to Fort William, First Class in conjunction with a First Class ALR and they will sell me the berth. I can then purchase the all line rover just before I travel

Thanks

This is not from experience, on what I have been told, You will have to book your berths directly over the phone with eithe ScotRail or First Great Western, whichever sleeper your doing, you cannot do this at a station.

I believe bookings can be made before you purchase your ALR, but again I may be wrong. Im sure someone else can give you a definate answer.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

While I think about it, do any companies charge for seat reservations? obviously with the exception on the Claedonain Sleeper and Night Riviera? Just so I know when I go to make my booking and im not surprised by a hefty charge!

Only East Coast who charge £2.50!!!!!! per reservation!

 

[MCR247]

Only East Coast who charge £2.50!!!!!! per reservation!

Until the New Year I'm told

 

[A60K]

NXEC introduced the charge, East Coast are abolishing it from 1 January

 

[CallySleeperKid]

Well im glad to hear they are getting rid of it, but the downside is ill be booking before the new year, but I suppose I can leave the reservations til the new year.

Having a right headache getting all my plans in anyway, think I am going to stop banging my head against a brick wall for tonight!

 

[MCR247]

Well im glad to hear they are getting rid of it, but the downside is ill be booking before the new year, but I suppose I can leave the reservations til the new year.

Having a right headache getting all my plans in anyway, think I am going to stop banging my head against a brick wall for tonight!

I was like that when I started planning. Its taking me ages because I don't have much free time. I'm making loads of itinerary's and then I'll choose one. I find that quicker than trying to fit everything into one.

 

[CallySleeperKid]

I was like that when I started planning. Its taking me ages because I don't have much free time. I'm making loads of itinerary's and then I'll choose one. I find that quicker than trying to fit everything into one.

Well our trip would be more of a holiday than a mad dash around so don't want to be rushing from one train to another, and we want to take in some of the longer first class trips, more or less 3 runs a day.

I have just had a brain wave though, will be back when I scribble this one down!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
After my little brain wave earlier, I have come up with the following.
The original plan came up with a very tight connection, well tighter than I would have liked, getting from Penzance to Cardiff Central in time to get the North South Premier at 16.15, so Ill have a go at this one, see what times I can come up with.

Thursday 18th March
Nottingham - London St Pancras - East Midlands Trains
London Paddington - Cardiff Central - First Great Western
Cardiff Central - Holyhead - Arriva Trains Wales North South Premier

Friday 19th March
Holyhead - Wrexham General - Arriva Trains Wales
Wrexham General - London Marylebone - Wrexham & Shropshire
London Paddington - Penzance -First Great Western Night Riviera

Saturday 20th March
Penzance - Bristol Temple Meads - First Great Western
Bristol Temple Meads - Derby - Cross Country

Night at home.

Sunday 21st March
Derby - York - Cross Country
York - London Kings Cross - Grand Central
London Euston - Fort William -First ScotRail Caledonian Sleeper

Monday 22nd March
Fort William - Glasgow - First ScotRail
Glasgow - London Euston - Virgin Trains
London Euston - Inverness - First ScotRail Caledonian Sleeper

Tuesday 23rd March
Inverness - Aberdeen - First ScotRail
Aberdeen - London Euston - First ScotRail Caledonian Sleeper

Wednesday 24th March
London Kings Cross - Newcastle - East Coast
Newcastle - Derby - Cross Country

First class in italic
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I have finally got a 7 day plan that seems nto work, and covers all the lines I want to take, will post it shortly, times and everything seem OK and plenty of change time to take advantage of the first class lounges and showers.

 

[EltonRoad]

All berths on the Night Riviera are single berths, and are declassified. If you like, seated is standard class and berths are first class, and if I remember rightly, I read somewhere that its only passengers in berths can use the lounge car, but I may be wrong.

I think this may be slightly wrong. There are twin berths on the Night Riviera, but only people travelling together can share. If you're travelling alone you're booked into a single berth. (Source: FGW web site and Seat61.com)

You can make Sleeper reservations at any station that's linked to the reservations system. I doubt they'd sell you one before you'd bought the ALR though. You might manage it over the phone however, unless they ask you for the ticket number.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

I've just reserved Lowland sleeper seats for mid-Feb.

Surely I can book daytime services before I buy the ALRs (as you can only buy them 3 days before you go)

 

[EltonRoad]

Did you book them over the phone?