Glasgow - Cardiff: Splitting Advances?

[Train Pilchard]

This is a very simple question but in the past when I’ve split tickets I’ve always been on the same train. I’m looking to travel Glasgow to Cardiff and save an absolute fortune (over £100) by getting a TPE advance Glasgow – Man Picc and then an ATW advance Man Picc – Cardiff I’ll be leaving connection times around the hour mark in Manchester but just in case the first leg of one of the journeys is delayed/cancelled and I miss the second leg with the advance ticket what, if any, is the penalty?

Another scenario, if the Cardiff to Manchester return leg is going to make me miss my Glasgow connection for whatever reason will my ticket only be valid/upgradeable/whatever on the next TPE service or can I use another TOC? Could I for example change at Crewe which is the quicker route or would I still have to go via MAN?

Finally, I’ve never been to Piccadily before, I assume there is a pub in it or nearby to it?

 

[button_boxer]

This is a very simple question but in the past when I’ve split tickets I’ve always been on the same train. I’m looking to travel Glasgow to Cardiff and save an absolute fortune (over £100) by getting a TPE advance Glasgow – Man Picc and then an ATW advance Man Picc – Cardiff I’ll be leaving connection times around the hour mark in Manchester but just in case the first leg of one of the journeys is delayed/cancelled and I miss the second leg with the advance ticket what, if any, is the penalty?

None, it's one journey (using two tickets) so as long as you have left at least the minimum connection time between your trains you should be allowed onto the next connection at Piccadilly without penalty.

Another scenario, if the Cardiff to Manchester return leg is going to make me miss my Glasgow connection for whatever reason will my ticket only be valid/upgradeable/whatever on the next TPE service or can I use another TOC? Could I for example change at Crewe which is the quicker route or would I still have to go via MAN?

That one I'm not so sure about. Getting a later train from Manchester is definitely OK.

 

[John @ home]

I’m looking to travel Glasgow to Cardiff and save an absolute fortune (over £100) by getting a TPE advance Glasgow – Man Picc and then an ATW advance Man Picc – Cardiff I’ll be leaving connection times around the hour mark in Manchester but just in case the first leg of one of the journeys is delayed/cancelled and I miss the second leg with the advance ticket what, if any, is the penalty?

button_boxer is right. There is no penalty. Your ticket can be used on the next Manchester - Cardiff ATW train. They normally run hourly at xx30. For additional reassurance, read Q&A 4 of the Advance Fares FAQs, which quotes the internal railway industry rules on the subject.

if the Cardiff to Manchester return leg is going to make me miss my Glasgow connection for whatever reason will my ticket only be valid/upgradeable/whatever on the next TPE service or can I use another TOC? Could I for example change at Crewe which is the quicker route or would I still have to go via MAN?

This is not quite such a simple question. You would normally be expected to travel by the next TPE service from Manchester. If, however, the delay was so great that you were going to miss the last train that day from Manchester, then you should speak to the guard on your ATW train as soon as this becomes likely and ask them to ring their control to discuss with other TOCs how to make appropriate arrangements for a stranded passenger. Read the Advance ticket terms and conditions, and Condition 43 (Help from Train Companies if you are stranded) of the National Rail Conditions of Carriage.

I’ve never been to Piccadily before, I assume there is a pub in it ... it?

Yes, on the first floor. Access by lift or escalator. It's fine for waiting for an hour, but gets very busy when either of two local football teams are at home. It's in the main station (used for Cardiff - Manchester trains), a good 5 minutes walk from platforms 13 & 14 used by Manchester - Glasgow trains. See Manchester Piccadilly Station Plan.

 

[Train Pilchard]

Cheers guys, that I what I was thinking and hoping.

Out of interest what kind of stock is used by ATW Man-Cardiff these days?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

175s...

 

[Sun!]

The 175's arent that bad, the best that ATW has got bar the WAG Express.

If youre unlucky you'll get an unrefurbished 158.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Cheers guys, that I what I was thinking and hoping.

Out of interest what kind of stock is used by ATW Man-Cardiff these days?

Manchester-Cardiff is booked for 175s. Very, very nice trains indeed.

 

[Train Pilchard]

To cut a long story short we are now flying via Bristol as the advance fares didn't suit our times.

To save me starting a new thread what trains are used by FGW between Cardiff and Portsmouth or Exeter? It's one of those trains I'll be on from Bristol TM to Cardiff apparently.

 

[ValleyLines142]

To cut a long story short we are now flying via Bristol as the advance fares didn't suit our times.

To save me starting a new thread what trains are used by FGW between Cardiff and Portsmouth or Exeter? It's one of those trains I'll be on from Bristol TM to Cardiff apparently.

These are all booked for 158s. the Portsmouth trains are anyway.

If you're on a train originating from Taunton or Exeter it'll probably be a 150.

 

[Greenback]

158's from Portsmouth usually. 150's from Taunton usually.

 

[Train Pilchard]

Oh crap, not being from down that way I thought I'd be picking up an HST passing through Bristol from Paddington, not a fan of sprinters at all, you really do have such crap rolling stock down south!

 

[Techniquest]

Note my signature as to why I disagree with you

We haven't got crap rolling stock, just it doesn't match your required standards! You can pick up an HST to Exeter, just you'd have to use AXC and check what services are booked for HSTs. FGW also send HSTs from Paddington to Exeter via Bristol, but only a limited number and not during the core part of the day.

As others have said, 158s are booked on all Cardiff to Portsmouth trains but you may get a 150 on there if 158 availabilty is low.

 

[Eagle]

158's from Portsmouth usually. 150's from Taunton usually.

Usually being the key word here... it is a bit variable (although Wessex route trains in the Cardiff direction are more consistent in stock than trains in the Gloucester/Worcester direction).

Of course you might get a nice empty 220 going BRI–CDF if you time it right...
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We haven't got crap rolling stock, just it doesn't match your required standards! You can pick up an HST to Exeter, just you'd have to use AXC and check what services are booked for HSTs. FGW also send HSTs from Paddington to Exeter via Bristol, but only a limited number and not during the core part of the day.

OP's going to Cardiff, not Exeter.