Hopefully a simple time restriction question

[py_megapixel]

Hopefully a quick one.

If I buy an off peak return from Congleton to Doncaster, it comes a "Not valid before 09:00" time restriction.

Could I use this fare on the 09:25 from Stockport to Doncaster - even though to make that connection I would ordinarily have to leave Congleton before 09:00 - by purchasing an additional ticket from Congleton to Stockport, or by making my own way to Stockport station (e.g. by car)?

Am I likely to have problems doing this sort of thing if my ticket is checked?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I'd say that's fine. Extra £12.20 (unless you can find a suitable advance) for the single needed from Congleton to Stockport via Macclesfield, on top of the £51.80 for the Off Peak Return from Congleton to Doncaster. Still cheaper, in combination, than an Anytime Short Return from Congleton to Doncaster at £72.60.

 

[Watershed]

Hopefully a quick one.

If I buy an off peak return from Congleton to Doncaster, it comes a "Not valid before 09:00" time restriction.

Could I use this fare on the 09:25 from Stockport to Doncaster - even though to make that connection I would ordinarily have to leave Congleton before 09:00 - by purchasing an additional ticket from Congleton to Stockport, or by making my own way to Stockport station (e.g. by car)?

Am I likely to have problems doing this sort of thing if my ticket is checked?

That would be fine. The restriction applies to trains you actually board, not to the time you would need to leave the origin station shown on the ticket.

Worth noting that an Off-Peak Return from Stockport to Doncaster costs only £26.90 and has restriction code T1, making it valid from 07:45. So the first valid train would be the 07:55 EMR service changing at Sheffield, or the direct 08:25 TPE service.

The same "flow" covers stations as far south as Poynton so splitting there results in very significant savings if returning the same day. If returning the next day or afterwards then, as there is no period return from Congleton to Poynton, you would be better off buying 2 Advances from Congleton to Stockport and vice versa. These tend to be readily available at reasonable prices whereas Advances don't exist at all from Congleton to Poynton.