How to use the maps?

[AndyLandy]

So, a couple of times I've been linked to routeing maps. They look very pretty, but I've no idea how you'd use one to determine route validity. Forgive me if I'm being dumb!

If anyone could explain, or give me an example or two (ideally in the Southampton area, as I'm quite familiar with it) that would be wonderful!

Thanks in advance!

 

[telstarbox]

Bristol - Brighton might be a good example.

 

[SS4]

Are you familiar with the "Pink Pages" and "Yellow Pages" to determine which maps to use?
It is covered in section A of the Routeing Guide how to use it.

There is also this post about routeing.

With the maps if you can "draw" your route without doubling back through a station it's a permitted route. Where maps change you can change at any common point

Suppose we want to go from Brighton to Southampton.

The Pink and Yellow pages tell me I can do via LONDON, CW, LB+WX

CW is the simplest - only one route can be traced: via Portsmouth

LB+WX: You can go via Clapham Junction as that's a common points on the map. You may not go via Victoria or Waterloo as you'll be doubling back between there and Clapham

via London means tracing a route from Brighton to London and then London to Southampton

 

[Eagle]

CW is the simplest - only one route can be traced: via Portsmouth

Just to point out that here Portsmouth is what's known as a routeing point station group (indicated by being a square rather than a circle) and consists of Bedhampton, Cosham, Fareham, Fratton, Hilsea, Portchester, Portsmouth Harbour and Portsmouth and Southsea. This means that your actual route may pass through any of these (and as many as you like of them), and you may double back as much as you want within this group if it makes interchanging easier.

 

[tractakid]

Just to point out that here Portsmouth is what's known as a routeing point station group (indicated by being a square rather than a circle) and consists of Bedhampton, Cosham, Fareham, Fratton, Hilsea, Portchester, Portsmouth Harbour and Portsmouth and Southsea. This means that your actual route may pass through any of these (and as many as you like of them), and you may double back as much as you want within this group if it makes interchanging easier.

Literally as much as I want? So I can use one ticket for unlimited travel between stations within a routing point group?

 

[telstarbox]

Also, where a combination of maps is given e.g. "AA + BB", you must use all the maps in the combination in the order shown - you can't use only AA or only BB.

 

[AndyLandy]

Great. Thanks for the input so far, it's starting to slowly make sense.

So, if I'm travelling between Basingstoke and Brighton, I can use (amongst others) maps WX+LB or WX+CS+LB

WX+LB is pretty obviously the route via Clapham Junction, but what does the CS map provide? Presumably via Farnborough/Redhill is a valid route with this map combination. What about via Reading? I assume that if you're obliged to start with WX, you can't go via Reading. Is that right?

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Literally as much as I want? So I can use one ticket for unlimited travel between stations within a routing point group?

You would do that at your peril !

Of course that's not what is intended; but you would be permitted to progress your overall journey by stages which, in an area well served by a variety of rail services, might include some 'doubling back' in an appropriate effort to reach your destination.

 

[kieron]

WX+LB is pretty obviously the route via Clapham Junction, but what does the CS map provide? Presumably via Farnborough/Redhill is a valid route with this map combination. What about via Reading? I assume that if you're obliged to start with WX, you can't go via Reading. Is that right?

No, but not that you can tell from the maps.

There is a route on that map combination which does involve Reading (basically, WX to Clapham Junction, CS to Redhill via Reading, and LB to Brighton), but there are no trains from Clapham Junction to the GW main line. There is the underground, but you can't use a rail ticket on that section.

If you want to use the Basingstoke-Reading line with a Basingstoke-Brighton ticket, you have to use one of the London combinations to go into Paddington or Marylebone on CS, or Waterloo on CS+WR, and then go back out from one of the south London termini.

 

[AndyLandy]

but there are no trains from Clapham Junction to the GW main line.

What about the Windsor lines between Waterloo and Reading? Although I guess that using those northbound would mean you'd be doubling back, since you have to return that way to get to Redhill?

 

[bb21]

What about the Windsor lines between Waterloo and Reading? Although I guess that using those northbound would mean you'd be doubling back, since you have to return that way to get to Redhill?

Doubleback through Wokingham.

 

[Muzer]

Literally as much as I want? So I can use one ticket for unlimited travel between stations within a routing point group?

No. You're allowed to do it "for interchange purposes only" IIRC.