Learning how to use the routeing guide.

[sn5775]

Hi all,

How difficult would it be, or is it even possible, for a rail enthusiast member of the public (that is, without access to industry systems) to learn how to use the routeing guide so that I don't need to keep asking on here for valid routes for my tickets?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

It's certainly possible, I have!
The guide itself contains most of the information needed (although I do keep learning little things on here).

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is there much point now it's no longer part of contractual validity? Easier is just to get an itinerary for your fare from an accredited retailer using via points and that is what is contractually valid now.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Is there much point now it's no longer part of contractual validity? Easier is just to get an itinerary for your fare from an accredited retailer using via points and that is what is contractually valid now.

But it's easier to pull up a couple documents to figure out what you should be able to get trainsplit to generate than putting in all the separate options manually and eventually having to deal with the CAPTCHAs that show up if you do too many.

 

[JB_B]

Is there much point now it's no longer part of contractual validity? Easier is just to get an itinerary for your fare from an accredited retailer using via points and that is what is contractually valid now.

I understand the point about the RGs downgrading to an "Information Box" in NRCoC but the journey planners generating itineraries will still (broadly) be using the same rules for validation.

Apologies if I've used this analogy before: checking routes one itinerary at a time can be a bit like working out the shape of whale by using a microscope. Even a basic understanding of the routeing guide will give you the big picture much more efficiently.

 

[Haywain]

How difficult would it be, or is it even possible, for a rail enthusiast member of the public (that is, without access to industry systems) to learn how to use the routeing guide so that I don't need to keep asking on here for valid routes for my tickets?

A good number of the people who are answering you on here will fit the description of "rail enthusiast member of the public", and the relevant documents are actually publicly available. However, it's not something that everybody can get to grips with, it requires a certain type of mind to deal with all of the nuances.

 

[jfollows]

And if you post here, most people who’ve made similar mistakes in the past will use their experience and knowledge to guide you.

 

[bakerstreet]

Hi all,

How difficult would it be, or is it even possible, for a rail enthusiast member of the public (that is, without access to industry systems) to learn how to use the routeing guide so that I don't need to keep asking on here for valid routes for my tickets?

Many thanks in advance.

Bear in mind that after a little learning you may find that you have more knowledge than some of the staff

 

[redreni]

Bear in mind that after a little learning you may find that you have more knowledge than some of the staff

I would be very surprised if the OP doesn't already have more knowledge than some staff.

They are aware, for example, of what they don't yet know, which means they don't have false confidence and they learn as they go.

Some staff, unfortunately, don't know what they don't know and are frequently confidently wrong as a result. And they don't learn.