Middlesbrough to Birmingham via Manchester and Sheffield ?

[General Zod]

Hello all,
Last week I asked for confirmation of the MBR - BHM via MAN route. Over the weekend I was told that parts of the Manchester to Sheffield stretch were absolutely beautiful and would be worth journeying through. So, on return, instead of catching the MAN-BHM XC I got on the TPE from Manchester to Sheffield and changed onto a XC train there. I confirmed with the TPE guard at MAN to see if my BHM-MBR off peak return would be valid for the journey between MAN and SHF and he said that it there should be no problem. The journey was indeed most scenic, however, I feel that it is not a valid route according to the RG ?

Thanks,
Z

 

[John @ home]

Hello all,
Last week I asked for confirmation of the MBR - BHM via MAN route. Over the weekend I was told that parts of the Manchester to Sheffield stretch were absolutely beautiful and would be worth journeying through. So, on return, instead of catching the MAN-BHM XC I got on the TPE from Manchester to Sheffield and changed onto a XC train there. I confirmed with the TPE guard at MAN to see if my BHM-MBR off peak return would be valid for the journey between MAN and SHF and he said that it there should be no problem. The journey was indeed most scenic, however, I feel that it is not a valid route according to the RG ?

I agree that it is not a permitted route. None of the permitted maps for a Middlesbrough - Birmingham journey include the section to the west of Chinley to Guide Bridge, Hazel Grove or Manchester. So Manchester - Sheffield via Chinley cannot be part of a permitted route for this journey.

John

 

[mathmo]

You're right - Birmingham to Middlesborough via Manchester requires you to go via Huddersfield or Halifax, not via Sheffield. It isn't a valid route but staff can give you permission if they want to, but not if they don't! It would be accepted without question on XC from Sheffield though as you are allowed to go Birmingham > Leicester > Sheffield > Middlesborough.

 

[yorkie]

Double-backing from Stockport to Manchester is dodgy, but if changing at Stockport you are unlikely to have any issues using this route as it is reasonable, though not strictly speaking valid.