My ALR Thread

[ChrisTheRef]

OK, so I've already posted about 3/4 questions on my ALR that I'm doing in February, so I thought I'd just keep it all here

Next question:

Seat reservations - would you recommend them? How willing will a clerk be to sit there and issue you 50-odd tickets without charging you a penny? Do I have to present my ALR at the time of making the reservations?

 

[87031]

if your doing a standard class one then is probably best to reserve becuase even if you change your plans it dosent matter as its free, 1st class dosent matter so much but it just depends on time of week and time of train. Id say if your doing sleepers get them booked as early as you can

 

[ChrisTheRef]

Will they be bookable now as our trip is exactly 12 weeks away?

 

[142094]

Yes, should be available now. Remember that you'll have to pay for reservations on East Coast until the new year (unless 1st class).

Hope you have a great time with the Rover, I did one last year and can honestly say it was one of the best things I've ever done. Will probably do another one hopefully next year.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

Next, what if one of us loses our ALR ticket?

Do we have to shell out for a whole new ticket?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
And another....

I tried to make some seat reservations this evening, but was told that I can't make them until I have the ticket I'll be using them with.

I also think (the clerk wasn't sure) that I can only buy the ALRs 3 days before the start of their validity.

What do I do?

 

[CallySleeperKid]

I tried to make some seat reservations this evening, but was told that I can't make them until I have the ticket I'll be using them with.

I also think (the clerk wasn't sure) that I can only buy the ALRs 3 days before the start of their validity.

That sounds quite unreasonable!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I tried to make some seat reservations this evening, but was told that I can't make them until I have the ticket I'll be using them with.

Thats one I need a hand with, I want to get my tickets and booking all done and dusted 3 months before I go.

And where do you buy your all line rover? I can't see it anywhere online so assuming its from staffed stations.

As my partner has a disabled adult railcard, we are both entitled to the one third discount but does this apply to ALRs to? Id assume it does, but better check!

 

[142094]

Sure someone had posted on another thread that you can buy them far longer in advance than you used to be able to (although could be my bad momeory)?

You should be able to make the reservations when you want to (i.e. now), guessing you just got a clerk who doesn't know much about ALRs. Try again, you might have better luck this time.

AFAIK all ALRs have to be bought at a station, can't get them online. You can get railcard discounts for all the standard class ones, but I think that you can only get disabled railcard discount for a 1st class one. Beter check as this info is from what I read last year.

 

[ChrisTheRef]

Off to buy my tickets tomorrow!

I checked at my local station today and the booking clerk said I could buy them there and then!

To bring up one of my previous questions, does anyone know what happens if one of us loses our ticket?

 

[91101]

Sadly it's game over. I would never put an ALR through a ticket barrier, always use the manual gate.

Did an ALR for my main summer holiday for 4 years, each time a First Class 14 day one!

 

[87031]

Off to buy my tickets tomorrow!

I checked at my local station today and the booking clerk said I could buy them there and then!

To bring up one of my previous questions, does anyone know what happens if one of us loses our ticket?

When you purchase your ALR you will get a receipt so you do have prooof of the purchase so if you did happen to loose it then the sale can be traced, make sure you get a sleeve to keep it in and dont stick it through any barrier machines!

 

[ChrisTheRef]

Thanks. Is it worth photocopying the tickets too?

Taking a copy with me, and leaving another copy at home, heaven forbid I lose the copy too.

 

[jwos]

You need the ticket itself to travel, and if you lose it yet still wish to travel you'll just have to buy another.

Alas, as with all tickets, merely having a receipt, or proof of purchase, or a photocopy, will not entitle you to travel.

Unlike with monthly or longer season tickets, no record of the transaction is made, and no provision exists to duplicate or replace lost or stolen rover tickets.

The mantra you'll often hear from booking office staff on this is that it's just like losing cash, and sadly that's true.

Best advice is to treat it like anything else you would that's worth hundreds of pounds, and take good care of it!

 

[ChrisTheRef]

My tickets are now bought, along with almost all of my reservations.

Attached, you can see our plan! Before you pass judgement, we're having a holiday, NOT a "bash"

Notes:
Glasgow > Euston on Monday and Preston > Euston on Thursday are First Class (separate AP tickets)
One of us is leaving on the Friday night, hence the additional London to Liverpool service with 1 reservation

Thoughts?

 

[MCR247]

On Tuesday morning if you wanted to arrive earlier you should have got the 2115 Highland sleeper got off at Dunblane at 05.05 and got the 0520 to Edinburgh getting in at about 6.22

 

[ChrisTheRef]

Thanks for the suggestion, but on my holidays, I don't usually get up at 5am. Also, what is there to do in Newcastle at 7:30?

 

[142094]

Not much at half 7 in the morning, but if you have time have a quick walk down the Quayside, or over the High Level Bridge. Very near the station so you could do it in under half an hour.

 

[MCR247]

Thanks for the suggestion, but on my holidays, I don't usually get up at 5am. Also, what is there to do in Newcastle at 7:30?

Just a suggestion in case you wanted more time there. I'd rather go to bed earlier, get up earlier, spend more time there & get the same amount of sleeper

 

[ChrisTheRef]

Just a suggestion in case you wanted more time there. I'd rather go to bed earlier, get up earlier, spend more time there & get the same amount of sleeper

Suggestion still appreciated