National Routeing Guide update

[kieron]

It also looks like someone has typoed the dates for the backing data as the start periods are all (but one) dates in 2005, lasting until the intended date in 2025.

So they are. That means there isn't a problem with 2nd March after all.

 

[MrJeeves]

So they are. That means there isn't a problem with 2nd March after all.

Indeed, though that did cause other issues for some routeing engines...!

Wrongly applied easements?

I've been looking for Euston to Shrewsbury tickets this weekend and TrainSplit is trying to sell me this fare via High Wycombe with Aylesbury easements applied on dates next year... I know with an itinerary I'm contractually entitled to travel but I'd rather not waste my whole day arguing with...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[kieron]

Some changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 08 Dec 2024 (536) to 10 Dec 2024 (537).​

​

Station Association changes:​

Ashington (ASL) is now associated with Newcastle (NCL).​

Bedlington (BEJ) is now associated with Newcastle (NCL).​

Blyth Bebside (BLI) is now associated with Newcastle (NCL).​

Newsham (NWH) is now associated with Newcastle (NCL).​

Northumberland Park (T&W) (NOP) is now associated with Newcastle (NCL).​

Seaton Delaval (SEJ) is now associated with Newcastle (NCL).​

This associates the stations between Newcastle and Ashington with Newcastle in preparation for opening Ashington and Seaton Delaval next week.

Easement changes:​

​

Added:​

​

701298 (Fare route) Due to engineering work route closures between 01 and 16 February 2025. Tickets priced on (00615) VIA GOMSHALL will be valid on rail replacement buses between Guildford and Gatwick airport that do not call at Gomshall.​

The line between Guildford and Dorking West is due to be closed then. GWR have planned buses between Guildford and Redhill which stop everywhere and ones between Guildford and Gatwick which don't call anywhere in between.

This easement lets you use "via Gomshall" tickets on the buses. The data also does this, but applies a bit more broadly.

Station link changes:​

​

Ashington (ASL) to Bedlington (BEJ) now has a distance of 1.99.​

Bedlington (BEJ) to Blyth Bebside (BLI) now has a distance of 1.70.​

Blyth Bebside (BLI) to Newsham (NWH) now has a distance of 1.70.​

Newsham (NWH) to Seaton Delaval (SEJ) now has a distance of 2.10.​

Northumberland Park (T&W) (NOP) to Seaton Delaval (SEJ) now has a distance of 3.06.​

Manors (MAS) to Northumberland Park (T&W) (NOP) now has a distance of 5.88.​

​

Ashington (ASL) to Newsham (NWH) now has a distance of 5.39.​

Ashington (ASL) to Seaton Delaval (SEJ) now has a distance of 7.49.​

Newcastle (NCL) to Seaton Delaval (SEJ) now has a distance of 9.52.​

This allows distances to be calculated for journeys to and from the Newcastle-Ashington line. The last few are duplicates.

Non-NFM64 station changes:​

​

Ashington (ASL) now uses NFM64 fares for Newcastle (NCL) (10/12/2024-)​

Bedlington (BEJ) now uses NFM64 fares for Newcastle (NCL) (10/12/2024-)​

Blyth Bebside (BLI) now uses NFM64 fares for Newcastle (NCL) (10/12/2024-)​

Northumberland Park (T&W) (NOP) now uses NFM64 fares for Newcastle (NCL) (10/12/2024-)​

Newsham (NWH) now uses NFM64 fares for Newcastle (NCL) (10/12/2024-)​

Seaton Delaval (SEJ) now uses NFM64 fares for Newcastle (NCL) (10/12/2024-)​

This means that Newcastle is always a valid routeing point for the new stations.

In addition, the data for easement 30039 has been amended so that it it applies on 2nd March again.

Some more changes were published this afternoon.

Changes from 10 Dec 2024 (537) to 11 Dec 2024 (538).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Added:​

​

701299 (Circuitous Route) Customers travelling on fares priced on (00542) VIA BANGOR and (07788) AP BANGOR travelling to or via Shrewsbury may not travel via Crewe or Wrexham General. This circuitous route easement applies in both directions.​

Some "via Bangor" and "AP Bangor" tickets are due to be introduced on Sunday for journeys between Aberystwyth and Machnynlleth and stations in North Wales. The intention is, I assume, that people catch a bus which goes via Caernarfon.

This easement is intended to stop people from going via Shrewsbury and Crewe or Wrexham instead.

Route changes:​

​

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

​

AP BANGOR (07788) (280 records)​

must go via Bangor (Gwynedd) (BNG)​

must not go via Wrexham General (WRX)​

​

VIA BANGOR (00542) (170 records)​

must go via Bangor (Gwynedd) (BNG)​

must not go via Wrexham General (WRX)​

The route codes now bar travel via Wrexham. This would deny travel via Wrexham and Chester for someone going from Hawarden, Buckley or Penyffordd. Wrexham isn't a valid routeing point for any of them for a journey to Bangor, so I don't think it would have been allowed anyway.

---

The following post was made on 13th December 2024.

---

Some changes to the routeing guide were published yesterday.

Changes from 11 Dec 2024 (538) to 12 Dec 2024 (539).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Added:​

​

701300 (Fare route) During engineering works this weekend, 14 to 15 December 2024, there are no Chiltern services between Aylesbury and London Marylebone. Customers travelling on tickets priced on (00264) VIA CHALFONT & LATIMER may travel on Rail Replacement buses to Amersham for onward connection by London Underground Services. This fare route easement will apply in both directions​

The line is closed between Amersham and Aylesbury then.

This easement makes (say) a "via Chalfont & Latimer" London-Wendover ticket valid if you travel via Amersham. The London Underground services stop in Chalfont & Latimer, but retailers may need help to detect this.

701301 (Local) During engineering works this weekend, 14 to 15 December 2024, there are no Chiltern services to between Aylesbury and London Marylebone. Customers travelling from CHALFONT & LATIMER may travel by London Underground Services on services priced (00000) ANY PERMITTED. This local easement will apply in both directions.​

This easement apparently lets you travel from Chalfont & Latimer by London Underground with a rail fare which uses the (00000) "any permitted" or (01000) "." route codes.

nre.co.uk seems happy enough with you using a range of rail tickets from Chalfont & Latimer on London Underground (you don't normally see it because Metropolitan Line trains aren't usually included in the rail timetable), so I don't know what exactly this easement does.

A further easement was added to the routeing guide this afternoon.

Changes from 12 Dec 2024 (539) to 13 Dec 2024 (540).​

​

Added:​

​

701302 (Fare route) Customers travelling from Eaglescliffe to Yarm on tickets priced on (00190) VIA THORNABY, may use direct trains between the two stations when timetables change on Sunday 15 December 2024. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

A Redcar-Manchester Airport service is due to start on Sunday with calls at Eaglescliffe and Yarm, but the only through tickets are "via Thornaby" ones (which seem expensive to me for a journey of a couple of miles).

This easement lets web sites validate the direct route with ticket between Eaglescliffe and Yarm. Customers were already allowed to travel this way as Eaglescliffe is between Thornaby and Yarm and none of the tickets bar break of journey.

It only affects tickets between these two stations. Darlington already had direct trains to Eaglescliffe (from where you can catch a train to Yarm), and Hartlepool will have from Sunday, but there are only "via Thornaby" tickets to Yarm from either.

 

[Watershed]

A Redcar-Manchester Airport service is due to start on Sunday with calls at Eaglescliffe and Yarm, but the only through tickets are "via Thornaby" ones (which seem expensive to me for a journey of a couple of miles).

Yet another example of a fare route that was made unnecessarily prescriptive, without proper consideration of the consequences, as part of the misguided "simplification" project a few years back...

 

[Kite159]

I guess at some point the 'Via Thornaby' part will get removed for tickets between Eaglescliffe and Yarm as before yesterday they were stations which didn't have a direct service (as TPE called at Yarm but skipped Eaglescliffe and GC called at Eaglescliffe but skipped Yarm).

Although you would hope the ticket price will get reduced to reflect it goes direct rather than via Thornaby

 

[Edvid]

Not an update per se, but notice was given the RDG's Data portal to which the publicly-accessible Routeing Guide belongs will close by year's end (mentioned in another thread).

[EDIT: Been informed it'll remain available on the NRE site.]

 

[kieron]

Some changes were made to the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 13 Dec 2024 (540) to 17 Dec 2024 (541).

Easement changes:

Removed:

701288 (Map) Due to engineering works in the evenings from 20:45 on the 11 to 14 November 2024, and after 23:30 from 02 to 05 December 2024. Tickets priced on (00118) VIA UPMINSTER, will be valid for travel via Grays. This map easement will apply in both directions.

701290 (Fare route) Due to engineering works in the evenings from 20:45 on the 11 to 14 November 2024, and after 23:30 from 02 to 05 December 2024. Tickets priced on (00118) VIA UPMINSTER, will be valid for travel via Grays. This fare route easement will apply in both directions.

701291 (Routeing Point) Due to engineering works in the evenings from 20:45 on the 11 to 14 November 2024, and after 23:30 from 02 to 05 December 2024. Journeys to West Horndon and Laindon on tickets priced on (00118) VIA UPMINSTER, will be valid for travel via Grays and Pitsea. This routeing point easement applies in both directions

701300 (Fare route) During engineering works this weekend, 14 to 15 December 2024, there are no Chiltern services between Aylesbury and London Marylebone. Customers travelling on tickets priced on (00264) VIA CHALFONT & LATIMER may travel on Rail Replacement buses to Amersham for onward connection by London Underground Services. This fare route easement will apply in both directions​

These were all temporary easement for which the dates have passed.

Added:

701303 (Fare route) During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January 2025. Customers travelling from or via Castle Cary and via Basingstoke to destinations such as Southampton Central . With tickets priced on (00618) VIA SALISBURY, may travel via Reading. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

This relates to the same line closure as easements such as 701263. My first thought was that it doesn't seem to allow anything easement 701279 doesn't already permit. If I look at a Castle Cary–Westbury journey (starting on 15th January at 06:16 and changing at Reading onto the 07:27 train to Paignton), nre.co.uk doesn't show it as being valid with a "via Salisbury" ticket even with both easements. I don't know, perhaps it needs a map easement?

One thing I did notice (but which doesn't seem to be connected) is an error with one of the rules for easement 701280. The text is:

During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January 2025. Customers travelling with tickets priced on routes (00618) VIA SALISBURY, (00627) SALISBURY/YEOVIL, (00836) VIA WESTBURY and (00837) WESTBURY AND SALISBURY may travel via Reading and Basingstoke. But not on Cross Country train services between 27 December and 01 January 2025. Nor from 02 - 23 January 2025 on Cross country services departing Reading between 14:00 and 18:00 each day. This circuitous route easement applies in both directions.​

There are a lot of identical rules, most of which bar journeys on Crosscountry via Reading for a few hours on one day. Rule 703417 is different, as its start date is 13th January 2024 but it only ends in 2025. I don't know if it applies it for a few hours each day, or applies continuously for the whole period, but it doesn't match the text either way.

701304 (Local) Customers travelling from Trowbridge to Newbury on 28 December 2024 with tickets priced (00000) ANY PERMITTED may travel via Bath Spa and Reading. This local easement will apply in both directions​

This easement (for the same line closure) lets a flexible Trowbridge–Newbury ticket be used via Bath and Reading, a ticket which would only otherwise be valid on routes which involve a bus.

This seems reasonable to me as it is often quicker to do this rather than to use the buses via Frome or Westbury. I'd say the same about other dates during the works, and for other journeys such as (for instance) Bradford-on-Avon–Newbury or Trowbridge–Thatcham.

 

[MrJeeves]

There are a lot of identical rules, most of which bar journeys on Crosscountry via Reading for a few hours on one day. Rule 703417 is different, as its start date is 13th January 2024 but it only ends in 2025. I don't know if it applies it for a few hours each day, or applies continuously for the whole period, but it doesn't match the text either way.

My understanding would be just between the hours stated on every day, but given they went to the effort of creating many identical rules, I wonder if someone's implementation doesn't follow this!

 

[infobleep]

Not an update per se, but notice was given the RDG's Data portal to which the publicly-accessible Routeing Guide belongs will close by year's end (mentioned in another thread).

[EDIT: Been informed it'll remain available on the NRE site.]

I didn't know it was available on tgr National Rail Enquiries Web site. Make sense for it to be there rather than a qeb site with the domain ATOC, the predecessor to RDG.

 

[MrJeeves]

I didn't know it was available on tgr National Rail Enquiries Web site.

It wasn't available on there until a couple of days ago!

 

[infobleep]

It wasn't available on there until a couple of days ago!

Well in future if somone says a ticket isn't valid, one can sat but it is according to National Rail Enquiries.*

*I'm only talking about valid tickets here.

 

[nwales58]

Well in future if somon3 says a ticket isn't valid, one can sat but it is according to National Rail Enquiries.

As some barrier staff won't look at nre.co.uk/2C when printed on a paper ticket, good luck with that.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Well in future if somon3 says a ticket isn't valid, one can sat but it is according to National Rail Enquiries.*

*I'm only talking about valid tickets here.

While it doesn't have a 100% chance of success, you'd have more chance getting an itinerary, ideally with seat reservations, for it, rather than trying to convince a member of gateline staff to use the Routeing Guide.

 

[kieron]

Some more changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 17 Dec 2024 (541) to 19 Dec 2024 (542).

Easement changes:

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):

701304 (Local) Customers travelling from Trowbridge to Newbury on 28 December 2024 from 27 December 2024 to 23 January 2025 with tickets priced (00000) ANY PERMITTED may travel via Bath Spa and Reading. This local easement will apply in both directions​

The date range has now been extended. It now covers the same period as easements such as 701263.

In addition, the data for easement 700374 have been changed. It now forbids travel via Cardiff Queen Street, Newport, Pye Corner or Waun-gron Park.
The text remains:

700374 (Local) Customers travelling from Llantwit Major to Cardiff Central and beyond in possession of tickets routed "Any Permitted" may travel via Bridgend. This easement applies in both directions.​

It doesn't seem to leave a huge amount of "beyond".

 

[infobleep]

As some barrier staff won't look at nre.co.uk/2C when printed on a paper ticket, good luck with that.

True.

 

[kieron]

Some more changes were published in the routeing on Wednesday.

Changes from 19 Dec 2024 (542) to 08 Jan 2025 (543).

Map changes:
HW: Gain Craven Arms to/from Llandrindod
HW: Gain Llandrindod to/from Llandovery
HW: Lose Craven Arms to/from Llandovery​

This adds Llandrindod to the (one and only) map which includes the Heart of Wales line.

Easement changes:

Added:

701305 (Fare route) During engineering works, when Rail Replacement Services are in operation. Customers travelling with tickets priced on (00264) CHALFONT & LATIMER, may use the replacement buses that operate to and from Amersham station. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

The data allows a via Chalfont & Latimer ticket to be used via Amersham. There are no date restrictions associated with it, and no mention of buses.

While this easement works, it seems to be designed for use on rail replacement buses which don't include Chalfont & Latimer in their itinerary. I don't know when one of those is next planned.

701306 (Map) During engineering closure of the line between Swindon and Chippenham on 01 and 02 March 2025. Customers from Didcot to Chippenham will be valid via Bath Spa or Westbury. This map easement applies in both directions​

The line between Swindon and Chippenham is closed then. The data adds Bristol Group, Bath, Chippenham, Reading Group, Swindon and Westbury Group to mapped routes which can make use of them.

It's not so useful for Didcot-Chippenham tickets as the flexible tickets have a "via Swindon" route, and so can't be used via Reading and Westbury.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):

700266 (Circuitous Route) Customers travelling from Warrington Central, Padgate, Birchwood, Glazebrook and Irlam to Chorley, Leyland and Preston Preston, Salwick and to destinations via Salwick in possession of tickets routed "Any Permitted" may not travel via Deansgate or Manchester Oxford Road. This easement circuitous route applies in both directions.​

This extends the set of affected stations to cover the Blackpool-Preston lines. Deansgate has been added to the text, but it already appeared in the data as an applicable location. The intent, I imagine, is to encourage people to buy "via Manchester" tickets instead.

Route changes:

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):

VIA CAERNARFON (00543) (2 records)
mmust include bus
must not include train
must not go via Wrexham General (WRX)​

This stops retailers from offering these tickets on trains, or on buses via Wrexham General (if ones like that ever appear in the railway timetable).

 

[JB_B]

...

​

​

Map changes:​

HW: Gain Craven Arms to/from Llandrindod​

HW: Gain Llandrindod to/from Llandovery​

HW: Lose Craven Arms to/from Llandovery​

This adds Llandrindod to the (one and only) map which includes the Heart of Wales line.
...

​

Not sure what purpose this change serves?

 

[kieron]

Not sure what purpose this change serves?

One thing I notice is that TfW have recently created a "TfW only via Heart of Wales Line" route code, and it's defined in the data as "must involve travel via Llandrindod" (rather than Llandovery, as used in the older route code). I don't know if adding Llandrindod to the data helps with this, though.

---

The following post was made on 18th January 2025.

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Some more changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 08 Jan 2025 (543) to 17 Jan 2025 (544).​

​

Easement changes:​

​

Removed:​

​

701254 (Map) During closure of London Paddington station on 17 November 2024 and 27-29 December 2024, some GWR services will be diverted into London Euston. This map easement will create temporary permission between Ealing Broadway and London Euston via Willesden Junction. It will apply in both directions.​

​

701266 (Map) During engineering works, impacting journeys from Didcot Parkway to London, on the 17 November 2024, and the 27 - 29 December 2024, travel will be valid via Oxford Parkway and High Wycombe to London Marylebone. This map easement will apply in both directions.​

​

701267 (Fare route) During engineering works on the 17 November 2024 and between 27 and 29 December 2024 tickets from Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire Parkway, priced on (00799) LONDON EVESHAM, (00803) EVESHAM/STROUD, (00805) VIA EVESHAM, for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Birmingham Moor Street for journeys via High Wycombe. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

​

701268 (Map) During engineering works on the 17 November 2024 and between 27 and 29 December 2024 tickets from Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire Parkway, priced on (00799) LONDON EVESHAM, (00803) EVESHAM/STROUD, (00805) VIA EVESHAM, for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Birmingham Moor Street for journeys via High Wycombe. This map easement applies in both directions.​

​

701269 (Local) During engineering works on 17 November 2024, and between 27 - 29 December 2024 tickets from Worcestershire Parkway, priced on (00799) LONDON EVESHAM, (00803) EVESHAM/STROUD and (00805) VIA EVESHAM for journeys to or via London, will be valid via Birmingham Moor Street for journeys via High Wycombe. This local easement applies in both directions​

​

701270 (Circuitous Route) During engineering works on the 17 November 2024 and between 27 and 29 December 2024 tickets from Hereford, Ledbury, Colwall, Great Malvern, Malvern Link, Worcester Foregate Street, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcestershire Parkway, priced on (00799) LONDON EVESHAM, (00803) EVESHAM/STROUD, (00805) VIA EVESHAM, for journeys to or via London, will not be valid on Cross Country services via Birmingham. This circuitous route easement applies in both directions​

​

701283 (Circuitous Route) During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 01 January 2025. Customers travelling from Frome, Bruton and Castle Cary to or via Bristol may travel via Taunton. But not on Cross Country Services. This circuitous route easement applies in both directions.​

​

701301 (Local) During engineering works this weekend, 14 to 15 December 2024, there are no Chiltern services to between Aylesbury and London Marylebone. Customers travelling from CHALFONT & LATIMER may travel by London Underground Services on services priced (00000) ANY PERMITTED. This local easement will apply in both directions.​

The dates for each of these easements has now passed.

Added:​

​

701307 (Map) During engineering closure of the line between Swindon and Chippenham on weekends of 22/23 and 29/30 March 2025. Customers from Didcot to Chippenham will be valid via Bath Spa or Westbury. Customers from Chippenham to Bath Spa and Bristol may travel via Trowbridge This map easement applies in both directions​

This is a version of 701306 for different dates. Both are map easements which contain Bristol Group, Bath, Chippenham, Reading Group, Swindon and Westbury Group, with no specific restrictions on which tickets can be used with them. Neither let you use a "via Swindon" Didcot-Chippenham ticket on a route which doesn't go through Swindon.

In addition, the data for easement 701296 has changed. It already covered journeys to or from stations between Bedford and West Hampstead Thameslink. It now also covers journeys via Luton Airport Parkway and West Hampstead Thameslink, which I think just means that it also affects tickets to or from Luton Airport.

The text remains:

701296 (Routeing Point) Customers travelling from Flitwick, Harlington (Beds), Leagrave, Luton, Luton Airport Parkway, Harpenden, St Albans City, Radlett, Elstree & Borehwood, Mill Hill Broadway, Hendon, Brent Cross West and Cricklewood to Chiswick, Kew Bridge, Brentford, Syon Lane and Isleworth may travel via West Hampstead Thameslink. This routeing point easement overcomes NFM64 fares checks and applies in both directions.​

 

[kieron]

Some changes were published in the routeing guide yesterday.

Changes from 17 Jan 2025 (544) to 29 Jan 2025 (545).

Station Association changes:

Beaulieu Park (BPA) is now associated with Shenfield (SNF).
Beaulieu Park (BPA) is now associated with Witham (WTM).
Cambridge South (CMS) is now associated with Cambridge (CBG).
Cambridge South (CMS) is now associated with Hitchin (HIT).
Cambridge South (CMS) is now associated with Stansted Group (G66).

Station link changes:

Beaulieu Park (BPA) to Chelmsford (CHM) now has a distance of 2.63.
Beaulieu Park (BPA) to Hatfield Peverel (HAP) now has a distance of 3.55.
Cambridge (CBG) to Cambridge South (CMS) now has a distance of 1.50.
Cambridge South (CMS) to Foxton (FXN) now has a distance of 5.48.
Cambridge South (CMS) to Shelford (SED) now has a distance of 1.70.

Non-NFM64 station changes:

Beaulieu Park (BPA) now uses NFM64 fares for Chelmsford (CHM)
Cambridge South (CMS) now uses NFM64 fares for Shelford (SED)​

This adds Beaulieu Park and Cambridge South to some of the tables they need to be on before tickets can be sold for them.

There may not be much more to do with Beaulieu Park before tickets can be sold. A couple of the easements which mention Chelmsford may need amending, but that's all I can see.

Cambridge South is the last station before a junction, which complicates things. This set of changes mean that the shortest route from Shelford to Foxton is calculated as being 3 miles shorter than it was, so that (for instance) you can no longer get an itinerary for a Bowes Park-Shelford ticket via Watton-at-Stone.

There would also be difficulties with mapped routes if the station was opened without further routeing changes. You wouldn't be able to use a mapped route which included Hitchin-Cambridge-Stansted as you would double back through Cambridge South, and you couldn't use Hitchin-Cambridge South-Stansted as it would need a Hitchin-Stansted link, and none of the maps contain one.

This can all be resolved, but there's a bit more to be done.

Easement changes:

Added:
701308 (Doubleback) During engineering work line closures between Bristol and Weston Super Mare, on the 03 to 07 February 2025, customers may doubleback between Bristol Temple Meads and Bath Spa on journeys from, to or via Taunton.​

There are no trains between Taunton and Weston-super-Mare next week, so Crosscountry trains via Bristol and Taunton are diverted non-stop between them via Westbury and Bath.

This easement lets a traveller to Bath (or beyond) catch one of the diverted trains to Bristol, and then another train back to Bath. The data doesn't include Oldfield Park or Keynsham, but that's fine as web sites don't notice when trains pass through them non-stop. The diverted trains don't stop, so someone who uses one of those won't be identified as going through either station twice.

701309 (Map) During engineering work route closures between the 03 - 07 February 2025, journeys between the West Country to or via Bristol Temple Meads can be routed via Westbury and Bath Spa. This map easement applies in both directions​

This is a map easement for the same dates as above. The data for it includes Bristol Group, Bath, Westbury Group, Castle Cary and Taunton.

701310 (Map) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 20:00 to midnight on 16 February 2025, tickets to South Wales will be diverted via Gloucester, Severn Tunnel Junction and Newport (South Wales). This map easement applies in both directions​

Trains are going between Newport and Bristol Parkway via Gloucester on that Sunday evening. Six easements have been added to help with travel then.

This one is a map easement, and the data includes Bristol Group, Cheltenham, Gloucester and Newport.

701311 (Fare route) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 20:00 to midnight on 16 February 2025, tickets priced on (00843) VIA SEVERN TUNNEL JUNCTION and (00911) VIA SEVERN TUNNL, to Chepstow and Lydney will be valid on services diverted via Gloucester. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

The "via Severn Tunnel Junction" route code is used for journeys to and from Chepstow and Lydney, and the "via Severn Tunnel" route code is unused. The data lets fares with these routes be used via Gloucester instead of Severn Tunnel Junction.

701312 (Local) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 20:00 to midnight on 16 February 2025, tickets to Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicott, Chepstow and Lydney from local stations in Bristol for travel via Bristol Parkway will be valid on diverted via Gloucester. This local easement applies in both directions​

The data allows journeys from or to Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow and Lydney which go via both Gloucester and Yate to go via Bristol Group (the stations between Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads inclusive).

701313 (Routeing Point) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 20:00 to midnight on 16 February 2025, customers from Yate travelling to or via Newport (South Wales) may travel via Gloucester. This routeing point easement will overcome NFM64 fares checking during the disruption dates.​

This data means that tickets to and from Yate which go to Newport or beyond are valid with Gloucester as the associated routeing point on the above dates.

701314 (Routeing Point) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 20:00 to midnight on 16 February 2025, tickets to Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicott, Chepstow and Lydney from local stations in Bristol for travel via Bristol Parkway will be valid on diverted via Gloucester. This routeing point easement will overcome NFM64 fares checking and applies in both directions​

The data makes Gloucester a valid routeing point for journeys to and from Lydney, Chepstow, Caldicot, and Severn Tunnel Junction.

701315 (Local) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 20:00 to midnight on 16 February 2025, tickets to Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicott, Chepstow and Lydney from Yate and Cam & Dursley will be valid on trains via Gloucester. This local easement applies in both directions​

The data lets tickets be used via Gloucester if they are between Lydney, Chepstow, Caldicot, and Severn Tunnel Junction on the one hand, and Cam & Dursley and Yate on the other.

 

[kieron]

Some changes were published in the routeing guide on Wednesday.

Changes from 29 Jan 2025 (545) to 05 Feb 2025 (546).

Permitted Route changes:
Haywards Heath (HHE) to Portsmouth Group (G23) gain XE+LP
Portsmouth Group (G23) to Wivelsfield (WVF) gain LP+XE​

These journeys now have mapped routes via Crawley.

Easement changes:

Added:
701316 (Fare route) On Sunday 09 February 2025 due to the closure of the line between Westbury and Castle Cary ticketys priced on (00063) VIA NEWBURY, will be valid via Swindon. This fare route easement will apply in both directions.​

Westbury is due to be closed for a weekend in March, along with the stations between there and Bath, Chippenham and Warminster.

This lets any "via Newbury" ticket be used via Swindon on the Sunday. Easement 701275 (below) does the same thing on the Saturday for some tickets.

701317 (Local) Customers travelling from York to Kingham may travel via Worcestershire Parkway. This local easement applies in both directions.​

The problem here is that Kingham has Oxford and Worcester Group associated with it, but someone who changes at Worcestershire Parkway wouldn't pass through either routeing point. It affects far more than just York-Kingham tickets (the stations west of Kingham are also associated with Bromsgrove, but none of the stations between Oxford and Worcestershire Parkway is association with Cheltenham), but the text allows it in that one case.

The data may not be enough to implement this fully, however. nre.co.uk gives itineraries for York-Kingham tickets via Worcestershire Parkway and Pontefract (as that's the shortest route), but not via Worcestershire Parkway and Leeds.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):​

There have been changes to the dates for several easements due to the engineering work in and around Westbury.

701263 (Fare route) During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January on 08 and 09 March 2025. Customers travelling with tickets priced on (00816) WESTBRY SHAMPTON,(00836) VIA WESTBURY,(00837) WESTBURY & SALISBURY and (00846) YEOVIL WESTBURY may travel on rail replacement services from Trowbridge which do not call at Westbury. This fare route easement applies in both directions.

701264 (Doubleback) During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January on 08 and 09 March 2025. Customers travelling to Avoncliff, Freshford and Bradford on Avon via Frome may travel on rail replacement services that call at Westbury. This doubleback easement applies in both directions.

701274 (Fare route) During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January on 08 and 09 March 2025. Customers travelling with tickets priced on (00136) VIA MELKSHAM may travel via Bath Spa. This fare route easement applies in both directions.

701275 (Fare route) During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January on 08 and 09 March 2025. Customers travelling from Freshford, Avoncliff, Bradford on Avon, Trowbridge, Westbury, Dilton Marsh and Warminster to or via Reading. With tickets priced on (00063) VIA NEWBURY, may travel via Swindon. This fare route easement applies in both directions.

701281 (Map) During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January on 08 and 09 March 2025. Customers travelling from Frome, Bruton and Castle Cary to or via Bristol may travel via Taunton . This map easement applies in both directions.

701282 (Routeing Point) During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January on 08 and 09 March 2025. Customers travelling from Frome to Weston Milton, Worle, Yatton, Nailsea & Backwell, Parsons Street, Bedminster, Bristol Temple Meads or via Bristol Temple Meads may travel via Castle Cary. This routeing point easement overcomes NFM64 fares checking, and applies in both directions.

701284 (Fare route) During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January on 08 and 09 March 2025. Customers travelling from Frome and Bruton on tickets priced on (00058) VIA TROWBRIDGE or (00831) VIA BATH SPA may travel via Castle Cary. This fare route easement applies in both directions.

701285 (Map) During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January on 08 and 09 March 2025. Customers travelling from Frome, Bruton and Castle Cary to or via Bristol may travel via Taunton. This map easement applies in both directions.

701304 (Local) Customers travelling from Trowbridge to Newbury during engineering works from 27 December 2024 to 23 January on 08 and 09 March 2025 with tickets priced (00000) ANY PERMITTED may travel via Bath Spa and Reading. This local easement will apply in both directions​

These have just had the dates changed to 8th & 9th March.

701279 (Fare route) During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January on 08 and 09 March 2025. Customers travelling with tickets priced on routes (00618) VIA SALISBURY, (00627) SALISBURY/YEOVIL, (00836) VIA WESTBURY (00627) SALISBURY/YEOVIL and (00837) WESTBURY AND SALISBURY may travel via Reading and Basingstoke. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

This changes the dates, and also removes the "via Westbury" route (so it now only affects tickets which normally require travel via Salisbury).

701280 (Circuitous Route) During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January on 08 and 09 March 2025. Customers travelling with tickets priced on routes (00618) VIA SALISBURY, (00627) SALISBURY/YEOVIL, (00836) VIA WESTBURY and (00837) WESTBURY AND SALISBURY may travel via Reading and Basingstoke. But not on Cross Country train services between 27 December and 01 January 2025. Nor from 02 - 23 January 2025 on Cross country services departing Reading between 14:00 and 18:00 each day. This circuitous route easement applies in both directions.​

This changes the dates, and applies the "no Crosscountry trains in the afternoon" restriction on both days. The data doesn't permit anything for people with "via Westbury" tickets, despite what the text says.

701286 (Routeing Point) During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January on 08 and 09 March 2025. Customers travelling to Pewsey with tickets priced on routes (00836) VIA WESTBURY and (00837) WESTBURY AND SALISBURY may travel via Reading and Reading West. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

This changes the dates. The data now only applies the easement to journeys from or to Pewsey.

701303 (Fare route) During engineering works closing Westbury Station from 27 December 2024 to 23 January on 08 and 09 March 2025. Customers travelling from or via Castle Cary and via Basingstoke to destinations such as Southampton Central . With tickets priced on (00618) VIA SALISBURY, may travel via Reading. This fare route easement applies in both directions.​

This changes the dates. The data only applies it to journeys from Castle Cary on the Saturday, but applies it to journeys to or via Castle Cary on both dates.

Station link changes:

Cambridge (CBG) to Foxton (FXN) has changed from 6.98 to 6.94.
Cambridge South (CMS) to Foxton (FXN) has changed from 5.48 to 5.44.​

This means that ticket sites now treat the shortest route between Cambridge and Foxton as being 70yds shorter. I don't know if this changes what you can do with any tickets, but it seems to be closer to the distance given in the sectional appendix.

Non-NFM64 station changes:

Cambridge South (CMS) now uses NFM64 fares for Cambridge (CBG) rather than Shelford (SED)​

This means that Cambridge is always a valid routeing point for longer distance tickets (to Cheshunt, Ely, Peterborough, Stevenage or Stowmarket or beyond). There don't seem to be many journeys where this could make a difference, but ones to Hackney Downs and Pontefract Baghill may be examples.

 

[infobleep]

Some changes were published in the routeing guide on Wednesday.

Changes from 29 Jan 2025 (545) to 05 Feb 2025 (546).​

​

Permitted Route changes:​

Haywards Heath (HHE) to Portsmouth Group (G23) gain XE+LP​

Portsmouth Group (G23) to Wivelsfield (WVF) gain LP+XE​

These journeys now have mapped routes via Crawley.

The mapped routes through Crawley will be useful as there are times when that is the fastest route.

I wonder what led to the change?

 

[MrJeeves]

The mapped routes through Crawley will be useful as there are times when that is the fastest route.

I wonder what led to the change?

My third email to GTR moaning about not being able to travel via Horsham when it's the same speed as Brighton.

Third try was the charm!

Thank you for your email and the request made. I have passed your request to our Fares and Retail team who have been in touch with the RDG routeing guide team about it.

We have requested that the fares are changed as we agree with the request for customers to be able to travel from Three Bridges as well as Brighton. As soon as we have heard back, we will be able to provide an update. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Now just to fix the ridiculous "not via London" fares that have no difference in validity compared to the "via Barnham" fares despite costing more.

 

[infobleep]

My third email to GTR moaning about not being able to travel via Horsham when it's the same speed as Brighton.

Third try was the charm!

Well done

Yhere are other routing points nearby where this is also the case but going via Three Bridge isn't valid.

Now just to fix the ridiculous "not via London" fares that have no difference in validity compared to the "via Barnham" fares despite costing more.

I would have thought via London would have allowed one to travel via Guildford but I see that usually isn't the case.

It currently is the case, but only because Guildford to Gatwick Airport is a bus at the moment.

 

[MrJeeves]

I would have thought via London would have allowed one to travel via Guildford but I see that usually isn't the case.

It currently is the case, but only because Guildford to Gatwick Airport is a bus at the moment.

I seem to remember when I last looked into it, it was the case for Earlswood and Redhill and only by virtue of +3 miles rule. Anything south of Earlswood wasn't permitted via Guildford.

There are other routing points nearby where this is also the case but going via Three Bridge isn't valid.

I had hoped they were going to fix the general case so that journeys to Ford Group and beyond would be valid via Three Bridges but they did not. They didn't even do it for Havant which I thought was a little cheeky.

 

[infobleep]

I seem to remember when I last looked into it, it was the case for Earlswood and Redhill and only by virtue of +3 miles rule. Anything south of Earlswood wasn't permitted via Guildford.


I had hoped they were going to fix the general case so that journeys to Ford Group and beyond would be valid via Three Bridges but they did not. They didn't even do it for Havant which I thought was a little cheeky.

I wonder if they were aware of those. I know the system is very complicated so I don't know how easy it is for them to know nearby station groups also could do with changing.

 

[kieron]

Some changes to the routeing guide were published this afternoon.

Changes from 05 Feb 2025 (546) to 14 Feb 2025 (547).

Easement changes:

Added:

701318 (Map) This map easement is to accommodate engineering diversions of Trans Pennie services via Wakefield Kirkgate. It applies in both directions.​

This is a map easement, and the data for it includes Huddersfield Group, Wakefield Kirkgate and Leeds. This means that it has the same effect the first version of easement 701059 had, although this one doesn't have an end date. It does mis-spell "Pennine" in the same way.

In addition, the data for easement 701298 has changed. It still runs until Sunday, but the data now excludes journeys via Clapham Junction. The text remains:

701298 (Fare route) Due to engineering work route closures between 01 and 16 February 2025. Tickets priced on (00615) VIA GOMSHALL will be valid on rail replacement buses between Guildford and Gatwick airport that do not call at Gomshall.​

There are other routes you could take between Guildford and Gatwick by train, but they're generally slower.

 

[infobleep]

Some changes to the routeing guide were published this afternoon.

Changes from 05 Feb 2025 (546) to 14 Feb 2025 (547).​

​

Easement changes:​

In addition, the data for easement 701298 has changed. It still runs until Sunday, but the data now excludes journeys via Clapham Junction. The text remains:

701298 (Fare route) Due to engineering work route closures between 01 and 16 February 2025. Tickets priced on (00615) VIA GOMSHALL will be valid on rail replacement buses between Guildford and Gatwick airport that do not call at Gomshall.​

There are other routes you could take between Guildford and Gatwick by train, but they're generally slower.

I wonder what led to the change. I am sure that during some previous engineering works they allow travel via Clapham Junction and promoted it.

The bus is only hourly so depending on what time you arrive at Gatwick Airport or even Guildford, going via Clapham Junction might be faster.

From Guildford it is possible to buy tickets routed via Clapham Junction anyway, if one wanted to avoid the bus.

 

[kieron]

Some changes to the routeing guide were published yesterday and today.

Yesterday's changes were:

Changes from 14 Feb 2025 (547) to 26 Feb 2025 (548).

Permitted Route changes:
Ford Group (G61) to Haywards Heath (HHE) gain LF+VB
Ford Group (G61) to Wivelsfield (WVF) gain LP+VB
Havant (HAV) to Haywards Heath (HHE) gain LP+VB
Havant (HAV) to Wivelsfield (WVF) gain LP+VB​

These changes add mapped routes via Crawley.

Easement changes:

Added:

701319 (Local) Customers travelling from Leyton Midland road to Lewes may travel via Blackhorse Road underground. This Local easement will create a origin routeing point for this journey, and apply in both directions.​

I'm not too sure how this is intended to work, but nre.co.uk would allow a through ticket to be used with changes at Blackhorse Road and (say) London Victoria for this sort of journey, even without the easement.

701320 (Circuitous Route) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 09 to 14 June and 16 to 20 June 2025, services to South Wales will be diverted via Gloucester, Severn Tunnel Junction and Newport (South Wales). Customers travelling to and via Lydney will not be able to use Cross Country services between Bristol and Gloucester during this period. This circuitous route easement easement applies in both directions​

This easement has been created over three months in advance. I can find little information available about the enginering works which prompted it. The timetable for June looks incomplete, and the only Crosscountry trains shown as going between Bristol and Gloucester are the few which normally go that way. A lot of web sites don't let you plan journeys more than 12 weeks or so in advance.

On top of this, there are a number of other easements which apply to most of the same period. In summary, I can't say how much effect this easement will have.

The data is rather complex, and some of its restrictions don't mention Lydney at all. It applies the easement's restrictions on Sunday 15th June, contrary to the text.

701321 (Circuitous Route) Customers travelling from Eastbourne and Hampden Park (Sussex) with out boundary Travelcards may not travel via St Leonard's Warrior Square. This circuitous route easement applies in both directions.​

This uses an easement to ensure that people travel via Polegate with "any permitted" travelcards from either of two stations. The data also covers travel via Hampden Park and St Leonard's with a travelcard. It doesn't affect travel using the shortest route, of course.

701322 (Local) Customers travelling from Leyton Midland Road to Lewes may travel via Blackhorse Road. This local easement applies in both directions​

This appears to be identical to easement 701319.

701323 (Map) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 09 to 14 June and 16 to 20 June 2025, Customers travelling from Bath spa and Chippenham to South Wales will be able to travel via Swindon. This map easement easement applies in both directions​

This is a map easement for the same dates as easement 701320. The data (which applies to the same dates the text does) includes Bath, Chippenham, Swindon, Bristol Parkway and Newport, but doesn't apply to journeys from, to or via Didcot.

Changed (added sections in red, removed ones in green):

701310 (Map) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 20:00 to midnight on 16 February 09 to 14 June and 16 to 20 June 2025, tickets to South Wales will be diverted via Gloucester, Severn Tunnel Junction and Newport (South Wales). This map easement applies in both directions

701312 (Local) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 20:00 to midnight on 16 February Tunnel09 to 14 and 16 to 20 June 2025, tickets to Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicott, Chepstow and Lydney from local stations in Bristol for travel via Bristol Parkway will be valid on diverted via Gloucester. This local easement applies in both directions

701313 (Routeing Point) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 20:00 to midnight on 16 February 09 to 14 and 16 to 20 June 2025, customers from Yate travelling to or via Newport (South Wales) may travel via Gloucester. This routeing point easement will overcome NFM64 fares checking during the disruption dates.

701314 (Routeing Point) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 20:00 to midnight on 16 February 09 to 14 and 16 to 20 June 2025, tickets to Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicott, Chepstow and Lydney from local stations in Bristol for travel via Bristol Parkway will be valid on diverted via Gloucester. This routeing point easement will overcome NFM64 fares checking and applies in both directions

701315 (Local) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 20:00 to midnight on 16 February 09 to 14 and 16 to 20 June 2025, tickets to Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicott, Chepstow and Lydney from Yate and Cam & Dursley will be valid on trains via Gloucester. This local easement applies in both directions​

These change the dates to the same ones as easement 71320. The original date has already passed.

701311 (Fare route) During the closure of the Severn Tunnel from 20:00 to midnight on 16 February 2025, on 09 to 14 June and 16 to 20 June 2025 tickets priced on (00843) VIA SEVERN TUNNEL JUNCTION and (00911) VIA SEVERN TUNNL, to Chepstow and Lydney will be valid on GWR services diverted via Gloucester. This fare route easement applies in both directions​

This changes the dates to match 701323 and adds a reference to GWR services in the easement text.

701318 (Map) This map easement is to accommodate engineering diversions of Trans Pennie TransPennine Express services via Wakefield Kirkgate. It applies in both directions.​

The fixes a spelling mistake. In addition, the data now restricts it to TPE services.

Today's changes were:

Changes from 26 Feb 2025 (548) to 27 Feb 2025 (549).​

The data for easement 701311 (described above) was modified again. The text is unchanged.

Contrary to what the text said, the data didn't apply it to tickets to Chepstow or Lydney on 16-20th June before this. It now applies in both directions on 9-14th and 16-20th June. This matches the easement text.

 

[MrJeeves]

Yesterday's changes were:
Changes from 14 Feb 2025 (547) to 26 Feb 2025 (548).

Permitted Route changes:
Ford Group (G61) to Haywards Heath (HHE) gain LF+VB
Ford Group (G61) to Wivelsfield (WVF) gain LP+VB
Havant (HAV) to Haywards Heath (HHE) gain LP+VB
Havant (HAV) to Wivelsfield (WVF) gain LP+VB

These changes add mapped routes via Crawley.

I like to think someone somewhere saw the cries for this to be changed on this thread.

 

[Iggy12a]

I like to think someone somewhere saw the cries for this to be changed on this thread.

I sent in a comment to Customer Services, asking for it to be forwarded to the Pricing Manager, asking why they had not applied to changes to Chichester and Havant