North East Round Robin Query

[TheLancsNinja]

I'm planning out a station shacking trip, and note the North East Round Robin is valid via Harrogate from York. It's been covered in here before that the Round Robin bit is a red herring and it is effectively a day ranger on the highlighted routes, but my question is about the intermediate stations.

The excellent GB Rover Guide only lists the key stations mentioned on Northern's map, but not intermediate stations - specifically, I'm looking at the leg between Harrogate and York. Is it only valid for direct journeys between the two, or does it also cover using those smaller stations in between such as Cattal and Hammerton? Northern's site only says "not all stations are shown on the maps", so it's not 100% clear - any help or guidance gratefully appreciated!

 

[Segedunum]

It covers all stations within the validity area. So you can indeed travel to/from all stations via Harrogate as you wish.

 

[TheLancsNinja]

That was rapid - thank you very much!

 

[Rover]

For many years Barry Doe in his annual Rail Rover article in Rail magazine always stated that round robins were the same as rangers in that you don't have to travel in a circle, you can travel anywhere in the area of validity.

 

[A S Leib]

Would I be correct in thinking that the Heart of Wales round robin is, unlike the others, limited to a circular journey (and that the Ffestiniog round robin is one journey only on the Ffestiniog Railway itself but is otherwise a rover for Pwllheli / Aberystwyth / Holyhead / Llandudno / Blaenau Ffestiniog – Wrexham / Crewe)?

 

[Rover]

Would I be correct in thinking that the Heart of Wales round robin is, unlike the others, limited to a circular journey (and that the Ffestiniog round robin is one journey only on the Ffestiniog Railway itself but is otherwise a rover for Pwllheli / Aberystwyth / Holyhead / Llandudno / Blaenau Ffestiniog – Wrexham / Crewe)?

The Ffestiniog Round Robin terms and conditions state "valid for one journey around the designated circuit" but the Heart of Wales Circular is less clear and only states that it "offers a circular journey". It's all rather vague.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

For many years Barry Doe in his annual Rail Rover article in Rail magazine always stated that round robins were the same as rangers in that you don't have to travel in a circle, you can travel anywhere in the area of validity.

I'm slightly confused by that explanation. The authoritative National Rail site (linked below) says that the 'North East Round Robin' product is a "One day ticket offering a circular journey on the East Coast Main Line and the scenic Settle & Carlisle line".

North East Round Robin | National Rail

Special offer: North East Round Robin. The portal into UK rail travel, including information on ticket purchase and promotions, train times and delays, and more.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

Extract..

One day ticket offering a circular journey on the East Coast Main Line and the scenic Settle & Carlisle line

So, is this just a product that merely offers the possibility of making a circular journey, but with no obligation to have to do so?

 

[Rover]

I'm slightly confused by that explanation. The authoritative National Rail site (linked below) says that the 'North East Round Robin' product is a "One day ticket offering a circular journey on the East Coast Main Line and the scenic Settle & Carlisle line".

North East Round Robin | National Rail

Special offer: North East Round Robin. The portal into UK rail travel, including information on ticket purchase and promotions, train times and delays, and more.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

Extract..


So, is this just a product that merely offers the possibility of making a circular journey, but with no obligation to have to do so?

I know that Barry Doe is very knowledgeable on these matters but I'm only quoting what he has published.
As you quite rightly quote it "offers" a circular journey it doesn't actually state you "must". The Northern website just states it is a "circular tour", as I said, it is all rather vague.

 

[MCR247]

The Ffestiniog Round Robin terms and conditions state "valid for one journey around the designated circuit" but the Heart of Wales Circular is less clear and only states that it "offers a circular journey". It's all rather vague.

The HoW “circular” 2 day is great value for money to bash the Mk4s and also do a trip down the HoW if you wish. I’ve always used it as a day ranger (I think once I went Cardiff - Shrewsbury - Cardiff - Shrewsbury on mark 4s) all in one morning. Never had any issues with staff, nor with buying on the train for the 0435 off Cardiff.