Hello again. Related to the above trip, my first permitted train of the day was at 10.08 from Tonbridge. It was delayed and so the only way for me to arrive at my destination on time was to board an earlier train for which my ticket wasn’t valid. I discussed this with a conductor on the platform before boarding the train and he said I should be ok because of the disruption. Is that correct as I’m not confident. Thanks.
I'm assuming you were either using a Network Railcard, or travelling on a Super Off-Peak Day Return? Both of those have restrictions meaning they're not valid before 10am on weekdays (for this journey).
In principle, if a train is merely delayed then this does not give you a right to travel earlier than the 10am restriction, unless you are anticipated to arrive more than an hour late - in that case, you're entitled to require SE to re-route you "at the earliest opportunity", which in practice means allowing you to use your ticket on the first train that turns up.
It is only if a train is cancelled that you have a general right to take an earlier train. The industry has fairly recently introduced a rule allowing you to take the 2 trains (run by the same operator) before or afterwards in the event of a cancellation - irrespective of normal ticket restrictions.
Of course, if you speak to the train's conductor (
before boarding) and get their permission to board their earlier train then that is fine as well. Ideally you want to get something in writing though, in case you encounter difficult staff down the line (e.g. Revenue Protection staff at the London Bridge barriers) who don't believe that you got permission.
