Permitted routes London to Sheffield

[Class800]

Good afternoon, apart from the obvious (EMR direct), could someone please let me know the main permitted routes from London to Sheffield. I'm assessing viability of joining my walking group for a new year's trip in the peak district, aware of the Harpenden area closure at that time. I'm thinking LNER, change somewhere. Retford has limited services so seeing if there's another option.

 

[jfollows]

Maps

• AA + EE + MS (I originally had ME - incorrectly - as the second map)
• AA + HU + SH
• EE + MS
• HU + SH
• KP + AM
• KS + HU + MS
• KS + HU + SH
• SY

at https://data.atoc.org/routeing-maps

EE + MS gives ECML via Doncaster, for example.
HU + SH gives ECML via Retford, which you’re less keen on.

 

[robbeech]

King’s Cross to Retford and then a Northern to Sheffield is fairly standard. There aren’t many services at Retford but there’s 2 in 2 hours from King’s Cross as a rule ( an LNER and an HT) albeit not an hour apart. How they connect at Retford seems to change, it might be a long wait which might not be your thing.

It’s also valid via Lincoln if you want a detour. Either on the LNER or EMR via Peterborough and Spalding.

Via Nottingham and up to Sheffield on a Northern to Leeds or an EMR Liverpool service (via Alfreton and Chesterfield).

Or to Nottingham and up the Robin Hood line to Worksop and then on to Sheffield.

Via Doncaster (either direct or via Lincoln and Gainsborough).

I’m not sure if it’s quite valid via Cambridge from Liverpool Street. Some destinations around there are, you’d have to check the maps.

Via Grantham and to Nottingham and onwards from there as above.

Likely no issue changing at Newark and going between Newark stations on foot and going via Nottingham that way either.

Just be aware there’s a via Chesterfield ticket for this, which still allows travel from King’s Cross and Grantham for example, then there’s a “not via Leicester” priced by LNER as a cheap half price single.


Lots to choose from.

 

[jfollows]

I’m not sure if it’s quite valid via Cambridge from Liverpool Street. Some destinations around there are, you’d have to check the maps.

The ones starting AA do; I have also corrected my mistake with the first in my list.

 

[Haywain]

Likely no issue changing at Newark and going between Newark stations on foot and going via Nottingham that way either.

The Newark - Nottingham link does not appear to be on any of the routeing guide maps mentioned, therefore that is not a permitted route.

 

[Class800]

Thanks

 

[jfollows]

The Newark - Nottingham link does not appear to be on any of the routeing guide maps mentioned, therefore that is not a permitted route.

Good call.
So Peterborough-Lincoln-Retford-Sheffield is OK, as is P-Lincoln-Doncaster-Sheffield, but not P-Lincoln-Newark-Sheffield.

 

[Haywain]

Good call.
So Peterborough-Lincoln-Retford-Sheffield is OK, as is P-Lincoln-Doncaster-Sheffield, but not P-Lincoln-Newark-Sheffield.

Indeed, but I suspect the OP will be more interested in London - Doncaster - Sheffield or London - Grantham - Nottingham - Sheffield, based on the expressed concern about infrequency of services at Retford.

 

[A S Leib]

Isn't Tamworth a permitted route? It doesn't seem to be in the maps mentioned in route 2, but the LNR / XC only fares are significantly cheaper than the via Chesterfield ones.

 

[jfollows]

Isn't Tamworth a permitted route? It doesn't seem to be in the maps mentioned in route 2, but the LNR / XC only fares are significantly cheaper than the via Chesterfield ones.

No, not for “any permitted” tickets, but the one you mention doesn’t require the routeing guide. Or, rather, it requires the routeing guide for London-Tamworth with the restriction that only LNR trains can be used, followed by Tamworth-Sheffield using only XC.

EDIT There’s no LNR/XC single ticket for the route, but split tickets will work and can be cheaper. And in which case there are two (or more) tickets, each with their own routeing.
I was wrong (again): the LNR and XC only ticket exists, see https://www.brfares.com/!expert?orig=EUS&dest=SHF&period=20240928
Also valid via Birmingham New Street?

 

[Thebaz]

Tamworth change is available however on a split ticket

 

[jfollows]

Tamworth change is available however on a split ticket

Yes, a split ticket means you consider the routes separately.
For example, on a split ticket Wilmslow-Stafford-Birmingham there are additional routes between Stafford and Birmingham which aren’t permitted routes on a Wilmslow-Birmingham ticket. That’s just the way it is. Routeing isn’t recursive basically, you can’t infer a longer route from a shorter one.
EDIT This example isn’t true any more, but I think it used to be. Either can go via Rugeley, Lichfield or Tamworth.

 

[ricoblade]

Indeed, but I suspect the OP will be more interested in London - Doncaster - Sheffield or London - Grantham - Nottingham - Sheffield, based on the expressed concern about infrequency of services at Retford.

Yes, Retford>Sheffield is one per hour. Doncaster>Sheffield is 3-4 per hour so a lot more choice and connection options.