Quickie - routeing for Reading<>Bodmin Parkway

[LexyBoy]

Pretty sure about this, but just wanted to check as none of the booking sites will accept it.

With a Reading-Bodmin Parkway SSR, am I OK to travel via Cheltenham on the return? Seems to be allowed by maps SW+WR, but just wanted to confirm.

 

[soil]

For a journey from Plymouth Group to Reading, you can use maps SW, SW+WR, WE, WR, WR+SW, or ZZ.

That is Bodmin - Plymouth, then

Plymouth-Taunton

Taunton - Westbury - Reading
OR
Taunton - Bristol Temple Meads - Bath Spa - Swindon - Reading
OR
Taunton - Bristol Parkway - Swindon - Reading
OR
Taunton - Westbury - Bath Spa - Swindon - Reading
OR
Taunton - Westbury - Bath Spa - Bristol Temple Meads - Bristol Parkway - Swindon - Reading

All using maps ZZ, SW, WE or WR.

SW + WR and WR + SW do not give any extra options.

In particular, Bristol - Cheltenham Spa, Cheltenham Spa - Swindon - Reading doubles back between Standish Junction and Cheltenham Spa, including the entire section Gloucester-Cheltenham Spa.

This is shown clearly on Google Maps, http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=sto...use,+Gloucestershire,+United+Kingdom&t=m&z=14 but not so clearly on the routeing guide.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Double-back applies to stations (you may not pass through a station more than once), not lines or junctions. As far as the maps are concerned, via Cheltenham IS a valid route on maps WR+SW provided you do not go via Gloucester in both directions. However I have not checked any easements so there may be one prohibiting this.

 

[soil]

Ok.

I see that the Crosscountry service from Bristol Parkway doesn't stop at Gloucester, so presumably it bypasses it here:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=51.856245,-2.22629&hl=en&num=1&t=m&z=14

and does not pass through, even at speed....

So no doubling back then....

 

[LexyBoy]

Thanks chaps. Having looked at times I'll probably actually be breaking at Cam & Dursley and resuming at Stroud, so won't actually be travelling via Cheltenham/Gloucester (although following the same mapped route).

Easement 700093 allows doubling back between Gloucester and Cheltenham in any case so even if travelling via Gloucester both ways it's not a problem.

 

[bb21]

Also permitted is going Exeter St Davids - Basingstoke - Reading, as that is no more than 3 miles longer than the shortest route.

[Table 135] Bodmin Parkway - Exeter St Davids - Westbury - Reading: 216.5 miles
Total: 216.5 miles

[Table 135] Bodmin Parkway - Exeter St Davids: 78.75 miles
[Table 160] Exeter St Davids - Salisbury - Basingstoke: 125 miles
[Table 122] Basingstoke - Reading: 15.5 miles
Total: 219.25 miles