Reservations Required West Coast?

[russellsnr]

Hi, We will be returning to the UK in the next 2 to 3 months and if the requirment to book/reserve seats on West Coast trains is still in force how are we expected to be able to book a certain train from Manchester or London to Carlisle if we cannot rely on the plane arriving on time and please also is there any guidance on our free rail travel during this reservation requirment?
Thankyou, Russ.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I would suggest reserving a "safe" train, i.e. absolutely loads of slack. Assuming you're arriving at LHR perhaps one 4-5 hours after your scheduled arrival. But do it using a flexible ticket. If you get to Euston sooner, go to the ticket office and ask if an earlier reservation is available. If not, read a book.

(This isn't a new thing; people in France, Spain, Italy etc have to do this normally!)