Switching from Outbound to Return ticket on same train without alighting

[LittleRedTrain]

Hi folks,
A not-hypothetical situation, as this is a journey I plan to make, but I won't give the actual stations to avoid a potential 'loophole' being shut.

• My ticket is from A->B
• Permitted routes for this ticket are A->C->B and A->D->B (both are definitely permitted and will generate an itinerary on journey planners)
• It's an Anytime Day Return, so no restrictions on break of journey.
• There are direct trains A->C, A->D and C->B->D (without reversal).

The journey I actually want to make is A->C, but the ticket for this is more expensive than the A->B ticket (no day return fares for this flow).

All being well, I'll catch the direct train A->C and it won't be a problem.

However, if the A->C train is cancelled, it's actually quicker for me to travel A->D->B->C than to wait for the next train.
This would mean that I would be using the outbound portion of my ticket for A->D->B, and then part of the return portion for B->C, without actually alighting from the train at B. (The train calls at B, so there's no issue there).

As far as I can tell, there's no reason that this wouldn't be valid.
However, is it likely to lead to a confused guard, and potentially some grief?
Is there some obscure rule I've missed somewhere that could cause me trouble?

Presumably, also in this case, when I head home, I would be only be allowed to travel C->A directly, and wouldn't be allowed to travel C->B->D->A, because I'd already used the part of my return ticket which covers B->C.

 

[30907]

As far as I can tell, there's no reason that this wouldn't be valid.

I assume BoJ is allowed?

However, is it likely to lead to a confused guard, and potentially some grief?

Have the online itinerary (all variants!) to hand, so you are covered and any "grief" must be refunded.

Is there some obscure rule I've missed somewhere that could cause me trouble?

Presumably, also in this case, when I head home, I would be only be allowed to travel C->A directly, and wouldn't be allowed to travel C->B->D->A, because I'd already used the part of my return ticket which covers B->C.

Correct.

 

[yorkie]

Hi folks,
A not-hypothetical situation, as this is a journey I plan to make, but I won't give the actual stations to avoid a potential 'loophole' being shut.

• My ticket is from A->B
• Permitted routes for this ticket are A->C->B and A->D->B (both are definitely permitted and will generate an itinerary on journey planners)
• It's an Anytime Day Return, so no restrictions on break of journey.
• There are direct trains A->C, A->D and C->B->D (without reversal).

The journey I actually want to make is A->C, but the ticket for this is more expensive than the A->B ticket (no day return fares for this flow).

All being well, I'll catch the direct train A->C and it won't be a problem.

However, if the A->C train is cancelled, it's actually quicker for me to travel A->D->B->C than to wait for the next train.
This would mean that I would be using the outbound portion of my ticket for A->D->B, and then part of the return portion for B->C, without actually alighting from the train at B. (The train calls at B, so there's no issue there).

As far as I can tell, there's no reason that this wouldn't be valid.
However, is it likely to lead to a confused guard, and potentially some grief?
Is there some obscure rule I've missed somewhere that could cause me trouble?

Presumably, also in this case, when I head home, I would be only be allowed to travel C->A directly, and wouldn't be allowed to travel C->B->D->A, because I'd already used the part of my return ticket which covers B->C.

It is valid to do so, however it will bring attention to any anomaly/loophole that exists, to stay on the train

 

[DelW]

Presumably passengers from D to C might well make such a journey routinely? Although with a through ticket rather than part outbound and part return.

It may depend on the nature of the services. If they're well loaded 12 car trains (or similar), you're much less likely to even be noticed than on say a lightly loaded 2 car train.

 

[LittleRedTrain]

Thanks for the replies.
The A->C train ran fine in the end so turns out it was academic.

 

[xotGD]

I do something similar if I need to visit two places on the same day, and choosing somewhere in between as my 'destination' allows for a circular journey, as travel is valid via both routes.

 

[The exile]

I do something similar if I need to visit two places on the same day, and choosing somewhere in between as my 'destination' allows for a circular journey, as travel is valid via both routes.

I would imagine it happens quite a bit on scenic lines with returns to somewhere in the middle - my first (and so far only) end to end on the Central Wales line was on a Bristol - Garth saver. The only places I got off were Cardiff, Swansea, Craven Arms and Newport - mind you that was in 1990 ( in eth first class luxury to boot).

 

[peteb]

The important thing to remember if doing a "circuit" via somewhere remote is to remember to stay on the train. I can recall alighting at Dunbridge which was where my ticket was to, even though I planned to do a circuit. There wasn't much to do there for the hour I was stranded!