Trying to get to grips with the Routing system

[Albion91]

This is entirely hypothetical - but I'm trying to get to grips with the routing system!

Looking particularly at the routes allowed from Bletchley to Droitwich Spa.

Am I right in saying that one is allowed to go via Nuneaton/Tamworth and then change towards Birmingham - but not go straight to Birmingham from Bletchley?

The routes listed are: London, TV+BP+CE, and TV+CE and the Coventry to Birmingham stretch doesn't appear to be on any of those maps (though I can't find map 'London')

 

[30907]

One is always allowed to tske the shortest route!

 

[greatkingrat]

That lets you go via Kings Norton, although the reasonable route via Kidderminster is not allowed by NRE as it is more than 3 miles longer.

 

[JB_B]

.... (though I can't find map 'London')

See section 3.4.7 on

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=1192130

 

[JB_B]

That lets you go via Kings Norton, although the reasonable route via Kidderminster is not allowed by NRE as it is more than 3 miles longer.

As far as I can see via Kidderminster is a mapped route (map CE) so that should be OK?

 

[Paul Kelly]

As far as I can see via Kidderminster is a mapped route (map CE) so that should be OK?

As long as you don't go via Coventry, which is only permitted by virtue of the shortest route/3-mile rule. If you want to go via Kidderminster you need to also go via Nuneaton.

 

[Albion91]

Thanks - I'd forgotten about shortest distance rule!

But presumably this wouldn't allow you to do it on a London Midland train going through Northampton - since I assume Northampton adds more than 3 miles? (How do you work out the distances?)

 

[yorkie]

(How do you work out the distances?)

http://iblocks-rg-publication.s3-website-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/nrg_instructions.pdf

CALCULATING SHORTEST DISTANCES
The shortest route is calculated by reference to the mileages shown in the National Rail Timetable, available at www.networkrail.co.uk/timetable. These mileages appear in the station column at the beginning of each major table (and are rounded to the nearest ¼ mile). To arrive at the throughout distance for travel between every station by any route, add mileages together for the component parts of the journey by referring to the relevant timetables.

As for via Northampton, I recall a few years ago there was an error where in one direction it was shown as being a shorter route to go via Northampton than avoiding it. I am unsure if this is still the case.

However booking engines use a different method, for which the distances are far more reliable, but they can differ significantly compared to the contractual values determined using the 'official' documented method.

I would argue that any route that is within 3 miles of either of these methods should be considered permitted.

Calculating "the shortest route" is not easy. Good luck trying to calculate the shortest route between Tutbury & Hatton and Rugeley Trent Valley (to give just one example which we cover in our fares workshops).

I recommend you attend a free Fares Workshop if you want to learn more

 

[greatkingrat]

The route via Northampton is just over 2 miles longer than the direct route, so should fall within the 3 mile rule whatever set of mileage data is used.