WCML Closure due to Lammington Viaduct - Split Ticketing Problem

[Blindtraveler]

Hi all.

Am in posetion of a Carlisle>Crewe Advance for the 08:06 on Tuesday, this train would normally be the 06:51 from EDB AND i was intending to travel direct on it, using my Scottish Government Blind Persons Free Travel Consession which is valid to CAR. However due to the above mentioned closure I woant make what will be the 08:06 which will now start in CAR in time on the RRBs and as I have not got a paid for ticket to reach the Border City feer I may now have problems. Any ideas here guys?

 

[causton]

Do you need to get the 08:06 specifically due to time restraints? I am sure you would be allowed on any service from Carlisle to Crewe, or if you have to be there in time and can get there on time going via the East Coast, if you explain the concession card split to them!

 

[Blindtraveler]

No not speciffically time wise, later wouldnt be a major headake but more the split thats of concern. Would I be valid on ECML? Doubt Id use that option anyway as a few thousand others will be doing likewise.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
As a point of information my final destination is Erdington, reached by means of a further ticket split at Crewe onto a CRE>ERD off Peek Return as wanted flexibilitty this trip, maybe thats lucky as if on an AP for this journey Id have more trouble with missed pree booked trains.

 

[causton]

Ticket acceptance is precisely that. Not if you only have one ticket... Delay Repay, for example, might be complicated but I am sure they will not leave you stranded in Carlisle

 

[yorkie]

NRE says:

Passengers travelling to and from Scotland are able to use their tickets on Arriva Trains Wales, CrossCountry, First TransPennine Express, Northern Rail, ScotRail and Virgin Trains East Coast services via any reasonable route...


Advance ticket restrictions have been relaxed for passengers travelling through the affected area...

So, to get to Erdington, if departing early in the morning, you might be best taking the 0606 to Birmingham New Street (arrives 1109). This is booked HST.

The fact you have multiple tickets makes no difference at all; this is permitted in the National Rail Conditions of Carriage.

Advance restrictions for affected passengers are lifted, and ticket acceptance via the East Coast Mainline is in force.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I'd wondered about that but was unsure if valid due to my consession card forming part of the split. I'd also been trying to avoid BHM hense the route via Crewe, making a journey via Lichfield TV to ERD an option but thats a minor concern.

 

[yorkie]

If you're desperate to avoid BHM, I guess you could change at Tamworth & Lichfield (LTV). A single from Tamworth to Erdington is only £4.50. The downside is that you will be very lucky to make the 1120 from LTV and it's a half an hour wait if do miss it.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Thanks, and would be valid at LTV anyway I guess as my Crewe To Erdington ticket is valid at Licfield. Will have a think, I just wanted advice from others here.

 

[yorkie]

If you already have that ticket then yes, £3.90 for a Tamworth-Lichfield. In practice, showing all the tickets and a quick explanation is likely to satisfy the Guard.

 

[Starmill]

I would be very surprised if you were to encounter problems if you've got both documents. The XC service looks like quite a good bet. Trains from Edinburgh this morning were reportedly departing completley full and standing so things could get problematic from that point of view. I however was on the 1730, which had a few free seats around after Berwick. Your journey may be more comfortable by bus but there are limited buses, typically you might find 2 per train from Scotland. I'm sure you know all this but your final option would be 0650 or 1020 10-car Virgin Voyager services to Carlisle from Glasgow Central, in addition to the normal scheduled ScotRail services at 0707 and 1012 - although I've no idea if these are being strengthened ad they may be busy. Upon arrival at Carlisle you would not have any problems joining the first available service to Preston with your ticket.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Cheers all. Its just a shame we have a DMU shortage these days as the platforms on the GSW can all take 4 coaches and many would use this option I think were it available.

 

[Starmill]

For clarity, updated timings via Glasgow and South Western. Unhelpfully they're in an image!

GLC 0500 - 0720 CAR
GLC 0700 - 0920 CAR
GLC 1120 - 1340 CAR
GLC 1310 - 1540 CAR

 

[gray1404]

As your travelling on a disabled persons card with a disability, how about you phone the assistance line and explain to them that you've had you change your trains due to disruption. They are able to give you some seat reservations over the phone too for reservable services (for your entire journey) if thats all you need due to your disability. That would take the worry about turning up at the station and the service being full and standing away. Also if you needed to change at Birmingham New Street, or any station for that matter, then you could book assistance too if that would help with changing trains. The number to book such on XC is 0344 811 0125. It should be fine if you contact them tomorrow, given your not travelling until Tuesday.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Cheers, I found yesturday that the assistance lines were as confused as anyone else but as Im passing the station anyway today Im going to pop in. If it was just me I wouldnt mind so much but got the Wife who is not so well traveling with me.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Well XC not accepting VTWC or TPE tickets today, route any permitted fine but advance holders iether on VTEC or the Bus. Its dam cold on said bus 2!

 

[Bletchleyite]

So it seems. That's been sneakily removed from the list on NRE.

Presumably this was because it was causing overcrowding? But now that overcrowding is going to be worse on other lines, and a journey from Birmingham *very* awkward.

Edit: Actually, reading the spiel it reads that Advance tickets have to go via the bus or VTEC then VTWC? Which given that VT aren't providing an Edinburgh bus is very poor. Works for me for MKC but not for those in Brum or similar.

 

[Tetchytyke]

The advice changed this morning.

XC are not accepting VTWC Only tickets for travel. XC are continuing to accept TPE Only tickets from Manchester via York.

Neil, there is a coach from Carlisle to Edinburgh, but it's technically being run by/for TPE.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Neil, there is a coach from Carlisle to Edinburgh, but it's technically being run by/for TPE.

Ah, thanks. But will it accept VTWC Only tickets?

 

[Starmill]

Huh that's gleefuly ambiguous. What's about tickets routed Carlisle? :roll:

 

[Wallsendmag]

Could make journeys very awkward especially the the Tyne Valley line being flooded at the moment

 

[Blindtraveler]

OK here we go again, trying to go North in the Morning and I have:
an ERD to CRE off peek return, return portion only, and a CRE>CAR Advance for the 12.09, plus my scummy freeloaders Scottish Gov Issued Pass. Advice guys? Took me nearly 7hrs South on Tues.

How can Scotland Birmingham Pax go via VTEC if VTEC can only take you to York?

 

[Wallsendmag]

I'd go to Carlisle and catch the bus from there, I hear ticket acceptance is being withdrawn by VTEC.

 

[30907]

Would it be better to use a GSW route Voyager and go via GLC?

 

[Blindtraveler]

Quite happy to do the above. Any idea on timings from CAR?

 

[Solent&Wessex]

I'd go to Carlisle and catch the bus from there, I hear ticket acceptance is being withdrawn by VTEC.

Ticket acceptance for Advance or TOC specific tickets has been withdrawn by VTEC, XC and SR, seemingly with the exception of passengers from London to Edinburgh who may travel via the ECML. To travel via York to Edinburgh seemingly now needs an appropriately routed Anytime or Off Peak ticket.

Not necessarily one of the industry's better decisions I must say.

 

[Wallsendmag]

I believe it's mainly because of the engineering work this weekend that can't be deferred

 

[Bletchleyite]

Not necessarily one of the industry's better decisions I must say.

I think the issue is the severe overcrowding it's been causing on VTEC's services, including people sitting on the floor throughout First Class. Really the diversions via Gretna are probably a better solution.

 

[yorkie]

Quite happy to do the above. Any idea on timings from CAR?

Afternoon trains depart at 1312, 1440, 1512, 1630, 1757.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I think the issue is the severe overcrowding it's been causing on VTEC's services

I believe it's mainly because of the engineering work this weekend that can't be deferred

It's a bit of both I think. XC were horrifically overcrowded when I came back north on Saturday, and I hear from my partner that VTEC were massively overcrowded even in first class yesterday.

I think it is now reasonable to expect Advance ticket holders to take the route they have booked, the emergency timetable has been in place for several days now and there's the issue of people deliberately booking tickets via Carlisle to save money on their intended journey via Newcastle.

That happened when the Chiltern main line was closed due to the landslip last winter, emergency ticket acceptance was in place for a few days and then everything settled down.

The engineering works this weekend, with the ECML closed between Darlington and Newcastle, will be a big issue too. The diverted trains will already be very very busy, without taking all of VTWC and TPE's passengers too. And the fact that the Tyne Valley is closed yet again this morning due to obstructions on the line is not helping.

The only duff decision is not cancelling those engineering works. Network Rail managed to do it when the Chiltern main line was closed due to a landslip last winter.

 

[Starmill]

I think the issue is the severe overcrowding it's been causing on VTEC's services, including people sitting on the floor throughout First Class. Really the diversions via Gretna are probably a better solution.

It has included customers standing in the aisles in First Class - this for 4 and a half hours. As you can imagine, this is doing GR's business quite some damage because of the bad feeling it will create with their regulars. They'll also have a lot of 1ST > STD refunds, Delay Repay claims and Seat Guarentee claims (no reservations on many of the affected services) to be paying out on.

Still the advice is bemusing with respect to pre-purchased route Lancaster and route Carlisle walk-up tickets.