[34D]

Hello,

Looking to do this journey over the next few weeks (exact dates flexible). Would want two near-full days on the island (example travel monday night/arrive tues morning, hotel tuesday night, return journey wednesday evening). Could have two nights there if this fits better with sailings.

One adult no railcard eligibility.

I see a 'low saver return' of £65.00 valid on monday tue wed thur only (outward on date, return within one month.

Can anyone suggest anything better? I would consider flying possibly.

[185]

Not a bad price. The boat is generally £40rtn at best.

Easyjets daily return flight is about £34rtn no bags at best.

So £65 rtn from leeds isn't bad to be fair.

(I reckon the low saver is £90. You mean the economy return for £65)

[sonic2009]

It's Manx2 who fly to the Isle of Man from Leeds Bradford.

The cost with them for a return looking at their website is £119

[142094]

Train is probably the best option, although the routeing of the Douglas IOM ticket is strange (apparently if I travel from Newcastle I can't go to Leeds and use the direct Leeds - Heysham train).

[185]

I was always under the impression they are all for route - Liverpool.

[sonic2009]

I think the routeing is different depending on which ticket you purchase, so i remember being told by FGW at Cheltenham.

Someone with access to the manual or who works in a ticket office may be able to explain more.

[lyndhurst25]

AFAIK you can choose go via Liverpool or Heysham on any Douglas IOM ticket. That's what it says in my copy of NFM97 RailLinks and I'm not aware of any changes since then.

With regards to the Newcastle to Heysham route disallowing the use of the Leeds to Heysham boat-train, I think that there must be an error in the Routing Guide. What it allows for Newcastle Group to Lancaster Group are:-

GN+NC (Newcastle-Carlisle-Lancaster)
TP+MH+NC (Newcastle-Leeds-Blackburn-Preston-Lancaster or Newcastle-Leeds-Manchester-Blackburn-Preston-Lancaster)

but strangely TP+NC is missing to allow Newcastle-Leeds-Hellifield-Lancaster. That surely can't be deliberate?

[cuccir]

Originally Posted by lyndhurst25

AFAIK you can choose go via Liverpool or Heysham on any Douglas IOM ticket. That's what it says in my copy of NFM97 RailLinks and I'm not aware of any changes since then.

With regards to the Newcastle to Heysham route disallowing the use of the Leeds to Heysham boat-train, I think that there must be an error in the Routing Guide. What it allows for Newcastle Group to Lancaster Group are:-

GN+NC (Newcastle-Carlisle-Lancaster)
TP+MH+NC (Newcastle-Leeds-Blackburn-Preston-Lancaster or Newcastle-Leeds-Manchester-Blackburn-Preston-Lancaster)

but strangely TP+NC is missing to allow Newcastle-Leeds-Hellifield-Lancaster. That surely can't be deliberate?

I've tried to work this out before. The only (normal) permitted cross-pennine route from Newcastle to Lancaster stations is via Carlisle.

TP+MH+NC doesn't actually allow Newcastle-Leeds-Blackburn-Preston as you have to travel on all maps in order. The only route possible using this combination takes you via Manchester-Bolton-Blackburn-Preston/Hellifield. Map MH doesn't have the stretch of track between Bolton and Preston on it, discounting WCML, and also doesn't include any of the Leeds-Preton line. I've queried this before on here (though not officially!) and the consensus was that you can't pass-over a map at a station (if you could count being at Blackburn station as being OK for using map MH then you can use the Leeds-Preston route).

I've no idea if it's deliberate or not - certainly, it must send a significantly higher proportion of revenue for these tickets to Northern and Virgin. The various routeing/booking engines all disagree with whether these routes are allowed or not - but try Newcastle to Morecambe via Accrington, and you'll see that NRE won't let you buy one ticket. On the other hand, it will let you travel via the WCML between Manchester and Preston, and I don't see how this is valid on those maps.

I suspect that most guards wouldn't be bothered if you were 'off route' on these services, but technically I don't think it's possible.

[lyndhurst25]

Yes, you're right - I've misread the maps.

Newcastle-Leeds-Blackburn-Preston-Lancaster would be allowed by TP+NC but not by TP+MH+NC. So another perfectly reasonable route is officially barred, while crazy ones are allowed! Surely TP+NC should be in the Routing Guide for Newcastle to Lancaster. Can anyone check older versions of the Guide to see if these routes were allowed in the past?

[34D]

Originally Posted by lyndhurst25

AFAIK you can choose go via Liverpool or Heysham on any Douglas IOM ticket. That's what it says in my copy of NFM97 RailLinks and I'm not aware of any changes since then.

Many thanks to all. My planned route would be the direct Heysham train both ways, hopefully to get some class 142 mileage in.

[185]

Routing Guide aside, who'd want to go via Heysham? It's pretty borin'

I'm off to the IOM to see family again next week. Always go via Liverpool, much nicer places to stop for a pie & a pint going that way.

[dzug2]

Originally Posted by 185

Routing Guide aside, who'd want to go via Heysham? It's pretty borin'

.

Less prone to weather cancellations

Less vomit inducing (marginally)

Less prone to breaking down

[185]

Originally Posted by dzug2

Less vomit inducing (marginally)

Less prone to breaking down

Not on the Ben-My-Chree? Been ill going from Heysham few times on it. Even got stuck in Douglas one day after Heysham dropped the gangway off it's side.

[34D]

Can someone confirm that I can purchase this ticket on the morning of travel from my local station?

Nothing needs to be done in advance? No quotas on the boat?

Its just I see that the TVM doesn't offer it, and neither does the east coast website.... getting a little concerned as I have hotels booked......

Thanks

[John @ home]

Originally Posted by 34D

Can someone confirm that I can purchase this ticket on the morning of travel from my local station?

The Manual includes:

The Manual -> Shipping Links -> Isle ofMan - Douglas

Reservations

Reservations are compulsory on all sailings. Those customers without Boat/Seacat reservations may not be able to travel.

If I were purchasing a Leeds to Douglas IoM ticket, I would pop into Leeds travel centre a couple of days before travel and make a reservation.