Manningtree Three Minute Change

[SephenWorceste]

I have an Advance from Harwich International to Birmingham New Street. I will be changing in Manningtree, Liverpool Street, Euston. I have bookings for all trains. I only have three minutes to change trains in Manningtree. Does that seem reasonable to you? I generally allow fifteen minutes so am a bit concerned.

I could get an earlier train to Manningtree. Buying an extra ticket for that journey but that would mean starting at later station on my Advance. Alternatively I could just go with the itinerary and possibly miss my connections in Manningtree and then London.

Thank you Stephen.

 

[Hadders]

The official interchange at Manningtree is 2 minutes so in the event of a delay you're covered.

I wouldn't bother with an earlier train if it were me although it might depend on how time critical your arrival in Birmingham is.

For future reference you can specify 'allow extended interchange times' when using Webtis in text only mode which can be useful of avoiding a very tight connection.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

IIRC, the Harwich branch trains come in to a bay on the London-bound side of the station and I would presume that these services also have minutes built into the timetable for any small delays, so the interchange should be fine (though I think 3 minutes, if you were headed to Norwich, could be very tight).

If the trains from Harwich are not reservable, and you want to go early by one train, few people would actually notice (and if you explain that you are not confident in the 3 minutes given being enough time for the connection, I'm sure the guard would understand anyway).

 

[SephenWorceste]

Thank you. I think I will risk it. The trains from Harwich International are hourly. It is a leisure journey to I would rather have a later start in the morning even if I end up twenty minutes later back to Birmingham.

Best wishes, Stephen.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I thought about the extra time to change option just afterwards. I am an idiot.

Thank you, Stephen.

 

[Hadders]

The only downside of the extra time to change facility I that it'll use it for all connections on your journey, so not just Manningtree but at Liverpool Street and Euston too which might not be what you want.

A ticket office is probably best as they can manipulate the journey planner better than you can do (assuming you get a competent clerk of course)

 

[306024]

Thank you. I think I will risk it. The trains from Harwich International are hourly. It is a leisure journey to I would rather have a later start in the morning even if I end up twenty minutes later back to Birmingham.

The walk at Manningtree from one train to the other is less than 10 yards, it is cross platform so you'll be fine.

 

[gray1404]

You could always go for the train before and ask the guard for permission BEFORE boarding. However, be prepared for a set back and just get on your booked train anyway. If you are delayed then Abellio Greater Angila operate a delay repay scheme so if your more then 30 minutes late you can get Rail Travel Vouchers. Personally, I'd just stick to the booked train and claim if delayed 30+ minutes.

 

[David Goddard]

Down trains are given four minutes to Mistley, Ups are given five so this suggests a minute recovery time which should help.

I would be just as concerned about the return connection, with branch trains departing five minutes after the (fastest) London train arrives.

 

[ainsworth74]

The unit you get from Harwich will be directly next to on arrival to where the London bound set will be (i.e. walk across the platform) indeed I believe all the doors of the unit will be lined up with a carriage of the London train. So three minutes is fine (though I agree going to Norwich it could be a bit tight as you'd need to navigate the subway).

If you do miss the connection you're covered so just get the next train to London. There is also a nice independent pub on the London bound platform if you end up waiting. Has a nice selection of drinks (including local ales), snacks (hot/cold sandwiches), free wifi and power sockets.

 

[SephenWorceste]

It seems like a very easy connection. I guess a lot of Harwich passengers change there for London. The dilemma has got worse do I stick to my tight connection or go an hour earlier to sample the Pub. Of course if stick to my itinerary and miss the Manning Tree connection I get to sample the pub anyway. The delay repay would buy a drink or two. Not literally as the pub will not accept RTVs. I think I will see what happens on the day. It could work out well whatever happens. I have no rush to get home.

I am only doing it one way. So I won't have the problematic change in the other direction.

Thank you again, Stephen.

 

[Greenback]

Stick to your connection. It will work, hundreds of people do this every day!