Recent content by Goatboy

I saw this, its particularly odd as there doesn't appear to be any adverse weather between Bristol and Taunton. The M5 is flowing fine and there is no snow.

Exactly what I now do for any journey involving fares set by or primary service operated by XC. I save a fortune too. It's quite bizarre.

So no turn up and go at all then? Best we can hope for now are photos?

Lots of talk of reservations. How do you make one?

If VTWC decided to operate only 6 car Pendo's but double every fare because 'overcrowding' I wonder what people would say..

Is that relevant though? Whilst obviously the flexible ticket offers many benefits if you don't want any of these benefits, are happy to commit to that particular train but the cheapest available ticket is the flex the difference in ticket type is immaterial - you can't travel for less than £145...

But they are completely separate flows - a full flight to Vancouver doesn't reduce capacity for people paying less to San Francisco. Whereas a Pendolino full of people on cheap fares to Lancaster blocks seating for people on expensive fares to Preston.

Quite, but either the seat's there or it isn't. If there is that much demand for Wigan and Preston then where is the room to stuff people going to Lancaster for a third of the price? Advance pricing needs a serious overhaul - some tickets are too cheap. I've just traveled from Manchester...

In situations like this I tend to write a letter to the TOC rather than using a form and explain exactly what happened and what I did. I then allow them to make the decision about what, if any, delay/repay I would be entitled to.

This is true but it remains reality - my choice when I travel to, say, Birmingham and back is that I can either drive my car for £42 in fuel and a £10 contribution to marginal depreciation, servicing and tyre wear or I can stand in the vestibule on a 4 car Voyager for £120 (Plus further costs...

I completely agree. My rail usage now is a fraction of what it once was - most journeys involve something priced by Cross Country so it always ends up being considerably cheaper to drive. I've an upcoming trip to various places coming up and whilst the fares for some of it are very reasonable...

I'd seen it used in the media lots for ages but I thought official council installed signage might remain safe..

I notice more and more signage directing you to the 'Train Station' instead of the 'Railway Station'. The latest are in Bath - formal blue signage with BR logo directing you to the 'Train Station'. When did the 'Railway Station' become the 'Train Station'?

The M5 Motorway was, as is almost always the case, absolutely fine. The alternative road infrastructure between Taunton, Tiverton and Exeter is about as high a standard as you could ever hope for.

Still, not as bad as Keynsham to Bath Spa - 7 minutes and £4.30!