Hinckley to Sheffield - non reservable section?

I want to buy a CrossCountry advance from Hinckley via Birmingham to Sheffield.


Am I right in thinking the Hinckley to Birmingham section is non reservable and therefore I can travel on any train as long as I respect the Birmingham to Sheffield reservation?

AnkleBoots said:

I want to buy a CrossCountry advance from Hinckley via Birmingham to Sheffield.


Am I right in thinking the Hinckley to Birmingham section is non reservable and therefore I can travel on any train as long as I respect the Birmingham to Sheffield reservation?

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Correct there - the only trains that serve Hinckley are the non-reservable Leicester stoppers. You are therefore entitled to take any "appropriate" connecting service. So if, for example, you took a train that allowed you a half hour or even full hour at New Street I'd say that's perfectly reasonable (given it's only an hourly service from Hinckley). But if you take a train that's two services before the one that makes the connection officially, well I think that's taking the mickey a little. So hopefully that helps - effectively, just keep it reasonable and you'll be fine.

ForTheLoveOf said:

But if you take a train that's two services before the one that makes the connection officially, well I think that's taking the mickey a little. So hopefully that helps - effectively, just keep it reasonable and you'll be fine.

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Thank you that definitely helps.
Trainsplit will allow me to specify a 2 hour connection time, does that give me any defence if I want to spend a bit of time in the station area shopping?!

AnkleBoots said:

Thank you that definitely helps.
Trainsplit will allow me to specify a 2 hour connection time, does that give me any defence if I want to spend a bit of time in the station area shopping?!

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Technically you cannot leave the station, although you can use station facilities (does the shopping centre count as station facilities). In reality, no one will bat an eyelid when you exit through the gates. Indeed, at one end of the station you actually need to exit and re-enter to switch between the two sets of platforms.

ForTheLoveOf said:

Correct there - the only trains that serve Hinckley are the non-reservable Leicester stoppers.

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Ahem, "most".

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C11241/2019/05/10/advanced

bb21 said:

Ahem, "most".

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/C11241/2019/05/10/advanced

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Dammit, looks like I chose the wrong week to quit looking into RTT in detail

SickyNicky said:

does the shopping centre count as station facilities

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They're on top of the platforms so I would like to say so!