Thanks for the reply, certainly the UK rail system is fascinating, though in different ways. personally I'm more keen on the engineering & architecture! Fares are something else...
Though I've read for a while, in this case I can only see
ROM-SOU is shown by national rail enquiries as both directions through the loop
CFR is a stop on the eastern side of the loop, at which all trains on that side stop
Viewing the routing guide the regular customer is very clearly pointed to use the above to determine route validity
Note I did look in the routing guide which says that for cfr:
030098 Journeys from Chandlers Ford via Eastleigh and Basingstoke are permitted regardless
of fares. This easement applies in both directions.
though I won't pretend to have worked through that guide or understand (yet... a job to work through) how routes are defined.
Given this I can't see why the rom-sou wouldn't be valid to use for cfr-sou (on the eastern side - there's never any point going on the west side sou-cfr even if valid, unless wanting to visit one of those stations)
I've never done this, no idea if I will, but I was bemused as to the reference above.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
In addition if I wanted a ticket ROM-SOU, but the ticket office at CFR is closed (it's only open mornings), and the machine (I've never checked) only sells tickets FROM CFR, then what are the legitimate options ?
Of course buying in advance is simpler
In practice I'd just buy a cfr ticket
but hypothetically can one assert there was no opportunity to purchase the ticket wanted?
When the machine has failed previously -- not allowing a network railcard ticket on a bank holiday due to programming error -- I opted to purchase another ticket at the correct price (and staff confirmed I was correct later, and that was an appropriate action)
Wondering if the new machines (there's one at cfr being installed) do this any better?