Blackpool South to Preston -- train missing from online timetable, but on printed one

[robbeech]

They aren't keen on letting you through with a valid North ticket!

It’s a shame they have the reputation they do but it’s justified imo.
I had an argument about the validity of a Northern day ticket once there when I was popping out to <insert supermarket name> across the street. I then had the exact same argument with the exact same member of staff less than 5 minutes later on the way back in. I’d even made a point of saying I was only popping out to the shop. Absolutely staggering the lengths they’ll go to to upset passengers. As I said though, you may be able to get permission from Northern but even then it’s hit and miss whether they’d let you through.

 

[XAM2175]

People suggesting entitlement to Delay Repay should note the revised NR Conditions of Travel that apply from 6 February; these change the Delay Repay timetable comparison from the point of sale to 2200 the night before travel - unless I'm mistaken and they don't apply to tickets bought before the 6th.

 

[Haywain]

It’s a shame they have the reputation they do but it’s justified imo.

It has, inexplicably, been the same for many, many years.

 

[Starmill]

I believe the position could be summarised as follows:

1. It is unlikely that this ticket would be accepted from Blackpool North.

2. It is likely though not certain that the ticket would be accepted on the 1613 from Blackpool South.

3. Northern and Avanti West Coast must accept the ticket on their next available services after the 1713 from Blackpool South. Even then it is still not certain they will do so, particularly in the case of Avanti West Coast.

Point three is the only point to which an entitlement is clear cut. The current conditions of travel clearly permit a claim for compensation to be submitted if a delay of 60 minutes or more occurs as a result of following point three.

 

[D.K.TAYLOR]

They aren't keen on letting you through with a valid North ticket!

To true only Euston could beat Blackpool North interceptors

 

[Bletchleyite]

To true only Euston could beat Blackpool North interceptors

I think Blackpool North is a *lot* worse.

I have never for instance known the Euston mob to let a train go out empty because they couldn't be bothered to let people onto it.

 

[robbeech]

I think Blackpool North is a *lot* worse.

I have never for instance known the Euston mob to let a train go out empty because they couldn't be bothered to let people onto it.

OT. Avanti “forgot” to open reservations for a service (possibly more than one) the other week out of Euston so nobody was booked onto it so it left almost empty (the ones either side overcrowded). So not quite the same but still unsurpassable incompetence.

 

[blakey1152]

To true only Euston could beat Blackpool North interceptors

I've never had any problems at Euston...However I'd vote London Bridge to be up there with Blackpool North!

If you have an off-peak return ticket from the London area and heading outside of the Network Southeast area then you are permitted to catch any train that enables to you to connect with your intercity journey at Euston or wherever but if you arrive at London Bridge before 0930 and try and get through the gates to head to the tube then expect a confrontation with one of the staff as your ticket won't work the barriers and they will hold you up.
They just assume off-peak is after 0930 and that's it...
It was so bad at one point that Southeastern themselves sent me an e-mail to print off to show to any staff member at the barriers who didn't believe the ticket was valid.

 

[Class800]

I've never had any problems at Euston...However I'd vote London Bridge to be up there with Blackpool North!

If you have an off-peak return ticket from the London area and heading outside of the Network Southeast area then you are permitted to catch any train that enables to you to connect with your intercity journey at Euston or wherever but if you arrive at London Bridge before 0930 and try and get through the gates to head to the tube then expect a confrontation with one of the staff as your ticket won't work the barriers and they will hold you up.
They just assume off-peak is after 0930 and that's it...
It was so bad at one point that Southeastern themselves sent me an e-mail to print off to show to any staff member at the barriers who didn't believe the ticket was valid.

I might just go via Waterloo or even Charing Cross instead of London Bridge! I find my tickets usually work OK at these stations, but if not they just tend to open the gate without really looking. Plumstead to Birmingham stations off-peak worked the barriers at London Victoria even. An unusual route.

 

[kieron]

Apart from the unit cost, there's the small matter of platforming at Preston. The Colne service arrives at xx20/21 whilst the Blackpool South service departs at xx35/36.

There isn't a through platform free for a unit to sit around for that long, at least not in every hour of the day. So you'd need to do a shunt to free up the platform, which is never ideal and has a cost in terms of traincrew too.

This is a bit off topic, but would you mind telling me when you're thinking of? Taking last Thursday as an example (see realtimetrains.co.uk), there always seems to be at least one through platform which hasn't seen a train for a few minutes (I used 6, just as a figure). You wouldn't lose much flexibility, either, as this includes non-stopping freight which could probably be diverted to one of the freight lines if needed.

I don't think splitting the circuit would be a good idea now, though. If there aren't enough trains to go around, you'd go from losing one train in 5 to losing one train in 2 or 3.

 

[Bungaroosh]

Thanks for all the replies. I got back from the Isle of Wight late last night after all passenger ferries were cancelled and I had to get to a different part of the island to get on the car ferry. Then quite a hike to Portsmouth Harbour station from where it docks. Rail replacement bus driver from Portsmouth Harbour (travelling only to Portsmouth & Southsea) was good enough to drive me on to Fratton where the last train to Brighton was starting from. I caught it with five minutes to spare. (SW Railway trains were leaving from PMS, so not sure why the Brighton train didn't).

Anyhow, back to the topic ... I'd rather not miss my booked 17:58 train from Preston to London Euston and have a potentially expensive and likely stressful wrangle to get on the next one (my ultimate destination will be Brighton).

Blackpool South would have been convenient because of where I'm staying. It seem though that there is no ticket office there (and no ticket machines, incidentally).

On arrival into Blackpool North on my outward journey on Tue 1st March, I will try to get my ticket endorsed to be able to travel to Preston one hour earlier on the 16:13. Northern seems to have a horrendous reputation from what I've read here -- I don't know if that also applies to their ticket office staff. Or could I sort this out at Brighton ticket office beforehand? (I bought the ticket online with Chiltern Railways and received them through the post).

 

[Bletchleyite]

Do you have a counted place on the cancelled 1713 or is it just on the itinerary as a suggested service?

 

[Bungaroosh]

It's an advanced

Do you have a counted place on the cancelled 1713 or is it just on the itinerary as a suggested service?

It's an Advance Single, with "Valid on specified Northern Trains only" (the 17:13) printed on the ticket.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's an advanced

It's an Advance Single, with "Valid on specified Northern Trains only" printed on the ticket.

Ah, yes, sorry.

What I would do is to show up at Blackpool South and ask the guard before boarding, showing both Advances. If they refuse, pay the single to Preston (it's only about 8 quid) and try customer services. I suspect you'll have more joy than getting it endorsed at a booking office, though no harm trying if you have time.

As an alternative use the COVID guarantee which I think is still in place to change the Advance to one on the 1613 if there is one, via your retailer.

Or refund the Advance due to the cancellation (this is always permitted) and book one on the 1613 if there is one.

 

[LA50041]

Rail replacement bus driver from Portsmouth Harbour (travelling only to Portsmouth & Southsea) was good enough to drive me on to Fratton where the last train to Brighton was starting from. I caught it with five minutes to spare. (SW Railway trains were leaving from PMS, so not sure why the Brighton train didn't).

There is not enough capacity with the 2 available platforms at PMS to turn everything around so some trains needed to turn at FTN.
(Apols if OT)

 

[Bungaroosh]

There is not enough capacity with the 2 available platforms at PMS to turn everything around so some trains needed to turn at FTN.
(Apols if OT)

(Thanks!)

 

[philthetube]

I don't think splitting the circuit would be a good idea now, though. If there aren't enough trains to go around, you'd go from losing one train in 5 to losing one train in 2 or 3.

The circuit is split though, the timings were too tight and didn't work so trains seem to sit at Preston for an hour, at least most of the time.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The circuit is split though, the timings were too tight and didn't work so trains seem to sit at Preston for an hour, at least most of the time.

I'd personally split it now there are enough units involved to do Blackpool S-Colne and Ormskirk-Preston separately. You could change the latter to two hourly single unit with buses doing the other half temporarily if needs be, it wouldn't be disastrous (though OPSTA would shout).

 

[philthetube]

I have just emailed Northern, I wait with bated breath.

 

[Bungaroosh]

Well, I bought a new ticket for the earlier train and claimed back the cost of the original one via Delay Repay.

Northern rejected my claim.

We’ve rejected your claim because you haven’t used your ticket to travel
or did not complete your full journey by train. Our delay repay process only
applies if you complete your full journey by train and are delayed by 15
minutes or more.

I couldn't use the ticket to travel because the only train on which it would have been valid was deleted from the timetable after I had bought the ticket.

But life's too short to bother battling with them for £3.50.

 

[Haywain]

Well, I bought a new ticket for the earlier train and claimed back the cost of the original one via Delay Repay.

Northern rejected my claim.



I couldn't use the ticket to travel because the only train on which it would have been valid was deleted from the timetable after I had bought the ticket.

But life's too short to bother battling with them for £3.50.

What you should have applied for was a refund, not Delay Repay.

 

[Bletchleyite]

What you should have applied for was a refund, not Delay Repay.

And they still can.

 

[mmh]

What you should have applied for was a refund, not Delay Repay.

What should have happened is the company taking notice of what the passenger's situation was and refunding them, rather than a rejection for applying in an "incorrect" way.

 

[Bungaroosh]

What should have happened is the company taking notice of what the passenger's situation was and refunding them, rather than a rejection for applying in an "incorrect" way.

I saw there was a phone number in the email, so I phoned it. The bloke said it wasn't a Delay Repay because the train was cancelled (even though I've claimed for umpteen delayed journeys when Thameslink and Southern cancel trains).

But he had my details from the Delay Repay reference number and said he'd get a cheque sent through the post. (!)

 

[Haywain]

The bloke said it wasn't a Delay Repay because the train was cancelled (even though I've claimed for umpteen delayed journeys when Thameslink and Southern cancel trains).

On this occasion your train was cancelled and you didn’t travel with the original ticket so a refund was due. If a train is cancelled and your journey is delayed as a result while you use the original ticket then you are due Delay Repay.

 

[miklcct]

On this occasion your train was cancelled and you didn’t travel with the original ticket so a refund was due. If a train is cancelled and your journey is delayed as a result while you use the original ticket then you are due Delay Repay.

If I abandon the journey mid-way as a result of delay and do not return to the origin, am I entitled to refund the full difference between the ticket I have and the actual journey I have made, and claim delay repay compensation for the delayed part of the journey I have made? An example will be holding a ticket from the south west to Guildford, but due to a problem at Woking, the arrival into Woking is delayed and I abandon the journey there, using local buses for my destination.

 

[Bungaroosh]

On this occasion your train was cancelled and you didn’t travel with the original ticket so a refund was due. If a train is cancelled and your journey is delayed as a result while you use the original ticket then you are due Delay Repay.

This is not a situation that I'd ever come across, where a train I was booked to travel on was deleted from the timetable. I did still make the overall journey from Blackpool to Brighton. It really does get extremely academic when it comes to the vagiaries of the British rail ticketing system.