Changing at Craven Arms for the HOW line

[connor7777]

Why are conductors telling me that I cant chaange at Craven Arms when actually I can. I travel from Chester/Crewe.

If I travel from chester to Shrewsbury then yes I will change at Shrewsbury becasue currently there is no direcct route to Craven Arms.

When I change at Crewe for the Manc-Milford train, the conductor said no you must change at Shrewsbury, even though it stops at Craven Arms.

But like XC, surely it would be better to change at a smaller station, we could argue that Shrewsbury is fairly busy.

So, yes or no, can I change at Craven Arms going to and from the HOW line from Chester/Crewe?

 

[sonic2009]

Yes. You can change at Craven Arms for the Heart of Wales Line. But in all honesty the guards might be trying to give you a bit of advice by changing at shrewsbury. Better chance of getting a seat?

 

[yorkie]

You can change trains wherever you want, and get off/on wherever you want (for some ticket types, generally a small number of (Super) Off Peak (not Day) tickets you may not be permitted to leave station premises except to change trains at another station) did a guard really say you were not allowed to change there? If so politely ask for clarification and ask for the source of the information. The main thing to remember is to be assertive, but without being rude.

If you hold an Off Peak Return (SVR) then the likely restriction code for this particular journey is 8A which does prohibit "break of journey" on the outward leg only. Note that a break of journey is defined in the National Rail Conditions of Carriage. Changing trains does not constitute a break of journey. (This cropped up earlier today in the thread Break of Journey question )

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The latest news seems to say that both Craven Arms and Church Stretton will be losing some of their service stops on the Manchester to South Wales route, due to stops at Nantwich and Whitchurch being addded as a result of public demand. However, it appears that both these stations will be gaining stop facilities on the North Wales to Cardiff route.

 

[Greenback]

Many people would say that Shrewsbury is a better place to change than Craven Arms. There are toilets, and you can get a cup of tea for instance. As well as more chance of a seat, as the train starts from there.

Having said that, I don't think anyone can force you to change at a particular station, unless you would be in breach of an Advance ticket.

 

[island]

Having said that, I don't think anyone can force you to change at a particular station, unless you would be in breach of an Advance ticket.

Or if there is doubling back involved.

 

[Greenback]

Correct - an omission on my part!

 

[Track Basher]

There is nothing to stop you changing at Craven Arms. However consider what happens is something goes wrong. There are no staff to ask or arrange alternative transport. If you miss the connection for some reason how would you deal with this at Craven Arms.

You are in a much better position if you change at Shrewsbury.