Chester - Macclesfield Routes

[supervalkoinen]

About 10 days ago I checked for routes and fares for Chester-Macc on Jan 1. Chose a journey Chester-Crewe-Stockport-Macc.

A couple of days later the same journey planner no longer offered those changes, instead offering the same ticket, giving the same train from Crewe with a change at Manchester Piccadilly, as the service didn't stop at Stockport, but changing onto the same Picc-Macc service with same final arrival time.

However, looking at journey planners - they suggest that via Manchester requires more than one ticket.

Can anyone explain?

I would have thought that Chester-Manchester-Macc would be a reasonable route.

 

[All Line Rover]

You aren't allowed to double-back (travel over the same section of track twice) between Stockport and Manchester. You'll need to change trains at Stockport by travelling on trains which call at Stockport.

 

[supervalkoinen]

You aren't allowed to double-back (travel over the same section of track twice) between Stockport and Manchester. You'll need to change trains at Stockport by travelling on trains which call at Stockport.

Yes - I realise that.

However - I was offered the route Chester-Crewe-Manchester-Macc on one ticket. There was no double-back as the Crewe-Piccadilly train didn't pass through Stockport.

if I enter Chester-Manchester-Macc I'm told 2 tickets are necessary.

Chester-Warrington-Manchester-Macc would seem to be a reasonable route and I think I've used it in the past.

 

[All Line Rover]

However - I was offered the route Chester-Crewe-Manchester-Macc on one ticket. There was no double-back as the Crewe-Piccadilly train didn't pass through Stockport.

As in it went via Manchester Airport?

It's true that such an itinerary would not double-back, but I wouldn't be surprised if the permitted routes for Chester to Macclesfield do not, in any event, include a journey via both Crewe and Manchester. It may be that, if the train you are looking at both now and previously goes via Manchester Airport, there was a temporary easement in place during the Christmas period permitting travel via both Crewe and Manchester.

 

[supervalkoinen]

As in it went via Manchester Airport?

It's true that such an itinerary would not double-back, but I wouldn't be surprised if the permitted routes for Chester to Macclesfield do not, in any event, include a journey via both Crewe and Manchester. It may be that, if the train you are looking at both now and previously goes via Manchester Airport, there was a temporary easement in place during the Christmas period permitting travel via both Crewe and Manchester.



Yes, that would undoubtedly be permitted.

Thanks for comments - I thought maybe some easement.

It was via Styal, but not Airport.

Journey planners say no route via Warrington, which surprises me.

 

[All Line Rover]

You'll be fine going via Warrington, regardless of what the journey planners say.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The off-peak fares (actually valid on any train) allow travel from Chester via Stockport or Kidsgrove to Macclesfield, but not via Manchester.
However, if you want full flexibility buy a Cheshire Day Ranger (after 0930 M-F) at £23.
You can then travel any route you like on the map, including via Manchester or even Stoke or Liverpool.
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/prbad90d0a040002016445fab7d9d950.aspx

 

[northwichcat]

About 10 days ago I checked for routes and fares for Chester-Macc on Jan 1. Chose a journey Chester-Crewe-Stockport-Macc.

A couple of days later the same journey planner no longer offered those changes, instead offering the same ticket, giving the same train from Crewe with a change at Manchester Piccadilly, as the service didn't stop at Stockport, but changing onto the same Picc-Macc service with same final arrival time.

Did you use the same date both times? There were engineering works on 1st and 2nd January so if you used 'today' both times it would mean the fastest journey options will have changed.

 

[supervalkoinen]

You'll be fine going via Warrington, regardless of what the journey planners say.

Journey was completed on Jan 1, travelling via Crewe both directions.
As I said earlier, I'm fairly sure I've travelled via Warrington in the past without problems. I suspect that many/most guards would, like me and other passengers, see it as a fairly logical route.

Did you use the same date both times? There were engineering works on 1st and 2nd January so if you used 'today' both times it would mean the fastest journey options will have changed.

I checked for the same departure date and time, Jan 1st 1030ish, but approx a week apart. Original search was probably around 22/23 Dec, then second search 30 Dec.
In that time the 'Change at Stockport' had changed to 'Change at Piccadilly', though the actual trains seemed to be the same.

 

[kieron]

For what it's worth, Chester-Crewe-Styal-Manchester-Stockport-Macclesfield is a valid route as Chester-Cheadle Hulme is valid on the MJ map, and that route wouldn't double back anywhere.

Chester-Crewe-Cheadle Hulme-Stockport-Macclesfield is also valid, as easement 700074 allows you to double back there. As would Chester-Altrincham-Stockport-Manchester-Styal-Stockport-Macclesfield be, although that definitely isn't one of the routes you saw.

The map doesn't allow you to go through Warrington, and the shortest route is via Kidsgrove.

 

[Statto]

The off-peak fares (actually valid on any train) allow travel from Chester via Stockport or Kidsgrove to Macclesfield, but not via Manchester.
However, if you want full flexibility buy a Cheshire Day Ranger (after 0930 M-F) at £23.
You can then travel any route you like on the map, including via Manchester or even Stoke or Liverpool.
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/prbad90d0a040002016445fab7d9d950.aspx

Cheshire Day Ranger is valid after 8.45am Mon-Fri.

Looking at the fares if you're returning same day & going after 8.45am Cheshire Day Ranger might be better value at £23, rather the off peak fare which is £18..80 & CDR gives you the option of the above.