Chinley - Wakefield : valid via Doncaster?

[oddiesjack]

While planning a trip on West Coast Railway's "Scarborough Spa Express", I was looking at the best way to get from Chinley to the various boarding points.

It makes sense to go Chinley-Sheffield-Westgate, and there is a suitably timed outward trip; and IF the SSE is on time on the return, I can come back the same way, but its quite a tight connection.

The more likely journey home, suggested by the National Rail booking engine is via Doncaster and Sheffield, but would my anytime return be valid on this route?

 

[SickyNicky]

Unfortunately not. But see at the bottom of this message.

The map combination is SH+WK. This doesn't allow a direct connection between Sheffield and Doncaster. (yes, I know there is a theoretical permitted route via Barnetby, but it's not useful in this case).

Here are the details from TrainsCanBeCheaper.info:

Permitted routes from CHINLEY to WAKEFIELD WESTGT route ANY PERMITTED

• CHINLEY is a routeing point.
• WAKEFIELD WESTGT is part of the Wakefield Group.

The following are ALWAYS Permitted routes:

• Any direct trains advertised from CHINLEY to WAKEFIELD WESTGT in the current timetable
• The shortest route with a regular train service, not including walks and transfers (48.69 miles): Show route in detail
  • CHINLEY
  • GUIDE BRIDGE
  • STALYBRIDGE
  • Huddersfield Group
  • Wakefield Group

The following are Permitted unless there is an easement preventing them:

• Any route 51.69 miles or less (i.e. within 3 miles of the shortest route above).
• Mapped routes from CHINLEY to WAKEFIELD WESTGT (analyse mapped routes)
  • SH+WK
• Any additional route allowed by an easement.

edit: HOWEVER map WK has changed recently in the electronic version of the routeing guide (but not in the public version), and now includes a suitable link via Doncaster. This means that you will be able to get reservations this way. If you have reservations and an intinerary, you should be fine going this way.