Oxford - Torquay without Bristol

[Stargull]

Hi

Yesterday I travelled Oxford - Torquay and back changing trains at Didcot, Swindon and Newton Abbot. I'm trying to book for 9th March, and planners seem to insist I go via Bristol. I can force via Swindon, but the route I get is still via Bristol.

Has something changed in the timetable, or am I just failing to put the right constraints into the planner? The main issue is that the routes via Bristol add an hour or so, which is a lot when doing that journey there and back in one day.

Thanks

 

[jfollows]

For what it's worth, valid routes for "any permitted" tickets are

• SM + GW
• SM + WE
• SM + WR

which don't all include Bristol (maps at https://data.atoc.org/routeing-maps).
If you buy a ticket such as the "NOT VIA LONDON" one set by GWR but valid on all operators (https://www.brfares.com/!expert?orig=OXF&dest=TQY&period=20240205) you can use these routes, including via Reading.

 

[Benjwri]

What route are you trying to get that is via Swindon but not Bristol? Except during engineering the two routes are via Westbury or Bristol. Unless you’re trying to change at Westbury as well as Swindon, which will almost definitely have a long wait, you are going to have to go via Bristol or Reading.

 

[Stargull]

What route are you trying to get that is via Swindon but not Bristol? Except during engineering the two routes are via Westbury or Bristol. Unless you’re trying to change at Westbury as well as Swindon, which will almost definitely have a long wait, you are going to have to go via Bristol or Reading.

My itenary yesterday was Oxford - Didcot, Didcot - Swindon, Swindon - Newton Abbot (Via Castle Cary) - it's this later leg that I can't find for the 9th. Maybe there was some quirk of yesterday?

 

[Benjwri]

My itenary yesterday was Oxford - Didcot, Didcot - Swindon, Swindon - Newton Abbot (Via Castle Cary) - it's this later leg that I can't find for the 9th. Maybe there was some quirk of yesterday?

Yeah the line through Newbury is closed this weekend, and therefore trains are diverted via Melksham or Bristol. When engineering is not happening you have to go via Reading if you want to avoid Bristol

 

[Stargull]

Ah, got it - thank you.

 

[Spaceship323]

If going via Reading you could get the fast train direct to Torquay thus saving a change at Newton Abbot (when there's no engineering works on via Newbury)