Pre-planning a Britrail session....

[Gorby]

Hi all,

Over 40 years ago, my first summer holiday as an apprentice I did a one week ALR. I remember thinking I would love to do this again when I'm older, wiser and can afford 1st class. Well, having jumped continents, I may be back in November, and may get a window to do a 4 day Britrail (or maybe 6 days of an 8 day pass!).

As I plan this, I remember there used to be a network map that had the timetable numbers by the lines, I do remember a PDF version similar to what the maps were when you purchased the heavy All Line TimeTable. I can only find maps with no numbers. ANyone know where I may find one? Makes my searching easier...

The other thing, I have the network all lines timetable, but each route has its own PDF file so becomes quite a challenge. Is there a version that is one PDF file?

Many thanks, Richard

 

[Gloster]

I am not fully up to date, so others may be able to give fuller and more accurate information. I don’t think there is any truly comprehensive map any more, nor is there a single timetable. It is all individual leaflets, if you can get them, or on-line, which is not always user friendly.

There is the European Rail Timetable ( www.europeanrailtimetable.eu ) which covers the whole of Europe. For Britain it covers most trains on most lines outside suburban areas: it uses its own numbering system.

 

[Gorby]

I am not fully up to date, so others may be able to give fuller and more accurate information. I don’t think there is any truly comprehensive map any more, nor is there a single timetable. It is all individual leaflets, if you can get them, or on-line, which is not always user friendly.

There is the European Rail Timetable ( www.europeanrailtimetable.eu ) which covers the whole of Europe. For Britain it covers most trains on most lines outside suburban areas: it uses its own numbering system.

The European timetable downloaded on my iPad does the trick and allows me to see what/if I can/want to do. Thanks for the suggestion. Not sure if I'll be over in Nov/Dec or Jan now! All depends on work and airfares.

 

[Flying Snail]

The last version of that map was produced in 2013. If you haven't found it online yet respond here and I'll upload it.

Some of the tables have been altered since the last map was produced so the numbers won't always correspond now.

Sadly Network Rail give bare minimum effort to the national timetable and have progressively cut down the product for years so little more than the tables in PDF are still being produced. Not to mention it tends to be riddled with errors, a good reference for an overview of services but best advice is to double check before final planning or traveling.

A railforums member generated a full timetable and put a link here a while ago, not sure if he is still doing it.

 

[Gorby]

Thank you. Believe it or not I found a pristine printed version still neatly folded in one of my old timetables. That has helped me. I ended up buying the European Timetable, that gave me enough of a big picture. Not sure if my travels will be November of maybe January but I do appreciate your response. Thanks.

 

[Flying Snail]

No worries, Here is the PDF of the map in case you want it.

I just mentioned it in another topic but users on here have had issues with the M-Pas versions of britrail being rejected by barriers and staff, the traditional paper version is probably a better option, you will have to find staff to open barriers at stations but it rarely if ever gets questioned by staff.

 

[Gorby]

Thank you, it's nice to have a PDF version of it, and thanks for the tip on M-Pas.

 

[Iskra]

Does anyone know how far in advance Britrail tickets are posted out at all by any chance?

 

[Flying Snail]

Does anyone know how far in advance Britrail tickets are posted out at all by any chance?

There is no good reason they shouldn't be sent shortly after they are ordered.

It is probably going to depend on which retailer you buy them from, where they are based, where you are getting them posted to and what method of delivery they use.

I have ordered from months to a few days in advance of my intended travel date.

Remember they are valid for a long period, anything up to a year AFAIR, with the fixed or flexi period only being set once validated at your first (manned) railway station, you do not have to order them for a specific start date.

 

[Iskra]

There is no good reason they shouldn't be sent shortly after they are ordered.

It is probably going to depend on which retailer you buy them from, where they are based, where you are getting them posted to and what method of delivery they use.

I have ordered from months to a few days in advance of my intended travel date.

Remember they are valid for a long period, anything up to a year AFAIR, with the fixed or flexi period only being set once validated at your first (manned) railway station, you do not have to order them for a specific start date.

Thanks for the excellent information

 

[Gorby]

I wanted to update this thread. I finally managed my BritRail last week, I did it First Class and thoroughly enjoyed the days I just bashed the rails. Had to throw in some family time at the weekend but would do it again in a heartbeat.

I ended up with an M-Pass as I left it late to book, and had NO issues with it at all. Only times I had a gate issue was at Leeds, and I had come in to the station, then exited to use the lounge and then re-enter and it didn't like that. Only was requested to show my passport twice, oddly enough both on the TransPennine Express to/from Cleethorpes. Second time, the guy was apologetic as it was the first BritRail M-Pass he had actually seen. Really was not a problem.

I may do a journey report or two, Enjoyed the Avanti, Azuma and other rails. First Class was def worth it. Was well fed

 

[50002Superb]

Do you have any details as to what you did etc?