Train Travel Help?!

lufcgirl

I'm traveling on Saturday and coming back on Sunday Newcastle to Exeter St Davids.
My problem is that there is only one direct train back on Sunday which was fully booked in terms of seat reservations. The only way to come back alternatively was to go through London which added extra money onto my journey.

So my question is, what happens if for any reason the train gets cancelled or won't let me on due to it being full? Will they let me go through London to get back home even though my ticket says not valid for travel through London? I'm starting to really stress about this cos I can't afford to buy another return ticket if this train is cancelled

anewman

I believe as you have a ticket for travel on that train they have to get you to your destination somehow if the train is cancelled.

Chances are the train will run, and you'll be stood up until the train has gone through a few main stations.

daveyjp

If its cancelled you'll be on other services which stop. If yours is full you stand up - it's not an aeroplane.

All the seat reservations for the whole journey are usually done before the train leaves.

When you get on find a seat which has a reservation for later in the trip. For example someone may have reserved Bristol to Birmingham, or Leeds-Newcastle etc etc. Use one of these seats until the ticket holder arrives.

ticketcollector

Of course if no one turns up for their seat Newcastle-Leeds after leaving NCL (give it 5-10mins) you can sit there.
The person may get on at a later station - rare, you will then need to give up the seat.

lufcgirl

The problem I have is not with seat reservations.
Basically I've been on a train which used to come an hour later (same destination) and I've seen how packed the train is by the time I board it, bearing in mind this is the only train that day that doesn't go via London, my concern was if for whatever reason (being full, people standing everywhere) that they won't let me on, will I be able to get my ticket changed to go through London

pinkshoes

lufcgirl wrote: »

The problem I have is not with seat reservations.
Basically I've been on a train which used to come an hour later (same destination) and I've seen how packed the train is by the time I board it, bearing in mind this is the only train that day that doesn't go via London, my concern was if for whatever reason (being full, people standing everywhere) that they won't let me on, will I be able to get my ticket changed to go through London

Me thinks you worry too much. Just push your way onto the train and find somewhere to stand. If it's SO crammed they won't let any more people on, then just go to guard and ask him how on earth do you get home now! Stand your ground! It's not your fault the train is too full, so they'll have to find you an alternative at no extra cost to yourself.

Aren't there any other non direct routes?

lufcgirl

I wish there was. It's due to engineering works, and your right, I probably am worrying far too much!

Voyager2002

Under normal circumstances, there are plenty of trains between Exeter and Birmingham, and a good few between Birmingham and Newcastle.

Anyway, if your train is cancelled, or they tell you not to board it, they will tell you which train to take instead. If that involves travelling via London they will endorse your ticket so that it becomes valid for the journey you have to make. If there is no other solution, they will put you in a taxi and pay the bill. Just be sure that you reach the station in good time for the train on which you are booked, and if anything seems to be wrong then ask for help.

scottishlass

lufcgirl wrote: »

The problem I have is not with seat reservations.
Basically I've been on a train which used to come an hour later (same destination) and I've seen how packed the train is by the time I board it, bearing in mind this is the only train that day that doesn't go via London, my concern was if for whatever reason (being full, people standing everywhere) that they won't let me on, will I be able to get my ticket changed to go through London

I used to do Exeter to Birmigham and beyond and the only time there was a real problem was the races were on at Cheltham and prople were standing everywhere - they still let a few people on and opened the first class carriage for people.

You should be fine

gner_ex

ticketcollector wrote: »

Of course if no one turns up for their seat Newcastle-Leeds after leaving NCL (give it 5-10mins) you can sit there.
The person may get on at a later station - rare, you will then need to give up the seat.

This is incorrect. A reservation ceases to be valid after the train has left the relevant station that the reservation was to start for.

Conductors often remove reservation labels for such seats when they go through the train - this is just to reassure people.

ticketcollector

gner_ex wrote: »

This is incorrect. A reservation ceases to be valid after the train has left the relevant station that the reservation was to start for.

Conductors often remove reservation labels for such seats when they go through the train - this is just to reassure people.

Ok I stand corrected, however most of the time if a person joins a train at a later station with the same reservation there is going to be an argument.