Great Western Coffee Shop

I'm heading home tomorrow - from "The gateway to the South" [Balham!] to Melksham or  a nearby alternative

Possible departures -
16:39 to Trowbridge
16:42 to Melksham

Which do you think I will take, and why? It's a very interesting comparison ...

The fare on the 16:39, change at Clapham Junction and Salisbury, is 30.90
The fare on the 16:42, change at Victoria, Paddington and Swindon, is 68.00

Arrival at Trowbridge is 19:14
Arrival at Melksham is 19:10


My choice?  To Trowbridge. Fewer changes with heavy luggage, lower cost, alternative services available if a connection misses along the way. And, yes, I can change onto a TransWilts train and buy an extra ticket (before I board it) if there's one around!

It has to be the 1639 via SAL option. If you are on time then a connection at WSB or TRO for MKM should be no problem. Bearing in mind that connection, it is a little strange that journey planners don't offer a fare to from BAL to MKM via SAL, that is similarly priced to a BAL to TRO via SAL fare.

The cynic in me says that the fare is not available because if delayed by fault of the railways, and you miss the connection at WSB or TRO, then FGW would have to provide a taxi. Going via Swindon, at least the railway has got ^68 out of you so providing a taxi in the event of a missed connection is less of a financial burden for FGW!