interesting article discussing this issue at:

https://www.londonreconnections.com/2020/guards-in-name-only-dwell-times-and-the-swr-guards-dispute/

Given that the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) are planning further SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) strikes (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/dec/30/south-western-railway-faces-fresh-wave-of-rmt-strikes-in-new-year) can someone tell me why this dispute is ogoing when other RMT action on guards with other franchises seem to have be resolved?

Given that a number of new houses are currently being built at longcross and many more are planned as part of the garden village scheme (http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/longcross-garden-village-government-backing-12399767) what is the process by which more rail services to longcross rail station would be determined?

Was coming back from Salisbury to sunningdale on Sunday via Basingstoke and reading.

Unfortunately the cross country 11.47 from Basingstoke to reading took 1 hour 20 mins approx rather than the 15-20 minster if should have. Cross country train manager said it was a point failure outside reading.

Can I claim any ticket money back? Given that my entire journey used 3 different TOCS, is it worth it?

 - It was platform 12.
-  Had accidentally booked berths not over wheels.
 - Think will have to get use to them before being able to sleep at lot.

I booked 2 joining comparment for 2 people.

Is it much cheaper with 1 comparment with the bunks?

Is there a regular platform that the sleeper train goes from at reading? Planning getting it on Friday night.

Any other sleeper tips to tricks?

In november travelling egham to Machynlleth on a friday morning (need to be there for 13.00) and coming back on the sunday afternoon (after 14.00).

Also have a network card that would cover part of the journey.

Ticket split suggestions and routes please.

Other than booking well in advance on the euro star site, any better ways of getting good fares for a trip from st prancas to Amsterdam in December? 

Cheers
John

As always thanks for the advice. Booked Egham to chester for ^23 and chester to betws-y-coed for ^8 so a total of ^31.

1 way, no railcards, 1 person.

cheers

Travelling in august during a week day (flexible on time). Recommendations on best priced ticket and or route  please.

Normally when I travel into London (off peak/weekends) it is to/from Egham and I get a one day travelcard to include for tube. I maybe travelling one weekend into London from Guildford but going back same day to Egham. What tickets options are there?

I was thinking a travelcard from Guildford and then back out of Waterloo to egham and potentially pay for the non zone 6 part from Feltham to Egham?

Also I have occasionally looked at the cost of oyster card travel off peak and the rail fare only to waterloo v the one day travelcard. Assuming 2 x zone 1 tube journeys, the cost of the travelcard always seems cheaper and simpler. Is this right?

As a lay person, after a read through the report, it gives me the impression of it favouring the C1^▸ ((on coaches) National route restriction)-C5 routes. I think that the resilence factor is the emphasis of the report. These routes whilst more expensive intially give the opportunity to build the route to the modern standards rather than retrofit them to the other routes.This is not criticism, but I think that if reflects an underlying engineering viewpoint, which is not a bad thing.

I personally am thinking like the comments of Andyroden, in that it is up to the burghers of Okehampton, Tavistock et al to prompt the wider socio economic benefits to agrue for their route.This is as local service, other (occasional?) main line stops and as a diversionary route.

Finally if I was on a train to the south west and the Dawlish route was closed as in Feb, I don't think I would mind a few extra minutes in journey time.

Above assume that a significant funding committment remains in place for the Dawlish route and we are discussing additional funds.

Lots of reto BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) posters (e.g. the new Winnerish Triangle Station) on the reading platform stairs at Richmond as well.

with the above southampton season ticket example, is it normal to have the different prices for a particular route (e.g. Southern only) versus any route?