Yup, and the walk-on fares structure is largely the same with all TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)'s!


And, for the record, Saver Returns allow return travel up to a month after the purchase date...

Hi grahame,

As I was on holiday, I was able to pre-book tickets. As such, I was able to travel First Class with First Great Western cheaper than in Standard on South West Trains, as they have no AP tickets avaliable on that route - (route would have been Axminster-Exeter or Dawlish, as I was acctually on holiday in Bridport).

I must say that a link between Yeovil Junction and Pen Mill would be excellent. I have a family railcard, and still legally being a child I try and persuade my family to use it as much as possible. I had suggested that my mum and sister went shopping in Yeovil, but at the time there were servere problems on the WoE line, I believe it was a failed train on a single track section, and the fact that Pen Mill is away from the shops put them off.

Also, I think it'd make quite a good connection. For a start, it'd save the lengthy journey to Castle Cary and back, and, as it would presumabley be run by FGW^▸ (First Great Western), it would offer more services to stations between Exeter and Yeovil. I remember when trying to get home to Axminster from Exeter, (cancellations on the HoW^‡(resolve)), I waited around 30 minutes at Exeter for a SWT^▸ (South West Trains) train, which then terminated at Honiton, leaving me with over a 1 hour wait to travel one stop. Even then, when the train arrived, (the train being booked 6 car, the Live Dep. Boards even showing this), it was a 3 car train that had not been cleaned since London, (now on a service from[/i] Plymouth, with both toilets locked out of use, and it was full and standing.

Regarding comparisons, I do often run into problems around the rail network. My local train operator, 'one' Railway, aren't the best either, as I am sure you know. During my half term next month, I'm going to Scotland, travelling with 6 different operators, (that's including those I will be using in London). I'm sure I'll have lots to post about. 


Speak Soon.
Regards,
Daniel.

Hello Everyone.

My name is Daniel, im 15, (16 next month), and from Enfield, North London.
You may think I shouldn't be on this forum, but I am a train enthusiast and therefore quite often venture South-West - a place with some amazing views, and.. 'variable' train services.

Anyway. I'm still in mandatory school education, although in my last year, and some time next week I should hopefully head whether or not I've got a job with a company in London called traffic link - the job role being "Public Transport Editor", the role of which is to prepare live travel reports for radio stations, National Rail etc.! Boy, that'll be fun!


Speak soon.
Regards,
Daniel.

Thank you - I know that bumping is generally frowned apon in most instances so thought it would be best to apologise beforehand. 

I apologise for the "bump" of this thread, but I was, in fact, booked on-board the following train:


I was due to board the train from Dorchester West, and alight at Castle Cary, where I would have a 20 minute gap to await the 1022 Adalente to Exeter, where I would meet a friend, on which I was booked on an AP FC^‡(resolve) ticket - (was on holiday).

Standing at Dorchester with around 5 other people, I thought something was up when the train was around 5 minutes late. Even for First Great Western, it's odd to have a late train that close to it's origination point. I used the customer information point, and after 6 tries I got it to work. It told me the 0804 to Weymouth was cancelled. Nothing about the 0858 to Cardiff, though. As I couldn't find the number for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) Cust. Serv. on any of the posters, I called NRE^‡(resolve).... and was referred to FGW. As I had guessed, the 0804 was cancelled, which so happened to be form the service from Weymouth, meaning it couldn't run. At that time I was told that it was cancelled due to a fault on the train. I requested taxis for myself and my fellow passengers, as collectivley we were travelling to three different destinations. I was refused. When I asked why, I was told "There's a coach, but it don't stop at Dorchester". Cue shouting down the phone, and the coach stops at Dorchester. I found out from the coach driver that the coach was going to Westbury where passengers could board a train to go onwards. However the coach only had one stop - Yeovil Pen Mill - and I wanted to go to Castle Cary. The coach driver said he'd stop for me - nice chap . After some investigation work by some friends, (namely Jim on this forum), it turned out the down Weymouth was something like 90 minutes late at Yeovil, so was terminated there. Shame they couldn't just hold the train at Yeovil for the coach.
Anyway, we arrived at Castle Cary at 10:21:46, and as we pulled into the car park, the 1022 departed. BUGGER! Asked the coach driver to wait for me, ran inside and got through a crowd of people and asked for the next train to Exeter, and was told it was over an hour away. Went back through the crowd and ran out to the coach, the driver just said "Go to Westbury, they'll sort it out." It's a shame that I only realised after we had left that those in the waiting room could have wanted the coach, which wasn't supposed to stop...

Anyway, driver got lost. Went to Westbury via Frome, Warminster and Trowbridge!

Eventually made it to Westbury, and after a quick explanation to the ticket staff my ticket was stamped to allow me travel on the next train - still in first class. What made me laugh was that the three people behind me simply said, "Same as him, please!" 

Now, here's the next problem... I'd just missed a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) down south, next one wasn't for an hour. As it turns out, the train I got, (a HST), was the one I would have got if I had stayed at Castle Cary.

Got down to Dawlish around 4 hours late IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly)! 


Ah well, it was fun going Westbury-Exeter with a Castle Cary-Exeter ticket, on a train calling Westbury, Castle Cary! Bet that confused the TM^‡(resolve)... 


Oh yeah, and gateline staff kept my (SGL) tickets, despite my pleas, so no refunds.