The All TOC Game

[transportphoto]

Hi All,

We've got a new quiz for you all, the idea for this came from user [m=maniacmartin]15048[/m], the idea of the game is to come up with a journey that involves travelling with every train operating company (TOC).

Here's the explanation from Martin:

I have a question that's been bugging me for a while.

What's the cheapest ticket combination and itinerary that you know of that includes travel on ALL TOCs? Lowest result wins!

For this question, a TOC is a member of ATOC, not a brand of a train operation company, so Southern and Gatwick Express are the same etc. You can buy rovers, rangers, travelcards, seasons and railcards BUT NOT ADVANCE AP tickets out of the budget, and can't buy a railcard that has eligibility criteria. You can BoJ or start/finish short if the ticket permits it.

All travel must be covered by the tickets - you cannot walk between stations, except for an official OSI.

To clarify:

• 'All Line Rovers' are excluded, these may not be used.
• The railcard rule is that you may buy a Network Railcard (for example) however you may not buy a 16-25 railcard as this has age eligibility criteria.
• The price of the railcard has to be included in your final sum.
• You may not purchase 'Advance' or 'Advance First' tickets, nor any other ticket that has to be purchased in advance of travel, you may only buy walk up tickets.

Good Luck!

TP

 

[Trainfan344]

Does this include LU?

 

[transportphoto]

Nope, not including LUL.

If you're putting something together, please express interest in the thread so we have a gauge.

Cheers,

TP

 

[Trainfan344]

I'll give it a go.

 

[gnolife]

I'll give it a go.

I'll give it a go too.

 

[Trainfan344]

Does it include Merseyrail as well?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Have compiled this list of toc's to cover. anyone disagree, as this is the first step.

TOC's To cover
Arriva Trains Wales
C2C
Chiltern
Cross Country
East Coast
East Midlands Trains
Eurostar
First Capital Connect
First Great Western
First Hull Trains
First Scot Rail
Grand Central
Greater Anglia
Heathrow Connect
Heathrow Express
London Midland
London Overground
Merseyrail
Northern
South West Trains
Southeastern
Southern
Transpenine Express
Virgin West Coast

 

[transportphoto]

I have to admit, I got a bit excited when I saw this thread had been posted in

TOC's To cover
Arriva Trains Wales
C2C
Chiltern
Cross Country
East Coast
East Midlands Trains
Eurostar
First Capital Connect
First Great Western
First Hull Trains
First Scot Rail
Grand Central
Greater Anglia
Heathrow Connect
Heathrow Express
London Midland
London Overground
Merseyrail
Northern
South West Trains
Southeastern
Southern
Transpenine Express
Virgin West Coast

Slight alterations, yes MR is included.

TP

 

[Trainfan344]

Ok then, I have a nice Excel Spreadsheet ready now i have everything.

 

[Crossover]

Very interesting question maniacmartin!

I'm not going to have time to put anything together, but I will be very interested to see the results

 

[gnolife]

I've got two questions.
The first is; Is Oyster permitted for this?
The second is; Can I use London Underground, Croydon Tramlink (for Wimbledon to East Croydon as an example), or Docklands Light Railway (for Limehouse to Lewisham as an example) as means of connection?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I've got two questions.
The first is; Is Oyster permitted for this?
The second is; Can I use London Underground, Croydon Tramlink (for Wimbledon to East Croydon as an example), or Docklands Light Railway (for Limehouse to Lewisham as an example) as means of connection?

If the Croydon Tramlink is allowed, then the Manchester Metrolink with many of its stations being former National Rail stations, should also be allowed.

Also, what about the Tyne and Wear Metro ?

Can we have a ruling on these, please.

 

[D6975]

What about services run by one TOC on behalf of another?
Which one counts?
This makes a huge difference.

 

[maniacmartin]

The full list of TOCs is at http://www.atoc.org/train-companies. Yes, let's exclude Eurostar. They also exclude Heathrow Connect (odd, but presumably because both of its parent companies are TOC members anyway).

Interesting questions about Oyster, LU, T&W metro and trams. My suggestion is that you *can* travel on them but are not obliged to do so, and that any ticket used by them must be purchasable from a TOC, and included in the budget, which I believe would exclude Oyster ??

I think that the TOC listed as running the service in the National Rail Timetable should count

I'm sure transportphoto will be able to clarify the rules

 

[transportphoto]

Including Eurostar is going to make things awkward, adds in an un necessary trip across the channel, EUROSTAR is therefore NOT required. Oyster PAYG is acceptable, however you don't have to include travel on LUL, DLR, Croydon Tramlink (etc) & light rail systems are not included however you may use these for connections.

The TOC shown as running the service in the NRT is the TOC that counts. You have to cover both Heathrow Connect and Heathrow Express.

Hope this helps wind up loose hairs.

TP

 

[D6975]

The TOC shown as running the service in the NRT is the TOC that counts.

TP

B****R
Was going to do ScotRail from Newcastle - Metrocentre.

 

[Trainfan344]

I have done it, I spent a total of...

£378.50

Have attached the Spreadsheet with the sums and journeys on it for verification.

 

[Ivo]

I take it the use of "marginal" tickets - i.e. taking advantage of an Easement in a way it isn't meant to be used for, for instance - is not permitted?

 

[transportphoto]

I take it the use of "marginal" tickets - i.e. taking advantage of an Easement in a way it isn't meant to be used for, for instance - is not permitted?

As long as you can justify it.

TP

 

[maniacmartin]

I have done it, I spent a total of...

£378.50

Have attached the Spreadsheet with the sums and journeys on it for verification.

Interesting that you bought a separate ticket for each leg of the journey. Surely that can't be the cheapest way of doing all of those legs?

 

[Trainfan344]

Interesting that you bought a separate ticket for each leg of the journey. Surely that can't be the cheapest way of doing all of those legs?

Parts of those are where it is cheaper, and I know it's probably a bit cheaper with an oyster.

 

[maniacmartin]

I'm down to £155 and am now looking for RJ-style splits. You can cover a fair few of them with an Off-Peak Travelcard

 

[gnolife]

I'm down to 141.20, and think that that'll be the best I can offer.

 

[transportphoto]

I'm down to 141.20, and think that that'll be the best I can offer.

Can't seem to find any fare info on this spreadsheet, could you add this for us please?

I have done it, I spent a total of...

£378.50

Have attached the Spreadsheet with the sums and journeys on it for verification.

I'm interested to find how you've got from Newcastle to Carlisle for £4.00, along with a few other journeys, could you add more information to the spreadsheet like ticket type and to and from stations for the tickets? Please remember that Advance Purchase tickets are not permitted.

TP

 

[gnolife]

Can't seem to find any fare info on this spreadsheet, could you add this for us please?



I'm interested to find how you've got from Newcastle to Carlisle for £4.00, along with a few other journeys, could you add more information to the spreadsheet like ticket type and to and from stations for the tickets? Please remember that Advance Purchase tickets are not permitted.

TP

Its two sheets - one of travel, one of fares.

 

[Trainfan344]

Its two sheets - one of travel, one of fares.

I could only find the one sheet, the other two were blank.

 

[gnolife]

I could only find the one sheet, the other two were blank.

I think I sent the wrong version then
The tickets that I suggested were:
Off Peak Day Travelcard
SVR London Terminals - Glasgow Cen/Qst
CDR Stockport - Liverpool S Pway
I can't quote the prices at the moment, because I'm on mobile.

 

[Trainfan344]

Can't seem to find any fare info on this spreadsheet, could you add this for us please?



I'm interested to find how you've got from Newcastle to Carlisle for £4.00, along with a few other journeys, could you add more information to the spreadsheet like ticket type and to and from stations for the tickets? Please remember that Advance Purchase tickets are not permitted.

TP

I was using National Rail Enquiries to give me ticket prices, The first few times i did it they were anytimes, so I thought it was all anytime singles.

 

[transportphoto]

I was using National Rail Enquiries to give me ticket prices, The first few times i did it they were anytimes, so I thought it was all anytime singles.

Honestly, I wouldn't expect Newcastle to Carlise to be £4 walkup. Can you revise your fares by using www.brfares.com, this will make a difference between Advance and walk up tickets.

TP

 

[maniacmartin]

I think I may have a combination that's under £140. Will check it against the Routeing Guide tonight.

I originally thought funny splits and and Route LM Only etc tickets would work out best, but like gnolife I'm coming to the conclusion that long-distance through tickets might be better.

Also, gnolife please note that the Heathrow Express and the Heathrow Connect route between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow cannot be used with a travelcard, as the line between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow is a private railway (but through tickets are available from some stations to H584 Heathrow Rail). I hope you factored this when choosing your tickets!

 

[gnolife]

I think I may have a combination that's under £140. Will check it against the Routeing Guide tonight.

I originally thought funny splits and and Route LM Only etc tickets would work out best, but like gnolife I'm coming to the conclusion that long-distance through tickets might be better.

Also, gnolife please note that the Heathrow Express and the Heathrow Connect route between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow cannot be used with a travelcard, as the line between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow is a private railway (but through tickets are available from some stations to H584 Heathrow Rail). I hope you factored this when choosing your tickets!

Yup, I used the fact that HEX is free between Heathrow Central and T5, and the Piccadilly line to get out of Heathrow. I used the Connect between Southall and Paddington