carolyn

It is time for me to book train reservations for our return from Edinburgh to get the advance fare, but I'm getting this message:

Service Update
It is not yet known how First Great Western services will be affected by engineering work from Saturday 04 to Friday 10 October 2014. Please check back nearer the time of travel.

Should I go ahead and book to get the best fare or wait awhile? Does anyone know what would happen if I book and then that particular train doesn't run?

dotheboyshall

I'm wondering how FGW is involved - where are you going from Edinburgh as normally FGW runs trains into Wales and the SW of England some 300 miles from Edinburgh

bilboburgler

carolyn which train booking service are you using?

PatrickLondon

Go to http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/, since they operate the trains to Edinburgh. National Rail would be playing safe by trailing the warning about work anywhere on the system on all timetable enquiries.

historytraveler

Patrick is right in saying that National Rail is playing it safe with "possible work" but it doesn't matter which service you use IF there is work( at such an early date impossible to determine for certain) you will be bused. Eastcoast may give you more accurate information or not.

PatrickLondon

But they're warning about FGW, which has no relevance to the Edinburgh service anyway. Going to East Coast will at least ensure OP only sees anything of direct relevance.

Rubicund

This is about flood defence works on the FGW region;

https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/...s-october-2014

It should have no effect at all on the East Coast line as others have already said.

dotheboyshall

Message has changed

It is not yet known how East Coast services will be affected by engineering work from Saturday 04 to Friday 10 October 2014. Please check back nearer the time of travel.

Similar messages for Virgin & Cross Country.

Looks as if on the 5th at least there ARE engineering works somewhere on the Scottish side of the border as some services are a bus to Berwick then trains onward or going down the West Coast

carolyn

I was at East Coast services but must have copied the message for another route. (I had a lot of them open in frustration.)

Thanks for the info that we would be taken by bus somewhere to get around the engineering work. So your advice would be to go ahead and book while I can get the cheap rates?

historytraveler

Unless you're willing to fly or have other options regarding dates then book. At least it'll be at the best rate.

carolyn

Thanks a lot for all your help.