UK trains; more or less normal now?
 

I got a message from Avanti West Coast that my 8 September train back down from Glasgow might be running on an amended schedule, and that they'll release timetable a week in advance. Maybe repairs or some such.

I can travel on 'the service' if my train is canceled. That means on Avanti?

Big strike scheduled later in the month, I see, but are things otherwise running pretty normal?

Strikes may occur in late September 2022. It looks at the moment not to affect you.

https://www.theguardian.com/business...rike-announced

Avanti have staff shortages and are generally struggling to provide a service, and as a result they keep changing their timetables, and cancelling trains or terminating them early.
They have a terrible reputation at the moment, it has been going on for several months, leaving passengers stranded.
I hope it works out for you!

I wonder if “the service” means a bus or coach to substitute for the cancelled train?

I assume it means a different train company.

Hmm. Sorry to hear bad rep. They still have a day or two to tell me what's up, so I'll have to be vigilant. Thanks!

I am trying to book Oxford to Edinburgh tickets for early October and tickets are still not available. Is that normal?

How are you trying to book? Which website? I see all routes booking as normal through late November. Are you by any chance using American date format (mm/dd/yy) instead of dd/mm/yy

Trainline is selling ticket O to E early October and late October right now.

im using raileurope and their calendar. is there a different site you suggest?

i get this notice:

Sorry, we haven't found any tickets

The booking horizon for this journey varies but is usually at least two months before travel.
EDIT SAVE

Oxford to Edinburgh (Waverley, city c...

Sat 1 Oct, 09:00

checked on train line and got this. i do not know what im doing wrong

OUT

Sat 1 Oct 2022

Oxford to Edinburgh (Waverley)Earlier
Standard1st class

• 07:55
  14:17
  Tickets coming soon
  6h 22m,
  2 changes
• 08:55
  15:39
  Tickets coming soon
  6h 44m,
  3 changes
• 09:55
  16:17
  Tickets coming soon
  6h 22m,
  2 changes
• 10:55
  17:37
  Tickets coming soon
  6h 42m,
  3 changes

Later
Add a return

would you be able to send me link to the tickets on sale now please?

Silly site isn't letting me post - it may be the links -- will try again (5th time)

Sorry but never EVER use Rail Europe. They are a travel agent that just wants to sell over priced rail passes.

Use either National Rail or the Train Line

That was it -- the links were gumming up things. just google National Rail . . .

Thank you, that is good to know. i checked both National Rail and the train line and neither have tickets for october from oxford to edinburgh. do you have available train tickets come up when you search?

Oh - I see now -- there are no trains at all on that Saturday 1 OCT (from London or Oxford or Birmingham or anywhere). Does it have to be that day?? If it does, you'll have to take a bus. Your only other real option would be to fly from LHR to EDI. Train tickets are being sold for Fri Sept 30 and Monday Oct 3.

Engineering works between Newcastle and Edinburgh so no trains that weekend.

https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/servi...10%2F2022&TOC=

https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-inform...track-upgrade/

Travel on the Friday or Monday

This is the latest on the actual UK train strikes. here are more days than given in my post above.
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/servi...ialaction.aspx

Thank you so much for the above information. i thought it was just user error :)