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Hi all
Travelling up by train to see some footy, from Totnes to Brum on August 12, returning on August 13.
I had booked the trains before the ASLEF strike on August 13 was announced…I was going to try to get train fares refunded ( LNER.com ) and drive instead, but because they are ADVANCE tkts they are not refundable.
So gonna train it up as planned, what are my rights if no trains to get home ? Any recommended websites / phone numbers to keep handy ? So i’m not scrambling around for information at short notice.
If it comes to it i could stay a second night ( staying at the Garden Inn Brindley Place ) and travel back on the Sunday August the 14th.
Also any recommended Curry restaurants in or near city centre ? I am a born & bred Brummie but been in Devon for 15 years or so, hence a bit out the loop now. The “designer” place on Broad St gets VERY mixed reviews…
Ta
You should be able to get your tickets refunded or changed to a future date according to this link – up until 30th September anyway
I did so for some advance tickets earlier in the year.
Thanks DD Ill check that out
Just to add, there will be no duty of care if you try and travel then spend an extra night.
I had a meal at Asha’s earlier in the year – it was OK, but seemed a bit style over substance. And quite blingy style at that.
Know it’s not the true experience but I enjoyed a meal at Dishoom the other week (book in advance) but if you want the full blow out neighbourhood curry experience I’m sure there are plenty of places to find that!
Thanks for the curry info Tony. Have read similar thoughts to yours regarding Asha’s ..
Might just go proper authentic somewhere like Shababs in the ” balti belt ”
I will wait a while on the trains, nearer the time LNER should have more specific info regarding what ( if any ) level of service they are predicting for the strike day on Aug 13.
We used to visit Brum (from Cornwall) regularly when our son was at UOB. We stayed at that Hilton many times and it’s location is great. Pushkar was our favourite for food at that time. Haven’t been since Covid as he’s got himself a real job now!
Akbar’s on Hagley Road.
Not very far from your hotel.Alternatively, for somewhere slightly more authentic, go to Al Faisal on Stony Lane, in the Balti Triangle.
On a side note, the Balti Triangle is no longer a relevant name, given there are very few Curry places left. They’ve mostly turned into burger joints and dessert parlours.
Good luck with the train.
UTV.
Cheers Aston
UTV !
No Cross Country Trains are running on the Aug 13 strike day… Can use train tickets up to the 16th, so will return on the 14th.
So i have booked an extra one night stay at the Hilton Garden Inn @ Brindley Place, i couldnt cancel my original 1 night booking as it was a special HH deal and non-refundable.
First Night is in a Queen Room ( brekkie included ).
Second night is a Queen Room with Brindley Place view ( no brekkie ) so its a checkout / check back in job i expect.
I am assuming i wont be entitled to anything from the train company ? booked via LNER.com
Re the curry, as Swiss Tony said, Dishoom isnt authentic, but reviews are really good and its nice and handy from the hotel so will prob go with that.
Shame that the football match in the middle of weekend will probably spoil it …. !!
I can’t comment on the Brummie one but I assume the menu will be the same across the chain.
I was very disappointed with Dishoom in Edinburgh.Very over priced for very average foodNo Cross Country Trains are running on the Aug 13 strike day… Can use train tickets up to the 16th, so will return on the 14th.
So i have booked an extra one night stay at the Hilton Garden Inn @ Brindley Place, i couldnt cancel my original 1 night booking as it was a special HH deal and non-refundable.
First Night is in a Queen Room ( brekkie included ).
Second night is a Queen Room with Brindley Place view ( no brekkie ) so its a checkout / check back in job i expect.
I am assuming i wont be entitled to anything from the train company ? booked via LNER.com
Re the curry, as Swiss Tony said, Dishoom isnt authentic, but reviews are really good and its nice and handy from the hotel so will prob go with that.
Shame that the football match in the middle of weekend will probably spoil it …. !!
Dishoom is excellent – very good food at a decent price.
You’ll be eligible for delay repay if you booked any train before the strike was announced. If they fail to deliver the strike day timetable, you’d also be eligible for delay repay.
In terms of direct consequential financial loses, this is covered in the national rail conditions of carriage. Essentially, emergency hotels, taxis and food are covered but you have to fight. Alternatively, on the day if the train was advertised to run on the reduced timetable and they cancel it, if you get stranded, they do have a duty of care. The train companies usually insist on them booking you a taxi or organising a bus
(Yes I’m a rail nerd but I’ve also claimed £k’s from train company muck ups. Just last week I had a 2 hour taxi ride courtesy of East Midlands Railway)
Ta SSS
Is it best if i try to avoid getting my train tickets scanned ?
AFAIK the outward journey on Aug 12 will be running to timetable as per when i booked it.
Its obviously the return on the 13th which is impacted by strike, hoping to get back ok on the 14th.
Do i have to wait until after travel before claiming ?
On a mad hot day, nearly 4 hours on a train with no air-con wasnt ideal, at least we had seats, it was even hotter for the poor sods who made the journey between the carriages.
Enjoyed Dishoom, food was good, friendly, efficient staff, and a lively atmosphere.
Next day part of a full house to see Villa put Everton to the sword, the sun hadnt quite got round to our section by full time which was a bonus. The local trains were obviously not running, so walked to an out-the-way pub which had beer garden and DJ .
Hour or so there to let traffic die down then Ubered back to City Centre.Quick shower/change then back to Broad St, wasnt even 7pm but it was absolutely rammed, couldnt get outside seats where we wanted, decided to get something to eat at Gourmet Burger Kitchen – it was pretty empty so wasnt expecting too much, but all good, and i had a strange Margarita that was also flavoured with jalapeno pepper, unusual but hit the spot alright !
Pretty crackered by then, so early night and got the first train back to Totnes on Sunday morning, a much better experience than the outward journey.
Usual decent stay at the Garden Inn. Although i had booked 2 x separate single nights in different room categories, they sorted it so we kept the same room, just had to get the room card updated after first night.
All in all a top weekend 🙂
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