When using the app for train travel in the UK, I sometimes encounter the notification “THIS JOURNEY WILL BE OVERTAKEN BY A LATER DEPARTURE”. What does that mean? For example, 2 trains may be leaving at the same time but the route is somewhat different. The one with the notification is the train journey I prefer—usually due to a shorter time or fewer changes. I can find nowhere to ask what this notification means on the National Rail website.
Can someone clarify.
Posted by
Penzance
159 posts
It means a train going to the same destination but leaving later will arrive earlier than the one you are looking at, probably because it makes fewer stops at intermediate stations.
The National Rail page “How to use the Journey Planner” covers this.
Posted by
London and Chester
266 posts
It means that a train leaving after it will arrive before it at your destination. Basically a later train is faster, normally because it stops at fewer stations.
As a made up example,
One train leaves at 9, stops 5 times and arrives at 11.
A later train leaves at 915, stops once and arrives at 1030.
So the first train is overtaken by the later train.
Posted by
OP
12 posts
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for your fast responses. I get it now! Rick Steve’s co-travelers are the best!!
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
36594 posts
sometimes the overtaking train is from a different, often more expensive, train company; or it may be an express overtaking a local of the same company.
You have the choice of the milk run or the fast train.
The app expects that you are more interested in a prompt arrival than counting the daisies so it gives you the warning.
Posted by
Preston UK
1840 posts
It also might be that the first train stops more but is slower but maybe direct. There might be a train a bit later that is quicker to your destination but requires a change. Therefore you might prefer the first one. All the information will be there for you to choose.