Calling numbers starting 0870 and 0845 (probably 08 in general, in fact) from abroad seems to be problematic. You could always try the Say No To 0870 website to search for a standard landline number to call (0870 numbers are more expensive than landlines to call, so people object to having to use them). For example, they suggest 01925 671729 (or +44 1925 671729) as an alternative for TheTrainLine. This actually seems to belong to First ScotRail - I'm not sure how that works... although as other people have mentioned you should be able to buy any standard ticket from any train company.
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<hr>Changing your billing address should take minutes<hr></blockquote>
I think should is the operative word here. One of my credit cards will only accept written and signed (i.e. posted) authorization to change the billing address (even then they had managed to lose my signature on record so they couldn't verify the authorization letter - it took several weeks to sort out in the end). Even Egg, where you can change the address online, doesn't seem to action the change immediately - I tried changing to my new address then making a payment soon afterwards, but the company I had paid had to call me and query the payment because the systems were still showing my old address on the credit card.
I work for a credit card company - the billing address is a key part of their security checking so if you change it fairly often within a short time, you do risk having the card limit frozen while they check the changes are genuine. (It makes sense because credit card frauds are usually found by customers checking their monthly statements)
Tried Virgin Trains - they have this silly mandatory UK postcode check thing as well for registration. No free format address input can be done. Couldn't be bothered checking further.
The folks at passenger focus say they are already monitoring complaints about the unfriendly train ticket websites rejecting overseas customers. Their email address is advice@passengerfocus.org.uk
The more emails they get, the more pressure they will put on the train companies to offer a fair service to all.
By the way, isn't it illegal under EU law to restrict services this way? Surely the EU requires that all EU citizens be treated equally for commercial services and pricing. Doesn't help those of us living outside the EU but I'd love to see these idiots prosecuted!
Did some more searching. Overseas customers can book online through a site called http://www.acprailnet.com/britrail
Checked the prices - they don't offer all the various cheap options and the standard class tickets are more expensive than the ones a UK resident can get on trainline.co.uk . The first class price is about the same - not that that's much comfort.
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