Train seats

[SooticaTheWitchesCat]

I am going to Manchester by train on Sunday. I have reserved a seat on the way back but on the way up I want able to reserve one.
How will I know which seat I can sit in?
I don’t want to sit in the wrong seat that is meant for someone else.
I’ve not done a long train journey like this before so I don’t know how it works.
Thanks for any advice.

Not sure which line that is, but ime there will either be a digital display showing ‘reserved from X to Y’ ( LNER) or a ticket on the headrest saying the same thing ( Scotrail)
No ticket/ sign - seat is free. If you cannot find a seat for the whole journey, you may have to move around a bit.

It’s Avanti West Coast

Above the seat there should be a little screen which will say something like:
Available
Reserved from London Euston
Reserved from Stafford

Occasionally the software doesn't work and then it's a free for all, but in my experience this is rare. Here's a picture that shows what it's like - the screen is the yellowy green bit above the window. I think this is First Class or Standard Premium, but it's very similar in Standard carriages.

Also they had unassigned carriages on the trip I went on so seat free to anyone, which they will announce on the train Also you can prob see these unassigned carriages when booking seat online , even if you don’t book a seat, and there is a diagram of the train with carriage order up on the screen in Euston so you can head for that carriage - don’t know about other stations.

Thank you so much. I was worrying a bit as im
going in my own.
Another silly question - I have the ticket on my phone, do it just tap to go through like I would with my card?

Either someone will look at your ticket as you go thru the barrier….or the guard will check whilst you are on the train

Yes, you can tap in through a barrier with an e-ticket. If you can't work out how to do it there should be Avanti staff at the entrance to the platform to help. Sometimes you don't get checked before getting on, sometimes you do, but there should always be at least one full ticket check while onboard. Can't remember whether you have to produce your ticket again when you get off at Manchester. You certainly don't routinely have to do that at Glasgow Central or Euston. Just depends on the station layout, I think, and which platform you come in on.

There are barriers at Manchester Piccadilly so OP will have to tap the QR code on the screen to exit.

On Avanti Coach C is always unreserved seating.

Thank you so much for your help x