Preserved railway through ticketing

[yorkie]

Is anyone aware of any changes to the information below?

7.8 Preserved Railways

A small number of preserved railways offer through ticketing from National Rail stations. This means that you can use one ticket for both rail travel to a preserved railway and also on the preserved railway itself. These normally take the form of a supplement paid ontop of the National Rail fare or in some cases a through fare from a National Rail station to the preserved railway. The availability of railcard, privilege or other discounts vary by railway and are indicated below.

The following is a list of the railways offering through ticketing:

Bluebell Railway

Interchange Station: East Grinstead (ticket includes bus link to Kingscote station on the Bluebell railway)
Journey Options: Unlimited travel
Discounts: Standard child discount on through fares.

Bodmin & Wenford Railway

Interchange Station: Bodmin Parkway
Journey Options: One return trip
Discounts: Normal Adult Railcard discounts apply. Child Railcard discounts apply only to National Rail. No Discount for Privilege Travel or InterRail.

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

Interchange Station: Duffield
Journey Options: Either a single or return journey
Discounts: None available

Isle of Wight Steam Railway

Interchange Station: Smallbrook Junction (Open only on days when both Island Line and Steam Railway are in operation)
Journey Options: Travel to IOW via Portsmouth/Ryde by Wightlink or from IOW stations. Unlimited travel on the Island Line and Steam Railway
Discounts: Standard Child discount on through fares. Railcard discounts unavailable. Privilege and InterRail discounts are available.

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

Interchange station: Keighley
Journey Options: Unlimited day's travel on K&WVR
Discounts: Railcard discounts available for Senior, 16-25, Disabled, Family & Friends, Dales Railcards. No Privilege discount.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Interchange Station: Grosmont
Journey Options: A single or return journey along length of NYMR. Break of journey permitted
Discounts: No railcard discount except for Esk Valley Residents Railcard. Normal discounts apply for Privilege holders.

Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway

Interchange Station: Ravenglass
Journey Options: Unlimited days travel on R&ER
Discounts: All national railcards
Note: Add-on only avalible with Anytime Day or Off Peak Day Returns

Severn Valley Railway

Interchange station: Kidderminster
Journey Options: One return journey
Discounts: Apply for holders of 16-25, Senior, Disabled and Family & Friends Railcards on the National Rail portion of the journey only. Privilege discounts available at SVR only.

South Devon Railway

Interchange station: Totnes
Journey Options: Either a single or return journey
Discounts: None available

Spa Valley Railway

Interchange station: Eridge
Journey Options: One return journey to/from Groombridge, High Rocks or Tunbridge Wells West.
Discounts: Child discount, Railcard discounts on journey to Edridge.
Note: Only available on weekends and public holidays between March and October.

Many thanks in advance

 

[ainsworth74]

Or any that need to be added!

 

[MichaelWells]

North Norfolk do it, i've never used it as I volunteer there.

 

[ainsworth74]

North Norfolk do it, i've never used it as I volunteer there.

I can only find details of a 10% discount for people presenting a GA ticket rather than inclusive fares?

 

[Dai Corner]

There are some shown here such as the Dean Forest Railway which are not in the above list.

 

[341o2]

Swanage railway propose to introduce through ticketing in the not too distant future

 

[Ianno87]

Bluebell railway info in the OP is surely out of date? Still refers to need to bus link to Kingscote from East Grinstead.

 

[matt]

Bluebell railway info in the OP is surely out of date? Still refers to need to bus link to Kingscote from East Grinstead.

Yes, that is the point of this request to make sure that the information is correct and up to date

 

[lyndhurst25]

In addition to the Round Robin, through tickets for the Ffestiniog Railway are available, including SVR period returns:

http://www.brfares.com/#faredetail?orig=RHL&dest=H074&rte=961&tkt=SVR

 

[Old Yard Dog]

Through fares to the Ffestiniog are difficult to find due to the obscure station names used. These include

H074 MINFF/PTHMDG FR

H075 BLAENAU FFEST FR

J293 FFEST ROUNDROBIN

There are good value through tickets linking in with J293 from all over the North West and North Wales. H074 has day returns from Llandudno.

It is worth noting down the codes before trying to purchase these tickets from ticket offices outside the immediate area.

The Ffestiniog Railway seems very reluctant to mention these fares in its literature as, presumably, they make more profit if passengers have to buy separate tickets.

The Snowdonia circle using J293 (Chester - Llandudno Junction - Blaenau Ffestiniog - Minffordd or Porthmadog - Shrewsbury - Chester) is now actually quite difficult to do due to poor connections at Blaenau Ffestiniog apart from a few high peak days in July and August.

 

[lyndhurst25]

Through ticketing to preserved lines seems to be a bit of a mess, with very different regional availabilities.

The Ffestiniog railway tickets are reasonably well integrated with the rail lines at either end: uniquely, tickets are available both to and from the railway, and period returns are available (although I'm not sure if the Ffestiniog would accept the return ticket not used on the same day as the outward, or how you'd easily buy a ticket from H074 or H075). Unfortunately there aren't tickets routed via the FR e.g. Llandudno to Pwllheli. The main downside is that tickets are only available to/from around 30 locations in Wales. Everyone else has to use the Round Robin or split tickets.
http://www.brfares.com/#!locations?dest=H074
http://www.brfares.com/#!locations?dest=H075

Tickets to the KWVR are listed as being available from 657 origins, Pickering NYMR from 126, and Ravenglass & Eskdale from 168. However, Keighley to KWVR, Sleights/Egton (but not Grosmont!) to Pickering NYMR, and Ravenglass to R&ER fares do exist, so these could be issued as an add-on if a through fare isn't listed, although I doubt many stations or guards would think of doing this.
http://www.brfares.com/#!locations?dest=G053
http://www.brfares.com/#!locations?dest=G048
http://www.brfares.com/#!locations?dest=H045

It would probably be simpler if tickets were issued similar to PlusPus, as a simple add-on fare to/from the interchange station. That way visitors from all destinations could take advantage of the through fares, people could commence their journey on the preserved line, and the fares could be added onto period returns. Is there something like an "Association of Heritage Railways" who could sort it out? When the Cumbrian Coast finally gets its Sunday service I'd be keen to use the Northern plus the R&ER for overnight stays in Eskdale/Wasdale - a through ticket that allowed an overnight stay would be great.

 

[headshot119]

Heritage Railways Association is who you are looking for I think.

 

[Controller1701]

Although how many preserved railways will be able to cope with the almost inevitable delay repay forms. Can almost see it now, person travelling on a nice expensive flexible ticket goes on a day trip to small preserved railway and then due to the fragile nature of steam engine gets delayed on the heritage line and ends up with a 2 hour getting home. Wonder how the heritage sector will / would cope with that....

Paul

 

[lyndhurst25]

Like the bus companies in PlusBus, I wouldn't expect heritage railways to take part in delay repay.

Once, due to a 20 minute delay on Northern, I very nearly missed my connection onto the R&ER at Ravenglass on a through ticket. If I had, then I was contemplating submitting a delay repay claim to Northern for a 60 minute delay at my destination, Dalegarth! I wonder how that would have gone down?

 

[ffm]

Sleights/Egton (but not Grosmont!) to Pickering NYMR,

Why are you surprised that there is no through ticketing option of Grosmont to Pickering? Clearly there can't be one as Grosmont to Pickering is entirely on NYMR and so no 'through' travel at all!!!!!!!

 

[nferguso]

I'll just leave this here:

http://www.brfares.com/#expert?orig=STP&dest=WIR

 

[causton]

Like the bus companies in PlusBus, I wouldn't expect heritage railways to take part in delay repay.

Once, due to a 20 minute delay on Northern, I very nearly missed my connection onto the R&ER at Ravenglass on a through ticket. If I had, then I was contemplating submitting a delay repay claim to Northern for a 60 minute delay at my destination, Dalegarth! I wonder how that would have gone down?

It would have been declined.

The amount of trouble people have claiming Delay Repay for simple legitimate journeys (I'm looking at you, Southern!) I would not imagine claiming for that journey would be anything more than a waste of time unfortunately!

 

[paul1609]

I'll just leave this here:

http://www.brfares.com/#expert?orig=STP&dest=WIR

How many have been sold this year? You are lucky that the owning TOC are sympathetic. One of the third rail franchises charges more in administrative charges than the customer saves in discount so the tickets are actually more expensive than separate tickets.!

 

[SpacePhoenix]

Swanage railway propose to introduce through ticketing in the not too distant future

Will that likely be just their services to Wareham only or will it possibly include a bus link?

 

[nferguso]

How many have been sold this year? You are lucky that the owning TOC are sympathetic. One of the third rail franchises charges more in administrative charges than the customer saves in discount so the tickets are actually more expensive than separate tickets.!

Zero, but that's not the point. The purpose here is connectivity: making it easy to do business and making our railway as connectable as any other.

 

[341o2]

Will that likely be just their services to Wareham only or will it possibly include a bus link?

Havn't heard any mention of buses, believe plans are for through tickets on the SWR main line

 

[paul1609]

Zero, but that's not the point. The purpose here is connectivity: making it easy to do business and making our railway as connectable as any other.

Surely if you follow the ethos of this forum you should be pointing out that you can save 60% by using trainsplit and 50% on your own ticket cost by booking on Groupon (cringes) rather than promoting expensive through tickets that nobody buys

 

[Doucam]

Hi all, first post here. I was advised of this thread by a colleague, I am the Senior Booking Clerk based at Pickering NYMR, and wanted to clarify the through ticketing statement. Quote from first post:
"North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Interchange Station: Grosmont
Journey Options: A single or return journey along length of NYMR. Break of journey permitted.
Discounts: No railcard discount except for Esk Valley Residents Railcard. Normal discounts apply for Privilege holders."


We do not offer through ticketing on the NYMR from Whitby to Pickering. Tickets for travel on the NYMR can only be purchased at a NYMR station.
You cannot use tickets purchased for the main/Northern Line on the NYMR, neither can you use NYMR tickets on Northern/main line.

We have been made aware that Esk Valley Residents Railcard have been quoted as having a discount with us, but we do not have any information on it, we are currently in the process of looking into it and setting it up.

Priv discounts. We offer 75% discount on standard days, but NOT at special events, including Steam Gala/Railway in Wartime etc. If in any doubt please email info@nymr.co.uk for clarification and to avoid disappointment.
Please also note that in order to gain the 75% discount a valid staff pass must be shown at the booking offices before requesting a ticket. Thanks

 

[ffm]

Through ticketing to preserved lines seems to be a bit of a mess, with very different regional availabilities.

The Ffestiniog railway tickets are reasonably well integrated with the rail lines at either end: uniquely, tickets are available both to and from the railway, and period returns are available (although I'm not sure if the Ffestiniog would accept the return ticket not used on the same day as the outward, or how you'd easily buy a ticket from H074 or H075). Unfortunately there aren't tickets routed via the FR e.g. Llandudno to Pwllheli. The main downside is that tickets are only available to/from around 30 locations in Wales. Everyone else has to use the Round Robin or split tickets.
http://www.brfares.com/#!locations?dest=H074
http://www.brfares.com/#!locations?dest=H075

Tickets to the KWVR are listed as being available from 657 origins, Pickering NYMR from 126, and Ravenglass & Eskdale from 168. However, Keighley to KWVR, Sleights/Egton (but not Grosmont!) to Pickering NYMR, and Ravenglass to R&ER fares do exist, so these could be issued as an add-on if a through fare isn't listed, although I doubt many stations or guards would think of doing this.
http://www.brfares.com/#!locations?dest=G053
http://www.brfares.com/#!locations?dest=G048
http://www.brfares.com/#!locations?dest=H045

It would probably be simpler if tickets were issued similar to PlusPus, as a simple add-on fare to/from the interchange station. That way visitors from all destinations could take advantage of the through fares, people could commence their journey on the preserved line, and the fares could be added onto period returns. Is there something like an "Association of Heritage Railways" who could sort it out? When the Cumbrian Coast finally gets its Sunday service I'd be keen to use the Northern plus the R&ER for overnight stays in Eskdale/Wasdale - a through ticket that allowed an overnight stay would be great.

The BRFares information is wrong. Checking their site shows that there is no fare for Pickering Bus but there is to the NYMR. The NYMR do NOT accept through ticketing and the fare shown is for the bus to Pickering. In checking the reason why there is no fare shown from Grosmont as the bus doesn't go that way!

 

[nferguso]

Surely if you follow the ethos of this forum you should be pointing out that you can save 60% by using trainsplit and 50% on your own ticket cost by booking on Groupon (cringes) rather than promoting expensive through tickets that nobody buys

I have no particular interest in the ethos of this forum: I am more concerned to ensure that Wirksworth is a part of the national ticketing system and not as a glorified fairground ride.

 

[duffield]

I have no particular interest in the ethos of this forum: I am more concerned to ensure that Wirksworth is a part of the national ticketing system and not as a glorified fairground ride.

Well, I've used it effectively as public transport twice recently, once to visit Wirksworth and walk to Carsington Water, and once to access the High Peak trail at Black Rocks. So it's definitely more than a glorified fairground ride to me!

 

[transportphoto]

North Norfolk do it, i've never used it as I volunteer there.

No longer available to purchase from a national rail outlet… quietly dropped off a few years back.

Correction! Available as a separate add on between Sheringham and H919 NTH NORFOLK RLY. Issued as an SDR at £9.90 and £4.45 for a Child. Not advertised anywhere as far as I'm aware!

 

[nferguso]

Well, I've used it effectively as public transport twice recently, once to visit Wirksworth and walk to Carsington Water, and once to access the High Peak trail at Black Rocks. So it's definitely more than a glorified fairground ride to me!

That is great to hear! Although the EVR is, like all heritage lines, part of show business, we do seek to provide a service which is why our services are timetables to connect with East Midlands Trains: we take this very seriously.

Neil

 

[LowLevel]

Hi all, first post here. I was advised of this thread by a colleague, I am the Senior Booking Clerk based at Pickering NYMR, and wanted to clarify the through ticketing statement. Quote from first post:
"North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Interchange Station: Grosmont
Journey Options: A single or return journey along length of NYMR. Break of journey permitted.
Discounts: No railcard discount except for Esk Valley Residents Railcard. Normal discounts apply for Privilege holders."


We do not offer through ticketing on the NYMR from Whitby to Pickering. Tickets for travel on the NYMR can only be purchased at a NYMR station.
You cannot use tickets purchased for the main/Northern Line on the NYMR, neither can you use NYMR tickets on Northern/main line.

We have been made aware that Esk Valley Residents Railcard have been quoted as having a discount with us, but we do not have any information on it, we are currently in the process of looking into it and setting it up.

Priv discounts. We offer 75% discount on standard days, but NOT at special events, including Steam Gala/Railway in Wartime etc. If in any doubt please email info@nymr.co.uk for clarification and to avoid disappointment.
Please also note that in order to gain the 75% discount a valid staff pass must be shown at the booking offices before requesting a ticket. Thanks

Your railway does however offer through National Rail ticketing from a number of stations with the fares issued to G048 'Pickering NYMR' which is what is being referred to, rather than interavailable tickets between Whitby and Grosmont which is a different thing.

As an example a Middlesbrough to Pickering Off Peak Day Return including a return journey on the NYMR from Grosmont to Pickering is £24.60.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/prbe063355ea4fa198395981f70f4c72.aspx That's all according to this anyway which states a return is a £16 add-on to the normal fare which works out correctly for the example above based on a Middlesbrough to Grosmont CDR at £8.60.

If that's wrong someone needs to be telling National Rail/Rail Delivery Group as all of the above clearly suggests validity on the Northern service to Grosmont and then onwards to Pickering.

 

[Dai Corner]

Your railway does however offer through National Rail ticketing from a number of stations with the fares issued to G048 'Pickering NYMR' which is what is being referred to, rather than interavailable tickets between Whitby and Grosmont which is a different thing.

As an example a Middlesbrough to Pickering Off Peak Day Return including a return journey on the NYMR from Grosmont to Pickering is £24.60.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/prbe063355ea4fa198395981f70f4c72.aspx That's all according to this anyway which states a return is a £16 add-on to the normal fare which works out correctly for the example above based on a Middlesbrough to Grosmont CDR at £8.60.

If that's wrong someone needs to be telling National Rail/Rail Delivery Group as all of the above clearly suggests validity on the Northern service to Grosmont and then onwards to Pickering.

A Grosmont-Pickering return is £24 (off-peak) or £26 (peak) so the £16 add-on is quite a bargain.