Ticket purchase issues on heritage railways

[Bletchleyite]

Ah yes, it was the Spa Valley not the Bluebell. Forgot there were two in that area!

Was still a very poor experience though. A while back I travelled on another preserved line walking up late in the day, they let me travel for free, so when I got home I gave them a donation that was in excess of the ticket price (as it was easier to just give a round number). Everybody wins.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

They definitely aren't. They quite rudely tried to turn me away when I got there after they had cashed up (but well before the train departure). The buffet staff sorted me out, but the woman in the ticket office really didn't care.

It was Eridge for the last train of the day.

If you'd been to some Model Railway Weekend event, it was indeed likely to have been Eridge / the Spa Valley Railway. If you were, however, decidedly well-refreshed, more likely it was the Bluebell Beer Festival.

 

[Cowley]

Just tidying up what seems to be a bit of a misunderstanding. Obviously this thread is about the Bluebell Railway, but if anyone wants a wider discussion about other railways then we can move some posts over or perhaps alter the title if @duffield is in agreement?

 

[duffield]

Just tidying up what seems to be a bit of a misunderstanding. Obviously this thread is about the Bluebell Railway, but if anyone wants a wider discussion about other railways then we can move some posts over or perhaps alter the title if @duffield is in agreement?

My initial query was addressed and the event has passed. If people want to continue it as a re-titled, general "Ticket purchase issues on heritage railways" thread that's fine.

 

[Cowley]

My initial query was addressed and the event has passed. If people want to continue it as a re-titled, general "Ticket purchase issues on heritage railways" thread that's fine.

Ok done. Thanks for that.

 

[DarloRich]

surely you can buy on line "live"......................

 

[Bletchleyite]

surely you can buy on line "live"......................

I'm fairly sure I did actually try that and either didn't have a signal or it wouldn't sell for the same day, or it would only sell an expensive day rover rather than the single I wanted (as most railways do). With how unhelpful and dismissive the member of staff had been I certainly didn't want to be overpaying if it was that!

 

[Bedpan]

....... but it's the beer festival .......

Now I understand why having a working toilet was so important to you! Although at my age I'd probably need one beer or no beer.

 

[158760]

surely you can buy on line "live"......................

In some cases no - the Bluebell only allows booking until 23:59 for the following day, and I believe some other railways are the same or similar. Not entirely sure why, someone may know better than me.

 

[DarloRich]

In some cases no - the Bluebell only allows booking until 23:59 for the following day, and I believe some other railways are the same or similar. Not entirely sure why, someone may know better than me.

That is just unhelpful!

 

[Flange Squeal]

In some cases no - the Bluebell only allows booking until 23:59 for the following day, and I believe some other railways are the same or similar. Not entirely sure why, someone may know better than me.

The West Somerset Railway advertises booking online is available “up to 12 hours before your intended travel day”. While single and returns can’t be purchased online in advance, they do state that these can be purchased not just at booking offices but also on board the trains. One assumes that means you could buy a Rover ticket on board as well, if they are happy to issue all sorts of other tickets.

 

[A S Leib]

In some cases no - the Bluebell only allows booking until 23:59 for the following day, and I believe some other railways are the same or similar. Not entirely sure why, someone may know better than me.

I think the Middleton Railway's up until midnight, give or take a minute, the previous day as well.

 

[Bedpan]

I'd guess that it' down to the software company they use for ticket sales rather than the railway itself being unhelpful though. A lot of restaurants seem to be the same when you try to book on line for a table at short notice.

 

[paul1609]

It's a way to control capacity within the limitations of the software. In our case we don't want the first train of the day to leave full and standing especially if you have parties booked with catering packages. The first train is at the maximum length we can run. We also discount online sales.
Our set up allows for a certain number of seats for turn up and go passengers. If they are restricted to buying tickets at the ticket office you can tell them that the train is full when that capacity is used up. We suggest that they go for a coffee and take the second train. With the second train we can often add extra capacity at short notice.

 

[chrisp37]

I guess this query belongs in this thread.

I’m planning to visit the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway later this month. I was looking at booking tickets on their website and spotted that, under “Day Rover Tickets”, they sell a ticket called “Duffield Shopper's Special” for a fiver. However, nowhere does it say what this is. Is it something for local residents perhaps? I’m not under any illusion that it applies to me, just curious to know what it is. Bit odd that there’s no small print outlining its validity.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Think they're only available on Wirksworth Farmers' Market days (first Saturday of each month) and on the first train of the day from Duffield? Can anyone confirm?

 

[43055]

I guess this query belongs in this thread.

I’m planning to visit the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway later this month. I was looking at booking tickets on their website and spotted that, under “Day Rover Tickets”, they sell a ticket called “Duffield Shopper's Special” for a fiver. However, nowhere does it say what this is. Is it something for local residents perhaps? I’m not under any illusion that it applies to me, just curious to know what it is. Bit odd that there’s no small print outlining its validity.

Think they're only available on Wirksworth Farmers' Market days (first Saturday of each month) and on the first train of the day from Duffield? Can anyone confirm?

Yes. It is for the farmers market at Wirksworth on the first Saturday of the month for use on the DMU special from Duffield and then return on any of the normal services later in the day.

 

[chrisp37]

Aha! Thanks.

 

[duffield]

Yes. It is for the farmers market at Wirksworth on the first Saturday of the month for use on the DMU special from Duffield and then return on any of the normal services later in the day.

Unless I'm missing something, this service doesn't appear in any timetable, not even as a footnote.

Maybe I'd like to use it if I knew when it was! (Not for the discount, I'd be buying a day rover - just to get a longer day on the railway or in and around Wirksworth).

It seems odd to keep it so secret...

 

[Jim the Jim]

I am much happier buying etickets for heritage railways than the "real" railway, because the former won't take me to court if my phone dies en route.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Visited the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway yesterday, buying my ticket on a 'walk-up' basis. Ticket issued and on the platform at Haworth station inside one minute!

 

[12C]

Visited the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway yesterday, buying my ticket on a 'walk-up' basis. Ticket issued and on the platform at Haworth station inside one minute!

This sounds far too easy, it’ll never catch on!

 

[Gwr12345]

Visited the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway yesterday, buying my ticket on a 'walk-up' basis. Ticket issued and on the platform at Haworth station inside one minute!

The KWVR seem very efficient with ticket issuing, even at galas with big queues

 

[plugwash]

Does anyone know what the legal situation is if you board a heritage railway train without a valid ticket? is it a criminal offense like on the mainline railway or is it a purely civil matter?

 

[xotGD]

The KWVR seem very efficient with ticket issuing, even at galas with big queues

Plus you get to collect the variety of images on the backs of the tickets.

Bad luck if you get the photo of the Pacer.

 

[43055]

Unless I'm missing something, this service doesn't appear in any timetable, not even as a footnote.

Maybe I'd like to use it if I knew when it was! (Not for the discount, I'd be buying a day rover - just to get a longer day on the railway or in and around Wirksworth).

It seems odd to keep it so secret...

The service was advertised today on Facebook. The same happened for the previous two months when it has run.

 

[Mainline421]

Does anyone know what the legal situation is if you board a heritage railway train without a valid ticket? is it a criminal offense like on the mainline railway or is it a purely civil matter?

The same legislation would apply as to a mainline TOC.

 

[duffield]

The service was advertised today on Facebook. The same happened for the previous two months when it has run.

Thanks, but Facebook, ugh! For anyone else who doesn't use and doesn't want to use Facebook, it's the 0830 from Duffield this Saturday.

 

[P Binnersley]

The same legislation would apply as to a mainline TOC.

The Regulation of Railways Act 1889 applies to all railways.

5(1) Every passenger by a railway shall, on request by an officer or servant of a railway company, either produce, and if so requested deliver up, a ticket showing that his fare is paid, or pay his fare from the place whence he started, or give the officer or servant his name and address; and in case of default shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.

The frequently used

18. Ticketless travel in non-compulsory ticket areas

1. in any area not designated as a compulsory ticket area, no person shall enter any train for the purpose of travelling on the railway unless he has with him a valid ticket entitling him to travel

is a Railway Byelaw offence and is limited to National Rail.

Heritage railways and other railways may have their own byelaws and the situation will depend on what these say.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

The Regulation of Railways Act 1889 applies to all railways.


The frequently used

is a Railway Byelaw offence and is limited to National Rail.

Heritage railways and other railways may have their own byelaws and the situation will depend on what these say.

In the case of the KWVR, their Byelaws are almost word for word the same as the mainline Railway Byelaws.