fares-1800's

[jamesgreen12]

What were the rail fares in 1880 ?

 

[devon_belle]

It would probably depend on the journey

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Wouldn't always have just been the oft-quoted penny a mile.

 

[devon_belle]

After a quick search, I found an example from the SECR 1883 timetable (on timetable world). A typical first class ticket for a reasonable length journey seems to be on the order of 1 pound. Second class tickets seem to be about 2/3 that price, on average. Third class is of order a few shillings. Return tickets are, of course, typically cheaper than two singles. Of course, a return journey from London to Dover (31s 0d 1st class, 22s 6d 2nd class, 12s 5d 3rd class) is considerably shorter than other journeys it is possible to make around the country. You can do your own investigation into that company on Page 46 and beyond of the timetable I linked above.

 

[ainsworth74]

What were the rail fares in 1880 ?

What was the weather in 1880?

If you were willing to give perhaps a little more of indication as to what sort of journey you're thinking about someone might be able to give a slightly more useful answer!

 

[swt_passenger]

After a quick search, I found an example from the SECR 1883 timetable (on timetable world). A typical first class ticket for a reasonable length journey seems to be on the order of 1 pound. Second class tickets seem to be about 2/3 that price, on average. Third class is of order a few shillings. Return tickets are, of course, typically cheaper than two singles. Of course, a return journey from London to Dover (31s 0d 1st class, 22s 6d 2nd class, 12s 5d 3rd class) is considerably shorter than other journeys it is possible to make around the country. You can do your own investigation into that company on Page 46 and beyond of the timetable I linked above.

1st 31s > £154 approx
2nd 22s 6d > £112 approx
3rd 12s 5d > £62 approx

But did they have any railcards?

 

[devon_belle]

1st 31s > £154 approx
2nd 22s 6d > £112 approx
3rd 12s 5d > £62 approx

But did they have any railcards?

Fascinating, and that doesn't take into account the different distribution of wealth either. The railways must have been totally inaccessible to the poor.

For that journey, it would also be 3s 0d (approx £23) per dog*

*Doesn't state if this is return or single.

 

[swt_passenger]

Fascinating, and that doesn't take into account the different distribution of wealth either. The railways must have been totally inaccessible to the poor.

For that journey, it would also be 3s 0d (approx £23) per dog*

*Doesn't state if this is return or single.

That’s using the Bank of England‘s historic inflation calculator, a bit of a blunt instrument, they don’t really commit to much accuracy in the 1880s. I‘ve used it a few times to get a handle on probate records, old wills and estate values etc, but it’s only ever a guide.

 

[Gloster]

The October 1882 Bradshaw is available on Timetable World and gives some fares for some lines. My recollection is that Return Fares were simply twice the Single, but there were special reduced ones for either particular groups or for certain events, such as Market Day ones.

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Fascinating, and that doesn't take into account the different distribution of wealth either. The railways must have been totally inaccessible to the poor.

In many cases - hence the 1844 Act guaranteeing a minimum service of one train a day at a 1d a mile for "social inclusion" reasons. To be fair a good number of companies provided more - and there were of course special excursions , cheap market tickets and so on. Many of the poorer earning members of society travelled rarely and on such bespoke tickets / arrangements.

Think of the well known painting - "To Brighton and back for 3/6" (in an open carriage !)

 

[Trackman]

You could try the British Newspaper Archive webpage and search 'Railway fares' and then filter by date. Lots of matches for 1880. Thing is, it's subscription only.
I find it great to find old timetables from the very early days. All very interesting.

 

[30907]

Of course, a return journey from London to Dover (31s 0d 1st class, 22s 6d 2nd class, 12s 5d 3rd class) is considerably shorter than other journeys it is possible to make around the country.

I note that 3rd and Parliamentary fares are the same - 1d/mile, so 1st class is 2.5d/mile.

 

[devon_belle]

I find it great to find old timetables from the very early days. All very interesting.

I hadn't heard of this archive before! Were full (local?) timetables posted in newspapers or only changes thereto?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Sep 2023 ==

I note that 3rd and Parliamentary fares are the same - 1d/mile, so 1st class is 2.5d/mile.

I wonder how different our railway would be today if fares were still charged per mile...

 

[cav1975]

This 1889 1st class annual season was £7.10.0 for a 10 mile journey - the Bank of England inflation calculator suggests that today's equivalent would be £790. (Image © Isle of Wight Steam Railway archives).

For the similar distance of Brockenhurst to Hinton Admiral a 1st class annual season today is £2092, suggesting that oin "real terms" today's ticket is nearly three times the price.

 

[ainsworth74]

This 1889 1st class annual season was £7.10.0 for a 10 mile journey - the Bank of England inflation calculator suggests that today's equivalent would be £790. (Image © Isle of Wight Steam Railway archives).

For the similar distance of Brockenhurst to Hinton Admiral a 1st class annual season today is £2092, suggesting that oin "real terms" today's ticket is nearly three times the price.

View attachment 142194

What a glorious ticket! Thanks for sharing!

 

[alf]

How about this.
Season ticket from the very early days of the GWR.
8 Guineas Hanwell to & from Paddington, broad gauge.
For sale by the way.

 

[Majorminor]

How about this.
Season ticket from the very early days of the GWR.
8 Guineas Hanwell to & from Paddington, broad gauge.
For sale by the way.

May I post this to the Broad Gauge Society Page?
And do you have a link where it is for sale?
Thanks.