problems with rail staff

[P156KWJ]

How often do you get bothered by station staff / security / BTP if on the platform taking photos/video, and do you notice a pattern with certain TOCs / stations at all?

The one I am bugged with most is actually that people ask if I am young enough to be on a child's ticket - I do look older than 14!! But I really don't want to be carting my passport with me everywhere.
Also though, ironically, it's at smaller stations I tend to get bother with filming - for instance: Nottingham: Security staff member interupts my filming to ask what I am doing. After about 5 centuries explaining what a rail enthusiast is, he carries on. Birmingham new street: no bother whatsoever.
I did find, however, London Midland staff are a bit funny with you sometimes, as are LU. I find however, TOCs like NXEC and Hull Trains are very welcoming, as are EMT. But, that's not to say they all are...

 

[djw1981]

Did you check in with station staff on arriving as advised to in the NR/ATOC guide?

 

[Guinness]

How often do you get bothered by station staff / security / BTP if on the platform taking photos/video, and do you notice a pattern with certain TOCs / stations at all?

The one I am bugged with most is actually that people ask if I am young enough to be on a child's ticket - I do look older than 14!! But I really don't want to be carting my passport with me everywhere.
Also though, ironically, it's at smaller stations I tend to get bother with filming - for instance: Nottingham: Security staff member interupts my filming to ask what I am doing. After about 5 centuries explaining what a rail enthusiast is, he carries on. Birmingham new street: no bother whatsoever.
I did find, however, London Midland staff are a bit funny with you sometimes, as are LU. I find however, TOCs like NXEC and Hull Trains are very welcoming, as are EMT. But, that's not to say they all are...

Don't ATOC do some form of Photocard that says your DOB? Ask at your local ticket office. Worth finding out as it saves carting around your passport anyway.

Although Rail Staff don't welcome you with open arms onto stations, I don't recall any staff 'confronting' me.

 

[P156KWJ]

Don't ATOC do some form of Photocard that says your DOB? Ask at your local ticket office. Worth finding out as it saves carting around your passport anyway.

Although Rail Staff don't welcome you with open arms onto stations, I don't recall any staff 'confronting' me.

sorry for asking, but what does ATOC stand for?

 

[jacknottm]

ATOC - Association of Train Operating Companies.

Also, ive only ever been challenged down nottingham once before by a security bloke who was fresh on the job. According to the locals down there, there had been complaints about us being stopped, and since the security people have been told to leave us be.

If you get any more problems at Nottingham, go into the Office on Platform 3 near the north end, and just state what your doing, then you shouldnt have a problem.

Cheers

Jack

 

[Jordy]

Such a card does exist, take your passport and a passport sized picture to a ticket office and ask for a 'Child rate photocard'

 

[O L Leigh]

djw1981's question has been neatly side-stepped, so I'll ask it again.

Did you check in with the station staff on arrival as you are advised to in the NR/ATOC guide?

O L Leigh

 

[P156KWJ]

okay, I'll be honest - I didn't.

also, is it 15 or 16 that child rate fares expire?

 

[Tom B]

Don't quote me on it but 16, I think.

As for speaking to the stationmaster I think a degree of measure should be used, if you're taking a couple of pictures whilst waiting for your train, that's different to sitting for a few hours and not traveling.

I wouldn't worry though, I do recall hearing of an official LU photographer, permit and all, signed in with the station supervisor, yet still got hassle from the BTP...

 

[mindmeld]

Hi 156401,

You will be paying full fare on the 1st day of your 16th year. Enjoy the wait while it lasts.

Finding the correct age of passengers travelling/producing child tickets is one of the continual challenges faced by coal face railway staff. I personally find it easier to assess the blokes rather than the girls. Young women use war paint to change their looks to great and very misleading effect. It’s also the case that their preferred method of dress particularly in the summer makes predicting an accurate age extremely difficult if not completely impossible! To confuse the issue further there are also various collage/county educational passes that are valid for mature students making the issue of correct pass identification all the more important

As a Railwayman and fellow human being I have a duty of care for minors/child passengers. If their travelling on their own, particularly outside of school times, it’s important that they know where the Train Guard/relevant person is in case of difficulties. With regard to age assessment, personally I always use 'benefit of the doubt' if I’m not sure and let them travel/stay until their destination.

You must always keep in mind that it only takes one malicious accusation from a vindictive teenage girl and you'll be without a job before you can blink. The modern railway works on the principal that you are guilty of a misdemeanour until proven innocent and if its your word against hers, you know which way the axe will fall, no matter what your previous record is.

If you look more than 14 and someone questions you whilst carrying out their job of work, take it as a compliment and carry ID, it makes the guards/railwayman’s job easier and then we can all stay friends which, at the end of the day, is what really matters! Railwaymen of any age should always play for the same team.

Mindmeld:grin:

 

[Kneedown]

I know that most enthusiasts are responsible and thoughtful people, but i will also say that there are a lot of careless ones as well.
If filming or photographing, then PLEASE ensure that video lights and camera flashes are disabled. Speaking as a Driver i know full well the effect on your vision, for some considerable time afterwards, when you are dazzled by one of these. The announcements regarding this, that are broadcast from time to time, are not just to pee people off, there IS a reason.

 

[Bayum]

Hi 156401,

You will be paying full fare on the 1st day of your 16th year. Enjoy the wait while it lasts.

Finding the correct age of passengers travelling/producing child tickets is one of the continual challenges faced by coal face railway staff. I personally find it easier to assess the blokes rather than the girls. Young women use war paint to change their looks to great and very misleading effect. It’s also the case that their preferred method of dress particularly in the summer makes predicting an accurate age extremely difficult if not completely impossible! To confuse the issue further there are also various collage/county educational passes that are valid for mature students making the issue of correct pass identification all the more important

As a Railwayman and fellow human being I have a duty of care for minors/child passengers. If their travelling on their own, particularly outside of school times, it’s important that they know where the Train Guard/relevant person is in case of difficulties. With regard to age assessment, personally I always use 'benefit of the doubt' if I’m not sure and let them travel/stay until their destination.

You must always keep in mind that it only takes one malicious accusation from a vindictive teenage girl and you'll be without a job before you can blink. The modern railway works on the principal that you are guilty of a misdemeanour until proven innocent and if its your word against hers, you know which way the axe will fall, no matter what your previous record is.

If you look more than 14 and someone questions you whilst carrying out their job of work, take it as a compliment and carry ID, it makes the guards/railwayman’s job easier and then we can all stay friends which, at the end of the day, is what really matters! Railwaymen of any age should always play for the same team.

Mindmeld:grin:

Doesn't it continue till you leave full time education??

 

[mindmeld]

Sure it does but you can be a mature student when your seventy so you see the potential for problems!

 

[bluenoxid]

Doesn't it continue till you leave full time education??

Nope it is the 16th birthday.

You maybe thinking about the Young Persons Railcard.

 

[me123]

Nope it is the 16th birthday.

You maybe thinking about the Young Persons Railcard.

On your 16th BDay, you are entitled to pay the adult fare. I was a bit naughty, however, and had one final day as a child (I considered it a birthday gift from the railways...).

The Y-P railcard is one of the best investments I've made, however. It has allowed me to save so far about £50 from going into Glasgow alone hock: plus my journeys to other places, so it does save a lot of money very fast! With the new fare rules (ie, every fare must have a railcard discount or something similar to that) it will become an even better buy!

 

[driver9000]

indeed, once your 16 its Adult fares all the way. You can have a Y-P card until your 25 which can amount to a massive saving over its £20 initial payout. My Y-P card saved me hundreds of pounds during the time I had one - an excellent and worthy investment

 

[me123]

indeed, once your 16 its Adult fares all the way. You can have a Y-P card until your 25 which can amount to a massive saving over its £20 initial payout.

But, of course, over a potential 10 railcards hock: that will mean a £200 payout, and it has gone up again, but still a huge saving! Even if you do a short off-peak journey frequently, it pays for itself in no-time at all!

 

[Nym]

If you do VT Manc - London you save £110 traveling on peak!

 

[Mojo]

It's also even better value now it's valid for Oyster capping in London - I have a season ticket to work and drive most places as it's usually cheaper than the train long-distance, but I almost recovered the entire cost on a trip to London to stay with family in zone 5!

 

[adamp]

Im 14 and 6ft 1...every single train I get on I get asked for my ID or proof of age, even when goin through the barriers at Manc Vic...its a pain and a half but at the end of the day it does keep everyone happy.
You can get an ??PTE under 16 pass for free at any big bus station, ever tried that?

 

[P156KWJ]

Im 14 and 6ft 1...every single train I get on I get asked for my ID or proof of age, even when goin through the barriers at Manc Vic...its a pain and a half but at the end of the day it does keep everyone happy.
You can get an ??PTE under 16 pass for free at any big bus station, ever tried that?

yay, exactly the same! A friend