Railway Myths

[Solent&Wessex]

Such as Manchester to Accrington via Preston, which IS a permitted route if on the NRE itinerary, such as a time a lady on board my train one morning had. Unfortunately convincing the rather surly (and usually lecherous) guard that morning was impossible and he confiscated the ladys ticket anyway.

Not seen him for a while and I am sure the travelling public are thankful for it. A very disorganised and horrible individual.

Actually, no it isn't a valid route. Acrington has routeing points of Blackburn, Manchester and Halifax. Thus a Manchester to Acrington ticket is only valid direct via the shortest route over which a regular service operates. That means it is only valid to go Manchester - Bolton - Blackburn direct - Acrington. There is a "Route Preston" fare which is quite a bit higher, so unless in possession of the "Route Preston" fare the likelihood is that the ticket held would not be valid via Preston.

 

[geoff10]

Number two: All (passenger) trains passing through Stockport station have to stop/call there.

The Manchester Evening News appeers to think this one is not a myth

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/s/1077335_downing_st_snubs_stockport

 

[CheekyBandit]

Myth (some pseudo random number):
Chess and draughts are played on boards where the bottom right hand square is dark (technically black). Became a railway myth when Grand Central put game boards on tables.

 

[dieselbashdave]

Myth (some pseudo random number):
Chess and draughts are played on boards where the bottom right hand square is dark (technically black). Became a railway myth when Grand Central put game boards on tables.

If GC ever use a tilting train, with a bit of nice timing you could get your pawn/bishop/whatever else to jump over everything your opponent has and win the game

Reminds me of that scene in The Simpsons where Mr Burns has a private coach with a snooker table and the train makes an emergency stop and he pockets everything, thereby winning the game in one fell swooop. It was that eppy where Burnsie found out he had a son AFAICR.

Sorry to derail the thread slightly, no pun intended!

 

[boing_uk]

Actually, no it isn't a valid route. Acrington has routeing points of Blackburn, Manchester and Halifax. Thus a Manchester to Acrington ticket is only valid direct via the shortest route over which a regular service operates. That means it is only valid to go Manchester - Bolton - Blackburn direct - Acrington. There is a "Route Preston" fare which is quite a bit higher, so unless in possession of the "Route Preston" fare the likelihood is that the ticket held would not be valid via Preston.

Just caught this; the lady's itinerary said differently. Whether this was shown on the ticket or not is irrelevent - she was sold a ticket with an itinerary from Manchester Picadilly, changing at Preston.

 

[Tim R-T-C]

Steam photograher Myth: it's OK to trespass on other people's property, on National Rail property or by the active lineside, because (puffs out chest) I am a STEAM photographer.

Not forgetting the three related myths

1) Personal hygiene is entirely optional if you have an expensive camera.
2) On preserved lines, photographers with expensive cameras should be allowed a full line of sight of trains on the platforms.
3) Children should be restrained by their parents on preserved lines and allowed no where near things that might be of interest to photographers with expensive cameras.