Unfortunately, many drug dependency induced crimes defy logic.  Someone desperate for a fix, will steal almost anything to sell on and obtain the readies.  I am not suggesting that this chap is definitely a junkie, but it is certainly possible.

Hi folks

Can I just take a moment to 'plug' this website?

The story is written by a guard who works locally and is aimed at Children in the 5-9 age band.  It concerns a run-away bear who is befriended by a cat, (who works on the railway as a guard).  It's not literature by any means, but the story is free to download.  Although a small OPTIONAL donation to the Railway Children Charity is asked for.

The site is non profit making.

Book 1 is now on line, Book 2 is imminent.

Thanks


www.teddollywackett.com

I admit, I should have made these posts on April 1st.   

And I get slated for stating the obvious

Irony mode ON>>>
TQ9ers are a breed apart.
Irony mode OFF>>>

All the time when I lived in Paignton and ventured out on a daily basis to Totnes.

From a 'seller's' point of view...

Group Saves are of course valid on most off peak services, but there are times when the facility is withdrawn, for example, major music festivals or important football/rugby matches.

Personally, I find that this discount is a very good PR^▸ (Public Relations) tool for the general public and can also defuse potential conflict situations, as in groups of revellers travelling by train to a night out or soccer fans.  Properly handled, potentially awkward situations can be turned around, simply by offering a good reduction.

I have to agree that the website is not well laid out with regard to Group Saves and FWIW^▸ (for what it's worth), I will mention to those in ivory towers at next opportunity.

Or ask on-train for dated tickets for the desired journeys. Avantix^▸ (Ticket Issuing System used on board trains) has that capability.

Do you lot imagine for one minute that this is anything more than a teeny little wind up? Lighten up chaps.   

For the record, I do work for a railway company in Cornwall and I do get a lot of fun from  the indignant rejoinders of those who imagine that their civil liberties are being eroded, just because they have been caught out in some way, when asked to produce a valid ticket. 

I have been taken to task for apparently pointing out the obvious, when these threads are riddled with arcane and conflicting discussion on this and related subjects.  Possibly, there are those who take themselves a little too seriously?   

Staff work extremely hard to maintain a fair and reasonable standard of revenue control and to discourage bilkers.  I personally encounter at least one minor attempt at fraud, never mind Rail Ticket based Railway Byelaw irregularities, every time I take a train out.  It is frustrating, but realistically, the only way to deal with it is to recognise that as human beings, we are all prone to look for an easy way out.

As such, on occasion, the innocent suffer along with the guilty, that is regrettable and IMO^▸ (in my opinion), should be minimised where at all possible.

For my part, I will not resort to 'overheard' conversations as a means of making my point, but will undertake to post as accurately and appositely as possible.  Have a lovely day, enjoy the wonderful spring weather and please do not perform the pocket slapping, ticket dance if caught without valid authority to travel.

Yes, Brother Chris, I accept the reprimand.  No offence intended, just though it was apposite as a one off. 

I overheard an RPI^▸ (Revenue Protection Inspector (or Retail Price Index, depending on the context)) telling a guard that on non PF^▸ (Penalty Fare) sections, it is perfectly in order for on train ticket sellers to charge passengers the full single or full return fares and not to apply any form of discount...If they have boarded a train without purchasing a ticket when they have had the opportunity to do so. 

Obviously, some discretion is required in such cases, but apparently, those passengers who board a train without tickets, in the hope of eluding staff, but who will pay if challenged; are considered a major pain in the posterior.  The Falmouth branch is notorious for this practice, with many chancers from further afield proffering credit cards and the claim that they boarded at Truro.

TQ9ers are a breed apart.

It may well have been a customer host Brother bignosemac

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word. ^ Romans 10:17

'Twas a guard telling me IIRC^▸ (if I recall/remember/read correctly) 

With regard to the preceding post...

Firstly, the rules, (as referred to above), can now be found here...
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/legislation/pf/penaltyfaresrules.pdf

These regs date from 1994 and quote the rate of Penalty Fare at ^10 or twice twice the single fare, whichever is greater.  (At present, the Penalty Fare is ^20 or twice the single fare etc.).

However, there are proposals to raise Penalty Fares to ^50 http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/nationalrailpenaltyfares/

That should cause weeping and gnashing of teeth amongst some sections of Cornish rail travellers. 

Secondly, caution is always advised when acting upon information posted on  quasi legal, 'unofficial' sites.

I believe the quoted article to be badly written and one which draws on inaccurately interpreted sources as its points of reference.

Not necessarily. As touched on previously by Caliwag...

On the old Midland Railway, "Up" was towards Derby.  This can still be found on the (formerly Midland), Charfield line from Westerleigh Junction (Yate area), where the northbound line towards Cheltenham and Brum is the "Up" although it diverges away from the main Badminton line to London.