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Platform Tickets

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pt_mad

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Do stations still issue platform tickets for spotters?

How can one spot when there are ticket barriers?
 
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142094

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Not many stations do, but you can always ask. Not sure what you mean by your second question - have a look on Stations Made Easy on National Rail.
 

steamybrian

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As far as I am aware stations still issue them for the bargain price of...TEN PENCE.
Last year I went to visit (by bus) the new Ebbsfleet International station and the booking clerk was shocked when I asked for a platform ticket for 10p. He said it was only the second one he issued since the station opened......!
When a station with barriers closes its ticket office the ticket barriers are usually left open.
 

fairysdad

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Not many stations do, but you can always ask. Not sure what you mean by your second question - have a look on Stations Made Easy on National Rail.
Could the second question be 'How does one do the act of spotting at stations where there are ticket barriers?' (with the implication there that the expected answer to the first question was to be 'no')?
 

142094

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Could the second question be 'How does one do the act of spotting at stations where there are ticket barriers?' (with the implication there that the expected answer to the first question was to be 'no')?

Could be - was taking it as having a different meaning before.
 

pt_mad

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Could the second question be 'How does one do the act of spotting at stations where there are ticket barriers?' (with the implication there that the expected answer to the first question was to be 'no')?

Correct. Sorry one did not make it clear :p
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Are trainspotters suppost to inform station staff of there intentions when there are no ticket barriers? (for security reasons)
 
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dfurn

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As far as I am aware stations still issue them for the bargain price of...TEN PENCE.

Leeds station (which is a NR one) do sell them but in my experience they, oddly, don't really let you through the barriers and hence you have to show them to the barrier person to let you through. I guess it lets them check out if you are shifty looking. They are 20p.
 

Chris M

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The simplest way is to arrive by train from a station that doesn't have ticket barriers.
If not you can always ask, staff at Bristol Temple Meads allowed me through to use the toilets a few years ago.
 

TheJRB

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They are still available at Ashford International and the staff have never looked surprised when asked for one either, so maybe they're more popular here! Brighton still sells them too, if I remember correctly.
 

Lampshade

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As a general rule Northern, Arriva Trains Wales and GoVia sell them, Virgin can but need some persuading and East Coast don't.

Never tried with any other TOCs.
 

district

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They are still available at Ashford International and the staff have never looked surprised when asked for one either, so maybe they're more popular here! Brighton still sells them too, if I remember correctly.

I buy them from AFK several times a week! They used to be surprised when I started but don't bat an eyelid now.
 

Mutant Lemming

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Technically aren't platform tickets only valid for one hour ?
....and officially what should happen if you overstay your hour ?
 

David Goddard

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This reminds me of an occasion at Bedford station a few years ago.

1. Went to ticket office to ask for platform ticket.
2. Advised by clerk to just ask the guy on the barrier.
3. Guy on barrier said "you need a platform ticket"
4. Advised him what ticket clerk has said.
5. Barrier guy opened the gate, and let me through, but ordered that I sat on a bench where he could see me.
6. I responded with "not much point in that" and left the premises.
 

district

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Technically aren't platform tickets only valid for one hour ?
....and officially what should happen if you overstay your hour ?

If it's a CTA, then a penalty fare.

Otherwise, what else could they do? You haven't travelled from anywhere surely?
 

Scotrail84

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Ive got 2 from when the new Bathgate stn opened in 2010. One from each star machine, im not a train spotter i actually got them given to me for some reason, cant remember why. Both have very low issue numbers as the star machines had only recently be installed.
 

CarterUSM

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Ive got 2 from when the new Bathgate stn opened in 2010. One from each star machine, im not a train spotter i actually got them given to me for some reason, cant remember why. Both have very low issue numbers as the star machines had only recently be installed.



I remember that when the STAR machines were being installed some of the station staff I spoke to had been sent an envelope with a pound coin, a SAE inside, and a short note requesting 10 platform tickets. I suppose whomever had sent this, sent it to every manned station around.
 
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