Pictures/definition of ticket stamps

[james-martin]

Evening all,

I was just wondering whether there is an official definition document (or failing that a photo that can be annotated) that defines what the different sections mean for ticket stamps? I'm essentially keen on knowing whether it is guaranteed standardised across TOCs and whether staff get allocated a unique identification number and being certain I'm looking at the right number.

Many thanks,

James.

 

[yorkie]

Can you clarify what you mean by "ticket stamps"?

 

[james-martin]

One with the date stamped in and two other numbers/strings, one in line with the date, the other perpendicular. Google was not my friend on this query

 

[alistairlees]

Do you have a photo?

 

[yorkie]

If you mean stamps when a ticket is inspected, there is certainly no national standard; on most TOCs it's random, and typically means nothing more than the journey has commenced.

 

[pdeaves]

I assume the original poster refers to the 'ink press'-type gadget that clippies use. At least one portion of the text should be the train headcode (e.g. 1A23) that defines the train it was used on. However, this relies on the guard setting it properly!

 

[james-martin]

Thanks Yorkie and Pdeaves your points helped me find the stamper name which is used at inspection. It's a Zifa type. https://www.zifferndruck.de/en/products_ticketstamper.shtml That page contains a non UK sample print.

So by the sounds of it there is no standard requirement for the information included by a TOC? It seems from the distributor website the product allows for both setting numbers/identities by dials and have some sections which are only internally adjustable. I guess where the perpendicular info is a staff identity that will not have wheels for external adjustment?

 

[Haywain]

I assume the original poster refers to the 'ink press'-type gadget that clippies use. At least one portion of the text should be the train headcode (e.g. 1A23) that defines the train it was used on. However, this relies on the guard setting it properly!

Yes, a Zifa stamp. Another bit of the information is, I think, the guards duty/diagram number.

 

[james-martin]

I had never seen it written before and thought from an ancient memory it was a 'ZIP' stamper and so had my Google fail! Good to know the correct term now