Network Railcard - Fading information

[blakey1152]

My Network Railcard expires in August but I need it to purchase tickets to Guildford in a couple of weekends time for a wedding.

The problem is, although you can make out what's on the card it's very faded now and I'm concerned that I may have issues with it if it happens to get checked at any point.

I can't understand how come it's managed to fade so much - It has never actually been taken out of the plastic wallet it was issued in and is kept in my desk drawer until I use it.

Although from memory I recall when I first got it, the print was more grey than black anyway so I guess I shouldn't be too surprised.

As it's been 10 months, I have no clue as to what happened to the receipt for the railcard either.

I purchased the railcard at Crayford Station.
Would it be easy to get replaced - I don't really class fading as damaged as its a natural occurance anyway.

Any advice much appreciated
Blakey

 

[yorksrob]

I had this several times.

Take it to the booking office and they will replace it for you for free (so long as the details are still visible !)

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Take it to any ticket office in the area of validity to be replaced, it does not need to be the issuing office and they will not charge you. You will need to fill a short form but that won't take long.

 

[JB_B]

A GTR RPI was doubtful about my only-visible-in-a-the-right-light Network Card expiry date but she was able to persuade her machine to read the mag stripe and confirm the expiry date which she then endorsed on the back which was very helpful. ( I'd not realised just how faint it had become.) There was a time ( a few years back maybe) when the rail industry was in denial about the fading problem and was trying for a fee for replacing cards - is that no longer an issue?

 

[blakey1152]

Thank you all for your quick replies.. I will try my luck tomorrow!

 

[hairyhandedfool]

A GTR RPI was doubtful about my only-visible-in-a-the-right-light Network Card expiry date but she was able to persuade her machine to read the mag stripe and confirm the expiry date which she then endorsed on the back which was very helpful. ( I'd not realised just how faint it had become.) There was a time ( a few years back maybe) when the rail industry was in denial about the fading problem and was trying for a fee for replacing cards - is that no longer an issue?

I don't know what offices have tried to charge, but as far as I can recall replacements for faded Railcards and season tickets have been free since I started on the railway 18 years ago.

 

[tony_mac]

I don't know what offices have tried to charge, but as far as I can recall replacements for faded Railcards and season tickets have been free since I started on the railway 18 years ago.

There were a few incidents of staff claiming that faded railcards were damaged, and charging the fee, but I don't think it was ever widespread.
http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=749416&postcount=4

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=702431&postcount=12

 

[blakey1152]

Just to let everyone know.
I had no problems at all getting my Railcard replaced at Slade Green

There was a form to fill out - looked like a standard form for damaged railcards - this did mention a charge to replace the railcard but there was no mention of this by the ticket clerk who was more than happy to help and no fee was charged.

Blakey

 

[island]

As far as I know the £10 fee comes in only if the Railcard is completely illegible. But I could be wrong.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

As far as I know the £10 fee comes in only if the Railcard is completely illegible. But I could be wrong.

The £10 is only if you lose the Railcard, If it fades completely and/or cannot be read, they may ask for the receipt (as proof of expiry). In a certain light most 'completely faded' Railcards are still readable (just about), but this is not an excuse to avoid changing it.

 

[Haywain]

The £10 is only if you lose the Railcard, If it fades completely and/or cannot be read, they may ask for the receipt (as proof of expiry). In a certain light most 'completely faded' Railcards are still readable (just about), but this is not an excuse to avoid changing it.

The £10, as hairyhandedfool says, is charged when a railcard is lost but also applies when it is damaged. An example I had some years ago was that a part of a 16-25 railcard had been torn off (to make a roach!) and had taken the photocard number with it - that incurred a £10 charge. It also applies where railcards have been washed or ironed or just badly crumpled. But not for faded railcards.

 

[Gagravarr]

The last time my railcard had faded more than the guard liked, he used a cigarette lighter to heat-treat behind the date area, which went black around the dates which were now almost in inverse!

 

[maniacmartin]

I can't understand how come it's managed to fade so much - It has never actually been taken out of the plastic wallet it was issued in and is kept in my desk drawer until I use it.

A lot of ticket wallets have clear plastic that degrades the printing if its in contact for a long time. Store the railcard facing backwards in the wallet and you may find it doesn't fade as fast. (I store my season ticket backwards for this reason)

 

[Haywain]

A lot of ticket wallets have clear plastic that degrades the printing if its in contact for a long time. Store the railcard facing backwards in the wallet and you may find it doesn't fade as fast. (I store my season ticket backwards for this reason)

Generally speaking these are not National Rail ticket wallets, in which the plastic used was changed years ago because of this very problem.