Railway Myths

[tbtc]

We've all heard them. Some are clearly caused by confusion, some by ignorance, some by people repeating things so often that others believe them.

So, how about a list of them? Ones you've heard on here, ones you've heard from other enthusiasts, ones you've heard members of the public mention...

Number One. Pacers can't work on Third Rail lines (they manage to on third rail Merseyrail sections!)

 

[Mcr Warrior]

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

 

[Bohemian]

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

You mean they don't!

 

[First class]

Myth3 - BTP can't deal with incidents away from railway premises

 

[jp4712]

Myth 4: the Government (or British Railways) spirited away hundreds of Standard steam locos into a hollow mountain to form a Strategic Reserve... always makes me laugh, that one.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

.....

 

[tbtc]

Myth 5: The small windows on 390s are because Richard Branson personally designed them to resemble the interior of his planes

 

[Bohemian]

Myth: 6
There is a legal requirement to have a toilet on a train.

:roll:

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Myth 7: a ticket entitles you to a seat.

 

[EM2]

Myth 8: The loco involved in The Great Train Robbery was the one written off in the nuclear flask test crash
Myth 9: King's Cross and St Pancras used to be one station, and were split by British Rail

 

[Eng274]

Myth 10: It is okay to stick your head out a mk3 trailer's window at speed

 

[swt_passenger]

Myth 11: 165/6 cannot ever be gauge cleared away from their original routes.

 

[Eng274]

Myth 12: DVTs are too light to stay on the track in the event of a crash





(DBSOs are a different story....)

 

[Bohemian]

Myth: 13
Network Rail care more for their passengers than they do for shareholders?

 

[swt_passenger]

Myth 14: Trains cannot possibly split or join on route, it is far too unreliable to be normally timetabled.

 

[Matt Taylor]

A ticket belongs to a passenger.

All under fives travel free.

You can take any pets on the train.

You don't need a photocard for a weekly.

 

[Eng274]

Myth 15: The guard goes out of his way to delay his train, regardless of whether the signal is red or not.

 

[Hydro]

Myth: 13
Network Rail care more for their passangers than they do for shareholders?

Myth 15: Network Rail has shareholders.

 

[The Planner]

Myth 15: Network Rail has shareholders.

Myth 16: Network Rail run passenger trains.

 

[moonrakerz]

Myth 7: a ticket entitles you to a seat.

Myth 17: A first class ticket entitles you to seat.

 

[wibble]

Myth 18: A Goldcard holder is god.

 

[shinkansen1966]

Myth 15: British Rail was inefficient (according to John Major).

 

[me123]

Myth 20: Rail enthusiasts can't count to 20

More seriously:

Myth 20: TOCs have hundreds, if not thousands, of carriages waiting in the sidings for adverse events, such as the recent heavy snowfall, despite the constant overcrowding issues.
Myth 21: British Rail still exist and still operate trains
Myth 22: The railways are an unreliable mode of transport

 

[Bohemian]

Myth: 21
Passengers and shareholders are now classed as customers and members.

 

[ollyrogers]

Myth 23: Teenagers are responsible for every railway problem!

 

[Bohemian]

Myth: 22
The more I type the word 'myth', the more I feel like I have a lisp.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Myth 26: Off peak is after 0930.

 

[CosherB]

Myth 5: The small windows on 390s are because Richard Branson personally designed them to resemble the interior of his planes

That's true! Along with the seat layout and narrow 'fuselage'. Otherwise, why does the APT (which also tilted) feel more spacious and has proper-sized windows?

 

[atomicdanny]

Myth 27 - Railway Companies raise the prices of train tickets for personal gain and for the MDs pockets
Myth 28 - All trains are either late or cancelled or overcrowded (apparently according to MPs and Southeastern Passengers!)

 

[Intermodal]

Myth 29 - You bought a ticket so the guard should wait for you.