Lost railcard at the time of travel - chances of re-appeal success?

[200rts]

Hi all,

this is my first post apologies if it’s in the wrong place.
Last month I travelled on a Return ticket from Southampton to Kent and on the journey back to Southampton I was asked to present my railcard at Waterloo but unfortunately I didn’t have it on me and was issued a penalty. I turned my house inside out but couldn’t find it. I ordered a replacement but my appeal was rejected due to me buying a replacement after the journey. I don’t know what they’d have me do because I realised it was lost after my journey and purchased a new one. in addition, my old railcard wasn’t expired at the time (ex:10/2025) Is there any chance of a successful re-appeal? I have my new physical railcard now and tbh I can’t afford to pay £107 or £157 atm as I’m a broke uni student.

 

[ainsworth74]

Do you have a receipt or some other proof that you did hold the old railcard? Where did you the old railcard?

 

[200rts]

Hi,

it’s a Santander issued railcard so I have the emails that they sent me from when I first got it back in 2021 its a 4 year railcard. I also attached a screenshot of the railcard website that has the two cards next to each other on the appeal letter. i can show you?

 

[pedr]

Did you get the lost railcard reissued, or did you purchase a brand new railcard?

 

[Haywain]

I don’t know what they’d have me do because I realised it was lost after my journey and purchased a new one.

They would have you check the railcard before you travel so that you don't travel without one.

in addition, my old railcard wasn’t expired at the time (ex:10/2025) Is there any chance of a successful re-appeal?

None at all - you didn't have a railcard so your ticket wasn't valid. Ignore, misread above statement.

Last month I travelled on a Return ticket from Southampton to Kent and on the journey back to Southampton I was asked to present my railcard at Waterloo but unfortunately I didn’t have it on me and was issued a penalty.

When did this happen, and were you issued with a Penalty Fare Notice? If you were you would have had 21 days to appeal but also 21 days to pay the reduced amount of the PFN. If you are still within time for an appeal you could post a copy of the notice here so that we can check if it was correctly issued. If you are out of time for an appeal then you will need to pay the full amount of the PFN as soon as possible.

 

[ainsworth74]

None at all - you didn't have a railcard so your ticket wasn't valid.

I'm not sure it's quite as hopeless as that though it's certainly a long shot.

In my opinion it's worth re-appealing all the way to the final third stage on the basis that a valid railcard was held but was not presented at the time using the proof of purchase as evidence of the existence of the railcard. The appeals panel are empowered to allow an appeal where there are compelling reasons why, in the particular circumstances of the case, a PF should not be charged. I think you could argue that there might be compelling reasons here. You could also point to the fact that many TOC (if not all?) often allow people to submit proof of their railcard after the fact on a one off occasion. I suspect the OP has rather made life harder for themselves by submitting their new railcard rather explaining the loss of the original and proof of the existence of it via their receipt.

Again, long shot territory, but worth appealing to the final stage I would have thought. Assuming of course they're still the time limit to submit a second stage appeal...

 

[AlterEgo]

The OP has essentially forgotten their railcard. They should get a replacement for the “old” one which still has validity remaining and have the PF refunded as per the forgotten railcard policy.

 

[200rts]

Did you get the lost railcard reissued, or did you purchase a brand new railcard?

I bought a replacement railcard, it says 'replaced' on the railcard website and I've got an email stating that it is a replacement

 

[AlterEgo]

I bought a replacement railcard, it says 'replaced' on the railcard website and I've got an email stating that it is a replacement

What is the expiry date of the railcard you now have in your possession?

 

[200rts]

They would have you check the railcard before you travel so that you don't travel without one.

None at all - you didn't have a railcard so your ticket wasn't valid.

When did this happen, and were you issued with a Penalty Fare Notice? If you were you would have had 21 days to appeal but also 21 days to pay the reduced amount of the PFN. If you are still within time for an appeal you could post a copy of the notice here so that we can check if it was correctly issued. If you are out of time for an appeal then you will need to pay the full amount of the PFN as soon as possible.

What is the expiry date of the railcard you now have in your possession?

11/10/2025

 

[AlterEgo]

View attachment 178404View attachment 178405


11/10/2025

You should pay the penalty fare, submit the replacement railcard to the train company and ask for it to be refunded. This is in line with the terms and conditions of your railcard. You have a replacement railcard, not a brand new one.

 

[200rts]

I'm not sure it's quite as hopeless as that though it's certainly a long shot.

In my opinion it's worth re-appealing all the way to the final third stage on the basis that a valid railcard was held but was not presented at the time using the proof of purchase as evidence of the existence of the railcard. The appeals panel are empowered to allow an appeal where there are compelling reasons why, in the particular circumstances of the case, a PF should not be charged. I think you could argue that there might be compelling reasons here. You could also point to the fact that many TOC (if not all?) often allow people to submit proof of their railcard after the fact on a one off occasion. I suspect the OP has rather made life harder for themselves by submitting their new railcard rather explaining the loss of the original and proof of the existence of it via their receipt.

Again, long shot territory, but worth appealing to the final stage I would have thought. Assuming of course they're still the time limit to submit a second stage appeal...

the thing is the 'new railcard' is a replacement of the old one, it says on the website but I didn't attach the emails that I received after buying the replacement. and I did tell them that I lost my old one.

 

[AlterEgo]

the thing is the 'new railcard' is a replacement of the old one, it says on the website but I didn't attach the emails that I received after buying the replacement. and I did tell them that I lost my old one.

The expiry date alone indicates it is a replacement, as if it was a new one it would expire some time in 2026.

 

[200rts]

The expiry date alone indicates it is a replacement, as if it was a new one it would expire some time in 2026.

ok, so in this situation paying the fine would be easier? I can only pay after the 21 days though. does that affect me in any way as at the moment I can't afford it and the 21 day limit expires this Sunday

 

[30907]

ok, so in this situation paying the fine would be easier? I can only pay after the 21 days though. does that affect me in any way as at the moment I can't afford it and the 21 day limit expires this Sunday

As it is a replacement railcard, that is evidence that you had the original, and the forgotten railcard policy should apply. I would re- submit your appeal explaining that the previous rejection was based on a (not unnatural) misunderstanding.
You may need to go to stage 3 and repeat the process though.

 

[AlterEgo]

ok, so in this situation paying the fine would be easier? I can only pay after the 21 days though. does that affect me in any way as at the moment I can't afford it and the 21 day limit expires this Sunday

If you submit a third appeal the clock on this stops while it is being considered.

 

[Hadders]

When you submit your appeal be very clear in the wording that you obtained a replacement railcard. Avoid saying bought a new railcard as that could cause confusion about whether it was a new railcard or a replacement.

You might want to pop a draft in this thread so forum members can proof read it and suggest amendments.