StephenHunter
Established Member
If you were caught without a ticket back in the 1970s, how would the matter be generally dealt with? It's for a story.
I remember that in the morning rush you could get by with waving a wallet with almost any piece of card.If you were caught without a ticket back in the 1970s, how would the matter be generally dealt with? It's for a story.
Is this on a train (mid journey) or at destination ticket barrier?If you were caught without a ticket back in the 1970s, how would the matter be generally dealt with? It's for a story.
I would say 'very unlikely'! In my experience the majority of rural stations in Scotland never had any form of ticket barrier control....particularly on the West Highland lines. Oban, Fort William and Mallaig were exceptions.At one stage Yeovil Junction was claimed to be the only open station on BR, though that seems unlikely
There was a standard "initiative test" for naval officer trainees at Dartmouth in the 1950s-70s at least, where they were taken by sealed van somewhere (the Brecon Beacons were a favourite once the Severn Bridge opened), with no money, no food, and expected (and timed) for how long it took them to get back to Dartmouth. Obviously the best approach was sneaking back by train. Railway enthusiasts normally did particularly well!
But interesting that one branch of the government expected something to be done that another branch would take you to court over.
Old hand Western Region guards, which had more than its fair share of those who had done their time in the navy, had an ability to spot same skulking in the shadows, and depending on their temprament might even invite them into the van for a cup of tea.
Wonderful story about one who beat the van back! He realised when put down that he was only about 10 miles from home, so called there reverse charges and his dad came out and drove him straight to Dartmouth. He absolutely refused to give details of what he had done (there was no procedure for this) and gave increasing levels of authority nothing more than name, rank and number.
As a matter of interest, how has said tourist crossed the Channel? On a ferry foot passenger ticket?French tourist on a Folkestone to Victoria boat train.
It's all Greek to me!I wonder if someone has access to Athens can see if there are any court records of ticketless travel
I never got caught. So I can't answer the questionIf you were caught without a ticket back in the 1970s, how would the matter be generally dealt with? It's for a story.
In my experience, most of them were like that....it seemed to be an essential qualification for the job. I remember one in particular on the Southern Region who was an ex-Military Policeman. There were exceptions of course.Were all those old-school Travelling Ticket Inspectors like that, or did I just come across a particularly commanding Ober-gripper-führer?
In my experience, most of them were like that....it seemed to be an essential qualification for the job. I remember one in particular on the Southern Region who was an ex-Military Policeman. There were exceptions of course.
I remember on-train ticket checks by guards or travelling inspectors was rare during the era in the OP's question.
The exceptions, in my experience, were either on Paytrain lines (which was sometimes a case of "anyone want a ticket?", rather than "All Tickets Please!"), or on Inter-City trains into Euston - where the guard usually came through to check & collect tickets after the last stop (Rugby on the trains I tended to use).
Only once do I recall a surprise encounter with a BR Travelling Ticket Inspector on a train. Fortunately all was in order on that occasion - just as well, as this individual was very authoritative, brisk and impressive, wearing a smart black overcoat and peaked cap embossed with much gold braid, and looked like he'd heard it all before and would stand no nonsense.
So I can't report the consequences of any irregular ticketing.
Were all those old-school Travelling Ticket Inspectors like that, or did I just come across a particularly commanding Ober-gripper-führer?
Disappointingly, they were somewhat lower down in the railway pecking order. But they did get a smart uniform, with hat, which was always worn.Were all those old-school Travelling Ticket Inspectors like that, or did I just come across a particularly commanding Ober-gripper-führer?
Ah yes....that was the one and only David Weeks from Petersfield, who was a TTC (Travelling Ticket Collector), rather than a TTI (Travelling Ticket Inspector) and therefore wore a silver braided Leading Railman's uniform, rather than a gold-braided TTI uniform. Although retired for many years, David is still going strong at the age of 80 and is a great character. In his off-duty hours he was -and still is - a great showman and circus afficianado, being both a qualified ringmaster and clown. He has appeared in TV commercials for both British Rail and McDonalds. Google him for lots more info.Not the 70s but the 80s, but does anyone remember the one on the Portsmouth Direct, who said "Tickets please... Your tickets please!" in a rather sing-song way? People used to call him "Charles de Gaulle" as he resembled said individual.
Ah yes....that was the one and only David Weeks from Petersfield, who was a TTC (Travelling Ticket Collector), rather than a TTI (Travelling Ticket Inspector) and therefore wore a silver braided Leading Railman's uniform, rather than a gold-braided TTI uniform. Although retired for many years, David is still going strong at the age of 80 and is a great character. In his off-duty hours he was -and still is - a great showman and circus afficianado, being both a qualified ringmaster and clown. He has appeared in TV commercials for both British Rail and McDonalds. Google him for lots more info.