On my travels my tickets are often marked to indicate they've been used. The tools for the job vary. The biro is the most ubiquitous, followed by the fancy stamps which imprint the date and train number on the ticket. Then you get the hole punch, of which many variations exist. These range from basic circles, to 'squiggles', to stars and, my personal favourite, the apple (see attached).
So is there any meaning behind these varied hole punch markings? Is it some sort of secret code between railway staff? Is it totally meaningless? Or is it just a way for guards to inject a bit of personal style into their day to day work? Are these novelty hole punches standard TOC issue, or do staff have to scour the stationery shops looking for one at their own expense? And what's the strangest one you've come across (or even use if you're a guard)? Discuss!
So is there any meaning behind these varied hole punch markings? Is it some sort of secret code between railway staff? Is it totally meaningless? Or is it just a way for guards to inject a bit of personal style into their day to day work? Are these novelty hole punches standard TOC issue, or do staff have to scour the stationery shops looking for one at their own expense? And what's the strangest one you've come across (or even use if you're a guard)? Discuss!
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