Train stations killing off an innocent hobby.

[Lek]

Yesterday, during my visit to my hometown of Peterborough, I drove over to Leicester station with my partner to do some trainspotting. When I got there, I parked up, paid my parking fee, walked over to the station, only to find closed barriers and a ticket machine. So I tried all the options on the machine to obtain a platform ticket, but it appered the machine didn't issue such a ticket. I noticed a "buzz here for assistance" button next to the barriers, so I pressed it and asked how I could obtain a platform ticket, a voice came back saying "We do not issue platform tickets". I explained I would like access to the station to do some spotting, again the voice made it clear I was not to access the station unless I am travelling, then went on to say how we were being recorded on CCTV which made us feel like we were being watched like some kind of criminals. Not wanting to spend a further £12 each for myself and my partner to buy tickets to the next station which we would not use, we decided to leave. Whilst driving home, all I could think about was how this oppressive policy is killing off a perfectly innocent hobby. I'm now wondering how many other stations carry this policy, as I don't want to waste more money and time driving to cities only to be refused entry to the station platform.

Please let me know in the comments if you know of any other stations which refuse entry without travel tickets, as I want to compile a list of stations which are off limits.

 

[richa2002]

Disappointing attitude but why not just buy a return ticket to the closest station? (Syston?)

 

[Lek]

As stated, the cheapest tickets I could find were £12.30 each. Possibly it was only showing popular tickets and I was not aware of a place called Syston, or which the next station was (or I would have drove to that station instead). Syston was not mentiond by the voice that came over the machine either. I certainly won't be going back to Leicester for trainspotting again. I ended up going to Melton Mowbray (which at the time I believed was the next nearest station on my way home), to find only 2 platforms and the trains there are once an hour and I'd just missed the previous one, inevitably I left and and saw nothing.

If anyone knows of any active stations worth visiting around the Petrborough area which do not carry this policy, please let me know. I'm also interested in freight, which is why I thought Leicester station would be a good option.

 

[birchesgreen]

Not that i have any trouble myself (i always arrive at stations via train so have a ticket anyway) i always prefer unstaffed stations as more chance i'll be left alone.

In the Leicester area Syston would be your best bet. You will get some freight at Melton Mowbray though you may have to wait a bit.

 

[DarloRich]

There is something fishy here. Why didn't you just find a human and ask them?

 

[Chriso]

There is something fishy here. Why didn't you just find a human and ask them?

It sounds like they tried to enter via the remotely controlled car park entrance.

 

[AlterEgo]

It sounds like they tried to enter via the remotely controlled car park entrance

Yeah I'd have gone into the main entrance with my gear and cheerfully said hello and how are you to a member of staff... hoping that would pay dividends.

Talking to someone remotely doesn't give you the same benefits of eye contact and a smile.

Still a bit annoying from the OP's perspective though.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Most large stations now have barriers, although you may be able to get fairly close to the action at some stations without going through the gates.
Most stations in the London commuter area are also barriered.
But all the rest are open, Sheffield being one of the biggest as there is a public right of way across the footbridge.
Some stations are "half-barriered", with some platforms open, some closed - Liverpool Lime St is one of those.

Leicester-Syston Day Return is £4.10.

 

[DarloRich]

Still a bit annoying from the OP's perspective though.

Absolutely - I cant imagine that access would have been refused in a face to face chat. Pressing those help buttons is almost pointless in any circumstance!

It sounds like they tried to enter via the remotely controlled car park entrance.

Thanks - I have never driven to Leicester station.

 

[Lek]

It sounds like they tried to enter via the remotely controlled car park entrance.

Having driven in, it was the only entrance we noticed, I'm not a local and wasn't aware of another entrance, there was not a human in sight. The closest thing to a human was the "press here for assistance" button, which is why I pressed it.

 

[Falcon1200]

A general question as it is a long time since I bought a platform ticket; Are these no longer available ? Because apart from trainspotting, this also prevents non-travellers accessing barriered platforms to meet or see people off, or assist with luggage, prams etc. Is it now down solely to the goodwill of barrier staff, and/or what instructions their employer has issued ?

 

[DelW]

A general question as it is a long time since I bought a platform ticket; Are these no longer available ? Because apart from trainspotting, this also prevents non-travellers accessing barriered platforms to meet or see people off, or assist with luggage, prams etc. Is it now down solely to the goodwill of barrier staff, and/or what instructions their employer has issued ?

I think platform tickets disappeared from most stations quite a while ago.

But in my experience, most barrier staff are willing to let non-travellers through to assist a passenger, especially if it's obvious why - e.g. to help an elderly person with luggage, or a young mum with buggy and toddler. Though I imagine that's more likely to work at a manned gate-line than anything remotely monitored.

 

[swt_passenger]

A general question as it is a long time since I bought a platform ticket; Are these no longer available ? Because apart from trainspotting, this also prevents non-travellers accessing barriered platforms to meet or see people off, or assist with luggage, prams etc. Is it now down solely to the goodwill of barrier staff, and/or what instructions their employer has issued ?

The problem is that platform tickets are quite an obvious way of fare avoidance, especially if the destination station is a minor one without barriers.

 

[Falcon1200]

The problem is that platform tickets are quite an obvious way of fare avoidance, especially if the destination station is a minor one without barriers.

A valid point of course; I still feel guilty about the day at Newbury in 1972 when I bought a platform ticket and then boarded a train to Reading ! I did have a valid ticket (a Thames Valley Railrover) and the platform ticket was for my collection, but when I got on the train I fully expected to be challenged (fortunately I was not). But it also seems a pity that access to platforms at barriered stations depends on the whim and mood of staff.

 

[Bevan Price]

Next time, why not travel by train from Peterborogh to Leicester ? Much easier than driving, and it gets you onto the platforms.

 

[Aictos]

Next time, why not travel by train from Peterborogh to Leicester ? Much easier than driving, and it gets you onto the platforms.

I was going to suggest that too, yes it's a hourly service but its the easiest way to travel between the two even if it does take a hour.

Also as to Platform tickets, they were available to be issued on the Tribute ticketing system as there was instructions in the Tribute manual on how to do this. I should know as I used to have a copy of said manual.

 

[Skymonster]

I’ve found Leicester has always been very understanding of enthusiasts, who often congregate at the northern end of the platforms when anything special is expected. I feel sure that had the OP gone to the main station building and spoken to staff, a positive outcome would have resulted. As has already been said, the alternative of a ticket to Syston would have been an easy workaround.

 

[Lek]

I was going to suggest that too, yes it's a hourly service but its the easiest way to travel between the two even if it does take a hour.

Also as to Platform tickets, they were available to be issued on the Tribute ticketing system as there was instructions in the Tribute manual on how to do this. I should know as I used to have a copy of said manual.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I decided against that option as I would have had to pay parking at Peterborough as well as a travel ticket, which is way more for two people than the cost of fuel to take us both. We had also visited the Space centre that day, which would have proved difficult to navigate to in a city we are not familiar with. Unsure of tribute platform tickets, and when I asked the 'assistance' unit, they made it clear there were no platform tickets and that we were not allowed onto the platform.

It has also been mentioned that a ticket to Syston would have been a good option, I was unaware this place existed, neither myself or my partner have heard of it, much less had any knowledge of a station there. The machine showed the nearest and cheapest station was Melton Mowbray from the popular options, so we drove there. I could have spent hours going through all the stations to find the cheapest; not wanting to sound impatient, but I wasn't willing to spend a couple of hours going through all the UK stations listed in the ticket machine to find the cheapest.

I'm only in Peterborough for a week and after this episode, we certainly have no plans to risk going back to Leicester, only to be sent away again. I'm sure there are many other platforms worth visiting with much more amicable staff, even if they do communicate via 'assistance' machines.

 

[Lek]

Next time, why not travel by train from Peterborogh to Leicester ? Much easier than driving, and it gets you onto the platforms.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I decided against that option as I would have had to pay parking at Peterborough as well as a travel ticket, which is way more for two people than the cost of fuel to take us both. We had also visited the Space centre that day, which would have proved difficult to navigate to in a city we are not familiar with.

Unsure of tribute platform tickets which has also been mentioned, and when I asked the 'assistance' unit, they made it clear there were no platform tickets and that we were not allowed onto the platform.

It has also been mentioned that a ticket to Syston would have been a good option, I was unaware this place existed, neither myself or my partner have heard of it, much less had any knowledge of a station there. The machine showed the nearest and cheapest station was Melton Mowbray from the popular options, so we drove there. I could have spent hours going through all the stations to find the cheapest; not wanting to sound impatient, but I wasn't willing to spend a couple of hours going through all the UK stations listed in the ticket machine to find the cheapest.

I'm only in Peterborough for a week and after this episode, we certainly have no plans to risk going back to Leicester, only to be sent away again. I'm sure there are many other platforms worth visiting with much more amicable staff, even if they do communicate via 'assistance' machines.

 

[driverd]

Its such a shame to hear this, especially the cctv comments that clearly were just to try and make you feel uncomfortable. It's amazing how much of a power trip the slightest amount of authority can give some staff!

Just wanted to recognise that we're not all like this, please don't think that we're all trying to oppress your hobby, nothing I love more than getting "papped" as I drive along, and if you're enthusiastic enough you'll probably get some tones too... (apologies if they're not wanted!)

 

[Skymonster]

My recommendation to anyone wanting to spend time at stations is to do a bit of basic research into where the nearest other stations are before venturing out, so that if a grumpy / difficult staff member is encountered a cheap ticket can quickly be purchased if necessary. In the case of Leicester, either Syston or South Wigston are nearest - a quick check on NRE will reveal which is cheapest. If you’re not familiar with the geography and location of the surrounding stations, a glance at a rail map will deliver some good pointers…

The New Adlestrop Railway Atlas - historical UK railway map

www.systemed.net

It’s also worth mentioning that the staff member at Leicester was wrong - National guidelines clearly state enthusiasts are welcome at stations

Find a Station | National Rail

You can find information about every single National Rail served station in Great Britain – and there are 2,589 of them! From facilities to access information, ticket buying and collection, onward travel and more helpful knowledge.

www.nationalrail.co.uk

 

[LowLevel]

Its such a shame to hear this, especially the cctv comments that clearly were just to try and make you feel uncomfortable. It's amazing how much of a power trip the slightest amount of authority can give some staff!

Just wanted to recognise that we're not all like this, please don't think that we're all trying to oppress your hobby, nothing I love more than getting "papped" as I drive along, and if you're enthusiastic enough you'll probably get some tones too... (apologies if they're not wanted!)

Leicester station has always been extremely friendly to enthusiasts, for the last decade or so I've been working to or in there and except for the last few months of the HSTs when things got a bit strained due to cretins disappearing down the platform ramps to take photos relations have always been very good. It is rare to pass through in the day time and early evening without seeing both regular and new faces spotting at the North end.

What they do have is a big problem with fare evaders at the remotely monitored car park gates so I'm not surprised a remote request of any sort would be refused without them being able to assess your request in person.

I'm slightly surprised that any rail enthusiast would think the tiny unmanned hut leading on to the North end, unroofed stepped access only bridge would be the only way into a busy Intercity railway station, ignoring totally the main station buildings in clear view a hundred metres or so along the car park.

For what it's worth, I'd bet my last 10 quid quite happily that any polite request from a railway enthusiast to the gateline staff in the concourse would result in them being allowed to access the platforms at Leicester station.