Edmonson tickets a lost "cause" for ever?

It seems to me that as with many things, the definition of what is suitable is somewhat arbitrary, but "heritage" credentials have some influence, but with some licence as to how this is actually manifested. More a pastiche with a ticket, as the current designs are unlikely to be anything like the originals, whether BR or pre-1948 (and some of the tickets issued are of execrable quality). I also don't think you can go too far with the "little Johnny likes it" argument, as little Johnny may like it even more if said ticket is plastic, colourful and shiny with a mutant ninja turtle or whatever on it. (interestingly some hard nosed transport providers do issue commemorative type tickets from time to time to encourage usage at slacker periods - e.g. http://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/main/cny_ticket2018.html, but I doubt the pattern of usage at preserved railways would make this something which could readily be copied in circumstances where the ticket itself drives the purchase decision).

Having said all that, the offering at volunteer run railways is very much dictated by what the supporters want, and it seems from a non-scientific analysis of the comments on here that there is no general cost or operational advantage in not using Edmondsons, save perhaps in particular instances.

 

i think that implies a ticket is required to enter which has implications for VAT as the trip becomes a transport function. Most railways in my experience do not have barrier control for this reason

 

Rail transport is 0% for VAT purposes so I'm not sure that checking tickets or not has any bearing on the VAT position.

 

There is a problem here of course, the person complaining is in a very weak position compared with the organisation being complained about...

 

I suspect it is because the Bluebell routinely uses non-corridor carriages, meaning provision of an on-train TTI on all trains is impractical. So tickets get checked on entrance to the platform.

Tom

 

Yes, I had several occasions where I complained about the attitude of my late father's carers, and the organisation closed ranks in support of its staff and refused to accept there was any problems.

 

Most of my visits have produced trains of Mk. 1s (sigh) but if non-corridor stock does make an appearance, a ticket barrier systemis needed.

PH

 

You must choose the wrong days to visit, since just about invariably there is non-corridor stock running at weekends - the mets, four wheelers, SECR 100 seater and LNWR OBO this past weekend (as well as s couple of Bulleids and three Maunsell corridors).

Tom

 

ah no, I got ti the wrong way around, if you charge for admission, then VAT applies. my bad. (hope I got it right this time)

 

Well, I go on the days that are convenient to me and find what I find, namely that Mk.1s appear to be the "default setting". A pity as the Bluebell carriage fleet is a potential USP

(Apologies for thread drift.)

PH

 

Not always.
If you are able to drum up support from tv/press it will get a wider audience giving some bad publicity.
A couple of recent headlines, I recall, were the missing floor on the SDR and the woman who felt cheated by the small amount of gin she was served, recently, on a NYMR special train. Railways who promote alcoholic days or journeys should note that not everyone is there for a 'heritage' experience, simply a 'binge'.

 

What's wrong with Mk1 stock? Side corridor compartment stock is positively luxurious compared with modern privatised trains. Visitors can be surprised at just how good trains were sixty or so years ago. And many will have memories of going on holiday on just such trains. It may be not appropriate in all circs, such as with a Terrier, but that's up to the railway to make the correct choice of stock and loco.

 

Oh please no, don't let Paul drag yet another thread onto another one of his personal pet hates!

 

And besides, if he chooses to be disappointed by what is on offer when he chooses to go there, then there is only one person to blame.

 

Characterless.

PH

 

When compared to some heritage stock then yes you could say that a MK1 is characterless, but most visitors who use the national network will be used to soulless plastic trains of todays railway. A well presented and maintained Mk1 is like heaven in comparison, although some railways do rather let themselves down.

 

Until I intervened in this thread, it seemed that there was almost complete unanimity. Now it's all broken up into feuding and infighting! I love to pour petrol on troubled waters and watch the world burn ;-)

Currently dealing with the same from a certain NHS hospital trust over my 93-year-old grandmother. You have my sympathy.

Also, speaking as one who was born in 1991, I wish to opine that British passenger railway history DID stop in August 1968. Everything since then has been a load of unremitting shyte. Diesels, electrification, EMUs (3rd rail or OHLE), DMUs, stupid bloody tractorhead nicknames (Hoover, Shed, Ying etc), automation and centralisation of signalling, ripping out signalboxes and crossing gates, main lines being singled at great expense or even closed 'to save costs', closure of almost all goods yards, stations run-down, de-manned or demolished, botched half-privatisation, general neglect... in the 50s we arguably had the best railways in the world, now they're the worst of any major economy and a national embarrassment. There is nothing to be celebrated or commemorated about the 1968-1994 era. Diesels are a waste of space, time, resources and money. They alienate the core market of the heritage railways whenever they're brought out to appease the sad-git tractorheads. Diesel galas are very rarely financially worthwhile.

Oh, and in an era when the public are increasingly conscious of air quality, and railways are ever more needful of positive relations with their neighbours (not to mention their own volunteers), the catastrophic particulate emissions of your average big diesel appear to me to be incompatible with any sustainable attitude to the above.

 

Indeed, you do like to pour the petrol. As the heat rises and crops ripen, can I suggest you stay away from fields.

As for the specifics in your post, you are wrong in just about every particular. The only points on which you are correct are that there has been dieselisation and electrification, that the railway did close many lines, stations and yards, and that there has been privatisation.

One last point. If you are going to criticise particulate emissions, the steam locomotives you so love would also be switched off. I believe Long Marston still has some surplus class 86s...

 

Wow. Why don't you tell us what you really think?!

Noel

 

With the (for steam addicts .... arguable) exception of the HST sets ..... he's got a point!

I'll grant you that modern stock* rides better (usually at any rate), is a lot safer and easier to maintain, but ......

Seating in standard class has become abysmal over the past couple of decades, the view out is often blocked by the solid bits and the incessant 'beeping' from doors, let alone the continual stream of onboard announcements, is enough to drive you out of your mind ... and before anyone mentions 'quiet carriages' .... my experiences on SWT suggest they're a purely theoretical concept.

A trip on the big railway isn't the relaxing experience it was.
[\End of whinge]

*... 'Pacers' don't qualify as 'modern' in my books.