Prices and Inflation

What was your local heritage railway charging when it first opened? What does it charge now? And how does that compare with other items in your shopping basket?

When the KWVR opened in 1968 I seem to remember that the round trip cost me six shillings (30p) - maybe someone can confirm. A full line return is now £11. That's an increase of about 1,830%. In the same period the RPI has increased by 1,570%.

From memory, at the same time it cost five shillings (25p) to watch my local 4th division football team. It would now cost me £25 on the gate, although they are now in the 3rd division. That's an increase of 10,000%.

A round trip on the KWVR is far better value for money in my opinion. I can afford to take my wife and grandchildren too. Professional football has priced me out, as I'm not interested in having a season ticket. I occasionally watch a local Conference North team. Even they charge £11, although I now get in for £7 as a senior.

It would be interesting to hear what some of the other pioneer heritage lines were charging when they first opened.

 

When the SVR reopened in 1970 a first class return from Bridgnorth to Hampton Loade was 9s, according to a ticket I've seen reproduced in print. I'm not sure if that was the regular price or a special reopening day price.

The current BH-HL return fare is £10.50, or £18.50 for first class.

 

I think it was the regular price. Per SVR News, in 1972 the Bridgnorth-Hampton Loade 1st class return increased from a flat 45p (9s) to 70p high season and 60p low season. The 3rd class return increased from 30p to 45p high season and 40p low season. On that basis the 1970-2017 increase of 30p to £10.50 is very much in line with the Worth Valley 1968-2017 figures of 30p to £11.00.

 

Anyone know what the Bluebell, or the Dart Valley charged in their early days?

 

From Ian Drummond's book on the Talyllyn Railway the return was 2s 6d in 1951 and there was no gift aid! A pint was apparently about 1s3d according to a couple of websites I have looked at. The first fare increase after this was to 3s in 1955 and this was the first increase since 1948.

The standard return fare without gift aid is I think £17.25 so compared to inflation which has seen a roughly 30 fold increase since then or the cost of a pint fares have gone up well in excess. In the same time income has gone up roughly 75 fold and house prices over 100 fold depending where you love.