|
Post by vjaska on Oct 20, 2021 15:13:30 GMT
Probably a bit of a random question but as my recent interest in trains grew a little bit more, I wondered if they have day ranger tickets and it turns out very few operators actually do them unlike with bus operators where almost all offer some sort of day ticket either in different zone, network wide or even excellent ones like the Discovery ticket or certain First subsidiaries like First Essex which offer a day ticket across multiple counties.
Southern do a good day one across the entire ticket with only a handful of restrictions involved, Southeastern do a Kent one but it's hamstrung by the fact it's cheapest one is for a 3 day period rather than having a day option and weirdly locks out certain Kent based stations like Dartford to Gravesend, Dunton Green, etc whilst one or two others do ones across particular portions like GWR's ones such as the Thames Rover covering the GWR lines and branches between Paddington & Tilehurst.
So bringing it back to the main point, why do few train operators provide similar offerings to Southern or even GWR?
|
|
|
Post by vjaska on Mar 30, 2022 1:33:59 GMT
So I did a train journey today using a Thames Rover, everything passed smoothly (I've heard bad stories about GWR staff in regards to selling tickets and the 9:30am rule but on my visit today, they were very friendly and helpful) & all my trains ran like clockwork. I ticked off all four branches all using the lovely Class 165's before popping into Reading for a quick bite and then a GWR trip to Paddington on a lovely Class 387
|
|
|
Post by M1199 on Mar 30, 2022 8:05:56 GMT
So I did a train journey today using a Thames Rover, everything passed smoothly (I've heard bad stories about GWR staff in regards to selling tickets and the 9:30am rule but on my visit today, they were very friendly and helpful) & all my trains ran like clockwork. I ticked off all four branches all using the lovely Class 165's before popping into Reading for a quick bite and then a GWR trip to Paddington on a lovely Class 387 Do miss the excellent 165/166's on the suburban lines in & out of Paddington, love the noises they make, right from revving up on pullaway to maxing out! For me, there was something quite relaxing about trying to sleep at night and hearing them pulling away from West Drayton Station. The 387's aren't that bad either tbh, were certainly an upgrade for Thames Valley commuters. The 345's though, to me, just feel like a complete downgrade over the 387's. Always feel cold on board, lack of toilet facilities & horrible longitudinal seating, for which I can't be the only one that makes my eyes go funny if I'm looking out the window at 50-60mph+ Will have to get a Thames Valley Rover in the not to distant future to go 165 bashing, a much cheaper way than to go galivanting round the West Country for some 165/166 traction. I assume you just went up to a GWR ticket office and asked for one?
|
|
|
Post by BE37054 (quoll662) on Mar 30, 2022 8:49:16 GMT
So I did a train journey today using a Thames Rover, everything passed smoothly (I've heard bad stories about GWR staff in regards to selling tickets and the 9:30am rule but on my visit today, they were very friendly and helpful) & all my trains ran like clockwork. I ticked off all four branches all using the lovely Class 165's before popping into Reading for a quick bite and then a GWR trip to Paddington on a lovely Class 387 Do miss the excellent 165/166's on the suburban lines in & out of Paddington, love the noises they make, right from revving up on pullaway to maxing out! For me, there was something quite relaxing about trying to sleep at night and hearing them pulling away from West Drayton Station. The 387's aren't that bad either tbh, were certainly an upgrade for Thames Valley commuters. The 345's though, to me, just feel like a complete downgrade over the 387's. Always feel cold on board, lack of toilet facilities & horrible longitudinal seating, for which I can't be the only one that makes my eyes go funny if I'm looking out the window at 50-60mph+ Will have to get a Thames Valley Rover in the not to distant future to go 165 bashing, a much cheaper way than to go galivanting round the West Country for some 165/166 traction. I assume you just went up to a GWR ticket office and asked for one? When I got mine I did it online. Here is the Railrover.org site, it will link you to the appropriate GWR section to purchase your ticket. There are also hyperlinks you can follow to find out about other rangers/rovers.
|
|
|
Post by M1199 on Mar 30, 2022 9:03:29 GMT
Do miss the excellent 165/166's on the suburban lines in & out of Paddington, love the noises they make, right from revving up on pullaway to maxing out! For me, there was something quite relaxing about trying to sleep at night and hearing them pulling away from West Drayton Station. The 387's aren't that bad either tbh, were certainly an upgrade for Thames Valley commuters. The 345's though, to me, just feel like a complete downgrade over the 387's. Always feel cold on board, lack of toilet facilities & horrible longitudinal seating, for which I can't be the only one that makes my eyes go funny if I'm looking out the window at 50-60mph+ Will have to get a Thames Valley Rover in the not to distant future to go 165 bashing, a much cheaper way than to go galivanting round the West Country for some 165/166 traction. I assume you just went up to a GWR ticket office and asked for one? When I got mine I did it online. Here is the Railrover.org site, it will link you to the appropriate GWR section to purchase your ticket. There are also hyperlinks you can follow to find out about other rangers/rovers. Cheers for the link, I shall take a look!
|
|
|
Post by vjaska on Mar 30, 2022 9:09:25 GMT
So I did a train journey today using a Thames Rover, everything passed smoothly (I've heard bad stories about GWR staff in regards to selling tickets and the 9:30am rule but on my visit today, they were very friendly and helpful) & all my trains ran like clockwork. I ticked off all four branches all using the lovely Class 165's before popping into Reading for a quick bite and then a GWR trip to Paddington on a lovely Class 387 Do miss the excellent 165/166's on the suburban lines in & out of Paddington, love the noises they make, right from revving up on pullaway to maxing out! For me, there was something quite relaxing about trying to sleep at night and hearing them pulling away from West Drayton Station. The 387's aren't that bad either tbh, were certainly an upgrade for Thames Valley commuters. The 345's though, to me, just feel like a complete downgrade over the 387's. Always feel cold on board, lack of toilet facilities & horrible longitudinal seating, for which I can't be the only one that makes my eyes go funny if I'm looking out the window at 50-60mph+ Will have to get a Thames Valley Rover in the not to distant future to go 165 bashing, a much cheaper way than to go galivanting round the West Country for some 165/166 traction. I assume you just went up to a GWR ticket office and asked for one? Yeah, I absolutely love the 165’s as well after my trip on one along the North Downs Line last year, shame the four branches off the GWR mainline aren’t particularly speedy branches. Living in Southern territory, I’ve grown up with Electrostars particularly 377’s and I’ve always enjoyed riding on them but have never done a 387 before so was nice to do that. I like the 345’s minus the longitudinal seating. I brought it from the ticket office at Paddington as I didn’t want to pay the £7 delivery for the tickets so just paid the £23.50 for the ticket itself. I’m going to do Southerns day save ticket possibly next week
|
|
|
Post by M1199 on Mar 30, 2022 11:06:06 GMT
Do miss the excellent 165/166's on the suburban lines in & out of Paddington, love the noises they make, right from revving up on pullaway to maxing out! For me, there was something quite relaxing about trying to sleep at night and hearing them pulling away from West Drayton Station. The 387's aren't that bad either tbh, were certainly an upgrade for Thames Valley commuters. The 345's though, to me, just feel like a complete downgrade over the 387's. Always feel cold on board, lack of toilet facilities & horrible longitudinal seating, for which I can't be the only one that makes my eyes go funny if I'm looking out the window at 50-60mph+ Will have to get a Thames Valley Rover in the not to distant future to go 165 bashing, a much cheaper way than to go galivanting round the West Country for some 165/166 traction. I assume you just went up to a GWR ticket office and asked for one? Yeah, I absolutely love the 165’s as well after my trip on one along the North Downs Line last year, shame the four branches off the GWR mainline aren’t particularly speedy branches. Living in Southern territory, I’ve grown up with Electrostars particularly 377’s and I’ve always enjoyed riding on them but have never done a 387 before so was nice to do that. I like the 345’s minus the longitudinal seating. I brought it from the ticket office at Paddington as I didn’t want to pay the £7 delivery for the tickets so just paid the £23.50 for the ticket itself. I’m going to do Southerns day save ticket possibly next week I’ll prob just head to the ticket office at West Drayton and go from there then. I like the Marlow branch, dunno why, Bourne End Station has always intrigued me. It’s been a few years though now since I last done the Marlow Donkey. The last time I used a Southern service, it was on a 442 to and from Brighton, yet another interesting class that’s no longer in service!
|
|
|
Post by wirewiper on Mar 30, 2022 11:19:11 GMT
Yeah, I absolutely love the 165’s as well after my trip on one along the North Downs Line last year, shame the four branches off the GWR mainline aren’t particularly speedy branches. Living in Southern territory, I’ve grown up with Electrostars particularly 377’s and I’ve always enjoyed riding on them but have never done a 387 before so was nice to do that. I like the 345’s minus the longitudinal seating. I brought it from the ticket office at Paddington as I didn’t want to pay the £7 delivery for the tickets so just paid the £23.50 for the ticket itself. I’m going to do Southerns day save ticket possibly next week I’ll prob just head to the ticket office at West Drayton and go from there then. I like the Marlow branch, dunno why, Bourne End Station has always intrigued me. It’s been a few years though now since I last done the Marlow Donkey. The last time I used a Southern service, it was on a 442 to and from Brighton, yet another interesting class that’s no longer in service! The line used to continue beyond Bourne End to High Wycombe until 1970, with intermediate stations at Wooburn Green and Loudwater. The "Marlow Donkey" nickname originally referred just to the Bourne End-Marlow service which before the closure to High Wycombe was operated as a separate shuttle. The Maidenhead - High Wycombe branch line opened in 1854; it was the original rail ink to High Wycombe, the more direct route through Denham to Old Oak Common did not open until 1899. The Marlow branch was added in 1873. Maidenhead-Marlow could be converted to light-rail with DLR-style driverless trains, this would save time as it would eliminate the extra time needed to change ends on each journey at the terminals and at Bourne End, and would allow a more frequent service to be provided. As there are foot crossings along the route and a road level crossing at Cookham though I doubt this would be sanctioned. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wycombe_Railway
|
|
|
Post by BE37054 (quoll662) on Mar 30, 2022 11:23:16 GMT
Yeah, I absolutely love the 165’s as well after my trip on one along the North Downs Line last year, shame the four branches off the GWR mainline aren’t particularly speedy branches. Living in Southern territory, I’ve grown up with Electrostars particularly 377’s and I’ve always enjoyed riding on them but have never done a 387 before so was nice to do that. I like the 345’s minus the longitudinal seating. I brought it from the ticket office at Paddington as I didn’t want to pay the £7 delivery for the tickets so just paid the £23.50 for the ticket itself. I’m going to do Southerns day save ticket possibly next week I’ll prob just head to the ticket office at West Drayton and go from there then. I like the Marlow branch, dunno why, Bourne End Station has always intrigued me. It’s been a few years though now since I last done the Marlow Donkey. The last time I used a Southern service, it was on a 442 to and from Brighton, yet another interesting class that’s no longer in service! Still some Plastic Pigs on the SWR lines to Southampton/Bournemouth.
|
|
|
Post by vjaska on Mar 30, 2022 11:27:32 GMT
Yeah, I absolutely love the 165’s as well after my trip on one along the North Downs Line last year, shame the four branches off the GWR mainline aren’t particularly speedy branches. Living in Southern territory, I’ve grown up with Electrostars particularly 377’s and I’ve always enjoyed riding on them but have never done a 387 before so was nice to do that. I like the 345’s minus the longitudinal seating. I brought it from the ticket office at Paddington as I didn’t want to pay the £7 delivery for the tickets so just paid the £23.50 for the ticket itself. I’m going to do Southerns day save ticket possibly next week I’ll prob just head to the ticket office at West Drayton and go from there then. I like the Marlow branch, dunno why, Bourne End Station has always intrigued me. It’s been a few years though now since I last done the Marlow Donkey. The last time I used a Southern service, it was on a 442 to and from Brighton, yet another interesting class that’s no longer in service! Yeah, don't think I ever rode a 442 but I will go and ride a few 313's hopefully especially if the rumours of them departing in the autumn are true as well ride the diesel Turbostars on the Uckfield & Ashford lines
|
|
|
Post by M1199 on Mar 30, 2022 13:23:15 GMT
I’ll prob just head to the ticket office at West Drayton and go from there then. I like the Marlow branch, dunno why, Bourne End Station has always intrigued me. It’s been a few years though now since I last done the Marlow Donkey. The last time I used a Southern service, it was on a 442 to and from Brighton, yet another interesting class that’s no longer in service! Still some Plastic Pigs on the SWR lines to Southampton/Bournemouth. Didn’t SWR pull the plug and withdraw these after a few faults developed after whatever upgrades they received and the start of COVID?
|
|
|
Post by M1199 on Mar 30, 2022 13:36:58 GMT
I’ll prob just head to the ticket office at West Drayton and go from there then. I like the Marlow branch, dunno why, Bourne End Station has always intrigued me. It’s been a few years though now since I last done the Marlow Donkey. The last time I used a Southern service, it was on a 442 to and from Brighton, yet another interesting class that’s no longer in service! Yeah, don't think I ever rode a 442 but I will go and ride a few 313's hopefully especially if the rumours of them departing in the autumn are true as well ride the diesel Turbostars on the Uckfield & Ashford lines Haven’t done a 313 since London Overground took over from Silverlink! Those 313’s must be some, if not the oldest EMU’s on the network nowadays? Same with the Merseyrail 507/508’s, had many a good journey on them in the early 90’s when visiting my grandparents in Southport. Must get up there soon before they bow out! Do like the design style of those EMU’s from the 70’s/80’s, shame the seats never aligned with the windows! Have lead rather a sheltered live when it comes to rolling stock, in the last 10 years I’ve tended to drive everywhere and in the decade before I had the 165/166’s as my mainstay of travel along with the mighty A Stock!
|
|
|
Post by southlondon413 on Mar 30, 2022 14:39:56 GMT
Still some Plastic Pigs on the SWR lines to Southampton/Bournemouth. Didn’t SWR pull the plug and withdraw these after a few faults developed after whatever upgrades they received and the start of COVID? Yeah, I’m pretty sure SWR purchased them and had them they scrapped. They retained the 458s to replace them.
|
|
|
Post by kmkcheng on Mar 31, 2022 22:25:21 GMT
I used the Thames day ranger a couple of weeks ago and it was an excellent day. The only issue I had was the ticket barriers at all the stations along the route didn’t allow me through and I had to seek a member of staff to let me through.
|
|
|
Post by vjaska on Mar 31, 2022 23:41:31 GMT
I used the Thames day ranger a couple of weeks ago and it was an excellent day. The only issue I had was the ticket barriers at all the stations along the route didn’t allow me through and I had to seek a member of staff to let me through. It worked for me exiting at Paddington & Reading but when entering back at Reading, it didn’t.
|
|