Platform tickets

[whole diary]

[Fourbee]

I do note your point, ChrisB - but 'walking along the platform' is still classed as 'travelling': see https://www.transport.gov.scot/active-travel/ 

Interestingly the illustrative image says "not valid for travel" - but is the image just the payment receipt and not the ticket?

It will depend on the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company), so in the Blackfriar's case that is the ticket. I'd guess GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) would have a similar format ticket to Blackfriars as they're still using STAR, but SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) for example don't have that as a retail sundry and it needs to be done as a manual fare so would look more like a normal ticket.

[Ralph Ayres]

It may be worth explaining for those not familiar with Blackfriars mainline station that the entrance was originally only on the north bank of the Thames, with platforms perhaps jutting out slightly above the water. To allow for longer trains, the platforms were rebuilt earlier this century and extended right across the river with a new entrance on the south side.  While obviously intended to allow passengers catching a train to enter at either end, people quickly and understandably saw its potential as a through pedestrian alternative to the adjacent road bridge; there's a glorious view in good weather and shelter from wind and rain at other times.

In my role at the time I was involved in fending off requests to allow free passage for all, which would have opened a real can of revenue worms. As a new build there was thankfully no question of it being an established right of way, and unlike other troublesome stations such as Southwark or Earls Court the alternative route was just as direct albeit not under cover.  Thanks to a quirk of fare pricing (the "central core" of Thameslink - the only bit that really should be on the Tube map - is charged as if it were an Underground line), we were able to set the Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services)/contactless system not to charge extra for anyone who passed through the mainline station en route for or after leaving the adjacent but separate Tube station.  Add into this that as mentioned earlier anyone with a Travelcard covering Zone 1 or a 60+/Freedom Pass can walk through the station for free, the number of people who might have to buy a platform ticket is actually pretty small.

[Fourbee]

To allow for longer trains, the platforms were rebuilt earlier this century and extended right across the river with a new entrance on the south side.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Qu7DpDenxYf8NCRcA ...which can be accessed down those steps; I vaguely remember a post of the forum about the lack of decent signage!