Originally Posted by
Showbizguru
Me too.
An even better trick is to hop on the train at Gatwick where very often the ticket collector doesn't bother to come round and rather than go to Victoria get off at Clapham Junction and get the next train to Waterloo where there are no ticket gates and usually only ticket inspectors at peak times.
If I ever got stopped I used to do a great deaf and dumb routine but I suppose if you're an American tourist you could just plead ignorance of the laws.
It's all terribly naughty of course but great fun when it works.
Barriers are now being installed at Waterloo.
If you are intent on trying to pay on the train - I always find it is better to try and be positive about seeking the conductor out rather than waiting for him to come to you (not always easy with luggage of course)
Funniest thing I ever saw was on Southern when a group of Dutch tourists on their way to Brighton tried to act ignorant with the conductor using the most broken English I have ever heard someone from Holland (normally excellent English) speak.....
The conductor happened to be Dutch himself.....