the newsletter for railway pensioners

the newsletter for railway pensioners AUTUMN/WINTER 2015

Page 9 Pension news

Page 13 Don’t be fooled by scams

Page 16 Staff travel updates

A very warm welcome to your Autumn/Winter edition of Penfriend.

At the start of the summer, we held our annual Penfriend Reader Discussion Group and I’d like to thank all those who attended. As well as kindly offering feedback on the newsletter, many guests took the time to share their experiences as members of the railways pension schemes.

Some of these case studies are now available at www.railwayspensions.co.uk and I’m sure members who are currently paying into the schemes – and those considering joining – will find them enormously helpful.

Speaking of the website, those of you who have logged on recently will have noticed some big changes. The site has a fresh new design and offers lots of information specifically for you in the ‘Retired’ section.

From mid-2016, you will be able to log in to your personal account and have access to a greater wealth of information, including copies of your P60s. We’ll update you on this in our Spring 2016 issue.

In the meantime, please remember you can visit www.railwayspensions.co.uk to keep up to date with the latest pension news and hot topics – you’ll find these at the bottom of the home page or in the ‘Resources’ section.

I hope you find this newsletter useful and enjoy reading the stories shared by your fellow readers. Don’t forget to complete our online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/PenfriendAutumn15 to share any feedback.

Best wishes,

JOHN CHILMAN, Trustee Chairman

Trustee’smessage...

Penfriend | Autumn/ Winter 2015 02

Stay safe online .............................. 03

Summary of Financial Reports & Audited Financial Statements 2014.. 04

Rail journeys to remember ............... 06

Pension news: in summary ............... 09

Tales from down the line ................. 10

Penfriend photo album .................... 15

Staff travel updates .......................... 16

Your letters ...................................... 18

Competition .................................... 20

Pension queries ................................ 20

the newsletter for railway pensioners AUTUMN / WINTER 2015

The photograph on the front cover is by John Askwith and shows the Weardale Railway Trust owned No. 40.

You can learn more about the Weardale Railway Heritage Service at www.weardale-railway.org uk or visit www.facebook.com/WeardaleRailwayHeritageServices© The Weardale Railway Trust.

You can read Penfriend online at www.railwayspensions.co.uk (under ‘Resources’ and ‘Newsletters’) or www.btppensions.co.uk (under ‘Library’ and ‘Newsletter’).

Penfriend is also available in audio format.

If you have difficulty reading and would like to receive Penfriend as an audio CD, please write to Penfriend, RPMI, Stooperdale Offices, Brinkburn Road, Darlington, DL3 6EH, or email [email protected]. Please include your full name, address and pension reference number.

Contents


Earlier in 2015, we launched the new RailwaysPensions.co.uk website which contains lots of valuable content for all members.

Of course, one of the biggest concerns with online services is security, so please be assured that RPMI (your railways pension administrator) puts a very high priority on keeping members’ details secure.

For now, only those with active or preserved memberships can log in to a secure area of the website known as myRPS, but from mid-2016 pensioners will also have access. You’ll be able to see your recent pension payments, download payslips and P60s, and do day-to-day things like keeping us up to date with your address.

We’ll tell you more about how to register in the Spring issue of Penfriend, but you can rest easy in the knowledge that security has been at the forefront of the new site. You’ll need to set passwords that meet certain criteria and have your own PIN as an extra level of protection.

RPMI also uses high-grade encryption to protect data sent or received through the websites and all member data is held on RPMI’s own systems here in the UK – not in any other country.

Although RPMI is as careful as it can be, there is always a risk that criminals will try to steal your information and you should also take measures to protect yourself. Here are some quick tips to help you stay safe online:

Keep your password safe!Lots of people write down passwords because they are so hard to remember. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but keep it in a safe place, not near your computer.

Use different passwordsTry to set up different passwords for each site you log in to. Perhaps try using memorable phrases related to each site. Substituting numbers for letters also makes it more secure. For example, use 5 for S or 3 for E.

Watch out for free WiFiBe careful what you do using free WiFi. It may be possible for people to ‘listen’ to what you’re doing by monitoring the WiFi signal. And because it sends packets of data to and from your computer, a hacker could unbundle that packet and see the website you’re on and any information you’ve sent. Free WiFi is safe for news updates, but perhaps not for online banking.

Be careful when responding to emailsMost emails are legitimate. But sometimes fraudsters can send an email that looks just like one you’re likely to receive from a company you know. This is called ‘phishing’. They are very clever, and often ask you for personal details. RPMI will never send you an email asking for personal details.

Install anti-virus softwareSometimes you follow a link to what looks like a legitimate website, but, hackers have already taken control of that website and when it loads, it puts a file on your computer, known as malware. Malware can sit quietly on your computer and you’ll never know it’s there. But it is watching every website you log in to, capturing all your passwords, and sending them back to fraudsters.You can get protection from malware for free by using antivirus software like AVG (http://free.avg.com).

You can read more advice on how to protect yourself from fraud on page 13.

Stay safe online

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Summary of the 2014 Annual Report and Audited Financial StatementsThe 2014 Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for the Railways Pension Scheme is now available. Here’s a short summary of the 2014 markets and investments, plus some key figures from four of the Sections.

2014 markets and investments

2014 was a good year for investment returns and all the main asset classes saw positive results.

The returns for each Section largely depend on how the assets are allocated. The Trustee decides this based on the characteristics of the Section, such as its membership profile and the financial strength of the employer.

Growth assets like equities (shares in companies) and property generally performed well, although returns between different countries and regions varied significantly.

Government bonds in developed markets also delivered good returns as interest rates remained low, leading to a rise in their prices.

Global central banks, like the Bank of England and US Federal Reserve, were once again one of the biggest influences on financial markets during 2014 as they continued to implement policies designed to help economic growth. While the current environment of low interest rates has supported both bond and equity investments, it might not be considered a positive sign for either economic strength or asset returns over the longer term.

British Railways Superannuation Fund (BRSF)

£000Net assets on 1 January 2014 249,503

Income Contributions 3

Total income 3

Expenditure Pensions and other benefits paid out (29,213)

Administration expenses (342)

Total expenditure (29,555)

Net returns on investments 22,651

Net assets on 31 December 2014 242,602

(Brackets indicate negative figures)

as at as atTotal scheme membership 31/12/2014 31/12/2013

Normal pensioners 1,966 2,113

Dependant pensioners 1,307 1,409

Preserved pensioners 3 5

Actives 2 4

Total 3,278 3,531

1994 Pensioners section

£millionNet assets on 1 January 2014 3,641


Total income 22

Expenditure Pensions and other benefits paid out (355)

Transfer values paid (3)


Total expenditure (361)

Net returns on investments 288




Pensioners 83,535 87,283

Preserved pensioners 35,405 36,550

Total 118,940 123,833


Railways Pension Scheme (RPS) (including 1994 Pensioners Section)

£millionNet assets on 1 January 2014 20,105


Transfer values received 14

Total income 700

Expenditure Pensions and other benefits paid out (943)

Transfer values paid (229)







Pensioners 139,998 141,472

Preserved pensioners 107,714 108,440

Active members 89,336 87,528

Total 337,048 337,440

You can download a copy of the RPS Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements at www.railwayspensions.co.uk (under ‘Resources’ and ‘Report and Accounts’). Alternatively, you can request a copy by emailing [email protected] or writing to Customer Services Team, RPMI, PO Box 300, Darlington, DL3 6YJ. Please quote your pension reference number.

British Transport Police Force Superannuation Fund (BTPFSF)

£000Net assets on 1 January 2014 948,596

Income Contributions 38,504

Transfer values received 3,101

Total income 41,605

Expenditure Pensions and other benefits paid out (46,580)

Transfer values paid (1,007)

Payment to add on account of leavers (18)

Administration expenses (1,783)



Net assets on 31 December 2014 1,037,881


as at as atTotal Fund membership 31/12/2014 31/12/2013

Pensioners 2,645 2,561

Preserved pensioners 696 696

Active members 2,806 2,774

Total 6,147 6,031

You can download a copy of the BTPFSF Report and Accounts at www.btppensions.co.uk (under ‘library’ and ‘Report & Accounts’). Alternatively, you can request a copy by emailing [email protected] or writing to Customer Services Team, RPMI, PO Box 300, Darlington, DL3 6YJ. Please quote your pension reference number.


Rail journeys to remember

Leonard Lean, of Milton Keynes, recalls a rail journey across Europe in 2010. He writes…

We travelled by Eurostar and an extremely dense heat haze covered France as far as the continental watershed, so I saw almost nothing from the tunnel exit to Paris Gare du Nord, to the Gare de Lyon and on into the Divide.

The duplex TGV took us on to Geneva and it was distinctly eerie descending from the watershed down to the open valley floor of the River Saone. We transferred to Montreux and more train transfers took us on to Desenzano and the hotel, a mere 200 yards from the tracks. The next day, we took a coach trip to Milan where we duly saw the Duomo, the Galleria Victor Emmanuel (London’s Burlington Arcade a mere pipsqueak in comparison) and Leonardo’s Last Supper fresco.

We also travelled by punctual express to Venice and took a launch tour and guided stroll.

During our homeward journey, the railway climbed nearly 4,000ft up the valley of the Adige to 4,405ft for the rail station, and 4,408ft at the actual summit, before starting a drop of about 2,500ft (in 25 miles) ending on a platform at Innsbruck.

The Passion Play was our target at Oberammergau. The actors are nominated years in advance so the men can grow natural beards. There are 105 performances, and coach parties have lunch at a restaurant, go to Part 1 of the play, come back for dinner, go to Part 2, then go back to the hotel.

On our way back home to St Pancras via Eurostar, someone had managed to start a fire in the tunnel under the Thames, so every train was held up for nearly two hours!

Mrs Helen Gray writes…

My husband and I decided to visit family in Vancouver, and flew to Toronto for a four-day journey across Canada. The travel was free and we paid for the cabin, which was perfect, with two armchairs to watch the changing views. At the rear of the train there was a viewing coach which gave a wonderful panoramic view of the countryside.

The prairies seemed endless and the Rockies were marvellous but the highlight was the spiral tunnels at Lake Louise. When we looked from the right-side window we could see the rail track miles down in the valley like a toy railway.

The engineer let us go up into the cab (back hander supplied!) and with the huge light in front of the engine we spiralled down – a wonderful experience and a ‘once in a lifetime’ journey across Canada.

In the Spring issue of Penfriend, we asked you to tell us about any interesting rail journeys you’ve experienced and we were delighted with the response. Here are a few of your tales…

EC37 Geneva Aeroport to Venezia arriving Montreux 08.38.

A view of Venice.


Brian Aynsley recalls two very different journeys…

In 1996, my wife and I travelled across Canada by train. We started in Vancouver Island, went on to Vancouver, then joined the Rocky Mountaineer for a trip to Banff with an overnight stop at Kamloops.

We then went to Edmonton and joined The Canadian for a 48-hour journey to Toronto. It was a fabulous trip, especially going through the Rocky Mountains. The journey across the prairies was amazing, but the section through the ‘great Canadian shield’ was even better. Until you do this trip, it is hard to understand how big Canada is.

On the Rocky Mountaineer we were served airline-type food but on The Canadian it was pure luxury with comfortable accommodation and food cooked on the train. A fabulous trip.

In 2004, we did a totally different trip, from Chaing Mai in Thailand to Singapore.

No luxury trains on this journey. Nevertheless, it was a wonderful journey and we went in stages: Chaing Mai to Bangkok, Bangkok to Butterworth for Penang,

Butterworth to Kuala Lumpur, and Kuala Lumpur to Singapore.

All in all, it was a fabulous trip but we needed another holiday when we got home!

An elephant camp near Chaing Mai.

I recently went to Japan to visit my penfriend Kan Ando and went on a very long day trip to Hiroshima from Tokyo on the famous Bullet train (Shinkansen - pictured). Wow! What a train – so comfortable, clean and, above all, on time to the second.

It was an 1,100-mile round trip with plenty of sightseeing time in Hiroshima. The journey took four hours 20 minutes for 555 miles, and was smooth and comfortable. I would fully recommend it.

I also visited a Japanese rail museum in Nagoya, where past, present and future Shinkansens were on display with various other exhibits, including locomotives built in Great Britain.

Russell Newcombe travelled to the Far East to catch up with an old friend and take a ride on one of the world’s most esteemed trains.


Rail journeys to remember…continued.

The British Transport Pensioners’ Federation (BTPF) has launched its new website at www.btpf.org.

Founded in 1948, the BTPF’s primary aim is to protect the best interests of all railway people before, and during, retirement.

The new website embraces both Facebook and Twitter, and plenty of information is colourfully displayed in a modern format, with design having been provided by Audio Imaging Online. The site also provides links to other organisations of interest.

Over the years, the BTPF has achieved many financial and travel benefits for retired railway employees and their dependants.

It has 50 branches across the UK with some 14,000 members. Welfare advice is provided and branches organise their own outings, holidays, and speakers on various railway and non-railway topics.

Anyone currently employed or retired from any part of the British transport industry can join the BTPF. Friends, relatives and neighbours of members are also welcome to join.

To become a member of the BTPF, either:

n complete an application form and hand it to an existing member;

n write to the Membership Secretary at 30 Oaken Grove, Haxby, York YO32 3QZ;

n email [email protected];

n telephone 0116 2750730; or

n complete and submit the ‘Get in Touch’ form at www.btpf.org

New website for BTPF

Philip Dee had a rare experience while travelling by train in Japan – delays!

A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to spend two years in Korea. During my time there, I would pop over to Japan for a series of jaunts.

On one trip, I took the train from Takamatsu to Okayama. I noted that there were concerned looks from fellow my passengers and soon they were leaving the carriage in droves. I got off to investigate and noted that my train (9:21) had disappeared from the indicator and it had morphed into the next one, the 9:55.

As there was another departure at 9:30, the locals had all rushed off to change trains. I just returned to my previous seat in a six-car EMU and sat back with a smug smile watching the three-car 9:30 depart with every available space filled with passengers.

My thought that this would be the only disruption proved wrong. The next day, my train ground to a halt at Nichihara.

It turned out to be due to a train failure and they were waiting for the naughty train to clear the single line, which took approximately 65 minutes.

So contrary to popular belief, trains are delayed and cancelled in Japan.

Penfriend |Autumn/ Winter 2015 09

Pension news: in summaryThis regular feature looks at developments in pensions which may affect you.

It has been a busy time in politics lately with a change in government and two Budgets delivered within four months, each affecting pensions.

New governmentAfter winning the general election on 7 May 2015, the Conservative government appointed a new Pensions Minister, Dr Ros Altmann (now known as Baroness Altmann). She has worked alongside the pensions industry for many years and is regularly interviewed about pension and consumer issues.

It is too early to predict exactly what changes the new government and the new Pensions Minister may introduce, although some early indications have come from the recent Summer Budget (see below). Baroness Altmann has also shown support for reducing pension charges in defined contribution arrangements.

Summer Budget 2015The first Budget of the new government was delivered on 8 July 2015. The Conservatives said before the general election that they intended to restrict pension tax relief for high-earners and they outlined how this would be done in the Summer Budget.

The government also announced a consultation on the overall taxation framework for pensions. However, any changes are unlikely to affect your railways pension.

One item announced at the Summer Budget that may be relevant to some readers relates to the development of a secondary market in annuities. In the March 2015 Budget, the Chancellor announced that individuals receiving an income from an annuity should be able to use the new pension freedoms and sell their future annuity income for a cash lump sum if they wished.

Your railways pension income is not provided by an annuity so could not be sold in this way. However, this option could be available to you if you have an annuity income from an insurance company. We recommend you get financial advice if you’re considering this option.

The ability to sell annuity income was originally set to apply from April 2016. However, the Summer Budget revealed it would be delayed until 2017 to make sure enough support is available to annuity policyholders. The government has said it will publish further plans later this year, so we will update you in a future edition.

Another announcement was a change to the tax on lump sums paid to beneficiaries if a member dies at the age of 75 or over. This might apply if you have pension benefits elsewhere which you have not yet brought into payment.

The Summer Budget confirmed that, from 2016-17, the tax rate in these circumstances will reduce from 45 per cent to the beneficiary’s marginal income tax rate.

Budget 2015Prior to the Summer Budget, the coalition government delivered its final Budget on 18 March 2015. In addition to the announcement about selling annuities, mentioned above, the Chancellor announced a further reduction in the Lifetime Allowance.

The Lifetime Allowance is the total amount of pension savings you can build up within registered pension schemes during your lifetime. Additional tax is charged on any savings over this amount. However, it does not impact pensions already in payment.

The March 2015 Budget announced that the Lifetime Allowance would reduce from £1.25 million to £1 million with effect from 6 April 2016. It will then increase in line with inflation from 2018 onwards.

This would only affect you if you have other pension benefits (excluding State benefits), which have not yet been brought into payment. It would also depend how much of the Lifetime Allowance you have used up already and the amount of benefits not yet brought into payment. If the combined value of these benefits is high, you might wish to find out more information about the change.

A ‘Read as you need’ guide to the Lifetime Allowance is available at

www.railwayspensions.co.uk, under ‘Resources’ and ‘Read as you need guides’.


Tales from down the line

Now well into my retirement years, I often reflect on my good fortune in accepting the offer of employment with British Rail, following my discharge from National Service.

During my first five years’ service at Scarborough Goods station, I was appointed to a post known as Townsman. The duties involved the collection of freight carriage accounts, and visits to local traders to investigate complaints of damage to goods conveyed by rail.

This job led to my transfer to the Divisional Manager’s claims office, in York, which later merged to form the Regional Claims Office, in Leeds. There, I was eventually appointed Claims Prevention Investigator.

Freight train traffic comprised virtually every conceivable commodity in consignments ranging from a single package to a full wagon load. Claims arose through instances of loss, damage, theft and pilferage and my primary function was to determine the cause and recommend remedial action. Identifying the cause usually resolved the question of liability and the main causes of damage were careless handling, rough shunting, and inadequate packing.

My investigations included visits to freight depots throughout Yorkshire, and negotiations with the representatives of major traders. I also visited Hull docks because of incidents of damage to imported traffic transferred from ship to rail vehicles.

Sadly, during the late 1960s/early 70s, I witnessed the decline and ultimate withdrawal of this business, resulting in redundancies. I was then transferred to the Divisional Manager’s office, Leeds, and reappointed as Parcels Inspector, where my investigations involved complaints from major Mail Order and numerous textile firms.

Having been involved in the working of both freight and parcels traffic, with a wide variety of claims situations, and fond memories of countless friendly acquaintances in numerous locations, I have always considered that my many long hours of travel from Scarborough were fully compensated.

Charles Braithwaite was a Claims Investigator during the 1960s and ’70s, and always considered his role to be one of the most interesting in the industry…

Promotion from afarWalter Alan Peverell shares a fond memory …

Before being called up to National Service, I was working at Stockton Sheds as a cleaner and I often went out firing, although I hadn’t passed as a fireman.

I went out to the Middle East on duty and spent several months in Egypt and then moved on to Jordan where I was a Gunner in the Royal Artillery.

In around 1948/49, while I was in Jordan, I received a letter from the Shed Master at Stockton one day, telling me that I’d been made a fireman. I couldn’t believe it and was shouting and bawling with the man I shared a tent with, who was from Barnsley and also a fireman. The other men around us must have thought we had lost the plot.

There can’t have been many people out in the desert who found out they’d just become a fireman and it struck me

how kind it was of the Shed Master to go to the effort of contacting me. It’s remarkable that he was able to track me down. For an hour or so, it brought us back home with happy memories and then the next day it was back to reality.

I’m 84 now and often think back to the memory of that letter.

Charles Braithwaite (far right) with staff from the former Regional Claims Office on their annual outing at Sewerby Park, Bridlington, in 1965.


BRIDGE HOUSE, SOUTH DEVONSet within 4 acres of beautiful gardens, at Bridge House nothing is too much trouble and we pride ourselves on providing a period of rest that is often needed for a gradual return to health and strength after illness or operation. We also provide much needed breaks for those in need of recuperation - including those having undergone hospital treatment, operations / trauma or bereavement and those such as full time carers simply needing to get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life. All our guests have peace of mind that a nurse is on the premises 24/7.

All rooms are furnished to a high standard with en suite facilities for your comfort. Food is freshly prepared and home cooked and there is a licensed bar located in the Main Lounge. Our weekly activity programmes and popular day trips mean you are free to do as little or as much as you like during your stay.

Come along, relax and unwind. Call our booking line number below for further details and to check availability. We look forward to welcoming you.

For further details and informationplease call our dedicated booking line

email:[email protected] or visit our website www.rch.org.uk01626 866850

Safety comes first Raymond Ridley tells us about a night he’ll never forget.

The most frightening experience I ever had happened when I worked for British Rail, around 1965, and a severe gale swept through the Thornthwaite Forest area of Cumbria.

We’d spent the previous three Sundays cutting down brushwood and young trees from the embankment, on the south side of Bass Lake Station. During the evening of the third Sunday and the early hours of Monday morning, at around 4am, the gale was howling and I told my brother I was going to walk the track between Braithwaite and Bass Lake Station. I was responsible for that section and thought the brushwood could blow on the track and cause a derailment.

The gale was very strong, but all I could think about was the first passenger train from Workington, which was due to depart Bass Lake Station at 7.30am.

I had to walk about half a mile from my house before starting my five-mile journey from Braithwaite to Bass Lake Station. I only had a small torch with me and it was very dark.

For the first mile and three quarters, I had the gale to my back and gained a little shelter while walking through the embankment cutting. From this point, it was going to be very nerve-racking. I stood down the embankment on the lake side of the track for five minutes in the darkness, so as to save my torch batteries because my light was so poor. I wondered if I should carry on or turn back.

I decided to take the risk and carry on. In the darkness, I could hear the trees in Thornthwaite Forest falling, about half a mile away. The gale was blowing towards the lake and on many occasions, I had to get down on my knees and hold on to track rail for grim death.

I arrived at Bass Lake Station safely, just as the 7.30am train was approaching

the platform and told the driver to take it easy for the first few miles.

A few months ago, I was talking to a man who had been employed by the Forestry Commission and asked if they kept any records of damage caused by storms. He didn’t know but told me that the storm was the worst that he had ever known.

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The presence of this advert in Penfriend is not an endorsement by RPMI.


Reader discussion group 2015Guests from across the UK gathered in July for Penfriend’s ever-popular discussion group.

The event gives our readers the chance to share much-valued feedback about the newsletter, and suggest forums and ideas for future content.

Our readers mingled with guest speakers and RPMI staff for hours of conversation and debate, which included two very interesting presentations.

The first was hosted by Mark Woodhams, from RPMI, who is an avid vintage rail enthusiast and volunteer/director on the Weardale Railway, in Stanhope. Mark’s talk centred around the hard work done by the volunteers in rescuing and restoring this historic railway line. More information can be found at www.facebook.com/WeardaleRailwayHeritageServices.

The second guest speaker was John Harrison, of the British Transport Pensioners’ Federation (BTPF). The BTPF was founded in 1948 and works hard to protect and maintain travel facilities for pensioners across Britain.

The Penfriend team would like to thank guests for completing the newsletter feedback form. The general consensus is that you are very happy with the quality of your pension communications.

A special thank you goes to our guests who volunteered to write case studies about their membership. You can read their stories online at www.railwayspensions.co.uk, under ‘In the Scheme’ and ‘Case studies’.

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Don’t be fooledScams affect millions of people from all walks of life and can have devastating consequences. By knowing some warning signs, you can help protect yourself and others.

Estimates suggest that around half of the UK population has been targeted by a scam, and each year, more than three million people fall victim to one.

Sadly, these days there are scams for almost every imaginable scenario, and the cheats, charlatans and swindlers will target you in person, over the phone, by email or post, or via the internet.

It’s important to know what to watch out for, so please arm yourself with the facts and visit the websites listed below to learn more.

Competitions and lotteriesYou’ll be told you’ve won a prize in a competition but to claim the prize you have to pay an administration fee.

Once you pay up, you often get nothing back or get something worth less than the fee you’ve paid.

PensionsIf you have pension savings you’ve not yet claimed, fraudsters may try to lure you with promises of one-off investments, pension loans or upfront cash in what’s known as ‘pension liberation’ fraud. Remember, generally if you’re under age 55 (or 50 if you have a protected pension age), you cannot release your pension (except due to ill health).

Victims could face large tax charges, as well as potentially losing all of their pension savings.

Phishing ‘Phishing’ is the term used when a scammer tries to get you to reveal personal or sensitive information, such as passwords, bank/credit card details, passport numbers or security information, via electronic communication.

For instance, you might be sent an email – apparently from your bank – asking you to update, validate or confirm your details. Similarly, you might receive unsolicited telephone calls from an imposter posing as the police or your bank.

Remember, your bank and the police will never ask for your PIN or collect your bank card, and RPMI will never contact you out of the blue asking for your personal details.

Miracle health curesYou may be offered ‘miracle’ cures but it’s unlikely that the products have been properly tested or that they’re medically effective. Some of these products may even be harmful, but could include fake testimonials or offer worthless ‘money-back’ guarantees. Always check with your doctor before taking, or purchasing, any medication.

Online shoppingShopping online can be quick and convenient, but not all sites are reputable. You might find your goods don’t arrive or match their description.

Try to use an online payment option such as PayPal, which helps to protect you, rather than paying by money transfers. Googling a website could also help you find feedback on it.

Know the warning signs:1. Calls, letters, emails or text messages out of the blue. 2. Competitions you don’t remember entering.3. Being asked to send money in advance. 4. Being told you have to respond quickly. 5. Being told to keep it a secret.6. People you don’t know asking for your bank details.7. A mobile number or PO Box number as contact details – these are easy to close and difficult to trace.8. Unsolicited phone calls offering to help you fix your computer.

Learn morewww.actionfraud.police.ukwww.fca.org.uk/consumers/scams www.ageuk.org.uk or www.agescotland.org.uk www.citizensadvice.org.uk or www.cas.org.uk www.pension-scams.com

If you think you’ve been targeted by fraudsters, please report them to the UK’s national fraud and internet crime reporting centre, Action Fraud, on 0300 123 2040.


Exchanging small benefits for a cash lump sumIf you have a small amount of benefits in the railways pension schemes, you may be able to take them as a one-off cash payment, through a process called ‘trivial commutation’ or by taking a ‘small pot payment’.

To take your benefits as a cash payment, you must meet certain rules set by the government and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and you must be over age 55 (or over 50 if you have a protected pension age). However, if part of your benefit is Guaranteed Minimum Pension, you cannot exchange your benefits until age 65 if you are a man or age 60 if you are a woman. This is likely to affect you if you joined the railways pension schemes before April 1997.

Tax charges will apply and your dependants will no longer be entitled to a pension or lump sum from the scheme when you die.

Trivial commutationYou might be able to exchange your pension for a one-off cash payment if your benefits across all of your pension arrangements do not exceed a value of £30,000.

You can ask the administrator of any of your pension schemes to let you know the value of your benefits in that scheme. You should tell them this value is needed for comparison against the ‘trivial commutation limit’ of £30,000. You then need to let RPMI know the value of your other pension benefits so they can be added to the value of those in the railways pension schemes and compared to the £30,000 limit.

If you are eligible for trivial commutation, the amount you receive from the scheme will almost certainly be different from the value placed on your benefits when they were tested against the limit and your cash payment will be taxed as income.

Small pot paymentIf you’re not eligible for trivial commutation, you may still be able to exchange your benefits for a cash payment if the amount paid from the railways pension scheme will be £10,000 or less. This payment will be taxed as income.

Several rules apply before you can take either trivial commutation or small pot payments and you can learn about these in ‘A guide for members on trivial commutation and small pot payments’ at www.railwayspensions.co.uk (under ‘Resources’ and ‘Read as you need guides’).

If, after reading this guide, you’d like to explore this option further, please call the Helpline on 0800 2 343434.

One-off cash payment

Total pensions savings across all schemes

=

Amount paid from the

RPS

=£30,000

or less£10,000

or less

One-off cash payment

Trivialcommutation

Small pot payment

Trivial Commutation and Small Pot Payments

££££££££££

££££££££££

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Email: [email protected] to: Penfriend, RPMI, Stooperdale Offices, Brinkburn Road, Darlington DL3 6EH

Complete the online survey. Scan the QR code on a smartphone to go straight there or visitwww.surveymonkey.com/s/PenfriendAutumn2015


Penfriend photo album

Retired driver Jim Canning writes: Here’s a happy band of retired railwaymen who now sit beneath their own sign in the Three Horse Shoes public house in Ilkeston.

Landlord Scott Ryder decided to recognise his loyal patrons and erect a suitable nameplate in their favourite corner of the pub. Patron Peter Mee had just the name to recommend to him, having been a fireman on this Royal Scot in the 50s – ‘Old Contemptibles’ – a suitable name especially with the centenary of the First World War.

Graham Kirkpatrick sent this photograph from circa 1925, which has a number of historic features. His grandfather, John Kirkpatrick, is the passenger porter (far right).

He comments: “Only the Junior Clerk (back) is not in uniform. The others (left to right) are the Town Carter, the Goods Station Porter, the Station Master, the Booking Clerk and Ticket Inspector, and the Passenger Porter.

“The chair is a Porters’ trolley and only the Town Carter and Goods Porter do not have pocket watches; wrist watches for men became popular only a decade later.

“There is nothing on the ground to indicate that Dalbeattie Station ever existed. It was on the line from Dumfries to Stranraer, known to local railwaymen as ‘the Port Road’.”

Betty Gingell writes: I’m the wife of an ex-railway worker who is now 95 years old and I read the Penfriend magazine to him. He remarked on recent newsletters: “What, still no news of Swindon Works?”. I laughed and said: “Oh, they closed down the Carriage and Wagon Works when you retired. It’s now 80 years since you started work there.”

Later that day he handed me this small snapshot. George Kenneth is the one in the hat. Men called him Mark in the factory. This came about when he was working among the wagons and he asked another worker: “Is that your mark?”. The man was deaf and took hold of his hand and said: “Pleased to meet you Mark!”.

Rosemary Lucas sent this photo of the Samson class LNWR engine ‘John O’ Gaunt’ no.1163, taken at Colwick Yard, Nottingham, in around 1890.

The driver standing on the right is Henry Knight, Rosemary’s great-grandfather, who came to Colwick Yard in 1880/1, shortly after it opened in 1879. Henry was one of the drivers who drove six engines over the new Runcorn rail bridge at its formal opening in 1868 and also claimed to be the first driver from Colwick to drive to John O’ Groats.

Rosemary, her father and grandfather all went on to work for the railways.


Staff travel updates

Rail Staff Travel Limited (RSTL) offers information for retired safeguarded staff.

Staff Travel Cards – use them correctly or lose them!We are all aware of the value of our staff travel facilities. However, despite frequent reminders on the correct procedure for using Staff Travel Cards, a few holders risk having their facilities withdrawn by not complying with the conditions of use. The following advice should help you and your dependants avoid problems when making a free journey. Please ensure all holders in your family read this.

Staff Travel Cards have a maximum number of occasions (boxes) of free travel available to the holder according to their entitlement. Any attempt to alter, overwrite or erase a date already entered in a box is considered a breach of the conditions of use and the penalty may be permanent withdrawal of all travel facilities from the holder (and, if the irregularity is committed by the prime cardholder, holders in their family as well). This is regardless of personal circumstances and the reason for making an alteration.

Staff Travel Cards must only be used by the holder named on the card and are only valid for leisure travel purposes. They must not be used for residential (travel to work or a place of education), duty, business or trading purposes.

To make a free leisure journey, the boxes printed on the card are used as follows:

n Before passing through the station platform barrier, the day and month of travel must be entered neatly in ink (using a good-quality ballpoint pen – pencil entries are not allowed) in the first available box (divided into sections marked as ‘DAY’ and ‘MTH’) on the card. Use a zero in front of single digits i.e. for 7 August enter 07 08

n The boxes must be used in numerical order.

n Each dated box allows unlimited free leisure travel on that day and up to midnight on the following day. For example a card dated for 7 August would also be valid for travel on 8 August. Additionally, the card may be used from 10pm on the preceding day if making an overnight journey.

n If you make an error when entering a date, that allocation of free travel is forfeited. The box containing the incorrect date must be crossed through neatly with an ‘x’, and the correct date entered in the next box.

We realise that some holders have difficulty entering dates on their Staff Travel Cards and don’t wish to see them fall foul of the rules because of this. If this applies to you, ask a family member, friend or member of station staff to assist you, instructing them on the correct procedure for dating the card.

Status Pass holders only – renewal of passes/submission of photographsThe current issue of Gold, Silver, and Blue Status Passes expires on 31 December 2015. New passes will be despatched in early to mid-December. However, a significant number of the current passes incorporate photographs that are very old and this may lead to recognition problems when presented to revenue protection staff.

In preparation for the renewal, holders are asked to submit a new photograph if the existing one on the pass was provided before 1 January 2013. The most convenient way to do this is to upload a digital photograph via the RSTL website www.atoc.org/about-atoc/rail-staff-travel/photo-upload/. Please select the option ‘January 2016 Status Pass Renewal’ from the product drop-down list.


Alternatively, if you do not have internet access or encounter difficulties, please send your photograph to the RSTL address below with an accompanying letter that includes your forename, surname and National Insurance number. Photographs that are not passport office compliant, whether uploaded or sent by post, will be rejected.

Please note that if you do not submit a photograph, your status pass will not be renewed.

FIP International Travel Facilities – purchasing privilege tickets/reservations In the Spring/Summer 2015 issue of Penfriend, we told you that International Rail Ltd (IRL) is now RSTL’s agent for managing the sales of European FIP fares to holders of FIP International travel facilities.

We are aware that there have been some early difficulties with the new service, largely to do with response times in handling the higher than anticipated volumes of enquiries/bookings.

By retaining an agent and paying the booking fees, RSTL is doing its best to assist staff travel facilities holders to enjoy travel in Europe. However, just as the provision of free and privilege rate travel on the services of FIP carriers is a non-contractual staff benefit, there is also no obligation on RSTL either to make a reservation service available, or to pay the booking fees on behalf of holders. If you therefore prefer to use the services of another agent, you may of course do so, at any time – though you will have to pay your own booking fees.

Other agents with whom you can book are: n Rail Canterbury – Tel: 01227 450088

n Ffestiniog Travel – Tel: 01766 772030

n Trainseurope – Tel: 0871 700 7722 (not Eurostar)

n Voyages-sncf.com – Tel: 0844 848 5848

RSTL naturally wants this booking service to be a success, and we are working actively with IRL to help them through the early stages. We ask for your patience while the new system beds in, and would like to reassure you that we will continue to monitor the situation closely, both in terms of response times and other issues raised.

Please note that the IRL website address for online bookings is now www.bookmyrst.co.uk

Staff travel restrictionsThe Winter 2015/2016 restrictions will be available online by early December (and in hard copy format to those who do not have access to the internet and have requested a copy).

Staff travel facilities information for those with internet accessWhile we are always happy to deal with telephone or email enquiries regarding your travel facilities entitlements, you may find it more convenient or quicker to get the answer to your questions by looking at the Rail Staff Travel website: www.atoc.org/about-atoc/rail-staff-travel

On our website, you will find:

n application forms, together with the card and pass Conditions of Issue and Use

n guides to domestic and international travel facilities

n details of staff travel restrictions

n the latest news and offers

n a frequently asked questions section

New style application formsWe have created new versions of some existing application forms on our website to complete online. Once completed, you just click “submit” and the form is sent directly to RSTL (no need to save and send it attached to an email).

The remaining application forms on the website can still be completed and emailed to us in the usual manner, following the instructions at the bottom of the form.

If you do not have internet access, you may still complete application forms and mail these to our usual address. However, please ensure you always use the current versions of these forms.

Changes to home address and family detailsPlease remember that RSTL and RPMI are separate organisations. So if you advise RPMI of a change of address or death of a partner, you must also let RSTL know separately. Forms 1515 and 1516 are available from the RSTL website to help you do this.

For information about staff travel, please contact RSTL at:

Tel: 0800 652 1700Email: [email protected]: www.atoc.org/rstPost: Rail Staff Travel, PO Box 72071, London EC1P 1JDThe information in this article is provided by RSTL. Please note that RPMI and Penfriend are not able to offer guidance and advice on any staff travel queries.


In the Spring/Summer edition, Penfriend published a photograph of the British Railways St Pancras Training School for Apprentices in 1963. I was one of the September 1962 intake. Does anyone know if a group photograph for 1962 exists and how I could obtain a copy?

Franz Latchford

I hold a Staff Travel Card and would like to contact members in the same situation. Rail travel is quite expensive for friends so I feel it would be an idea for members to get together.

Email [email protected] or write to: Mrs M Jones, 16 Dolyllan, Miskin, Pontyclun, Cardiff, CF72 8RY.

Mrs Meinir Jones

David William Hunter, a former colleague and loyal and trusted friend, died in June after a short illness.

Shortly after he died, I looked through photos of the many days out we’d shared. I took this picture of David on a visit to Southend-on-Sea pier railway in Essex in July 2012. He is standing in front of a train named after Sir John Betjeman. This famous poet, through his broadcasting and journalism, opened people’s eyes to the value of the buildings and landscape around them and he became Britain’s grand champion of its heritage.

In a way, this is what David also did for me and my life was richer for the many places we visited together during retirement.

Karen Collibee

Exemplary service

Recalling a proud moment for her late husband, Wendy Jo Gregory kindly sent Penfriend a copy of the Service Excellence Award and letter of commendation that her husband Barry received in 1985 while working at Finsbury Park.

During a turbulent period of service between Welwyn Garden City and Moorgate, many passengers were venting their frustration with station staff, including Barry who was operating the loud speakers in the Station Supervisor’s office.

Barry’s positive approach to the situation was noticed by the Honourable Nigel Turner who wrote to the General Manager of the Eastern Region, commenting: “I would like you to know that he [Barry] handled a difficult situation with both tact and exemplary enthusiasm. He is clearly dedicated to providing as efficient a service as possible for British Rail customers and, in my opinion, should be highly commended by the management.”

Later that week, the General Manager wrote to Barry to offer his own praise and present him with the Service Excellence Award.

Regarding the letter from WG Richards [Tales from down the line] in the Spring Penfriend, I remember Freddie Laker and his airline.

In 1973, I flew with him from Manchester Airport to JFK New York for a three-week stay to meet a cousin and her daughter.

It cost me £170 for a three-week return ticket and the service on board was first class with meals, drinks and films.

I flew out on the Western Belle and returned on the Eastern Belle.

At the time, my husband was a booking clerk at Picadilly Station, Manchester. He retired after 47 years’ service. Sadly, I lost him in 2001, but keep in touch with many of his former colleagues from Piccadilly.

Mrs Mary Cullen

Your Letters


REPTA 2015Run for the Railway People by the Railway People


Membership available now!Membership is open to all rail and transport industry staff either active or retired and including immediate family and brings you over 125 years of experience and wide ranging members’ discounts and benefits. You now receive a year’s membership from the date of joining rather than a calendar year. NEW BENEFITS: Love to Shop Card, Especially For You (discount vouchers for High Street shopping); The Shard & Brewery Centre visitor discounts.Free limited personal accident cover (age restriction applies). Refund of money paid to obtain duplicates for lost travel cards.

Join today!Individual membership, please send £5.75 inc. postage & packaging for Yearbook. Family Membership: 2 adults & all children under 18 - £8.50 + £1.75 p&p = £10.25. Please also see our website www.repta.co.uk. Quote name/s, address, D.O.B, telephone & email address to REPTA/Penfriend.

4 Brackmills Close, Forest Town, Mansfield, NG19 0PB Telephone: 01623 646789 YOU MAY ALSO JOIN AND PAY ONLINE AT - www.repta.co.uk

Bringing the industry closer together

Thirtieth anniversary celebrationsThe Freightliner Retirement Association (FRA) is celebrating its 30th anniversary and members were delighted to mark the occasion with a glass of bubbly and a special anniversary cake at the recent AGM.

The FRA is an organisation whose members worked for Freightliner or Railfreight Distribution (RfD). It has 180 members nationwide and organises monthly get-togethers around the country. There are also special visits arranged each summer.

The anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the year, culminating with a Christmas luncheon in December.

If you worked for either Freightliner or RfD and are interested in joining the FRA, please contact either the Secretary, Malcolm Bown, on 01953 798836, or the Chairman, Harold Cross, on 01543 472485.

The Freightliner Retirement Association AGM celebration.

I was reading with interest the Spring edition of Penfriend and saw the letter you published by Chris Morgan. My husband was the Chief Instructor at St Pancras Training School for Apprentices from 18 April 1960 to 24 May 1968 and his name was Tom Dunn.

My husband had a wonderful time working at the Training School; it was the most interesting and rewarding time of his working life.

Sadly, the school was closed, I believe, on 24 May 1968 when all apprenticeship training was stopped by British Rail. My husband was then transferred to British Railways Board Head Quarters at Marylebone.

I have a photograph of the school – unfortunately I do not know in which year it was taken but perhaps Mr Morgan may recognise himself or others he knew?

Mrs Doreen Dunn

Send us your lettersPenfriend is always happy to consider readers’ letters and photographs for publication. Please include your full name, address and a daytime contact number when writing to us. Due to space constraints, your letters may be edited.

Write to: Penfriend Editor, Room W27, RPMI, Stooperdale Offices, Brinkburn Road, Darlington, DL3 6EH or email: [email protected]

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Pension queriesCompetition

Here’s your chance to WIN £60 of high street vouchers. Find and circle all of the words listed below in the search box, then cut out this page and send it to us with your name, address, email and telephone number to be in with a chance of winning.

The words may be vertical, horizontal, upside down, back to front or diagonal.

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Send your entries to The Editor, Penfriend Competition, Room W27, RPMI, Stooperdale Offices, Brinkburn Road, Darlington DL3 6EH.

The winner will be the first correct entry drawn at random on 11 December 2015.

Congratulations to Mrs P Jones, from Newcastle, who won the quiz from our Spring issue.

The correct answers were:

1. The Andrews Sisters 2. Gladys Knight and The Pips

3. Little Eva 4. Sheena Easton

5. The Monkees 6. The Jam

7. The Beatles 8. Glen Campbell

© RPMI 2015_Penfriend newsletter - Autumn 2015_V2_12/08/2015 24

The RBF aims to improve the quality of life of current and former railway people and their families in the UK by offering customised support. This includes providing financial grants towards, for example, mobility aids, funeral expenses or educational needs. With the new services, RBF hopes to become a one-stop-shop for railway people looking for support and advice on a wide range of issues. People might receive direct assistance or be referred to a partner organisation that may be more specialised. For instance, RBF is partnering the Manchester Citizens Advice Bureau which offers specialist advice on complex issues. Alternatively, Turn2Us can provide help online without contacting anyone. For over 150 years, RBF has helped railway workers and their families in time of need and its modernisation plans will make sure it stays relevant. Contact RBF on 01270 251316 or email [email protected]

Competition Here’s your chance to WIN £60 of high street vouchers. Here’s your chance to WIN £60 of high street vouchers… Find and circle all of the words listed below in the search box, then cut out this page and send it to us with your name, address, email and telephone number to be in with a chance of winning. The words may be vertical, horizontal, upside down, back to front and diagonal. V O L G N L H X D G L E F V V W R V E H P T F X A S V G U P L I M A X G T V D X D Y E V M G Y A H T O G A D Z F P C N R N P L W E H R L S I Q R H R F H M W L H G V D X R D C I A C B T T Z L R P M Z G P N V C I M H F D K W I Q E M J O E K H A D I O F W Z X U E R K J Q R X Q E X B L C J S M G X H U T G G T K S F D S S P X X B E S P W I F D L K C A R T I K H V Q X M K S O Q U M V U D F Q L X D E A S F U W N H M R C U R Y E H B S R X W K B H G S B W E M C N J J H F Q N O R O E P Y N A F W V I S F M M S D T V U N D M R M E N K A M G T R T D P U I S E N F D V E Q V Z D X Z B Q O X U A V B S G F A Z N J T H H I K E K T W P R S D Q J M J M K T Q V K Y Q F F Y X Y N V C A W H K K Y R R O W X F H Y H I N T O T W D J O X V Y E D A Y S I G N A L V V L M Y J M U D T Q P F K H C M D O G L K P W M V A O CROSSING FIREMAN GUARD PORTER RAIL SHED SIGNAL TICKET TRACK WHISTLE Name: ___________________________________ Address: ___________________________________ Email (optional): ___________________________________

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