[Simple_Simon]

Hi

I'm Simple Simon and I'm writing a detective novel set in the mid 1950s. I'd be really grateful for some help with facts and terminology. It's a bit in the book where the detective speaks with two railwaymen, and learns that a train cancellation made it impossible for his suspect to have been at the crime scene.

First he talks to the chap who punches the ticket actually on the train. Is that person called the train conductor? (Ramsgate branch of the Chatham Main Line, out of Victoria.) Then he speaks with the ticket man at the platform at Victoria – who I suppose is the ticket inspector? The end of the platform – would that be called the ticket gate or maybe the platform gate?

Also, am I correct in thinking that the locomotives to Ramsgate for that period were SR V Schools Class?

Lastly, if anyone has a Southern Region timetable for approx 1955-58, I'd much appreciate consulting on one or two train times. (Timetable World have 1950 only)

Thanks in advance

Simple Simon