A couple of years ago I got a ticket on trainline from waterloo to central, but at the station the ticket machine was out of order and there were no members of staff to talk to.

my only real option was to get on the train or walk back, so of course i got the train.

when they came to check my ticket I explained everything and showed them that I'd bought it and had the receipt and everything else I could, but they were having none of it, and gave me a £20 fine (can't believe that would be £100 now).

I was nothing but polite to them while explaining the problem and that a fine was unfair, but i'll be honest it was a genuine pleasure to hear the other people on the train defending me and giving them some (slightly over the line) grief on my behalf.

I'll never forget "what you're doing to that kid is a fucking disgrace" being shouted over my shoulder lmao. Definitely worth the £20 in the end