Before you join
Questions
Everything people ask before they join.
Is it really a story? Is it real history?
Both. Each story is a real journey on a real date, and the places, routes, trains, times and working practices are checked against sources. The people who tell it are ours, and so is everything they say. Nothing in the parcel copies a real company's tickets or documents: the pieces carry no crest, initials or company lettering. Each story comes with a page on what was real, and members can read the full list of sources.
When does my first parcel arrive?
Your first parcel is the current month's issue. If the 10th of the month is still to come, it goes with everyone else's on the 10th; if it has passed, it is posted to you within three working days of joining. A parcel bought on its own is posted within three working days whenever you buy it. We post second class, which delivers on alternate weekdays, so allow a few days after posting.
When is my card charged?
When you join, for your first parcel. After that, on the 1st of each month, for that month's parcel, which is posted on the 10th. Taking payment nine days before posting leaves time to sort out a card problem before anything goes in the post. Checkout shows which issue comes first and the date of your next payment before you confirm.
What does the payment look like on my bank statement?
RAILWAY DISPATCH, followed by the amount. If you see a charge you don't recognise, that's us, and you can see every payment on your account page.
What is in the parcel?
Six pieces around one story: an A5 story booklet with a page on what is real, a route chart printed both sides, a signal box diagram drawn from the Ordnance Survey, a crossword, two collectable cards from a set of forty parts of a steam locomotive, and a postcard, wrapped in kraft, tied and wax sealed. It goes in a plain C4 envelope as a large letter.
Can I join part way through, or start from the beginning?
Every issue stands on its own: a different story, line and year each month, so joining part way through means nothing is missing. Your first parcel is that month's issue. Earlier issues can be bought on their own from the issues page for as long as we have them; once an issue is gone it is gone.
Can I buy one without joining?
Yes. Any issue still in stock is £8.99 on its own, UK postage included, posted within three working days, with no membership and nothing to cancel.
Can I pay for three months or a year in one go?
Yes. Three months is £23.97 and twelve months is £87.89, which is eleven months' price for twelve parcels. You pay once, the parcels come every month, and then it ends: nothing renews and nothing else is taken from your card. We write once near the end in case you would like to carry on.
I'm buying for someone else.
Enter their delivery address at checkout and use your own email for the account. You'll manage it; they'll get the post, and nothing in the parcel mentions the price. For a gift, the three or twelve month option is usually the one to pick, because it ends on its own rather than charging you again.
Can I pause?
Yes, for up to three months in any year, from your account page. No parcel and no charge while paused.
How do I cancel?
From your account page, without phoning or emailing anyone. It stops the next payment and the next parcel. You also have a legal right to cancel within 14 days of your first parcel arriving; see Cancellation.
Do you post outside the UK?
Yes, to Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. For the monthly parcel the postage for your country is added as its own line at checkout and on each payment; the price of the parcel itself is the same. Framed maps go by Royal Mail International Tracked: £15 to Europe and £25 anywhere else we post to, shown when you choose the country.
Large print?
A large-print printed edition is something we would like to offer. Tick the box in your account and we'll let you know if it happens.
Do you run a letters page or take photographs from members?
No. The Railway Dispatch is a story in the post and a listing service, and we don't publish members' letters, photographs or content.
Where does Steam this week come from?
From the tour operators' own announcements, checked weekly and cross-checked against other listings, with a link to the source on every line.
Who are you?
The Railway Dispatch is run by Fathi Hassan and Ali Shami, 17 Central Avenue, Rowley Regis, B65 8BA. Email hello@therailwaydispatch.com.