Should I pay the train fine?

You should appeal - and be careful with that card in future.

You have committed two offence by not buying the correct ticket here. You have broken Byelaw 18 (1) by not having a valid ticket for inspection and if proven you have also broken the regulations of railway act section 5 by showing intent to avoid paying the correct fare. This is a very serious matter, the second can land you with a criminal record and a fine of £500+ and criminal record whilst the former with just a fine of approx £100+ upto around £350-£400 in court. If you don't pay it you will be prosecuted (with or without your co-operation) and the £50 offered now is an out of court settlement which is non negotiable. Pay the money and be done with it and learn from it. You are getting off very lightly by paying £25/£50 admin fee for the prosecution departments time dealing with it so don't insult them as they won't take any bull and will wipe the floor with you making an example of you along the way ,which could affect your future career options and travel to countries such as america.

They are right that you cannot get on a train without a valid ticket. Beyond that they have acted in a monstrous fashion - you have paid for a service which you have not received, they have had your money and continue to harass you, Certainly don't pay the fine - once you have they will loose all interest. Look at this website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Pub... and follow the advice given there about complaints. It might also be worth complaining to your local Trading Standards department in Leeds (where I assume you live)

Later edit. Yes, I can sense your frustration. The trouble you have is that having a valid ticket means having the piece of card in your paw whilst on the trainto produce to the conductor. If you think about it, he has no means of knowing that you had purchased one. Incidentally, you should also remember that thetrainline.com is a ticket sales organisation only (although it is part of Virgin Trains) and has nothing to do with the company you travelled with, East Coast Trains.

If you can prove that you bought the ticket, and therefore intended to pay for the journey, I don't see how you can be in the wrong.

However that guard gave you the wrong information. He should have said you need a ticket to board the train, or at least proof that you have bought one. Keep trying, if you get no joy, try contacting your MP.

Oh for the days when it was so much simpler - you went to the booking office, handed over the cash, and there was your ticket.

No you have every right to appeal. Write to them, stating what you have written here and if they request proof, then copy any relevant data and send the originals to them. If they still won't accept the obvious then let them take you to court. As long as what you have said here is the truth, they will back down.

While this may be frustrating, you broke the rules and you need to pay. Read the contract you agreed to when you paid. It clearly said that you need to have your card with you. Just because you meant well doesn't mean you can break the rules.

umm yea probably, might be a good idea....