Rail travel fine. Is this fair?

[chris p bacon]

I'll try and keep this short. :D
We bought 2 x tickets from GNER over the internet from Audley End (south of Cambridge) to York return, using our family rail card to get discount, travelling a week later. The day before we travelled our family rail card ran out, so the inspector who checked our tickets on the train charged us a £40.00 fine. I was not being dishonest and I knew the family rail card had run out, but I had assumed that as GNER had taken payment at the time, the deal was complete.

Do you think GNER are legally entitled to charge us the extra. Your comments gratefully received. I realise I may be wrong, just can't understand..:confused:

[dzug]

It's perfectly fair.
You knew your card had run out
You bought tickets dependent on it.
You didn't renew it.

When you buy tickets over the internet that depend on a railcard no check is made at the time - they take your word that you have one (or will get one prior to travel). The check is made when entering the station or on the train.