RailUK Forums review: Has potential, but moderators ruin it

This certainly has the potential be a good forum.

However, the moderation is very heavy handed. Don't dare consider taking a thread even remotely off topic. Ensure the arcane rules about quoting, linking to external sources and including pictures are followed to the letter or be prepared to be put on the naughty step - this is something one moderator in particular enjoys.

The site also has an affiliation to a rail ticketing site which whilst saving you money then adds a compulsory 10% levy on tickets sold. Not only is this unnecessary as identical tickets can (and should) be bought from other sites with no booking fee/levy, any advice offered by moderators should not be treated as impartial.

Whilst the site is heavily used, it is heavily used by a growing number of experts who like to assert their dominance and this can make newcommers and infrequent posters feel very intimidated and out of place.

The moderators have a tough job with thousands of posts per day, but they and one in particular (Mike Wooldridge/“Yorkie”) need to lean some general politeness and manners, they also need to set out (and ideally simplify) their rules), posters are regularly told that they are in breach of rule #46 for example, despite there being no numbered list of rules and many seem to be made up very ad hoc.

Overhaul, if you're part of the Yorkie's clique, you'll get on fine, if you're not you're in for a rough ride. Oh and don't dare disagree with him on fares, transport policy, politics, covid restrictions or anything else!