Many parents could be complaining that their teenager is going off the rails, but one student from Huddersfield is using the trains to his advantage after he made the decision to break a new world record by collecting the highest number of train tickets.

After hearing of the challenge that James Connelly set himself, Paragon ID, the number one suppier of train tickets to Train Operating Companies (TOCs) in the UK, was inspired to contact the teenger to hear more about how he intends to break the world record.

Hearing of this aim, the company is now committed to working with the young man to help him to fulfill his dream.

Before tickets go paperless from next year, James hopes to increase his collection to more than the current holder, who is Frank Helker from Germany – he was awarded the title in 2004 with a record of 163,235 tickets.

Printed rail tickets have been in use since 1843, after Thomas Edmondson invented it when working as a station master on the Newcastle and Carlisle railway.

In 2018 along, James has managed to collect around 70,000 tickes. With the company by his side, he is bound to reach his goal.

What did the officials say?

When approached by Paragon ID, James Connelly was taken aback. He says:

“I never thought I’d attract attention from such a big company and I was really happy when they said that they wanted to help out!

“It was around May 2014 that I started my collection with about 50 tickets from various journeys and I thought that it’d be good idea to try to break a world record. It just continued from there. Who knows? With a bit of luck, I could be making it into the Guinness Book of World Records.”

Key Account Director for Paragon ID, Sarah McLaughlin, said:

“I noticed James’ story and simply couldn’t resist getting in touch to hear more about it. As a leading ticketing provider that has been manufacturing magnetic products for the rail industry for more than 100 years, we are certainly well placed to help out.

“As passengers and train operators move towards smart products, we are pleased James is marking the transition from ‘tangerine tickets’ in such a visible and celebratory way. We wish him all the very best of luck!”

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