What if the ticket office is closed or the station does not have a ticket office and the automatic self-service ticket machine is out of order?

There is a further automatic machine called a Permit to Travel machine that looks similar to a 'Pay & Display' car park machine and is normally located near the station entrance/exit or on the station itself.

You should insert the maximum number of coins you have with you into the Permit to Travel machine, up to the value of your journey. Press the button and you will be issued with a car park style Pay & Display permit, that should be exchanged for a valid ticket at the first opportunity, be that on the train or at your destination before leaving the station.

The Permit to Travel must be exchanged for a valid ticket within two hours. The amount paid for the Permit to Travel will be deducted from the value of the ticket you require.