Which is why there are now departure boards on each platform. Whilst the signal box was there, the signalman would shout across to passengers who were on the wrong platform. When the signalbox was decommissioned, a network rail worker had to sit in the signalbox to do the same job, but eventually the electronic departure boards were introduced. Yes, indeed, it was confusing for locals, many of whom were accustomed to the traditional/standard method of platform directions on double track lines and who were easily caught out if the signalman didn't notice them before the crossing gates closed!
That's great if they work. When I was there last year, we arrived on the platform that is not on the Heysham branch, yet the return of the same train was advertised as on the other platform. Needless to say, once it left Morecambe, it switched with just enough time to allow anyone on the wrong side to get across the LC!
For want of something better to do, prompted by this thread I looked up the passenger numbers for Morecambe and Bare Lane.
I was astonished to find the last data puts that at:
217,000 for Morecambe - 300 on, 300 off per day
168,000 for Bare Lane - 235 on and off per day.
Which I thought is quite something.
Presumably the Morecambe figures are quite season sensitive, and probably mean something like 450 on/off on summer holiday days, and maybe only 200 a day in winter - or does school travel mean a healthy level in winter too?
When I did the Hest Bank service the other year, lots of school kids were on from Lancaster to Bare Lane...they mostly all piled off at Bare Lane to be met by a ticket inspection xD
Is there not information signage on the platforms concerning this matter?
Concerning what matter?
The points to Heysham are guard worked and locked with a key on the 'staff' issued on the Heysham service. The points are then locked facing Heysham until the train has cleared them on it's return leg, whence they are locked facing Bare Lane again. This adds a couple of minutes to each trip on the Heysham branch.
And leads to the driver* getting very wet if there is a sudden downpour, as happened the first time I did that line! Just to add insult to injury, by the time we reached Heysham Port, there was a clear sky again, just after a torrential downpour as the guard had to go and work the ground frame
*Pretty sure it was the driver who did it, whilst, given it was a 144, the guard came and well, guarded the open door to make sure no-one fell out!
Didn't they automate this when Preston took over the signalling?
Nope, all off a ground frame. The only signals there are a couple of yellows which I believe are point proving indicators for the sprung points on the loop
IIRC, the train comes from Lancaster, into Morecambe, reverses and stops at the ground frame before proceeding to Heysham. Coming back they run right back to Morecambe, reverse, draw forward to, and operate the ground frame a second time, before continuing back to Lancaster