CD/RA Indicators and dispatch staff

[TurbostarFan]

Do you still need as many platform dispatch staff if you have CD/RA indicators installed at a station which didn't previously have them? Do you actually need more staff or can you actually cut staff in that scenario?

My belief up until now is that you actually need more staff to operate these indicators which is why they aren't always used at some stations, if at all! For example Bishops Stortford and Ely have those indicators but don't use them.

 

[WeGoAgain]

Do you still need as many platform dispatch staff if you have CD/RA indicators installed at a station which didn't previously have them?

My belief up until now is that you actually need more staff to operate these indicators which is why they aren't always used at some stations, if at all! For example Bishops Stortford and Ely have those indicators but don't use them. Was I right all along or can you actually cut staff in that scenario?

Ely does use them except for Platform number 3 (I believe due to the Dispatcher's lack of signal sighting).

But in answer to your question, usually, no you don't. This commonly depends on platform curvature amongst other things. Usually one dispatcher issues the CD and RA indications.

 

[XDM]

My understanding is that at Bishop Stortford CD/RA is used for the older EMUs, the ones without on board DOO cameras, but not for modern units equipped with DOO cameras, i.e. stanstead expresses. It makes sense.

 

[TurbostarFan]

My understanding is that at Bishop Stortford CD/RA is used for the older EMUs, the ones without on board DOO cameras, but not for modern units equipped with DOO cameras, i.e. stanstead expresses. It makes sense.

Fair point but I once saw a sign (I believe at Bishops Stortford but may be wrong) to platform staff saying that the CD/RA indicators are not to be used due to a lack of staff. Presumably this doesn't apply to trains with DOO cameras i.e. Stansted Expresses and only to the older ones so they would be dispatched using flag and bat.

 

[OxtedSignaller]

It depends on various different factors, such as staff positioning, signal sighting, platform curvature, platform entry and exit etc etc. I believe that Network Rail are usually responsible for fitting and maintaining them which explains why they are not so common place look at the Brighton Mainlinr and associated branch lines, where the vast majority of services are now DOO yet you are in the situation there is stations with CD/RA, stations with only RA and stations where bat and flag is used. Even major stations such as Brighton and Haywards Heath lack them, Victoria, Purley and East Croydon only has RA and then London Bridge and Gatwick Airport has both. Also Blackfriars, St Albans, Luton and Bedford has CD/RA some of which were only installed in the last 5 years yet they are now redundant because DOO train dispatch is done by the Driver.