Guard announcing connecting services to other operators' stations

[Clansman]

Often when I'm on a service through Haymarket, the guard will take the initiative to announce connecting services to 'X, Y, Z'. I know this is common, but I find it interesting with the range of destinations announced at times - particularly those longer distance.

On Transpennine Express I've heard Aberdeen, Inverness, Perth, Dundee, Stirling, Falkirk and Glasgow Queen Street mentioned. On ScotRail, also on approach to Haymarket, I've heard Birmingham New Street and Manchester announced.

Any other examples of this - maybe also as an aside, what has been the furthest announced destination or the most obscure/unusual mentions, for services to another station not served by the operator of the train you're on?

Wonder if Plymouth services have a guard on one of the locals eager to announce connecting services to Edinburgh or Glasgow!?

 

[hexagon789]

Often when I'm on a service through Haymarket, the guard will take the initiative to announce connecting services to 'X, Y, Z'.

On Transpennine Express I've heard Aberdeen, Inverness, Perth, Dundee, Stirling, Falkirk and Glasgow Queen Street mentioned. On ScotRail, also on approach to Haymarket, I've heard Birmingham New Street and Manchester announced.

Any other examples of this - maybe also as an aside, what has been the furthest announced destination or the most obscure/unusual mentions, for services to another station not served by the operator of the train you're on?

Wonder if Plymouth services have a guard on one of the locals eager to announce connecting services to Edinburgh or Glasgow!?

I've had LNER guards announce main connections on approach to Newcastle and Edinburgh a few times.

 

[Horizon22]

When I worked on-board, I generally went with recognisable near destinations, other operators near destinations and then ended with further afield. So for instance something like "Change at Clapham Junction for services to Reading, Richmond and South West London, London Overground services and Southern services to London Victoria & Milton Keynes, East Croydon, Gatwick Airport, Brighton and other destinations in Sussex and the South Coast"

Want to give people a good idea of connections - especially somewhere lioke Clapham Junction - but don't ramble on for too long.

 

[swt_passenger]

I’ve arrived at Southampton on a Southern service from along the coast, and been advised I can cross over to platform 1 for the “XC service via Birmingham to Edinburgh”, although it only happens once a day in the full normal timetable it’s a fair old distance...

 

[Skie]

Virgin/Avanti do this fairly often, especially so when running late. Have seen a TM take down destinations when coming through the train, head back to research the updated connections based on the delay and then announce it all over the tannoy. It's incredibly good customer service, some of the TM's are real stars.

 

[scotrail158713]

The only one I can think of is LNER - well VTEC as it was at the time - announcing Northern to Carlisle. Not really the most obscure destination I suppose though.

 

[LowLevel]

I tend to announce platforms for imminent connections. For example:

"We are now approaching Stockport. For those changing trains imminent departures are the 1435 for stations to Macclesfield, Stoke, Stafford, Birmingham and Bournemouth, platform 2. The 1435 for stations to Hazel Grove and Buxton, platform 1. The 1439 for Wilmslow, Crewe, Shrewsbury and stations to Cardiff and Carmarthen, platform 2. Also change for stations to Chester and other local services."

I tailor my announcements to those destinations people are heading to which I've picked up from my ticket check as well as other popular connections.

For Manchester Piccadilly it's "we will be arriving into platform 14. Stay on platform 14 for the connections to Salford, Wigan, Bolton, Preston, Blackpool North and Barrow/Windermere, as well as North Wales via Chester. Platform 13 for Manchester Airport leaving at 1451. You can also change for other local, regional and Intercity connections and the Metrolink tram."

If its a busy football train I mention briefly how to travel to the relevant grounds by connection.

I also announce any heavy delays or cancelled connections and alternatives.

The key is trying not to go too far and overload.

 

[py_megapixel]

Virgin/Avanti do this fairly often, especially so when running late. Have seen a TM take down destinations when coming through the train, head back to research the updated connections based on the delay and then announce it all over the tannoy. It's incredibly good customer service, some of the TM's are real stars.

I've never been on a train where they've done that, though I have had XC TMs provide information about connections having seen the destination on my ticket.
Honestly XC gets a lot of criticism on this forum, and for good reason - but many of the actual front-line staff are absolutely fantastic. Even just answering simple questions - such as what time the train reaches a certain station - politely and with a smile can make a real difference, especially to more unfamiliar/uncertain passengers.

 

[47271]

Pre-Covid and regardless of the operator, some guards did all of this, especially after a full ticket check and interaction with the passengers, and it's to be commended.

Some made basic announcements and a rapid ticket check, and some were entirely invisible and silent throughout the journey.

 

[paulmch]

I'm not convinced that it's ever been of use to anyone, but I do enjoy approaching Ely and announcing "change here for services towards Kings Lynn and Norwich, and also for Liverpool Lime Street via Nottingham and Manchester Piccadilly". It's probably useless information but it just rolls off the tongue so easily!

 

[31160]

The best one i had personally was the guard announcing a railtour
We were booked on a lunchtime departure from Cardiff going to Minehead with a peak, so we had a few hours in the morning to kill so we decided to go to Rhymney on a 37 but when we got to Bargoed there was a signalling farce and we got stuck for hours so by time we got back to Cardiff we missed it by about 10mins, but as the tour had 25 mins or so in Temple Meads i knew we could catch up, so over we go to a Cardiff to Taunton (class 150 as i remember) and explained it to burt and he says just get on this, so as we are arriving at Bristol he announces what platform the charter to Minehead was on, and he didnt ching us for the privilege, top bloke

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

ATW/TfW never announce(d) connections at Crewe or Warrington, despite nearly everybody alighting needing a connection.
In contrast, Virgin/Avanti usually announce(d) full details of connections when arriving at Crewe from the west.
On their new trains (maybe not 802s), TPE now have connection details displayed on the PIS, as of course is common on the continent.
I have yet to hear announcements in a foreign language, however...

 

[philthetube]

I have seen train managers on Virgin services checking for travellers going north from Glasgow on a couple of occasions when services are running late, and having taxis organised for onward travel, next train to Fort William being six hours away.

Also once heard a TM reel off the complete list of stations to Colne from Preston, wondered if that was for a bet.

 

[Surreytraveller]

Its one big coherent system, so connections regardless of whether they are operated by another operator are not, should be announced. Although presumably somebody already on the train would already know where they need to change in most cases

 

[L401CJF]

On Merseyrail the guard usually announces on approach to Lime Street saying change for City Line and main line services, however there's the odd oldie who says Regional Railway and Intercity services!

For the likes of Chester, the PIS also announces change for North Wales etc.

 

[Hadders]

A few years ago I was travelling to Kyle of Localsh with an overnight stay at Inverness.

During the ticket check on the train from Glasgow Queen Street to Perth the guard was somewhat taken aback when he looked at my ticket. He said 'you'll not get there tonight'. 'No problem as I'm stopping overnight at Inverness', I replied.

A few minutes later the guard made an announcement 'for the passenger travelling to Kyle of Lochalsh' giving me the departure and arrival times of the train from Inverness the following morning!

Whilst I knew the times of the trains I needed to catch, it was top notch service and I made a point of finding the guard to thank him when I changed trains at Perth.

 

[father_jack]

I find if you get off at the connecting station and ask someone to be the most reliable way. Platform numbers can be different to usual or to what's on live departures if a guard announces them.

Aside, the auto announcer on GWR says on approach "change at Swindon for Kemble, Stonehouse and Stroud", anyone spot the potential for error there ? !!!

 

[DelW]

I tend to announce platforms for imminent connections. For example:

"We are now approaching Stockport. For those changing trains imminent departures are the 1435 for stations to Macclesfield, Stoke, Stafford, Birmingham and Bournemouth, platform 2. The 1435 for stations to Hazel Grove and Buxton, platform 1. The 1439 for Wilmslow, Crewe, Shrewsbury and stations to Cardiff and Carmarthen, platform 2. Also change for stations to Chester and other local services."

I tailor my announcements to those destinations people are heading to which I've picked up from my ticket check as well as other popular connections.

For Manchester Piccadilly it's "we will be arriving into platform 14. Stay on platform 14 for the connections to Salford, Wigan, Bolton, Preston, Blackpool North and Barrow/Windermere, as well as North Wales via Chester. Platform 13 for Manchester Airport leaving at 1451. You can also change for other local, regional and Intercity connections and the Metrolink tram."

If its a busy football train I mention briefly how to travel to the relevant grounds by connection.

I also announce any heavy delays or cancelled connections and alternatives.

The key is trying not to go too far and overload.

That's excellent, but if I might comment as an ordinary passenger, I do find it much better if the destination(s) come first, then the platform and time - more similar to your Stockport example above, rather than the Manchester one.

The reason is that particularly with long or complicated announcements, it's the mention of "my" destination that triggers my full attention, and it's much easier if what I need to do follows that, rather than me having to try to mentally rewind the announcement and see if I can remember what the relevant platform number was. In the same way, passengers who are talking together will often interrupt the conversation only when their destination is mentioned, but then end up asking others nearby "what did that say about trains to XXX?".

That's not intended as a criticism, since that sort of information is always helpful, especially with tight connections. I know that RTT can often provide the same info', but not everyone knows about it, and those who do may not always be able to access it.

 

[LowLevel]

That's excellent, but if I might comment as an ordinary passenger, I do find it much better if the destination(s) come first, then the platform and time - more similar to your Stockport example above, rather than the Manchester one.

The reason is that particularly with long or complicated announcements, it's the mention of "my" destination that triggers my full attention, and it's much easier if what I need to do follows that, rather than me having to try to mentally rewind the announcement and see if I can remember what the relevant platform number was. In the same way, passengers who are talking together will often interrupt the conversation only when their destination is mentioned, but then end up asking others nearby "what did that say about trains to XXX?".

That's not intended as a criticism, since that sort of information is always helpful, especially with tight connections. I know that RTT can often provide the same info', but not everyone knows about it, and those who do may not always be able to access it.

That's precisely the reason I do it in that order for specific trains It was something I picked up from my travels in Europe that I found useful. I do it far more on trains that are popular with leisure travellers than commuters.

Manchester my focus shifts to preventing passengers from running off across the station when they don't need to - what I do usually do is repeat the platform number after the destinations. The bulk of our passengers are either going to Manchester itself or changing for a departure from platform 14 (or in normal times, to the airport) with a fairly small number heading off to the low numbered platforms for places on the Romiley lines or Hadfield.

I usually mention the platform when checking tickets anyway so it is a belt and braces approach.

If there is disruption that makes platform alterations likely I announce to check your connecting platform on the station screens or ask a member of the station staff to avoid giving out rapidly changing duff gen.

 

[route101]

Hear it often on Avanti for Carlisle and Preston. Last year guard on Avanti announced all the local services from Glasgow Central and platform numbers. He even listed some Queen St services.

 

[Huntergreed]

Hear it often on Avanti for Carlisle and Preston. Last year guard on Avanti announced all the local services from Glasgow Central and platform numbers. He even listed some Queen St services.

I’m convinced the one for Carlisle is scripted (or at least listed in a specific order. It’s the same every time!)

Change here for Workington, Whitehaven, Hexham and Newcastle, Annan and Dumfries, and services to (either Penrith or Oxenholme depending on the stopping pattern)

Always in that order. Strange

 

[Gathursty]

Sometimes a Virgin announcer approaching Wigan from the south would mention all the trains except the Kirkby one. What is it about the Kirkby branch that makes everyone forget about it?

 

[route101]

I’m convinced the one for Carlisle is scripted (or at least listed in a specific order. It’s the same every time!)



Always in that order. Strange

Come to think of it, that's what I remember. Sometimes add Leeds via Settle.

 

[stuu]

Some XC guards announce connections including platform and times on the approach to Bristol TM. Others just announce the connections (anti bellum, no idea if they still do)

 

[Llandudno]

Sometimes though the well meaning guard can offer connections to stations after the last train has departed.

This happens on occasions with EMR/XC trains approaching Derby with guards suggesting connections to Crewe and Matlock, after the last trains on those lines have stopped operating

I guess the Avanti example quoted for not mentioning the Kirkby branch at Wigan is because it departs from a different station and there are no trains after 6pm or any at all on Sundays, so probably best to permanently omit it?

 

[LOL The Irony]

"We are now approaching Stockport. For those changing trains imminent departures are the 1435 for stations to Macclesfield, Stoke, Stafford, Birmingham and Bournemouth, platform 2. The 1435 for stations to Hazel Grove and Buxton, platform 1. The 1439 for Wilmslow, Crewe, Shrewsbury and stations to Cardiff and Carmarthen, platform 2. Also change for stations to Chester and other local services."

Are you a Northern guard by any chance?

 

[rg177]

I do recall one XC TM announcing every single station you could change for at Derby.

Along the lines of "change for Spondon, Long Eaton, Attenborough, Beeston, Nottingham, Carlton..."

 

[johntea]

They sometimes do this on the more domestic style flights too, announcing flight destinations from the airport being landed at and if the services are on schedule / delayed, on international flights I particulary enjoy the weather temperature checks which are usually nice and depressing on landing back in the UK! (You never quite get over that feeling of landing in Orlando and stepping off the air conditioned plane to that sudden impact of their temperatures!)

 

[LowLevel]

Are you a Northern guard by any chance?

Nope

 

[6Gman]

I tend to announce platforms for imminent connections. For example:

"We are now approaching Stockport. For those changing trains imminent departures are the 1435 for stations to Macclesfield, Stoke, Stafford, Birmingham and Bournemouth, platform 2. The 1435 for stations to Hazel Grove and Buxton, platform 1. The 1439 for Wilmslow, Crewe, Shrewsbury and stations to Cardiff and Carmarthen, platform 2. Also change for stations to Chester and other local services."

I tailor my announcements to those destinations people are heading to which I've picked up from my ticket check as well as other popular connections.

For Manchester Piccadilly it's "we will be arriving into platform 14. Stay on platform 14 for the connections to Salford, Wigan, Bolton, Preston, Blackpool North and Barrow/Windermere, as well as North Wales via Chester. Platform 13 for Manchester Airport leaving at 1451. You can also change for other local, regional and Intercity connections and the Metrolink tram."

If its a busy football train I mention briefly how to travel to the relevant grounds by connection.

I also announce any heavy delays or cancelled connections and alternatives.

The key is trying not to go too far and overload.

You sir are a gent.