So I was on a 142 the other day, and it seems that ATN have fitted a PIS dot matrix screen. Trouble is, it did no more than display 'Manchester Piccadilly' for the entire trip. What is the point of this, I mean I'm unlikely to forget where the train is going when I'm on it?
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PIS screens in pacers
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Tetchytyke
Veteran Member
The system was fitted by Merseyrail when they funded the refurbishment back in the 90s. IIRC it only has a select number of stations loaded, mostly in Merseyside, and so they've not been used for a long time.
Sprinter153
Member
Very true, but the TrainFX system (a byword for cheap, nasty, tacky rubbish even when used to its full potential) fitted to some of the refurbed 150s I've been on presently shows nothing more useful than the destination either.
323235
Established Member
I was lead to believe that Northern will be upgrading the PIS in all the 150s to show all the station stops in the future. I imagine it is no easy job as they serve quite a variety of routes.
I think it was one of these, it had yellow poles around it too which I thought was odd, Merseyrail would explain that. Interesting it's in use though, by the sounds of it it wouldn't have Sheffield in, so could only work in one direction?
xotGD
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The 158 on the 18:06 off Leeds last night was scrolling "Carlisle" for the entire journey. You would have to be very bored to look at that all the way.
61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
They're usually in use (in my experience at least) but often the internal ones aren't working. I've only ever seen them just displaying the destination in any case, and wasn't sure if they'd ever been any different. Even the external ones on front and rear are often so faded as to render them useless. They don't only display Merseyside destinations though, I've seen them with Wakefield Westgate and Kirkgate on along with Knottingley among others.
Loop & Link
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They can show nearly all Northern destinations.
However, they have auto annoucements and show station stops for Liverpool City Line Services, although these are always turned off.
I haven’t heard them used since FNW days.
However, they have auto annoucements and show station stops for Liverpool City Line Services, although these are always turned off.
I haven’t heard them used since FNW days.
Bearing in mind Northern are doing the refurbishments in 2+ stages, so the first part of it is probably just to install the screens electrically ad get them functioning with the destinations.
From that point, they'll be uploaded with all the service information and next stop visual/audio announcements (probably once the new Northern Connect routes come out so as to not have to upload them twice in a short space of time)
From that point, they'll be uploaded with all the service information and next stop visual/audio announcements (probably once the new Northern Connect routes come out so as to not have to upload them twice in a short space of time)
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
I don't think I've ever seen them used for anything more than showing the final destination and I was living in the North West when the refurb was done.
I don't use Northern very much but the last time I did, I used a 142 with this ex Merseytravel screen and all could do is display 'Southport' which was the destination.
There's also a 142 that seems to have HUGE external destination screens with dot matrix. Was this a trial? The others all have the small destination blind window.
MCR247
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Isn't that also from the mersytravel refurbishment?
Philip
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Heard the Merseyrail 142 auto announcements used once in Northern era, around 3 or 4 years ago I think. It was on a Wigan train out of Victoria and seem to remember she announced it as a Liverpool service...the guard soon took over with his own announcements!
Pretty sure it was the same female voice as the one they used for the original class 175 and 180 announcements in FNW/FGW days (think she was a FGW manager?). She sounded very well spoken!
Pretty sure it was the same female voice as the one they used for the original class 175 and 180 announcements in FNW/FGW days (think she was a FGW manager?). She sounded very well spoken!
It wouldn't be hard to be better spoke thab most Northern guards. Between bad annunciation and a terrible tannoy system, it's often almost impossible to hear them! Saying that, it's always nice to have a person rather than a robotic machine
Loop & Link
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142041-49/51-58 have them.
142057 has the huge ones. (Well not huge, but bigger than the others!)
Definitely have heard them in use!
They can still be turned on, but it’s a case of if the driver knows how, not something they would be shown when the system is mostly obsolete!
BurtonM
Member
I've seen them in use reading 'Stalybridge', 'Huddersfield' etc. Not for a while though I don't think as all we on the Huddersfield line seem to get now is bus seat Pacers and 150s.
The refurb 150 system only ever seems to read 'welcome aboard this Class 150'.
The refurb 150 system only ever seems to read 'welcome aboard this Class 150'.
61653 HTAFC
Veteran Member
More luck than anything else if you haven't had one through Huddersfield! I've seen plenty in 4b on Manchester stoppers and had several on stoppers heading East in recent weeks.
175001
Established Member
They can display all Northern terminus stations and use the same codes as our "amazing" TrainFX system.
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