AlistairCowell
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I remember ‘Sonya’ announcements some 16 years ago, her voice sounded depressing. I think ‘Sonya’ was replaced with Flecher Mathers during 2005.
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ScotRail Station Announcer Replacement.
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hexagon789
Veteran Member
I don't recall 'Sonya' at all, but I always remember Mathers. Did Sonya do on-train announcements - if so is it her voice in the original ScotRail 170 Turbostar system?
Scotrail314209
Established Member
It may well be, but a lot of people say it was Julie Berry that was providing the announcements.
hexagon789
Veteran Member
I'd have to hear a clip of her, can't recall her voice.
I quite like the new Scotrail announcer that is being rolled out, but I also like the voice that is being replaced (Alison McKay) . I also think Fletcher’s voice works really well on trains.
What is weird about the new system, is a different voice is used for some stations, such as Leeds, Tamworth, Totnes and Plymouth, it sounds really odd!
I don’t like the announcements at Edinburgh or Glasgow Central though, voiced by Karen Cunningham.
What is weird about the new system, is a different voice is used for some stations, such as Leeds, Tamworth, Totnes and Plymouth, it sounds really odd!
I don’t like the announcements at Edinburgh or Glasgow Central though, voiced by Karen Cunningham.
Didnt think they went back as far as that .
318259
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Sonya was on the 334s back in 2003, so she was definitely around back then. She was on the 320s as well.
Scotrail314209
Established Member
156s got fitted with her between 2003 - 2005. So it wouldn't surprise me if she was on 170s too.
AlistairCowell
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Scottish Female now used at Coatbridge Sunnyside
Sprinter156
Member
Scottish Female used at Shettleston
Sprinter156
Member
Exhibition centre also uses scottish female.
Earlier than i thought . Did stations not get them later ?
Different lady on 170s
Scotrail12
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OK - this is an old thread so apologies for bringing it up.
Just visited Paisley Gilmour Street, they are still using the former announcer (Alison McKay) there. Pleasant surprise, thought she had been axed at all of the stations.
Just visited Paisley Gilmour Street, they are still using the former announcer (Alison McKay) there. Pleasant surprise, thought she had been axed at all of the stations.
Scotrail314209
Established Member
She is still on all the Ayrshire stations, and stations north of Stirling.
Things seem to have taken a halt, although Scottish Female was only planned for a number of stations (mainly commuter stations in the South) if I remember correctly. I’d be interested to know if Alison was still at Dundee following the speaker upgrades.
Scotrail314209
Established Member
She is still there.
Scotrail12
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Thanks for the info. Hoping that she sticks around there.
I don't mind the new announcer at quieter, suburban stations (and even places like Argyle Street) but Alison needs to come back to Queen Street Low Level ASAP, the new announcer just doesn't work there - not loud enough.
Scotrail12
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One thing that I've always thought is - why are the UK train and station announcers always female? (except for Phil Sayer back in the day) Not a criticism, just an observation.
Dave W
Member
Not entirely true - GTR use a bloke. It’s an employee, I think?
Phil, despite his sad passing, is still around - I’m sure they’ve mashed up some of his recordings to create West Midlands Railway announcements (I heard them today at Moor Street)
AlistairCowell
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I heard that too yesterday at Coatbridge Sunnyside.
No announcements at Bellgrove yesterday, must be to allow upgrade to include that number of carriages announcement.
ScottDarg
Member
Same at Newton this morning. Must have been changed overnight as length wasn't mentioned in the same announcement Yesterday.
It depends on the system I think, ATOS has/had a lot of male voices - Rodger (GWR & SWR), Matt (GTR), Mike (SouthEastern).
Phil Sayer is still in use with Chiltern but an imposter recorded the WMR recording. A different Roger (SE), Rob (TPE) and Andy (B’ham N St) were also in use until recent years too.
Female voices seem to have outlasted many of the male voices and I’d argue many female voices are easier to hear over engine noise. Celia has been doing announcements since the mid 90s IIRC. Anne and Ruth from the mid-late 90s and Alison from 2004.
That’s interesting. I wonder if they’ve sorted out the ‘is delayed’ bug and updated the delay reasons to the newer versions.
NorthernSpirit
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Northern still use Celia and TPE use Dysopian Anne, I wished they're include using GWR Rodger as I find it easier if both male and female voices are used.
AlistairCowell
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I've heard Alison announcements at Glasgow Central Low Level in the Autumn of 2003.
That was long before High Level got Auto announcements
Scotrail314209
Established Member
I remember hearing her at Paisley around 2004.
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