AGA old fashioned station clocks/destination screens

[387star]

Why is it AGA has so many old NSE clocks and TV screens?

I am pretty sure almost every other TOC has replaced these.

Connex replaced most of their TV screens years ago and SWT standardized all stations with new screens which obviously include the time

Is it because this region has seen less investment or what?

It is like a time warp!

southminster two years ago but most likely still there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XufmT4_ESAw

 

[jon0844]

Despite the bulky size, these clocks were good as the ticking helped pass the time. You could become rather hypnotised by them!

AGA has the requirement to change the screens unlike Network Rail I believe. I assume there's a timetable to do upgrade work, and asking AGA could be a good idea.

 

[EssexGonzo]

I think they're getting around to replacing them. They've just done Shenfield in the last few weeks.

But on the platform-specific screens they still show the the irritating "Due" time only instead of the scheduled departure time and any delay. But on the summary screen in the ticket hall they show the scheduled departure time - so it's a challenge knowing which service on the front screen matches up to which service on the platform screens.

 

[jon0844]

At Cheshunt, the screens show the destination and below the stopping pattern omits the destination.

e.g. Liverpool Street
calling at Tottenham Hale

I can't think of anywhere else that shows things like that? AGA told me that Cheshunt is getting new screens and it this will be fixed. Hopefully also sorting out things like platform 1 becoming 12b and other odd things that happen on occasion.

 

[Mike_0ne]

Stomarket station would not be the same without its ticking clock!

 

[eastdyke]

Stomarket station would not be the same without its ticking clock!

At Stowmarket that would be the only thing to keep you awake whilst waiting for a bus?

 

[grumblingalong]

Stomarket station would not be the same without its ticking clock!

That seems to spend 50% of its time not ticking of late! Can't help but think it's days must be numbered.

 

[infobleep]

That seems to spend 50% of its time not ticking of late! Can't help but think it's days must be numbered.

Perhaps they could be kept as a Heritage station. Harrow on the Hill is old fashioned and probably listed.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I hated the noise those things made; they'd have been better had they been silent!

Clunk... clunk... clunk... clunk... clunk... clunk... clunnNNKKKK*... clunk... clunk...


*That's the hour changing.

 

[NeilWatson]

At Cheshunt, the screens show the destination and below the stopping pattern omits the destination.

e.g. Liverpool Street
calling at Tottenham Hale

I can't think of anywhere else that shows things like that? AGA told me that Cheshunt is getting new screens and it this will be fixed. Hopefully also sorting out things like platform 1 becoming 12b and other odd things that happen on occasion.

To me that makes perfect sense, it's obvious that a train to Liverpool Street calls there!

 

[387star]

Even the isle of wight no longer has those clocks except perhaps at shanklin ticket office which still has a nse blind in what appears to be good condition!

 

[infobleep]

Even the isle of wight no longer has those clocks except perhaps at shanklin ticket office which still has a nse blind in what appears to be good condition!

Well I think one station at least should preserve them.

 

[jon0844]

To me that makes perfect sense, it's obvious that a train to Liverpool Street calls there!

It's not wrong, just odd to be different to everywhere else.

 

[railnerd]

Hi.
If it aint broke... dont fix it!

Its like the red road signals on level crossings. I think many were changed to LEDs for the sake of it. I could understand it if they were life expired. Im sure NR would argue that the bulbs seldom fail. Ive reported several failed ones tho, usually at AHBs.

 

[PeterY]

I hated the noise those things made; they'd have been better had they been silent!

Clunk... clunk... clunk... clunk... clunk... clunk... clunnNNKKKK*... clunk... clunk...


*That's the hour changing.

I loved the clunking sound. I actually enjoyed the NSE era. If I travel around, I still keep a look out for anything with the NSE branding.

I hope one of the clocks is going to be preserved.

 

[grumblingalong]

I loved the clunking sound. I actually enjoyed the NSE era. If I travel around, I still keep a look out for anything with the NSE branding.

I hope one of the clocks is going to be preserved.

Have a wander around Liverpool Street, plenty kicking around down there still if you look closely. Also the NSE "return to Bishops Stortford" trolley at Ely.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Hi.
If it aint broke... dont fix it!

Its like the red road signals on level crossings. I think many were changed to LEDs for the sake of it. I could understand it if they were life expired. Im sure NR would argue that the bulbs seldom fail. Ive reported several failed ones tho, usually at AHBs.

It's work being carried out as a result of the Beech Hill LC accident and fatality.

The resulting RAIB report revealed the design of wig-wag red light installed at Beech Hill emitted insufficient levels of light to meet the relevant standard (one light was almost 80% below specification) and that the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident may, as a result, have been unable to see that the wig-wag lights were illuminated until shortly before entering the crossing, at which point it was too late to stop short of the crossing.

The recommendation from the RAIB report was to replace all lights of the same type as those fitted at Beech Hill with new LED lights which meet or exceed the revised standards, which is why otherwise serviceable light fittings on crossings are being binned.

 

[F Great Eastern]

To be fair to AGA, they inherited a large amount of stations that had been deprived of any kind of TLC for many years by National Express.

Most stations were not even given a basic clean, let alone have their equipment replaced by more modern equivalents in the whole of their tenure.

The departure screens in Ipswich ticket hall were broken for years on end, with various types of old screens brought in that had been robbed from elsewhere inc Stansted Airport to avoid actually having to buy any new ones.

 

[Tio Terry]

Hi.
If it aint broke... dont fix it!

Its like the red road signals on level crossings. I think many were changed to LEDs for the sake of it. I could understand it if they were life expired. Im sure NR would argue that the bulbs seldom fail. Ive reported several failed ones tho, usually at AHBs.

Cant remember where it was but there was an accident at an AHB where a contributory cause was poor quality red flashing lights in low level sunlight conditions caused by ageing of the lens/reflectors/lamps. LED's don't suffer from the same problems so, in some ways, it makes perfect sense to change them. I seem to recall that all older incandescent lighting systems at AHB's had to be checked for adequate levels of light.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Cant remember where it was but there was an accident at an AHB where a contributory cause was poor quality red flashing lights in low level sunlight conditions caused by ageing of the lens/reflectors/lamps.

Sounds like Wokingham, 2008?

 

[Philip Phlopp]

Sounds like Wokingham, 2008?

Beech Hill, as I mentioned earlier on.

 

[Wronskian]

Have a wander around Liverpool Street, plenty kicking around down there still if you look closely. Also the NSE "return to Bishops Stortford" trolley at Ely.

(Ely's my local station.) How long has that trolley been there? It's certainly been a fixture for a while.

Ely had its monitors replaced quite recently, presumably as part of the same AGA upgrades.

 

[Ambient Sheep]

As someone who mainly travels on AGA (on the WAML) I had no idea that these lovely clocks were seen as outdated and due to be replaced. I'm another who loves them, and finds the ticking comforting.

 

[Rick1984]

If I rember correctly, the clock in Shanklin doesn't work (isn't switched on). Also I wouldn't like to hazard how long the ticket office has been closed there!