Auto Anouncments - Errors/funny sayings

[43106]

The funniest thing I ever heard over a station tannoy was at Cheltenham in Spring 2001. I had a job interview near Bristol Parkway with an engineering firm and caught a VXC 125 at Parkway that started at Paignton - I was heading back home to Edinburgh. For some reason, there had been massive problems that day, and the train was packed. The guard put a message out on the train tannoy that another 125 was right behind us that was virtually empty and that passengers going north of Derby should change at Cheltenham to take advantage of it. About 50 people got off to do so, but about 3 minutes after the Paignton train had left, the female station announcer, who was clearly aware of what was going on, put out the following announcement...
"For all passengers who have disembarked the Paignton train, the Virgin train for Newcastle will now only be going to York", but she didn't switch off her microphone and a male voice in the same room as the announcer was clearly heard to say "Typical Virgin - doesn't go all the way!" The laughter from the passengers could have been heard in Gloucester!!!

 

[Max]

On board was a right treat, as well as the usual pre-recorded "Welcome aboard, please listen to the following announcement for your safety..." we were treated to "Welcome to this Wessex Alphaline" and all sorts of garb repeated about 3 times about trolley services on the train and an announcment thanking us for travelling with Wessex Trains! (One of them was the same announcement, just took ages)

Is this stuff played out from an electronic system? On ex-Wessex trains on Northern it sometimes plays the ""Welcome aboard, please listen to the following announcement for your safety..." stuff, but have never heard the Wessex bits. Can these sayings be disabled by the guard on an electrical device, or are the trains just programmed to do it?

 

[Mojo]

Is this stuff played out from an electronic system? On ex-Wessex trains on Northern it sometimes plays the ""Welcome aboard, please listen to the following announcement for your safety..." stuff, but have never heard the Wessex bits. Can these sayings be disabled by the guard on an electrical device, or are the trains just programmed to do it?

I don't know how the welcome aboard announcement is played - it seems to come on randomly nowadays and is nothing to do with the guard (but see below). The other announcements I am pretty sure you might be able to play by presing some buttons somewhere. Certaintly on the pre-refurb 165s on Chiltern there was a panel with buttons which could read out various pre-recorded announcements.

 

[dan_atki]

I don't know how the welcome aboard announcement is played - it seems to come on randomly nowadays and is nothing to do with the guard (but see below). The other announcements I am pretty sure you might be able to play by presing some buttons somewhere. Certaintly on the pre-refurb 165s on Chiltern there was a panel with buttons which could read out various pre-recorded announcements.

As far as I am aware, it depends on the rolling stock and the CIS software installed on it.

It is likely that with the announcements without 'Wessex Trains' in them have a new version of the CIS than those without - the announcement files would be changed on the upgrade so as to cut out the 'Wessex Trains' bit.

Regarding how systems are operated, many are now based on GPS signals (the Desiros certainly are and have co-ordinates loaded into them for next station announcements) and others based on wheel revolutions (primarily tube stock at least which would not receive the signal). Also the Welcome announcements here are sparodic - they always seem to play leaving Waterloo but other stations are hit and miss and I guess it's based on a pattern loaded in). Also I have heard 'Can the guard please contact the driver' on a Desiro so the driver must also have some control.

I believe the same system applies with Electrostars. However there are a whole bunch of reasons Julie can announce why the train has come to a stop outside a station and therefore the system must have a manual control aspect to it.

The calling pattern can differ between routes even with the same destination so if the CIS is not routecode based (for the calling pattern) then it must require some entry to it. Saying that though, on a Desiro and Electrostar if the train has an abnormal calling pattern due to engineering work (certainly Windsor and Eton Riverside via Wimbledon, and a slow service from Victoria to Littlehampton via Worthing) then the CIS will not play at least until it is on a recognised route - on a journey from ECR-LIT with a stop at Burgess Hill, Julie suddenly started working at Worthing. So, based on that, I would say that the system has predefined patterns built in that cannot be changed.

Certainly, guards and drivers would not have the ability to change certain files (or disable parts of an announcement - although they can disable the lot), nor the order of the files as these are all preconfigured in the software - after all connections on the same train every day are the same - coming along the SWML for instance into London and the next station is CLJ always results in a 'Change here for Richmond, Twickenham, Staines, Windsor and Eton Riverside, London Victoria, East Croydon, London Gatwick Airport, Kensington Olympia, and Willesden Junction'. Coming from WAT this is 'Change here for London Victoria, East Croydon, London Gatwick Airport, Brighton, Kensington Olympia, and Willesden Junction'

I think there is a certain flexibility in it for guards/drivers to turn the system off and have control over stopping certain announcements - no good changing at Clapham for Richmond if the Windsor line is shut is there? - and also to replay certain things such as the calling pattern, and specials (these are also automatic - unless controlled by the driver (which I'd doubt) - as the guard has been checking tickets when they've started).

Also I believe there is a time element built in to these (after all Desiros know what time it is as they display it to you most of the journey ). The standard daytime (from WAT) announcement for SOA goes 'The next station is Southampton Airport Parkway. Change here for Swaythling, St Denys, and please change here for Southampton Airport. Customers travelling to the city centre and the docks should remain on this train and change at Southampton Central'. Obviously changing at SOU for the city centre at 2200 would not result in much shopping being undertaken and, indeed, the final part of that announcement does not play at that time.

Gee I do go on a bit don't I?

 

[Mojo]

I know that the unit I was on with the Wessex announcements are not GPS based because they do not detail station stops and don't come on before stops like you get on a 377, etc.

 

[D9009]

Here is one from Saturday:
"The next train to depart from platform 4 is the 11:10 FGW service to London Paddington, calling at Southall, Ealing Broadway and London Paddington. We appologise for the delay to this service"

I do love the Heathrow Connect ones:
"Please note that travelcards are not valid beyond this station" and "Please mind the step between the train and the platform." Is the voice the same as the Piccadilly Line?

 

[Royston Vasey]

I'm convinced that the FCC 365s state their destination as Blondon Kings Cross... though could just be the way the audio files have been cut up...

 

[thefab444]

The "Welcome" announcements on SWT Desiros only occur after 'major' stations.

 

[dan_atki]

I'm convinced that the FCC 365s state their destination as Blondon Kings Cross... though could just be the way the audio files have been cut up...

They do indeed, and this is often commented upon.

Another one based on incorrect splicing is/was (depending if she's been replaced by the new FCC Phil) Sarah at LTN. She always said 'First Capital Connect service tood Bedford'.

The "Welcome" announcements on SWT Desiros only occur after 'major' stations.

Which is exactly what I thought until one semi-fast train I was on played it after every station... I also think this depends on direction and time myself.

As said above, I think the guard has some control over this. Maybe they can select to have it after all stations, after 'major' stations, or off. Or maybe their control is just on/off with a play button when they want it played.

Then again 'major' is a bit of a slack word to use. What may be major to one person is not major to another...

 

[jv3531]

Hi guys, as a newby to this forum am not sure how these have been replied to but thought this may help:

SWTs PIS system is GPS controlled. The guard will log a route code in to activate the route. The system should then play out the full announcement list. On departure from the Origin, the system will play out this sequence again. Smoking and safety announcements are played out as per instructions entered into the routes database although the guard can manually force them out as necessary along with various other message such as feet off seats and penalty fares. Next station announcements again are controlled by GPS co-ordinates in the database for the route. If the train keeps announcing welcome aboard after every station, its usually because the guard has restarted the code - some do it but not all. Any information regarding changes en route etc are contained within the individual routes database.

FGW unit DVAs are not fitted to all units, think it was only the origional Wessex sets that got them during one of their refurbishments. Welcome aboard messages are usually GPRS controlled although they can play a limited number of preset messages such as ticket checks and trolly services which are controlled through a keypad in the cab.

Hope this is of use....

 

[dan_atki]

Hi guys, as a newby to this forum am not sure how these have been replied to but thought this may help:

SWTs PIS system is GPS controlled. The guard will log a route code in to activate the route. The system should then play out the full announcement list. On departure from the Origin, the system will play out this sequence again. Smoking and safety announcements are played out as per instructions entered into the routes database although the guard can manually force them out as necessary along with various other message such as feet off seats and penalty fares. Next station announcements again are controlled by GPS co-ordinates in the database for the route. If the train keeps announcing welcome aboard after every station, its usually because the guard has restarted the code - some do it but not all. Any information regarding changes en route etc are contained within the individual routes database.

...

Hope this is of use....

Ah ha, that would make sense - thanks!

What you say about 'individual route database' is very intriguing. Am I right in saying that each of the normal timetabled routes have their own database with a sequence of route and other announcements (preconfigured for that route only) loaded onto the CIS with a corresponding set of GPS co-ordinates so that all the necessary announcements are played at (what are thought to be) appropriate intervals throughout the journey?

Regarding the guard resetting the code at each station when that happens does the train pick up the GPS at its current location and cut off all the entries from the database that would have occurred already so as to play the appropriate announcement?

Another slight question I have what control does the driver have over the SWT system? Can they literally only set off the 'can the guard please contact the driver' announcement and nothing else or is there anything else they can do?

 

[jv3531]

The "Can the guard contact the driver" message is played when the driver tries to contact the guard on the train intercom, if the guard fails to answer the driver in a preset amount of time, the message will be played out and displayed on the screens.

Yes, basically - the system works by a code which relates to a particular journey so every time there is a deviation in for example stopping patterns, a new code would have to be set up. The system can be a nightmare over the weekends when you have engineering timetables to play with as well! As fare as I am aware, the system should if GPS signals permit allow the guard to enter any code and as long as the train is at the correct station, it should update. The guard also has access to a "Free-text" system which allows for example a destination to be displayed when no announcements are available.

The driver has very little or nothing to do with the PIS system on the SWT sets although this is reversed on the 350s with the driver having full control only from the desk which they have "unlocked" for driving from. With the desiros the only items I beleive the guard can access are the "Free-text" and some preset messages. Free text is useful for setting the destinations as the drivers don't always arrive early enough for passengers benifit! Another problem is that if the driver keys out on the 350s too early it can lock up the PIS and prevent messages from completing, then when the next driver activates the system it finishes what it should have announced!:grin:

 

[thefab444]

The GPS system does not always work, admittedly this was on a weekend with engineering works but as we approached West Byfleet, Celia chimes in with "The next station is Weybridge". Also of note is that not every *regular* SWT schedule is covered in the announcement codes.

It's a real shame that Phil got replaced with Celia on the Desiros, she is really is god awful.

 

[jv3531]

Must agree with you on that - don't know if they've changed the speed but I felt the first time I heard her speaking on a 455, she to me seemed to talk rather rapidly when listing destinations! Phil was and is much better as far as clarity is concerned as well, he is used at new street and is very clear for that area.

 

[dan_atki]

The "Can the guard contact the driver" message is played when the driver tries to contact the guard on the train intercom, if the guard fails to answer the driver in a preset amount of time, the message will be played out and displayed on the screens.

Now that is interesting how the systems are linked!

Yes, basically - the system works by a code which relates to a particular journey so every time there is a deviation in for example stopping patterns, a new code would have to be set up. The system can be a nightmare over the weekends when you have engineering timetables to play with as well! As fare as I am aware, the system should if GPS signals permit allow the guard to enter any code and as long as the train is at the correct station, it should update. The guard also has access to a "Free-text" system which allows for example a destination to be displayed when no announcements are available.

Ah right. Now I understand how the special messages get onto screens

New routes must be a bit of a nightmare to set up - I guess if it's for one weekend only they don't bother with it.

The GPS system does not always work, admittedly this was on a weekend with engineering works but as we approached West Byfleet, Celia chimes in with "The next station is Weybridge". Also of note is that not every *regular* SWT schedule is covered in the announcement codes.

Admittedly as with any computerised system it has its faults. I recall getting on a 450 at Vauxhall with Celia saying 'This is Vauxhall. This train is for Windsor and Eton Riverside and the next station is Clapham Junction', then when we started moving again she said (twice) 'The next station is Vauxhall', obviously where the co-ordinates had been entered twice (once either side of the station).

It's a real shame that Phil got replaced with Celia on the Desiros, she is really is god awful.

I'm sure he'll be back soon enough based on what SWT say about the reasons they change the voices around every so often. If you wish to expedite his return, however, don't forget they have a webchat on the 20th August

 

[thefab444]

With regards to new routes, SWT have some typical engineering works calling patterns in the system in case. For example, Weymouth - Waterloo via Havant (with calls at Southampton Airport and Winchester replaced by Fareham, Havant, Guildford and Clapham Junction).

 

[jv3531]

Probably find that with the hounslow one the guard must have set the PIS up for the next trip too early. That would cause it to play the wrong destination! Oh and yes, every weekend a new set would need to be issued to cover engineering updates although repeated routes would probably keep the same codes for a set period of time as notified. This comes down to the various disabled and visualy impaired acts passed by government which require the companys to have up to date information where it is available.

Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong but I think that the codes are as up to date as the current job card would be as they are now printed on these when produced from the system so unless it happens over night most of the codes should be pretty accurate unless there is a problem and the database has failed to upload its new settings!

 

[dan_atki]

Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong but I think that the codes are as up to date as the current job card would be as they are now printed on these when produced from the system so unless it happens over night most of the codes should be pretty accurate unless there is a problem and the database has failed to upload its new settings!

That is intriguing. To me that suggests that the Desiro CIS automatically syncs with a central system every night - is this correct?

 

[jv3531]

As far as I know the link is via the central computer network through GPRS - think it works along the principal of when the train is berthed it receives updates when they are transmitted from the computer. Again, it doesn't always work as i'm sure there are more than one occasion due to vacinity of the train or equipment failure etc it hasn't received updates or the system locks up. All in all though, the system is one of the better ones simpley because of what can be done wih it, unlike other systems which require operators to manually input data by a hand held device. Mind you, its the same with any computer - its only as good as the operator who programs it, garbage in, garbage out as they say!:grin:

 

[P156KWJ]

Today at Cleethorpes, bearing in mind it is an open air, 3 platform station by the sea with no more than 2 trains at a time "passengers are reminded to keep their belongings with them at all times. If unattended articles are seen, they will be removed AND MAY BE DESTROYED!"

 

[Bayum]

Today at Cleethorpes, bearing in mind it is an open air, 3 platform station by the sea with no more than 2 trains at a time "passengers are reminded to keep their belongings with them at all times. If unattended articles are seen, they will be removed AND MAY BE DESTROYED!"

Yes, but either way - if something did happen - it could still be really damaging

 

[westcoaster]

when ever you go to a station operated by southern you always heAr
"IF YOU SUSPECT IT REPORT IT'

 

[P156KWJ]

Yes, but either way - if something did happen - it could still be really damaging

Oh come on! any person who isn't brain dead could work out you simply don't need it! It's making people paranoid unnecessarilly and I doubt Al Quaeda or Bin Laden would target a 3 platform station with hardly any people :roll: It's another stupid H&S rule that the UK is infested with.

 

[Mojo]

You also learn to filter out announcements, especially if they are prefixed with "May I have your attention please;" as they usually contain the most pointless content. Since it is such a common announcement anyway, I think anyone who is silly enough to not check they have everything (or has just made a real mistake) isn't going to do so because some announcement says so.

 

[me123]

There's the ones at Queen Street low level on a continuous loop telling you to not run on the stairs and hold the handrail. H&S gone overboard methinks...

 

[P156KWJ]

like 185s' door chimes which go on for hours

 

[Jordy]

Do they? The ones here take 2.5 seconds

 

[me123]

The 334s came with a door chime and the 318s have since had them installed. Both are a bit annoying up close. But the 170s, well their door chime is distinct yet subtle.

 

[Jordy]

The Northern 321s are so loud they hurt, SWT 458s are rather painful too (so I can imagine 334s are!)

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Oh come on! any person who isn't brain dead could work out you simply don't need it! It's making people paranoid unnecessarilly and I doubt Al Quaeda or Bin Laden would target a 3 platform station with hardly any people :roll: It's another stupid H&S rule that the UK is infested with.

According to an American study, most terrorist attacks aimed at the railway happen in a station or on a train!

Food for thought indeed!

When I was working in London they closed a platform because someone had left THEIR HANDBAG on the platform, in a place not typical of lost property.

And given that some people cannot find platform 2 on a two platform station with signs saying 'PLATFORM 2 THIS WAY >' on them, do you really think such announcements are not needed?

If someone can leave something like a handbag on a platform, or can't find a sign-posted platform on a small station, you have to wonder how many people leave their brains at home!