Blackpool North Part Two - a new dawn or false hope?

[LowLevel]

I've had a couple of occasions of late whereby I've been to Blackpool North and have noted the atmosphere and behaviour of the staff has been totally different to their usual reputation - I've heard others say similar!

There was a steam charter today and I was shocked to see that not only were doors not being slammed shut and locked, they'd let a load of locals on the platforms to watch and film the train, and no one was chased off afterwards.

I've heard rumours of new local managers who might finally have had some sort of effect.

 

[Kite159]

Even the gateline staff were friendly when I had to go via the manual gate as my ranger didn't work the barriers. Last time they were quite grumpy and tried to claim a Lancashire ranger wasn't valid there and the 'barriers are always correct'

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Good to hear. I will be there when I am home from the USA over Xmas/New Year. I will see if my experience matches.

 

[Vespa]

Let's hope that's true and it will remain that way, I might...just might come back to BPN.

It will interesting to hear further reports as other stations allow you on the platforms to wait for the train or board it awaiting departure.

 

[childwallblues]

I will be at Blackpool North in two weeks so will report back.

 

[Amos]

Was there on Wednesday evening for the first time in years, and whilst it wasn’t quite as bad as I remembered it still wasn’t really a pleasant experience.Platforms had a tensabarrier stretched across,and there was no way anyone was getting past the burly member of staff guarding the entrance.Two departures were imminent,with two queues snaking back the other side of the gateline.Staff weren’t particularly unpleasant, but really didn’t look happy to be there.

 

[Howardh]

Even the gateline staff were friendly when I had to go via the manual gate as my ranger didn't work the barriers. Last time they were quite grumpy and tried to claim a Lancashire ranger wasn't valid there and the 'barriers are always correct'

What happens when you have a valid ticket that isn't accepted? Forced to buy a single from somewhere along the route (say Poulton le Fylde) and claim it back? Anyhow back to the OP, I was at Blackpool N last week, and I've never encountered much of an issue with staff, only the annoying Euston-style holding back when your train's in, so it was much the same as always.

I've suggested before on here that the station should have a tram departure board too; rather than leave and find out, if you knew on the station then you might be tempted to call for a coffee while waiting. TBH though the station needs a Gregg's...!!!

 

[duffield]

What happens when you have a valid ticket that isn't accepted? Forced to buy a single from somewhere along the route (say Poulton le Fylde) and claim it back? Anyhow back to the OP, I was at Blackpool N last week, and I've never encountered much of an issue with staff, only the annoying Euston-style holding back when your train's in, so it was much the same as always.

I've suggested before on here that the station should have a tram departure board too; rather than leave and find out, if you knew on the station then you might be tempted to call for a coffee while waiting. TBH though the station needs a Gregg's...!!!

As per this thread, the Blackpool trams don't have public realtime tracking on displays or online, so a tram departure board would be of limited value, positively misleading at times.

 

[johntea]

What happens when you have a valid ticket that isn't accepted? Forced to buy a single from somewhere along the route (say Poulton le Fylde) and claim it back? Anyhow back to the OP, I was at Blackpool N last week, and I've never encountered much of an issue with staff, only the annoying Euston-style holding back when your train's in, so it was much the same as always.

I've suggested before on here that the station should have a tram departure board too; rather than leave and find out, if you knew on the station then you might be tempted to call for a coffee while waiting. TBH though the station needs a Gregg's...!!!

When I was there many years ago the gateline staff were very moody because the 'barriers said no' to my ticket but then to counter that the staff in the ticket office were extremely pleasant and helpful!

Very odd 'abandoned shopping centre' feel to the station design I've always felt!

 

[Howardh]

Very odd 'abandoned shopping centre' feel to the station design I've always felt!

It's just bland, more seating areas inside would be helpful. Better than Southport though!!

 

[306024]

At the risk of increasing forum members blood pressure:

RailStaff Awards 2024 - 2024 Winners

RailStaff Awards 2024 - 2024 Winners

railstaffawards.com

They look a friendly bunch to me.

Link shows picture of Blackpool barrier staff, winners of station team of the year at the recent rail staff awards.

 

[childwallblues]

Well anybody can look friendly if they are having their photo taken. I will test them on Tuesday as I plan to pass through.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Dec 2024 ==

Passed through as planned at lunchtime. Had the wide gate opened for me. Staff very ffficient. The new gateline is very impressive and the doors were open at least eight minutes before my train was due to depart.As everybody appeared to be on before me I would say that the doors had been opened about 15 minurs before departure. A big improvement.

 

[Vespa]

Well anybody can look friendly if they are having their photo taken. I will test them on Tuesday as I plan to pass through.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Dec 2024 ==

Passed through as planned at lunchtime. Had the wide gate opened for me. Staff very ffficient. The new gateline is very impressive and the doors were open at least eight minutes before my train was due to depart.As everybody appeared to be on before me I would say that the doors had been opened about 15 minurs before departure. A big improvement.

I had to pick myself off the floor after reading that

A big improvement, having it open all the time would be a bigger improvement, pointless keeping passengers in the concourse after going through the ticket turnstiles.

 

[Egg Centric]

Strange how you don't fully appreciate something until it's gone. Experiencing the mistreatment here was (fairly low) on my rail bucketlist and now it sounds like it'll never be. Good for normal passengers though.

 

[The Prisoner]

Maybe it’s a Blackpool thing. Was there a few years ago (21) and caught a tram from the pleasure beach to the tower with the family. Tried to pay contactless - grumpy git told me the card machine wasn’t working and that if we couldn’t pay cash we’d have to get off at the next stop.

Didn’t have cash. Got off. Got cash.

Next conductor was very apologetic and pointed out that I could have been asked to download the app and pay with a card for tickets on that.

Used to work in Blackpool in the mid 90s and commuted back and forth to Preston. Maybe the staff attitude at BPN is a hangover from the 0310 (?) to Manchester airport on a Saturday night with a stop “to pick up only” in Preston which was always wildly abused by myself and most of Mr Smiths nightclub who used it to get home. The kebab express.

Mr Smiths had the best strap line - Making Blackpool Rock.