Blackpool North

[umontu]

Hmm, is there any reason you can't go on to the platforms at Blackpool North until the train arrives?
Is this the only station like this?

Thanks

 

[WestCoast]

At Blackpool North, when trains terminate, they are usually 'cleaned' (rubbish off the floor, clean the toilet e.t.c). The doors are kept locked so that people don't board the trains when the cleaners are onboard. However, once the cleaners have departed they should open the doors, but you have to wait for a member of station staff to do this. Keeping the doors shut also goes back to the old days (before the barriers were installed a few years ago) where there would often be a few RPIs checking your ticket by the doors.

I also presume that they think you'd prefer to wait indoors than out on the platform. I haven't really seen another station like it to be honest, perhaps some of the main London terminals are similar in that you have to wait for your platform to be announced even though the train has arrived.

I don't do spotting, so I don't know what the situation is with that, you'd need to ask the staff there.

 

[umontu]

At Blackpool North, when trains terminate, they are usually 'cleaned' (rubbish off the floor, clean the toilet e.t.c). The doors are kept locked so that people don't board the trains when the cleaners are onboard. However, once the cleaners have departed they should open the doors, but you have to wait for a member of station staff to do this. Keeping the doors shut also goes back to the old days (before the barriers were installed a few years ago) where there would often be a few RPIs checking your ticket by the doors.

I also presume that they think you'd prefer to wait indoors than out on the platform. I haven't really seen another station like it to be honest, perhaps some of the main London terminals are similar in that you have to wait for your platform to be announced even though the train has arrived.

I don't do spotting, so I don't know what the situation is with that, you'd need to ask the staff there.

I'm not a spotter either, I was just curious.
Thought it would be something related to fare dodging.
Thank you.

 

[WestCoast]

I'm not a spotter either, I was just curious.
Thought it would be something related to fare dodging.
Thank you.

Since the barriers have been installed, which can have up to three staff watching over six barriers, fare dodging in the traditionally sense is practically non-existent I reckon

 

[umontu]

Since the barriers have been installed, which can have up to three staff watching over six barriers, fare dodging in the traditionally sense is practically non-existent I reckon

According to what I had heard though ticket purchases from Layton to Blackpool North have gone up.

 

[WestCoast]

According to what I had heard though ticket purchases from Layton to Blackpool North have gone up.

Doesn't surprise me at all - not that I have ever seen someone making the journey:roll:. That's why I said in the 'traditional' sense! They should put some RPIs there, then anyone saying they came from Layton would be in a bit of trouble...(a bit like they do at Burley Park near Leeds)

 

[umontu]

Doesn't surprise me at all - not that I have ever seen someone making the journey:roll:. That's why I said in the 'traditional' sense! They should put some RPIs there, then anyone saying they came from Layton would be in a bit of trouble...(a bit like they do at Burley Park near Leeds)

Can't see them spending the money, though a great idea.

 

[WestCoast]

Can't see them spending the money.

I just meant do it for a few hours, just to see what happens, as it would be interesting. But as you say, Northern aren't going to spend the money on things like this.

I really wish they would get ticket machines that have Ticket-on-Departure, it would be a start at least!

 

[alexdodds]

I have been twice all I had to do was get permission from the station supervisior and then I was allowed onto the platforms to do me photos and videos. The doors were locked even when I was out on the platforms but I didnt mind.

Talk of BPN i wonder if platform 3 will be long enough for the pendolino trains when the Preston to BPN line gets electrified and hopefuly whoever runs the West Coast franchise at the time decides to run trains from Euston to BPN.

 

[WestCoast]

Talk of BPN i wonder if platform 3 will be long enough for the pendolino trains when the Preston to BPN line gets electrified and hopefuly whoever runs the West Coast franchise at the time decides to run trains from Euston to BPN.

There was talk of it being part of the franchise commitment.

 

[tbtc]

Hmm, is there any reason you can't go on to the platforms at Blackpool North until the train arrives?
Is this the only station like this?

Some stations don't announce the platform number until the last minute and make you rush for the train. There was a thread on here recently about Kings Cross in London and the problems that it has. Glasgow Queen Street is another, which is frustrating.

There's a difference between "allowing passengers onto the platform, but not annnouncing which train will leave from which platform until the last minute" and "not allowing passengers onto the platform at all" though, I appreciate../.

 

[Hydro]

Some stations don't announce the platform number until the last minute and make you rush for the train. There was a thread on here recently about Kings Cross in London and the problems that it has. Glasgow Queen Street is another, which is frustrating.

There's a difference between "allowing passengers onto the platform, but not annnouncing which train will leave from which platform until the last minute" and "not allowing passengers onto the platform at all" though, I appreciate../.

EMT at St Pancs do this. It annoys the hell out of me, you get hundreds of people waiting in that tennis court of a waiting area staring at the big screen, with a ridiculous charge through the barriers when the platform is announced 10 minutes before departure. The latest I've personally seen is the last Derby train being announced 5 minutes before it was due to leave.

 

[Eng274]

Some stations don't announce the platform number until the last minute and make you rush for the train. There was a thread on here recently about Kings Cross in London and the problems that it has. Glasgow Queen Street is another, which is frustrating.

There's a difference between "allowing passengers onto the platform, but not annnouncing which train will leave from which platform until the last minute" and "not allowing passengers onto the platform at all" though, I appreciate../.

Edinburgh Waverley used to be horrendous for this!

Back in 2002-3 when I travelled to fife on the outer circle every week, the main departure board never showed a platform number for that train, until it was a couple of minutes before it actually left. Cue a stampede of fifers (not a pleasant sight after work) running to platform 18. Thank sauzee that it never departed from 20 or 21 (currently 8 and 9)!

The crowded platform situation only really happens to delayed queen st shuttles, and whenever virgin/TPE services use the barriered platforms 12-18.

 

[umontu]

There was talk of it being part of the franchise commitment.

Any news on whether they would stop at Kirkham and Wesham (My home town ) ?

I doubt it highly.

 

[driver9000]

Platform 3 at Blackpool North measures 233m so is long enough to hold a 9 car Pendolino but too short to hold an 11 car set.

I'm not sure if Virgin are proposing to stop at Kirkham but open access plans have Kirkham as a stop.

 

[umontu]

Platform 3 at Blackpool North measures 233m so is long enough to hold a 9 car Pendolino but too short to hold an 11 car set.

I'm not sure if Virgin are proposing to stop at Kirkham but open access plans have Kirkham as a stop.

Would make my day if they did and it would certainly be used by more than just me, I'm pretty sure Kirkham could handle a pendolino too, lengthwise.

Anyways I can dream, thanks.

 

[driver9000]

Kirkham at 93m won't hold a Pendolino, it only just holds a 180 with a bit of room to spare.

 

[Scotrail84]

Edinburgh Waverley used to be horrendous for this!

Back in 2002-3 when I travelled to fife on the outer circle every week, the main departure board never showed a platform number for that train, until it was a couple of minutes before it actually left. Cue a stampede of fifers (not a pleasant sight after work) running to platform 18. Thank sauzee that it never departed from 20 or 21 (currently 8 and 9)!

The crowded platform situation only really happens to delayed queen st shuttles, and whenever virgin/TPE services use the barriered platforms 12-18.

Hehe nice one "le God". I get it. Not sure many others on here would though.
Sauzee, Theres only one Sauzee...........

 

[WestCoast]

Any news on whether they would stop at Kirkham and Wesham (My home town ) ?

I doubt it highly.

No, I don't think Virgin are planning to stop at Kirkham but open-access Grand Central are..

 

[CarterUSM]

Hehe nice one "le God". I get it. Not sure many others on here would though.
Sauzee, Theres only one Sauzee...........

What a player! Shame about management spell though.

 

[Scotrail84]

What a player! Shame about management spell though.

He was never given enough time! :-x A true hero treated like shiote by the club.

 

[TomJ93]

This sounds good to me! Shame I don't think it will come to fruition.

 

[samj1]

Would make my day if they did and it would certainly be used by more than just me, I'm pretty sure Kirkham could handle a pendolino too, lengthwise.

Anyways I can dream, thanks.

Would Poulton-le-fylde be a better place to stop at for Virgin? Which station would have more demand? Poulton is a busy little station!

 

[WestCoast]

There would definitely be more demand from Poulton but I still don't think Virgin are planning to stop there (since they shortened the platform I don't think there is room for a 390 either - a voyager would easily fit though).

 

[driver9000]

Poulton can hold 6 cars since the demolition of the disused platform ends. The 6 car board is not far from the Up end of the platform. Signals are on the platform ends - the Up signal is in the process of being moved nearer the station.

 

[samj1]

Cant imagine Blackpool having a great amount of demand during the winter months to be honest..

 

[WestCoast]

Cant imagine Blackpool having a great amount of demand during the winter months to be honest..

There is always going to be a certain amount of demand from Fylde residents year round, perhaps not enough to support a service but I think the service is part of larger change in WCML services. The Wigan/Warrington/Lancaster stops may be removed from the London-Glasgow service - so a new hourly service which alternates between Lancaster and Blackpool could be a good way of serving these stops as well as some of the Midlands stops like Nuneaton.

 

[driver9000]

Services in and out of Blackpool North are surprisingly busy throughout the year, especially at weekends. Good loads are often picked up and deposited at Preston on the Fylde services. There are quite a number of 'London commuters' who would appreciate a direct link between Blackpool and London.

 

[samj1]

Which are the busiest services along the fylde north line?

 

[driver9000]

In my experience the xx:55 from Preston to Blackpool N and the xx:19 stopper from Preston tend to be the busiest. Leaving Blackpool it's the xx:20 and xx:37 that can be busiest, although the xx:29 is a busy one too. That said they all carry good loads for much of the day, even the Blackpool South service can be busy - extremely so when the Pleasure beach is open or football is on at Bloomfield Road.