trainophile
Established Member
Is it just me or do some trains not seem to have any obvious (i.e. easy to spot) identification to tell you which coach it is?
I'm thinking of the Cross Country service I sometimes catch from Stafford to Birmingham New Street. It's quite a long train (haven't actually counted the coaches as I'm always panicking to find the one I'm meant to get on) and only seems to wait in the station for about a minute if that. I usually have to throw myself on at whichever door I am nearest to, hoping it's not First Class, and sit wherever I can.
On reservable services, shouldn't there be some sort of standardisation, that is easily visible even before the train halts? I think XC just have those little electronic panels by the doors, showing the destination and the next stop, also the coach letter. No good at all when you haven't got time to walk the length of the platform trying to find the one you need.
Edited to add, some TOCs are much better than others. No problems with ATW or Virgin.
I'm thinking of the Cross Country service I sometimes catch from Stafford to Birmingham New Street. It's quite a long train (haven't actually counted the coaches as I'm always panicking to find the one I'm meant to get on) and only seems to wait in the station for about a minute if that. I usually have to throw myself on at whichever door I am nearest to, hoping it's not First Class, and sit wherever I can.
On reservable services, shouldn't there be some sort of standardisation, that is easily visible even before the train halts? I think XC just have those little electronic panels by the doors, showing the destination and the next stop, also the coach letter. No good at all when you haven't got time to walk the length of the platform trying to find the one you need.
Edited to add, some TOCs are much better than others. No problems with ATW or Virgin.