Formations on platform display screens

[Wtloild]

Just been stood at Man Picc platform 14, and the train before mine was a TPE service to "Middlesbrough & York", with instructions for "passengers to Middlesbrough to use the front coaches, as the rear coaches will detach at York".
The train was a 3-coach 185.
Are formations are programmed into these screens at at the beginning of the day and not amended?
Didn't hear what the tannoy had said, as I had earphones in.

 

[Bletchleyite]

They should be amended, and on LNR they are usually accurate. TPE clearly don't have appropriate systems in place.

 

[NWR001]

Just been stood at Man Picc platform 14, and the train before mine was a TPE service to "Middlesbrough & York", with instructions for "passengers to Middlesbrough to use the front coaches, as the rear coaches will detach at York".
The train was a 3-coach 185.
Are formations are programmed into these screens at at the beginning of the day and not amended?
Didn't hear what the tannoy had said, as I had earphones in.

These are block entered once into whats called the "Master Timetable" on the system. This is uploaded based on what unit formation is pathed to operate the service, in this case, this would usually be a 6-car 185. This then automatically enters these formations daily onto CIS screens, and will display the planned formation unless changed manually.

If this changes, due to short formations because of unit shortages or similar, then these need to be amended on the system manually on the day. In this case it seems it hasn't been updated by TPE control, or by any station along the route which has adequate control over the train running systems.

 

[xotGD]

I think the lesson here is don't wear earphones when waiting for a train.

A manual tannoy announcement will often be more accurate than an automated screen. Best to be able to hear them.

 

[PHILIPE]

I think the lesson here is don't wear earphones when waiting for a train.

A manual tannoy announcement will often be more accurate than an automated screen. Best to be able to hear them.

I read a Tweet to a TOC once when an alteration was made to the train's schedule whilst en route and where the complainant finished up at the wrong destination. The announcement was missed by this guy who complained that the guard should go through the train to check for people wearing earphones in order to inform them.

 

[DanTrain]

I read a Tweet to a TOC once when an alteration was made to the train's schedule whilst en route and where the complainant finished up at the wrong destination. The announcement was missed by this guy who complained that the guard should go through the train to check for people wearing earphones in order to inform them.

Or the hard of hearing surely? Although not sure how you check for that one without asking people to put their hands up if they’ve heard or something!

 

[Deafdoggie]

Or the hard of hearing surely? Although not sure how you check for that one without asking people to put their hands up if they’ve heard or something!

Generally, (but by no means always!) train alterations once onboard only come about if delayed or other distruption. As long as you’re aware of that, you can be more alert to missing something and checking with fellow travellers.

 

[Mogster]

I find the other passengers starting to look at each other mouthing phrases
like WTF is usually a big giveaway I should remove my headphones...

 

[Deepgreen]

Or the hard of hearing surely? Although not sure how you check for that one without asking people to put their hands up if they’ve heard or something!

I think this is an important point. The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) required that trains be equipped with visual and aural information systems, i.e. screens and announcements, but it is all too common for the two not to agree with each other on trains and stations (or for both to be wrong!). As a start, however, if non-disabled people choose to limit their information reception abilities (wearing headphones and/or glued to personal screens), then they can't expect too much more help!

 

[vlad]

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) required that trains be equipped with visual and aural information systems, i.e. screens and announcements, but it is all too common for the two not to agree with each other on trains and stations (or for both to be wrong!).

I was waiting at Stoke for the southbound XC a couple of weeks ago. The platform display said that first class was at the back but the automated announcement said it was at the front. Foolishly I believed the announcement....

 

[Deafdoggie]

I was waiting at Stoke for the southbound XC a couple of weeks ago. The platform display said that first class was at the back but the automated announcement said it was at the front. Foolishly I believed the announcement....

I always stand in the middle, no one at Stoke seems to have a clue where XC First Class will be. They would be better not saying at all, as it is wrong most times.