"Metropolitan lines trains only" Sign at Kings Cross

[Thames99]

What does this sign mean? It is just below the Kings Cross St Pancras station name on the westbound platform, which is of course shared by H&C, Circle and Metropolitan trains.

The sign appears to be repeated at intervals along the platform beneath the station name signs. Apologies for the hastily taken photo, just as my train was coming in.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It indicates which trains stop where. The Circle/Hammersmith trains are shorter.

 

[hexagon789]

What does this sign mean? It is just below the Kings Cross St Pancras station name on the westbound platform, which is of course shared by H&C, Circle and Metropolitan trains.

The sign appears to be repeated at intervals along the platform beneath the station name signs. Apologies for the hastily taken photo, just as my train was coming in.

View attachment 159840

Could it be related to the Met using 8-car trains and the Hammersmith/City and Circle using 7-car?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Could it be related to the Met using 8-car trains and the Hammersmith/City and Circle using 7-car?

It is yes. It means that if you stand there only Met trains will stop alongside you as the others are shorter.

It kind of counters the silly "please use the full length of the platform" announcements which tend to precede the arrival of a train that, er, doesn't.

 

[hexagon789]

It is yes. It means that if you stand there only Met trains will stop alongside you as the others are shorter.

It kind of counters the silly "please use the full length of the platform" announcements which tend to precede the arrival of a train that, er, doesn't.

A good guess on my part then!

I did look more directed at passengers than an official stopping marker, so the explanation that it shows that only Met trains will 'reach' that point for boarding makes sense.

 

[Thames99]

Thanks for the replies. The Circle line train I caught last night, though, stopped at that exact point. I was in the front coach so maybe the signs extend a little further up than they should

 

[bluegoblin7]

The signage predates the current S stock trains and was spaced for the shorter C stock. However, for the small distance involved it doesn’t make too much of a difference - no one is going to miss a train by standing in the ‘wrong’ place.

 

[D7666]

The signage predates the current S stock trains and was spaced for the shorter C stock. However, for the small distance involved it doesn’t make too much of a difference - no one is going to miss a train by standing in the ‘wrong’ place.

I often thought that sign with its not overly large lettering could encourage some with less than perfect sight to stand too close to platform edge while reading it.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I often thought that sign with its not overly large lettering could encourage some with less than perfect sight to stand too close to platform edge while reading it.

I certainly think it could be done better. FWIW Merseyrail have very similar signage for 3/6 (now 4/8) car trains at some stations.

 

[edwin_m]

This sign could suggest to passengers wanting Circle or H&C that they were at the wrong platform. Probably better to say something like "Circle and Hammersmith & City Line trains stop further down the platform ->".

 

[Mojo]

This sign could suggest to passengers wanting Circle or H&C that they were at the wrong platform. Probably better to say something like "Circle and Hammersmith & City Line trains stop further down the platform ->".

When you enter the platform there are arrows pointing in the direction
of either Circle & Hammersmith, or Metropolitan lines.

 

[edwin_m]

When you enter the platform there are arrows pointing in the direction
of either Circle & Hammersmith, or Metropolitan lines.

Assuming you are referring to signs pointing to the whole platform rather than different parts of it, these would help somewhat but my point still stands. People unfamiliar with the station (including many intercity and international passengers at this station) might think they had to continue on somewhere else for one of the other lines, or might think they had missed a later direction sign telling them to go elsewhere for those lines. Most other metros don't have multiple lines sharing the same track, so many tourists might not be expecting it in London.

 

[Mojo]

Assuming you are referring to signs pointing to the whole platform rather than different parts of it, these would help somewhat but my point still stands.

No, I’m not. As you enter the platform there is a diagram of services served by the lines, and this is accompanied by signage with an arrow in one direction for the Met line and one for the Circle & Hammersmith. See picture here: https://citytransport.info/Digi2/P1540218a.jpg

The set up on the Inner Rail platform is similar. Again this only applies at the West end of both platforms. Since the S7s replaced the C stocks this issue is much less of an issue also, with trains occupying much more of the platform (you can see where the old Opo monitors were on the Inner Rail platform and then notice where the S7s stop).

 

[edwin_m]

No, I’m not. As you enter the platform there is a diagram of services served by the lines, and this is accompanied by signage with an arrow in one direction for the Met line and one for the Circle & Hammersmith. See picture here: https://citytransport.info/Digi2/P1540218a.jpg

The set up on the Inner Rail platform is similar. Again this only applies at the West end of both platforms. Since the S7s replaced the C stocks this issue is much less of an issue also, with trains occupying much more of the platform (you can see where the old Opo monitors were on the Inner Rail platform and then notice where the S7s stop).

Thanks for clarification. That's somewhat better, but could be interpreted as all Met Line passengers needing to stand on what I presume is the rear coach length of the platform. The Met sign should have arrows pointing both ways.

 

[stuu]

That seems a poor implementation - having an arrow pointing left with "Circle and H&C line trains stop further along the platform" would be far clearer

 

[AlbertBeale]

That seems a poor implementation - having an arrow pointing left with "Circle and H&C line trains stop further along the platform" would be far clearer

On the other hand, when the train does arrive, it's pretty obvious where it is... And the absolute maximum anyone has to do is to walk one carriage-length (which you commonly have to do anyway to find space to board, at busy times). This SSL train length situation is far less of a hassle (if it's a hassle at all) than at many NR stations with varying lengths of train!

 

[BrianW]

That seems a poor implementation - having an arrow pointing left with "Circle and H&C line trains stop further along the platform" would be far clearer

Agreed.

On the other hand, when the train does arrive, it's pretty obvious where it is... And the absolute maximum anyone has to do is to walk one carriage-length (which you commonly have to do anyway to find space to board, at busy times). This SSL train length situation is far less of a hassle (if it's a hassle at all) than at many NR stations with varying lengths of train!

Agreeing with this too. Many NR platforms have people scuttling along to get to the train when it arrives passing them on the platform to stop a long way away (what does 3 car stop mean to them?) let alone the right carriage- too much unnecessary stress.

 

[miklcct]

Agreed.

Agreeing with this too. Many NR platforms have people scuttling along to get to the train when it arrives passing them on the platform to stop a long way away (what does 3 car stop mean to them?) let alone the right carriage- too much unnecessary stress.

There should be carriage marking on the platform, like elsewhere in the world.

The linked photo shows a platform position which is only applicable for a 12-coach train.

 

[Dr Hoo]

There should be carriage marking on the platform, like elsewhere in the world.

The linked photo shows a platform position which is only applicable for a 12-coach train.

This seems to be a link to an entire ‘gallery’.

 

[AlbertBeale]

There should be carriage marking on the platform, like elsewhere in the world.

The linked photo shows a platform position which is only applicable for a 12-coach train.

Well - in some places, in some situations... But then, there are indications at some places in this country too...

 

[Tetchytyke]

The signage predates the current stock, is from when the A-stock and C-stock were used. It identified the part of the platform where only the A-stock stopped. There’s not so much difference now between an S7 and an S8.

In general it’d be useful to have markets to show where a short train stops- Germany has the ‘kurzzug’ markers, Sydney has similar markers too- but really they only apply where there’s a big difference between the trains (e.g Merseyrail 3 v 6 car).