Reading train departure boards confused please?

[Vince]

Right my apologises but I'll try and keep it simple I think I'm confusing myself more than anything, in a month and a bit time I have another journey with a friend which is requiring 2 changes and it's from Newcastle > York > Doncaster

My ticket says this

From:
Newcastle

To:
Doncaster

08.58hours I need to be on it for, the change says

From:
York

To:
Doncaster

10.01hours that train departures so when I get of the train at York which I'm not sure what that time is because it doesn't say?

If the departure board is like

What would I look for? I know the times on the side is when it arrives.

But if Doncaster is not the final destination, how do I know where to go?

I'm sorry for sounding such a noob I just need to get my head thinking straight!

Thanks v.much appreciated.

 

[Roylang]

National Rail shows the 08:58 train from Newcastle as being an East Coast train from Edinburgh to London Kings Cross and the 10.01 from York being another East Coast train starting at York to London Kings Cross.

The National rail website will always give you information about the trains you need to be on, not just the bit that you travel. If you put in your day of travel it will even give you the planned platform (which may change on the day).

Hope that helps,

Roy

 

[Saltleyman]

The 0858 from Newcastle to Kings X does not stop at Doncaster so a change at York is necessary, it is due to arrive at York at 0953. The 1001 from York to Kings X does stop at Doncaster arriving at 1024. I think that the 1001 from York departs from Platform 6 at York.When you arrive at York look at the indicators for the 1001 to Kings X.

 

[LexyBoy]

What would I look for? I know the times on the side is when it arrives.

The times on the left is the departure time - if you're getting the 10:01 it will be shown as 10:01. Simples!

NB on those boards only the final destination will be shown (which will be Kings Cross rather than Doncaster). Just pay attention to the time, it's unlikely that two trains will be scheduled to leave at the same time (if they are, look for a board which shows all the stations they call at, or ask someone).

 

[DarloRich]

You need to look for the time of departure AND the ultimate destination if your train.

shown in the picture shown at post #1 ( from left to right)

Scheduled time of departure
Ultimate destination
platform
expected time of departure

So you will need to look for (reading l-r):

1001
Kings Cross (ultimate destination)
(Platform number)
expected time of Departure

 

[ainsworth74]

Also further to what others have said once you've found the platform that you've been directed to by that board for the 10:01 departure there will be boards on the platform that list all the calling point for that service. You could also go to the main departure board area for the whole station which looks like this and can be found near the main entrance close to the WH Smiths and the Travel Centre. The boards there will tell you what time the service departs, it's ultimate destination, the calling points and the platform it will leave from.

 

[Vince]

Also further to what others have said once you've found the platform that you've been directed to by that board for the 10:01 departure there will be boards on the platform that list all the calling point for that service. You could also go to the main departure board area for the whole station which looks like this and can be found near the main entrance close to the WH Smiths and the Travel Centre. The boards there will tell you what time the service departs, it's ultimate destination, the calling points and the platform it will leave from.

Thank you very much my friend!

The departure board I showed you is that just the one at each platform not the main one?

Does every train station normally have one like yours? Will Doncaster have the same to?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

National Rail shows the 08:58 train from Newcastle as being an East Coast train from Edinburgh to London Kings Cross and the 10.01 from York being another East Coast train starting at York to London Kings Cross.

The National rail website will always give you information about the trains you need to be on, not just the bit that you travel. If you put in your day of travel it will even give you the planned platform (which may change on the day).

Hope that helps,

Roy

But besides going on the website, in the actual train will it not tell you?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The times on the left is the departure time - if you're getting the 10:01 it will be shown as 10:01. Simples!

NB on those boards only the final destination will be shown (which will be Kings Cross rather than Doncaster). Just pay attention to the time, it's unlikely that two trains will be scheduled to leave at the same time (if they are, look for a board which shows all the stations they call at, or ask someone).

Does every station have a one that shows all final destinations and times?

What does NB mean?

 

[thefab444]

NB means "nota bene", which roughly means "note this".

 

[Vince]

NB means "nota bene", which roughly means "note this".

Okay sorry I didn't know

Is 8 or so minutes enough to get yourself from one platform to another no problem btw?

 

[mikeg]

nationalrail.co.uk shows the minimum connection time for York to be 8 minutes, so should be just enough time to get from one platform to another. Will probably actually be plenty enough time since you're unlikely to be going from platform 11 to 1. Unless of course your first train is late.

If you buy an advance through ticket, it shouldn't let you book one with less than the minimum connection time for you to make your connection. If you book two advance tickets, you need to leave this time at least between your first train arriving and your second one departing.

Minimum connection times can be found by going to http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/ and entering the station.

Since you a) have a through ticket and b) have left the minimum connection time anyway, you will be covered to get the next train should your first train run late.

The departure board I showed you is that just the one at each platform not the main one?

Does every train station normally have one like yours?

a) it's the one that's often located around the station, such as at entrances and walkways.
b) No, only large stations. I don't know about Doncaster, but since it's a large station I'd say it has one.

Does every station have a one that shows all final destinations and times?

Any reasonably sized station. Even my local station, Thirsk, a small category E station has an LCD screen showing all final destinations, platforms and calling points, although this was only installed recently. Smaller stations with just two platforms will normally have one platform in one direction and the other the opposite direction, so you can work it out from that. There will be signs saying which way each platforms' trains head. Some very small stations have no departure boards/passenger information systems at all. These are typically unstaffed stations in suburbs and rural locations.


On the train if they don't say the arrival time of the next destination (they often don't, though sometimes do sort of - for example 'arriving into York in about 20 minutes) you can always ask the conductor who will be able to tell you. Or ask at the information desk before you depart.

 

[Vince]

On the train if they don't say the arrival time of the next destination (they often don't, though sometimes do sort of - for example 'arriving into York in about 20 minutes) you can always ask the conductor who will be able to tell you. Or ask at the information desk before you depart.

Will a conductor be able to tell me where to go next and which platform?

What I'm really worried is I'll get of the train and worry to much and miss it

Because I don't know the station at all.

 

[mikeg]

The conductor should be able to tell you the planned platform, at least I've seen them tell people this before, but this can be subject to alteration, especially if there's been disruption.

 

[yorkie]

Because I don't know the station at all.

Follow the signs.

You can find a plan of the station on the National Rail Website:-

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/sjp/YRK/stationOverview.xhtml

Also please check the National Rail and East Coast websites for any more information that you may find useful.

Can you please reply to my PM (you have enough posts now).

 

[Vince]

Follow the signs.

You can find a plan of the station on the National Rail Website:-

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/sjp/YRK/stationOverview.xhtml

Also please check the National Rail and East Coast websites for any more information that you may find useful.

Can you please reply to my PM (you have enough posts now).

That's perfect, but without the websites how else would you go about checking the train times when changing?

 

[ainsworth74]

That's perfect, but without the websites how else would you go about checking the train times when changing?

If you're at the station I would suggest using the departure boards to find out information on train times, failing that ask a member of platform staff.

 

[Vince]

If you're at the station I would suggest using the departure boards to find out information on train times, failing that ask a member of platform staff.

It's just if platforms can get changed it is pointless me writing or jotting this down when it could change and be on the wrong platform.

Will 8 mins be enough time to get from platform to times to platform (running of course)

 

[ainsworth74]

Yes more than enough (even without running!), the only time it might not be is if there is a delay, but as has already been said you won't incur a financial penalty only a time delay. To be honest I have never written down any platform information for any train ever (only it's departure time) and I have yet to miss a train due to not being able to find the platform.

 

[Vince]

Yes more than enough (even without running!), the only time it might not be is if there is a delay, but as has already been said you won't incur a financial penalty only a time delay.

Ask conductor on train if not just basically get of train go to main bit look at times jog over to platform and wait?

 

[OxtedL]

It's just if platforms can get changed it is pointless me writing or jotting this down when it could change and be on the wrong platform.

Will 8 mins be enough time to get from platform to times to platform (running of course)

I get the impression you're not a frequent traveller ...

Reading is fine, I've been there a couple of times to change trains with no problems, there are departure boards everywhere, and enough staff to reassure. Relax.

 

[ainsworth74]

Ask conductor on train if not just basically get of train go to main bit look at times jog over to platform and wait?

The conductor on the train might well not know what platform a further service is leaving from (though some might). So as I say when you arrive find the departure boards and make your way to the platform and then yes just wait.

 

[Mintona]

I get the impression you're not a frequent traveller ...

Reading is fine, I've been there a couple of times to change trains with no problems, there are departure boards everywhere, and enough staff to reassure. Relax.

So is York

 

[Vince]

I get the impression you're not a frequent traveller

Correct, first time on a train requiring a change.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The conductor on the train might well not know what platform a further service is leaving from (though some might). So as I say when you arrive find the departure boards and make your way to the platform and then yes just wait.

But ain't the boards situated at the front of a station past the "gate" you have to get into a station onto the platforms?

 

[wintonian]

No they have departure boards showing the train’s destination, departure time, platform no. and whether it is on time or not on most if not all the platforms and there will be plenty of staff to ask.

The green screan at the back of this photo is one and the bright one on the right hand side is the one that tells you the next train to depart from that platforn and which stations it calls at - this is at reading.

 

[ainsworth74]

But ain't the boards situated at the front of a station past the "gate" you have to get into a station onto the platforms?

No there will be departure boards throughout the station that will carry the information you require but besides I've never come across a station that prevents access from the platforms to the main display boards due to barriers.

My friend you are seriously over thinking this, don't worry!