Just waiting outside St Pancras on 1B94 to be told we have an up to ten minute wait (already 6 late) as there are no free platforms.
Does this happen regularly?
Was it not possible for them to borrow space on the Southeastern or Thameslink platforms to help clear the queue of trains waiting?
Even if the low level or International platforms were an option, which they aren't for so many reasons, the only train to be seriously affected, 1B94 was past the points where it could have been diverted before there was known to be a "problem". I put that in inverted commas as there seems there was concern from the driver, and subsequently signaller over whether an 8 car 360 would fit in St Pancras on top of a 4 car one, which is strange as they've fit the rest of the week
What I don’t get was why 1B94 wasn’t put into P1. A 5-car 222 on top of a 4-car 360 shouldn’t have been an issue. That would seem to have been a viable solution to the original problem.
Could all perhaps be seen as teething / familiarisation issues with the new service.
Wasn't 1B94 a 7 car though, and there's not a lot of difference in length between a 7 car 222 and an 8 car 360.
HS2 are you watching?I have to say though, all this goes to show just how limiting the 4 platforms for the Midlands side of the station really are. It’s a shame it wasn’t at least built with 5, but as they say, hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Was the 5-car due out before 2247?What I don’t get was why 1B94 wasn’t put into P1. A 5-car 222 on top of a 4-car 360 shouldn’t have been an issue. That would seem to have been a viable solution to the original problem.
STP in general doesn’t have enough domestic platforms.I have to say though, all this goes to show just how limiting the 4 platforms for the Midlands side of the station really are. It’s a shame it wasn’t at least built with 5, but as they say, hindsight is a wonderful thing.
I have 1B94 booked as a 5-car. If it was in fact a 7-car then that would explain why that wasn’t done. It should still have fitted though. 7x23=161 + 80 totals 241 metres in a 260 metre platform. Obviously easier to do the sums from the comfort of an armchair than in real-time though!
Even if the low level or International platforms were an option, which they aren't for so many reasons, the only train to be seriously affected, 1B94 was past the points where it could have been diverted before there was known to be a "problem". I put that in inverted commas as there seems there was concern from the driver, and subsequently signaller over whether an 8 car 360 would fit in St Pancras on top of a 4 car one, which is strange as they've fit the rest of the week
Would the driver specifically know that it was a 4 car on the platform without querying it though? he/she would have looked pretty unprofessional trying to fit an 8 car on top of another 8 car even though it would've been down to signaller error
Being a *planned* move, there shouldn't have been an issue. Reading between the lines, however, the driver seems to have queried it, and this seems to have put doubts in the signaller's mind.
To be fair, the numerous different EMR length combinations, and the fact there is often quite a bit of variation from what is booked (including at the time in question) must make it quite fiddly at times. If in doubt, better to tread carefully than end up with an over-length combination.
The Midland side has definitely been put onto the back burner for many years now. The builders must have been so excited about Eurostar coming that they made the platforms as long as possible and left a ton of unneeded space at the end of them.I have to say though, all this goes to show just how limiting the 4 platforms for the Midlands side of the station really are. It’s a shame it wasn’t at least built with 5, but as they say, hindsight is a wonderful thing.
Not too difficult I imagine. They could provide entrances at platform level and use the departure lounge area downstairs as storageIf the Channel Tunnel goes bust, or gets closed by the government to boost its populist image, how easy would it be to re-convert the “proper” station? It took years to do the former Eurostar bit of Waterloo...
What's the point? You're never going to get EMR trains into the low level platforms (unless there is really enormous disruption), and you're never going to get domestic trains into the international platforms either. Sticking an EMR service into the low level platforms because the normal platforms are occupied like in this scenario will cause major issues for the Thameslink service.They should clear all trains into all platforms at St Pancras
I know a 180 was taken out of service due to a broken window rather than anything mechanical (for a change!)
The first week after introducing a new timetable with new stock is always going to be riskier and potentially more problematic.What's the point? You're never going to get EMR trains into the low level platforms (unless there is really enormous disruption), and you're never going to get domestic trains into the international platforms either. Sticking an EMR service into the low level platforms because the normal platforms are occupied like in this scenario will cause major issues for the Thameslink service.
You are misunderstanding, I’m not talking about using the international platforms as that would obviously be a security issue. No idea where you got that from.What's the point? You're never going to get EMR trains into the low level platforms (unless there is really enormous disruption), and you're never going to get domestic trains into the international platforms either. Sticking an EMR service into the low level platforms because the normal platforms are occupied like in this scenario will cause major issues for the Thameslink service.
The first week after introducing a new timetable with new stock is always going to be riskier and potentially more problematic.
You are misunderstanding, I’m not talking about the international platforms as they would obviously be a security issue. No idea where you got that from.
I am talking about the Southeastern platforms which are ALSO domestic. At least it would provide more options for EMR when their platforms are full of broken down trains or in the event of any other disruption. Both platforms look very similar
With 360s and 810s fully rolled out there shouldn't be issues upstairs on the EMR platforms. This is a short term new fleets rollout and unfamiliarity linked with first week of new timetable issues.I am talking about the Southeastern platforms which are ALSO domestic. At least it would provide more options for EMR when their platforms are full of broken down trains or in the event of any other disruption. Both platforms look very similar
Clearing EMR for the low-level platforms could lead to long distance and Thameslink-stye services in the future. Obviously terminating them there would block the core which would not be a good idea.
With 360s and 810s fully rolled out there shouldn't be issues upstairs on the EMR platforms. This is a short term new fleets rollout and unfamiliarity linked with first week of new timetable issues.
Using the SE platforms (even if you could access them and you can't / impossible) you would need TVM430 signalling equipment fitted to the EMR fleet. clearing isn't just physical but signalling etc. too.
Using the downstairs platforms will soon require working ETCS... and cause lots of ticket gate problems too.
No need to contemplate changing the status quo as it will improve in the future.