Stand clear, the next train MAY not stop here?

[jon0844]

Any idea why screens have changed at some Great Northern stations from saying (paraphrasing) 'stand away from the platform edge, the next train does not stop here' to 'stand away from the platform edge, the next train may not stop here'?

Has there been a change to the system so any train approaching triggers this message, but it no longer knows (or checks) if it's scheduled to stop?

I've also noticed a lack of audio announcements now at Hatfield to tell people to stand back, and having the static text (it's been some years since they had the warning actually flashing) doesn't seem like something you'd see unless you were looking at the sign anyway.

All this seems like a step backwards.

 

[DarloRich]

Any idea why screens have changed at some Great Northern stations from saying (paraphrasing) 'stand away from the platform edge, the next train does not stop here' to 'stand away from the platform edge, the next train may not stop here'?

Has there been a change to the system so any train approaching triggers this message, but it no longer knows (or checks) if it's scheduled to stop?

I've also noticed a lack of audio announcements now at Hatfield to tell people to stand back, and having the static text (it's been some years since they had the warning actually flashing) doesn't seem like something you'd see unless you were looking at the sign anyway.

All this seems like a step backwards.

the non stop train will stop if the signal is red

 

[HarleyDavidson]

the non stop train will stop if the signal is red

Not if it's in a uncontrollable slide it won't.

 

[swt_passenger]

There are two many options for this type of announcement to have a 'one size fits all' approach. We've had threads before that have mentioned "the next train is not scheduled to stop at this station" which is religiously applied to ECS and test trains entering bay platforms, and then there are passing freights that don't call but might stop for a signal, and freights that do stop for a driver change.

Perhaps the common denominator would be 'not in passenger service', but then that would look odd for a passenger train scheduled to pass through that ends up held by a signal (as mentioned)...

 

[DarloRich]

Not if it's in a uncontrollable slide it won't.

But the RHTT.................

 

[455driver]

They had to change it because-

"get back from the edge you thick fook"

Didn't go down too well!

 

[jon0844]

They had to change it because-

"get back from the edge you thick fook"

Didn't go down too well"

I'm sure it would have been acceptable if Phil Sayer said it.

 

[LexyBoy]

Down here the announcements say "Stand back from the edge of platform <foo>, the next train is not scheduled to stop here". Can't argue with that.

Mind, before it was tweaked a while ago it used to say "Stand back from <drowned out by HST passing at full pelt> ...here"

 

[jon0844]

I do remember when there was the delay for all screens, such that you were told to stand back as the train passed through (or after) and you got told the train stopping pattern as it was already passing the next signal having left.

I am unconvinced that saying nothing and just putting 'stand clear' is enough. For one thing, isn't it now a requirement to have both visual and audible information? It could be that while they're doing upgrade work (the screens have been showing an awful lot of IP information and other errors of late) that the audio is simply not set up.

Is this new ATOS software? I thought it was end of line now and there would be no new updates?

 

[philjo]

The system at Potters Bar often has a delay if it is already telling you about luggage/security/ some other non essential message that is repeated frequently. The northbound trains through platform 3 have often already gone through and cleared the signal before the warning message plays on the PA.
At other times the messages are inaudible or cut out after the first few words.

 

[glbotu]

The system at Potters Bar often has a delay if it is already telling you about luggage/security/ some other non essential message that is repeated frequently. The northbound trains through platform 3 have often already gone through and cleared the signal before the warning message plays on the PA.
At other times the messages are inaudible or cut out after the first few words.

On the Tyne and Wear Metro, they just cut out the PA for an arriving train.

"Metro customer information, delays are occ.........The next train to arrive at platform 2 is for Pelaw.........inconvenience caused"

 

[jon0844]

The stand clear voice announcements are back now.

 

[Kentish Paul]

I cannot remember where it was but a few years ago I remember hearing "Standback from the platform edge, fast train approaching".

 

[Bantamzen]

I cannot remember where it was but a few years ago I remember hearing "Standback from the platform edge, fast train approaching".

It used to be used at Shipley, and often caused mirth on the platform when a freight trundled through. Or even better when a West Coast steam service pulled up to take on booked passengers....

 

[iantherev]

I alighted from the 17.20 from Waterloo at Axminster last night to find the Platform Screens warning passengers to stand back from the platform as the next train was not scheduled to stop. Oddly enough when I crossed the footbridge the full departure screen was still showing the 20.04 to Exeter as delayed, some moments after it had left.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Down here the announcements say "Stand back from the edge of platform <foo>, the next train is not scheduled to stop here". Can't argue with that.

Mind, before it was tweaked a while ago it used to say "Stand back from <drowned out by HST passing at full pelt> ...here"

I like the Southern ones that play that urgent-sounding 4-tone "toot" before the announcement - having a tone with only one meaning[1] works quite well.

[1] Until they started using it for "stand clear, train departing" and clearing the departing train off the PIS well before the doors close, which is horribly unfriendly and needs taking off.

 

[SPADTrap]

But the RHTT.................

Derailed the other day? :razz:
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'm sure it would have been acceptable if Phil Sayer said it.

This I agree with!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Down here the announcements say "Stand back from the edge of platform <foo>, the next train is not scheduled to stop here". Can't argue with that.

Mind, before it was tweaked a while ago it used to say "Stand back from <drowned out by HST passing at full pelt> ...here"

Or in Broxbourne's case, and previously Potters Bar

"..does not stop here *train clatters by* ...well clear of the edge of plat...one"

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I commented on here a while back about how the PIS screens at Micklefield listed "Passing Train" in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd countdown (which at Micklefield meant that very little useful information was displayed a lot of the time). This seems to have been changed and now non-stop trains aren't listed, sensibly. However at Batley fast trains aren't announced at all, with no warning to stand back or whatever. Given the state many weekend "customers" are in this seems rather risky to me...

 

[philjo]

Whilt waiting at Potters Bar this evening it was noticeable that the volume has changed. the warning announcement was made before the train went through platform 3 but it was so quiet I could hardly hear it so douby that nayone else noticed it at all. The auto annoucnmenet for the Moorgate train was a bit louder then there was a manual annoucement which was much louder. a fast train went through unannounced during the manual announcement.

 

[jon0844]

Manual announcements override everything don't they? I think otherwise a 'stand clear' message will interrupt the inane safety announcements.

I think that they've now set Hatfield to be silent completely in the evening. I know manual announcements (which are very loud) stop at 9pm, but surely there's no way you'd be stopping ordinary announcements - even at a lower volume? Or are people with a visual impairment supposed to be safely home in bed at 9?

 

[Tim R-T-C]

They changed the PIS on the Airedale Line some time last year I think, for the poorer I think.

They ditched the 'fast train approaching' warning entirely (which on narrow platforms with minimal line of sight such as at Steeton were very useful), the voice became female and quieter and they started using the 'train delay' "dongs" for all announcements, so for a while it sounded like every train was running late.

 

[edwin_m]

"The train approaching the platform will not stop. Please stand clear".

"No, the train approaching the platform may stop. But please stand clear anyway"

(With apologies to "Airplane")

 

[gnolife]

Personally, I find these kinds of announcements strange, as they aren't used in my local area, which leads to one of two ideas for why this is

1) people in South Manchester are trusted to not stand at the edge of the platform
Or more likely
2) The Tories feel that it would be better if some of the users of Heald Green got culled to stop them claiming dole money

 

[me123]

I've always thought the ones in Glasgow/Scotrail work well. "Stand well away from the edge of Platform 1. Fast train approaching." No waffle. Concise. Simple to understand.

However, when the fast train crawls into the platform at walking speed and stops at the red signal... It does dilute the meaning somewhat! This happened almost daily at Partick with an ECS service. Maybe this is what they're going for in GN by saying that the train may not stop.

 

[Taunton]

On TfL the message, recently added to the DMIs, is "Stand Clear Train Approaching", which would seem to cover stopping and non-stop eventualities. Unfortunately its application varies (probably dependent on the available track circuits) from a couple of minutes before it arrives, through after arrival, to being on there right through the station stop.

It also has been implemented on lines 2 and 3 of the DMI, so the destination of the first train may still be shown but that for trains 2/3 is overwritten during this time. This is useless for those who arrive on the platform in this time who might like to see when the subsequent trains are coming (especially if the first one is stuffed full) and/or where they are going to. Likewise if you are looking to change from the first one on-platform to one to a different destination, information on when they are coming is now lost until the first train has closed doors.

It would do the information lot well to recognise that DMIs were provided to tell passengers where the trains are going to, and the H&S zealots who decided that passengers now need a sign of the blatantly obvious, that the train is approaching, and that the approach noise and powerful headlights are no longer enough, should not just grab a hitherto useful sign and use it for a different, bland purpose. If the really feel such a message is needed, stick up their own DMI.

 

[SPADTrap]

Saw this 'may' business this morning at Welwyn North.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

I think down here it says something like:

"Stand well away from the edge of platform <number>, the next train is not scheduled to stop at this station."

It also displays a message on the "next trains" display

 

[Bevan Price]

In some parts of Northern land, announcements (including passing trains & departures) seem to be made about 3 minutes before anything happens. After about 2 minutes, I suspect that many people think that the anoouncement was a mistake and no train is coming. Might be more sensible to reduce the interval to about one minute, which gives enough time for everyone to move clear of the platform edge.

 

[cin88]

Liverpool South Parkway and some other Merseyrail stations don't even bother to announce it, as I found out one afternoon whilst waiting for my change of train when a light engine DRS branded 37 (might have been a 60, can't remember) came flying past me.

 

[Parallel]

At my local station, it's:

"The train now approaching platform x does not stop here. Please stand back from the edge of the platform. The next train is not scheduled to stop" Or something like that.