Stations that require assisted dispatch by platform staffWhat is "mandatory dispatch" please.
What would be the criteria?Stations that require assisted dispatch by platform staff
Required by whom?Stations that require assisted dispatch by platform staff
YesSo "Bat and Flag" and "CD/RA" ?
The operator, dft…Required by whom?
Yeah it gets pretty complicated. For example LNER require a dispatcher at Shipley and Skipton, but Northern don't. You've got Sheffield where EMR have dispatchers, a few Northern services use dispatchers (as far as I'm aware) and some some don't. Then you have places like Leeds where all passenger services require dispatchers along with ECS trains during the day but overnight they self dispatch.It gets somewhat complicated as, aside from major stations where RA dispatch is mandated, some TOCs may require assisted dispatch at a given location whilst others will be quite happy to get themselves gone. Other stations, such as many on the WCML, require use of the RA indicator for Pendolinos but not other traction.
Interesting, do LNER also require one at Keighley?Yeah it gets pretty complicated. For example LNER require a dispatcher at Shipley and Skipton, but Northern don't.
Pendos further complicate the matter by using buzzer at Preston southbound 1,2,3,5&6, northbound 1,2,4,5,&6, Wigan north western and Warrington bank quay"Assisted dispatch", for the benefit of anyone unfamiliar, refers to cases where platform staff are part of the dispatch process, whether the trains themselves are operated with a conductor or DCO, and whether the ready to start signal is given either by RA, green flag or bell/buzzer.
It gets somewhat complicated as, aside from major stations where RA dispatch is mandated, some TOCs may require assisted dispatch at a given location whilst others will be quite happy to get themselves gone. Other stations, such as many on the WCML, require use of the RA indicator for Pendolinos but not other traction.
At some locations, individual platforms may require assisted dispatch whilst you can quite happily go off your own back from others.
I wouldn’t expect there to be a list, but as a starter for ten, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Victoria and Birmingham New Street are all assisted dispatch with RA mandatory.
Can't say I'm 100% sure on that (same with Harrogate or Horsforth). I know they don't require one at Bradford Forster Square though.Interesting, do LNER also require one at Keighley?
...which has a full-length straight platform. Curvature is an issue elsewhere.Can't say I'm 100% sure on that (same with Harrogate or Horsforth). I know they don't require one at Bradford Forster Square though.
LNER get despatched by Northern staff at Harrogate.Can't say I'm 100% sure on that (same with Harrogate or Horsforth). I know they don't require one at Bradford Forster Square though.
For what it's worth ticket office staff act as the dispatchers.
CrossCountry can self dispatch from Crewe, as much as it upsets the station staff when they do.Crewe requires at least two dispatchers for all Avanti Pendolinos and Caledonian Sleeper services. One dispatcher for all the others. No self-dispatch under any circumstance.
It does upset me to be fairCrossCountry can self dispatch from Crewe, as much as it upsets the station staff when they do.
I believe Lumo self despatch.LNER, XC and TPE all require dispatchers at Newcastle. TPE provide their own dispatchers whilst XC use LNER’s. Northern self dispatch. Not sure what Lumo do.
At Darlington it appears to be just LNER and XC using dispatchers, with TPE using self dispatch.
No shortage of Crewe staff over the years arriving in Stoke or Stafford having got on an XC to do an assist without letting the guard know; but on the plus side, there's generally a brew ready in the galley for when it happens!It does upset me to be fair
There are some stations where dispatch is by the guard and the ready to start signal is given using the bell/ buzzer and dispatch assistance from platform staff is mandatory too.So "Bat and Flag" and "CD/RA" ?
Apologies, forgot to add Crewe to the 2nd part of my list . Have been tempted to on 3 whilst waiting for the usually late running Pendo....Crewe requires at least two dispatchers for all Avanti Pendolinos and Caledonian Sleeper services. One dispatcher for all the others. No self-dispatch under any circumstance.
If it didn't involve platform staff, its just normal dispatch.....and that's mandatory at every station unless DCO or RAThere are some stations where dispatch is by the guard and the ready to start signal is given using the bell/ buzzer and dispatch assistance from platform staff is mandatory too.
There are stations where platform staff will assist with dispatch when available, but they are not mandatory though.If it didn't involve platform staff, its just normal dispatch.....and that's mandatory at every station unless DCO or RA
Vauxhall and Surbiton are not mandatory dispatch. Godalming is only on platform 1, and only for more than 8 coaches.I believe the following stations require mandatory dispatch for full length trains on SWR:
Basingstoke
Bournemouth
Brockenhurst
Godalming
Portsmouth & Southsea (Plat 1 & 2 Only)
Portsmouth Harbour
Southampton Central
Surbiton
Vauxhall
Waterloo