Tube train automated announcements 2005

[Dstock7080]

By manual do you mean a recorded announcement but manually selected by the driver, or does the driver have to actually make an announcement themselves over the tannoy?

A manual announcement made by the driver without automation, within the prescribed timeframe is scored by the market research personnel, whereas pre-recorded announcements are not.
‘Bronze’, ‘silver’ and ‘gold’ badges are now awarded for achieving the highest number of announcements that meet the criteria.

 

[LUYMun]

Some of the Piccadilly line platform announcements can be heard several times throughout this LU training video on Vimeo, "LUL Platform Train Interface": https://vimeo.com/153748218

I know it's not the best quality given it's mostly covered over by the narration but it does show a female voice announcing at Piccadilly Circus station for the Pic trains.

 

[Uzair]

I am ecstatic at this thread. I remember using the Haltestellenansage website years ago, and then discovering that the link stopped working all of a sudden. Thank you for sharing the archived link. Secondly, I recall travelling many years ago on the C Stock between West Brompton and Earl's Court, and hearing the DVA "The next station is Earl's Court. Change at Earl's Court for the Piccadilly line and other District line services." However, no one has ever been able to corroborate this until post 23 where Stadler shared recordings of the VERA announcements! I honestly thought these announcements never existed until now, and that all this time I had misheard or made something up in my head. Lastly, those Piccadilly line platform announcements...oh the nostalgia.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

That always used to creep me out as a child how she would say the station name twice when there was an interchange announcement.

They are creepy aren't they. Maybe it's because of a nameless decades old voice lost to time, or maybe it's because repeating the station name in the same way twice sounds like a highly unnatural way of speaking. No one says "I'm looking for MY TOOTHBRUSH, have you seen MY TOOTHBRUSH" for example.

 

[RacsoMoquette]

Recently I have been travelling through Edgware Road station, and I came across an example of an extremely antiquated looking DMI platform indicator by the Eastbound Hammersmith & City and District Line to Wimbledon. I have been aware of said indicator many times before and have presumed that is is a relic at least from the early noughties maybe even the late 90s. It has an rather bulbous appearance and features red poor quality text. I wonder how many examples of similar historic DMIs are still surviving on the network? I have only ever knowingly seen said example. Does anybody know why it still remains? seeing a

s the are some more modern DMIs at Edgware Road?

I am aware that many of the DMIs on the Central Line still survive from the 1990s modernisation project and they still look modern and robust, I specifically like the orange and green character combination. Any idea if the above and those come from a similar era?

Also the DMIs on the Bakerloo Line are fascinating, it has the most surviving indicators which feature all capital text akin to the Piccadilly and Northern Lines however their examples were progressively preplaced with the standard "Tube Lines" indicators. I wonder if they are a similar age to the above?

 

[bluegoblin7]

Re Edgware Road, it’s no more or less modern than everything else there. The station’s placing creates unique challenges with low sun, washing out orange on black DMIs. The red is significantly clearer; it’s coincidence that red was also used by “earlier” DMIs.

 

[MaidaVale]

Recently I have been travelling through Edgware Road station, and I came across an example of an extremely antiquated looking DMI platform indicator by the Eastbound Hammersmith & City and District Line to Wimbledon. I have been aware of said indicator many times before and have presumed that is is a relic at least from the early noughties maybe even the late 90s. It has an rather bulbous appearance and features red poor quality text. I wonder how many examples of similar historic DMIs are still surviving on the network? I have only ever knowingly seen said example. Does anybody know why it still remains? seeing a

s the are some more modern DMIs at Edgware Road?

I am aware that many of the DMIs on the Central Line still survive from the 1990s modernisation project and they still look modern and robust, I specifically like the orange and green character combination. Any idea if the above and those come from a similar era?

Also the DMIs on the Bakerloo Line are fascinating, it has the most surviving indicators which feature all capital text akin to the Piccadilly and Northern Lines however their examples were progressively preplaced with the standard "Tube Lines" indicators. I wonder if they are a similar age to the above?

From what I've heard, the red was just installed as a trial at the same time as the rest of the DMIs on the Circle/H&C Platforms. Not sure of an exact date but certainly 2001/02 or prior judging by old photos and videos, possibly late 90s.

 

[bramling]

From what I've heard, the red was just installed as a trial at the same time as the rest of the DMIs on the Circle/H&C Platforms. Not sure of an exact date but certainly 2001/02 or prior judging by old photos and videos, possibly late 90s.

I defo remember reading about in, possibly in Underground News. Agree that I seem to recall it was some kind of trial, possibly to do with improving visibility. Quite an achievement that it’s still there all these years later.

 

[Recessio]

That's really interesting, I wonder why the modern trend is back to orange?

 

[starlight73]

That's really interesting, I wonder why the modern trend is back to orange?

I think this is for accessibility compliance - orange looks brighter than red so has more contrast with the black

 

[southern442]

There is a particularly antiquated looking display on the eastbound subsurface platform at Moorgate also.

 

[Alex Green]

I think enthusiasts just never knew who these people were so some enthusiast just made up a name and everyone copied. This sort of thing is very common with announcers. Pauline Cavilla and Mark Stutter (the old Thales system announcers from 2005 to 2012 at Southeastern stations) were referred to at "Charlotte" and "Roger" originally. Anne Jermy (who is the most common voice of the Worldline system used at stations all over England) was referred to as "Sarah" originally. Eryl Jones (the Welsh announcer at TFW stations) was reffered to as "Glyn" originally. There are dozens of other examples. So i think people just do not know who they are and someone just makes up a name and then others copy and that becomes what they are known as.


Anita was found out to be Maggie Greenwood recently but she is still most commonly referred to as Anita as that is what everyone has known her as for so many years. She also used to do the English announcements on the Nuremburg U Bahn trains. I think someone said that Anita stood for "Annoying In Train Announcer" so presumably whoever came up with the name was not a fan of her announcements.

Someone else years ago said that Celia stood for "Creates Excellent Line Information Ambience" so there seems to be a few different acronyms that people have made up but of course Celia Drummond is her real name.

Vera apparently stood for "Very Erratic Repetitive Announcer" according to what i have heard from some people.

I have never been able to find out who Vera was but that is interesting that you mention Charlotte Green as that is the first time that i have ever heard any name.

Charlotte Green is the right sort of age and has done some voiceover work and worked at the BBC so was the sort of person who TFL would have chosen at the time:

Charlotte Green - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

You can listen to her showreel here:

Charlotte Green Voiceover Artist

Charlotte Green

excellenttalent.com

She does not really sound exactly like Vera but this was almost thirty years ago and voices do change. So it may be her. It is difficult to know for sure.

Unfortunately i have never been able to find any recordings of Vera on the C Stock trains.


Adrian Hieatt is his name. He is indeed a staff member. He is being used to replace Emma Clarke entirely on the refurbished 1992 Stock trains (and refurbished 1972 Stock trains too) which have started entering service. On the refurbished trains he announces the stations and destinations and everything. On the unrefurbished trains they have begun adding his voice for the manual generic announcements only.

She does not really sound exactly like Vera but this was almost thirty years ago and voices do change. So it may be her. It is difficult to know for sure.

Unfortunately i have never been able to find any recordings of Vera on the C Stock trains.

Hi, Maggie Greenwood is my mother. Both me and my brother always giggle to ourselves when travelling on the jubilee line and hear mum telling us what to do

 

[Jimini]

Hi, Maggie Greenwood is my mother. Both me and my brother always giggle to ourselves when travelling on the jubilee line and hear mum telling us what to do

Brilliant

Welcome to the forum, by the way!

 

[stadler]

Hi, Maggie Greenwood is my mother. Both me and my brother always giggle to ourselves when travelling on the jubilee line and hear mum telling us what to do

Oh that is brilliant. That is nice to hear. I have always liked her announcements. I love the way she says some of the station names. I would be interested to hear how she got involved in doing the Jubilee Line announcements? Is she still doing any voiceover work these days?

 

[announcements]

I've always wondered why Maggie was retained on the Jubilee and not overwritten by Celia. That being said, these days they do tend to only replace what is absolutely strictly necessary - the Northern line being a case-in point! Almost as though Celia is being paid by the word!

Anita was found out to be Maggie Greenwood recently but she is still most commonly referred to as Anita as that is what everyone has known her as for so many years. She also used to do the English announcements on the Nuremburg U Bahn trains. I think someone said that Anita stood for "Annoying In Train Announcer" so presumably whoever came up with the name was not a fan of her announcements.

Someone else years ago said that Celia stood for "Creates Excellent Line Information Ambience" so there seems to be a few different acronyms that people have made up but of course Celia Drummond is her real name.

Vera apparently stood for "Very Erratic Repetitive Announcer" according to what i have heard from some people.

Please see this old thread from 2006 on DD -

New onboard PA Announcements | District Dave's London Underground Site

Returning from Heathrow last night I was surprised to hear an automated female voice announcing every station on the way! I presume/hope that this is a trial as the message was rather faded at the

districtdavesforum.co.uk

Interestingly a member on there proposes calling Julie ANITA: "Another Irritating Train Announcer"! It's all hearsay.

Ihave never been able to find out who Vera was but that is interesting that you mention Charlotte Green as that is the first time that i have ever heard any name.

She does not really sound exactly like Vera but this was almost thirty years ago and voices do change. So it may be her. It is difficult to know for sure.

Charlotte Green sounds absolutely nothing like VERA. Charlotte Green was a Radio 4 newsreader with a deep posh voice. VERA's voice is higher pitch and doesn't sound quite as refined.

Unfortunately i have never been able to find any recordings of Vera on the C Stock trains.

I have them somewhere on a memory stick, I need to dig them out for you!

Recently I have been travelling through Edgware Road station, and I came across an example of an extremely antiquated looking DMI platform indicator by the Eastbound Hammersmith & City and District Line to Wimbledon. I have been aware of said indicator many times before and have presumed that is is a relic at least from the early noughties maybe even the late 90s. It has an rather bulbous appearance and features red poor quality text. I wonder how many examples of similar historic DMIs are still surviving on the network? I have only ever knowingly seen said example. Does anybody know why it still remains? seeing a

s the are some more modern DMIs at Edgware Road?

Also the DMIs on the Bakerloo Line are fascinating, it has the most surviving indicators which feature all capital text akin to the Piccadilly and Northern Lines however their examples were progressively preplaced with the standard "Tube Lines" indicators. I wonder if they are a similar age to the above?

This style of DMI was introduced in the 1980s. Some of them have one end held up by very faint wire so as to give the impression the DMI is freestanding. Example here: (note the Aeroplane symbol!)

 

[Mojo]

Also the DMIs on the Bakerloo Line are fascinating, it has the most surviving indicators which feature all capital text akin to the Piccadilly and Northern Lines however their examples were progressively preplaced with the standard "Tube Lines" indicators. I wonder if they are a similar age to the above?

These indicators are capable of displaying text in Sentence case also. I remember working at St James's Park in the early 2010s and noticing one night that the indicators, without being replaced, just changed overnight from ALL CAPS. Example photos of what I mean
https://www.alamy.com/london-englan...4a387bde59394da9763a70990b5fe16f&searchtype=0 (as it appears now).
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url...ved=0CA8QjRxqFwoTCPijq5DVsYcDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAt (how it used to appear).

In addition to the blood red one at Edgware Road platform 2, there is also an oddity of this style on Moorgate platform 2, this is in Sentence case but presents the information with the lower case letters being centre aligned vertically within each row (https://dominiksymonowicz.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/moorgate10.jpg). On the right hand side it also can display some unusual messages where you would normally get the minutes [and where in the linked picture it gives the platform number].

 

[announcements]

The destination boards at London Bridge on the Northern line still display everything in all caps. This is a different style of board from 1980s as well - a plainer rectilinear fixture compared to the ones we've been discussing.

While with the latter just displaying all the messages statically, however the former showed “This Train Is For” scrolling however COCKFOSTERS was in capitals and was static for five seconds,

When the DVA is switched off on occasion, the the DMIs will read the destination blind data and scroll "This train is for x". The difference now (since 2006) is this message neither pauses, nor places the destination in capitals, which is a shame. The aeroplane symbol after "Heathrow Airport" also went due to the destination being changed to "Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 & 3" - well at least I assume this change to the destination blind took effect in 2006, but it might have been 2008 after T5 opened?

 

[RacsoMoquette]

The are still many examples of said indicator found on the Bakerloo, with the all capitals 1980s style. Instead of Tube Lines replacing the DMIs on the Piccadilly, Northern and Jubilee Lines with their own modern displays, Metronet left the majority if its antiquated platform equipment just as it is. Though these days said displays appear faint and aged. A replacement is due swiftly, akin to selected stations on the Sub-Surface Lines.

The destination boards at London Bridge on the Northern line still display everything in all caps. This is a different style of board from 1980s as well - a plainer rectilinear fixture compared to the ones we've been discussing.



When the DVA is switched off on occasion, the the DMIs will read the destination blind data and scroll "This train is for x". The difference now (since 2006) is this message neither pauses, nor places the destination in capitals, which is a shame. The aeroplane symbol after "Heathrow Airport" also went due to the destination being changed to "Heathrow Terminals 1, 2 & 3" - well at least I assume this change to the destination blind took effect in 2006, but it might have been 2008 after T5 opened?

Interestingly the 1996TS had a similar static feature when first introduced, though I do not think the 1995TS did, it was akin to this: "This Station Is" " This Train Terminates At" and it would never scroll. Though the system was modified quite swiftly after introduction.

 

[announcements]

I think it was "Destination:" static and then the station name in static. Of course, "Destination:" has survived as part of the scrolling message. Did the scrolling start when the Celia upgrade took place in the early-mid '00s, or was it some time before that?

Similarly, the 1986 stock had "THIS STOP", "NEXT STOP" and "DESTINATION" static displays on the car-end displays, as this video demonstrates. The voice appears to be Michael Meech, albeit this was about 10 years prior to the 1996 stock entering service.

One wonders why the refreshed '92 stock can't just opt for DMIs at either end of the cab, rather than expensively having to remodify the area above the windows to fit them in.

 

[RacsoMoquette]

I think that the 1996TS DMIs were updated from static to scrolling in the early naughties when DVA ANITA was replaced mainly by Celia. Though in a video of the trains in 1998 show the displays akin to their current form with “Destination Stanmore” being static while ”Next Station” would Also be static though interchanges would scroll. I suspect this modification was made quite soon after introduction. As a video of the trains brand new I watched certainly shows the DMIs to be solely static.

Also, did the refurbished 1973TS originally house their DMIs as the car ends akin to the 1986 Stock? I always wondered what the black bar above the interconnecting doors was for!

 

[Dstock7080]

Also, did the refurbished 1973TS originally house their DMIs as the car ends akin to the 1986 Stock? I always wondered what the black bar above the interconnecting doors was for!

‘73 Stock didn’t have DMis at the car ends, the black hides the CCTV cameras.

 

[bramling]

‘73 Stock didn’t have DMis at the car ends, the black hides the CCTV cameras.

What CCTV cameras?! One presumes this was done as passive provision for fitting them subsequently, which never happened.

I think that the 1996TS DMIs were updated from static to scrolling in the early naughties when DVA ANITA was replaced mainly by Celia. Though in a video of the trains in 1998 show the displays akin to their current form with “Destination Stanmore” being static while ”Next Station” would Also be static though interchanges would scroll. I suspect this modification was made quite soon after introduction. As a video of the trains brand new I watched certainly shows the DMIs to be solely static.

Also, did the refurbished 1973TS originally house their DMIs as the car ends akin to the 1986 Stock? I always wondered what the black bar above the interconnecting doors was for!

The 96 stock displays were definitely all static when first introduced. Initially they just displayed / announced the destination, but at some point started announcing each station - but only at the stations, never any “next station” announcements in the original voice (though the announcements were recorded). There were some oddities with the static messages, such as displaying “Tube connections” at stations where there were multiple lines, presumably as a way of saving space. They didn’t last too long in this form.

The 95 stock was much more mature from the start, though it did have the oddity of announcing “Mind the gap” at every station, which didn’t last long.

 

[starlight73]

One wonders why the refreshed '92 stock can't just opt for DMIs at either end of the cab, rather than expensively having to remodify the area above the windows to fit them in.

It may be to do with RVAR (Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations) - section 11 sub-paragraph 10 (viewable here, then scroll down to ‘passenger information’)

…displays inside a rail vehicle must, when all passengers are seated, be viewable from at least 51 per cent of passenger seats, (including priority seats), and from at least 51 per cent of priority seats.

 

[announcements]

There were some oddities with the static messages, such as displaying “Tube connections” at stations where there were multiple lines, presumably as a way of saving space. They didn’t last too long in this form.

Ah yes I remember seeing an image of the Jubilee line with this message displayed. Then couldn't locate the image and started to doubt myself. Glad I wasn't seeing things!

Now... One thing that we haven't discussed yet in this thread despite all our Celia talk is the mystery of the Northern line DVA update in the early '00s, which didn't last long, presumably because line management preferred the original - does anyone have any further details or recollections? Have a listen 22 seconds into this clip:

This clip was uploaded in 2007 but not sure when it was actually recorded. I think I read somewhere on a forum that only three trains received this deeper tone version of Celia akin to the Jubilee line Celia (and probably recorded at the same time), so it is possible they may have survived as late as 2007 before reverting back to the original? Or did the whole fleet receive this treatment, it proved unpopular, and consequently reverted back? Of course, some of these phrases remain e.g. "Hammersmith & City" "and National Rail services", as well as the platform numbers (not sure why they replaced the original as nothing wrong with them?). Taking a closer look at the numbering of the Northern line files saved on the TfL FOI SharePoint, they do appear to have missing files, perhaps from the early '00s update that were deleted as not required for the 2015 update. Perhaps I should enquire.

Clearly the main difference beside her voice sounding different in pitch is the interchanges were announced on the approach as opposed to being limited to when at station. Incidentally, I was told by an FOI request response pre-2015 Northern line DVA update that the reason why the interchanges couldn't be read on approach was due to limited storage. If that were the case, I don't know why they couldn't have had the interchanges read on approach and not at station (when it is too late), if it has to be one or the other! The 2015 update seems to fix any storage issues, and of course the more recent Battersea/Elizabeth line clips have been recorded as whole sentences, perhaps a lower file size?

 

[RacsoMoquette]

Even on the 1995TS now the way Celia says “National Rail Services“ or “Exit For Riverboat Services from XX pier” aswell as the platform announcements at Camden Town interchanges are noticeably deeper than the other recordings. Could these be of last remaining remnants of the rare and unpopular Celia Mk2 recordings? If so why did they remain? Surely instead of having two separate recordings a completely new recording would have been favorable akin to Elinor Hamilton? But this update was in 2016 were the Celia imitated Sarah Parnell voice was unfortunately discovered!

Also the Celia recording on the 1995TS for “Please Mind The Gap between the Train and then Platform“ was never a common Manuel announcement to be initiated by the driver, as from my many experiences on the Northern Line (High Barnet Branch) it often played at Kentish Town, but the would always be about a 50/50 chance of the driver playing it. compared to the Celia platform announcements, it sounded much deeper and much slower akin to the announcements you stated.

On the 1996TS at stations such as Canning Town and Canary Wharf, the interchange announcement is a much higher depth, which makes me think that it is Celia MK1 akin to the original Northern Line announcements.

 

[announcements]

Even on the 1995TS now the way Celia says “National Rail Services“ or “Exit For Riverboat Services from XX pier” aswell as the platform announcements at Camden Town interchanges are noticeably deeper than the other recordings. Could these be of last remaining remnants of the rare and unpopular Celia Mk2 recordings? If so why did they remain? Surely instead of having two separate recordings a completely new recording would have been favorable akin to Elinor Hamilton? But this update was in 2016 were the Celia imitated Sarah Parnell voice was unfortunately discovered!

As I say in my previous post, they reused some of the Celia MK2 announcements for the 2015 update. They updated a few trains in late 2015, then paused, and then resumed in spring 2016 with a swifter roll out. The TfL FOI SharePoint has a 2015 folder with the files in and their numbering system is such that it is clear many of the MK2 files are missing.

In instances where neither the MK1 ('90s) nor MK2 (early '00s) announcements could be used, they recorded new ones in 2015, which I suppose could be regarded as "Celia MK3". These included the river boat service announcements you indicate, as well as a re-recording of Bank (which was later replaced by Elinor Hamilton's version). These aren't as deep as MK2 and I reckon have been processed to sound more skin to Mk1. For instance, "This is a Northern line train, terminating at" (MK3) has been processed such to match the destination ( MK1). Similarly, the Elinor Hamilton announcements were also "processed" so that her pitch could match that of Celia"s - it's just a shame they didn't ask her to impersonate Celia / go more RP in her pronunciation.

Also the Celia recording on the 1995TS for “Please Mind The Gap between the Train and then Platform“ was never a common Manuel announcement to be initiated by the driver, as from my many experiences on the Northern Line (High Barnet Branch) it often played at Kentish Town, but the would always be about a 50/50 chance of the driver playing it. compared to the Celia platform announcements, it sounded much deeper and much slower akin to the announcements you stated.

Good point - the "please mind the gap between the train and the platform" was a MK2 recording rolled out across all Northern line trains, not just the few that had MK2 in its entirety. I have compared it to the Jubilee line's version, and they are slightly different, but probably recorded at the same time - not sure why they couldn't have just used the one file for both line.

Similarly, there was a MK2 "stand clear of the doors" announcement rolled out across all trains. The original MK1 "this train is about to depart, please mind the doors" announcement remains as an alternative. The Jubilee line wasn't to receive a "please stand clear of the doors" until it received an update around the same time the "doors will open on the X hand side" and Night Tube announcements were added. The Northern line also received some minor modifications for the Night Tube. I can't remember if this took place in 2016 when the Night Tube launched or a subsequent year? - in any case, this batch of announcements could be regarded as 'Celia MK4" even though they do so sound similar to MK3.

As per my previous post, if anyone knows more about the Celia MK2 (early '00s recordings), I would be grateful to find out more! The jury is still out on whether or not all trains received MK2 or only a few.

 

[RacsoMoquette]

This is an extremely informative post! Are the 1995TS still able to play the original 90s Celia MK1 default “Mind The Gap” announcement initiating at every station once the doors were released? Said announcement did not last long after introduction, but is it still possible for drivers to play it?

What was the point of the 00s software update anyway? Was the any major issues with the (at the time not very outdated) Celia MK1 recordings? To me it seemed rather unnecessary, as it has just added to the variety of different recordings, which has undoubtedly caused more problems than is worth. With having to synthesize new recordings to make them sound compatible, reverting, adjusting and rearranging the announcements does seem odd. If they were so bothered by the original Celia Mk1 announcements why did they not replace the (majority) of the DVA, akin to ANITA being replaced by Celia MK2 on the Jubilee!

 

[announcements]

I don't think anyone was averse to the original MK1 recordings - on the contrary, they reverted back to them, and have kept them going strong ever since, only replacing segments when absolutely necessary.

I think the MK2 probably came about (I say probably, I don't know definitively but if anyone on here knows for certain, please do chip in) because they were re-recording the Jubilee line announcements at the time and thought while they have Celia in the studio, may as well get her to redo the Northern line announcements. Back then, presumably Celia wasn't being paid by the word, and they generously allowed her to re-record the entire set... Well everything but the Jubilee line termination messages, which for some reason remained as Maggie Greenwood files.

You are right to question why a whole re-record was required when there were very few phrases that needed updating, namely:
1) National Rail services (to replace Main Line...)
2) Hammersmith & City (to replace "Circle & Hammersmith")

The interchanges on approach were all also added, however this wouldn't have required Celia MK2 as they could have used Celia MK1 files for this.

 

[meridian222017]

I don't think anyone was averse to the original MK1 recordings - on the contrary, they reverted back to them, and have kept them going strong ever since, only replacing segments when absolutely necessary.

I think the MK2 probably came about (I say probably, I don't know definitively but if anyone on here knows for certain, please do chip in) because they were re-recording the Jubilee line announcements at the time and thought while they have Celia in the studio, may as well get her to redo the Northern line announcements. Back then, presumably Celia wasn't being paid by the word, and they generously allowed her to re-record the entire set... Well everything but the Jubilee line termination messages, which for some reason remained as Maggie Greenwood files.

You are right to question why a whole re-record was required when there were very few phrases that needed updating, namely:
1) National Rail services (to replace Main Line...)
2) Hammersmith & City (to replace "Circle & Hammersmith")

The interchanges on approach were all also added, however this wouldn't have required Celia MK2 as they could have used Celia MK1 files for this.

My hunch is that the Mk2 version came about in 2003 when the newly TfL-controlled London Underground embarked on an effort to update and standardise all recorded announcements - this is when the phrase 'National Rail services' came into use. Of course, Emma Clarke never made it to the JNP division because they still had a degree of independence, and decided against the use of her voice. Very strange though, that it took them until 2015 to consider using some of those Mk2 recordings as you mention - it would be interesting to see if TfL could dig out the full Mk2 version from the archives because it clearly still exists.

 

[bramling]

Are the 1995TS still able to play the original 90s Celia MK1 default “Mind The Gap” announcement initiating at every station once the doors were released? Said announcement did not last long after introduction, but is it still possible for drivers to play it?

No, there is no means for the driver to play it.

What was the point of the 00s software update anyway? Was the any major issues with the (at the time not very outdated) Celia MK1 recordings? To me it seemed rather unnecessary, as it has just added to the variety of different recordings, which has undoubtedly caused more problems than is worth. With having to synthesize new recordings to make them sound compatible, reverting, adjusting and rearranging the announcements does seem odd. If they were so bothered by the original Celia Mk1 announcements why did they not replace the (majority) of the DVA, akin to ANITA being replaced by Celia MK2 on the Jubilee!

I suspect it’s a case that there was a desire to sort out certain issues with the original system, get it up to date, and compliant with then standards. So it got done, but clearly someone didn’t like it. The Northern Line has always liked the original announcements, so clearly it was felt preferable to keep them. It certainly wasn’t the whole fleet that got them, only a couple of trains.