What to do when switching trains, first time advice please?

[Vince]

I'm going from Glasgow to London and here are my times.

05:40 Glasgow Central
10:12 London Euston Train VIRGIN TRAINS 04h 32
10:12 London Euston
10:45 London Charing Cross Tube n/a 00h 33

How do I know which platform to go to though? I'm scared I'll miss the train

 

[ainsworth74]

Welcome aboard and fear not for things are not as hard as they may seem to the uninitiated. Firstly at Glasgow Central there will be large departure boards on the main concourse, just look for the train to London Euston (making sure it's the time yours is leaving) and it will say the platform number there. You only have one change at Euston from the Virgin Train to the Underground. Now onto specifics as you're traveling on the tube don't worry about the times you've been given by I assume the website that you used to buy the tickets as the tube doesn't really work to a timetable (at least from a passenger point of view) as most of the time the trains will arrive every 5-10 minutes. So when you get to Euston you will want to look for signs directing to the Underground (if you can't find any ask a member of staff) and then you will want the Northern Line (again it will be well signposted) with trains heading towards Kennington via Charing Cross (southbound) once you're on a train Charing Cross should be the 4th stop from Euston. To be honest both the Underground and Euston itself will be well signposted so just keep your eyes open and you'll be fine and if in doubt just ask a member of staff (or a fellow traveler).

We have some people who are more familar with Euston and the Underground so hopefully they will be along with a more detailed answer soon

 

[MCR247]

Nooo Morden trains go via Bank. You need a service to Kennington via Charing Cross. There will be signs pointing to both Northern Line Bank branches and Northen Line Charing Cross branch. Make sure you head for the latter

 

[wibble]

Nooo Morden trains go via Bank. You need a service to Kennington via Charing Cross. There will be signs pointing to both Northern Line Bank branches and Northen Line Charing Cross branch. Make sure you head for the latter

Once you've passed through the ticket gates at Euston Underground station, take the escalator down and it's the first 'tunnel' on your left - it's signposted as Northern Line via Charing Cross (or words to that effect). Walk along the corridor, down the steps and you are on the correct platform. All trains from this platform stop at Charing Cross.

 

[ainsworth74]

Nooo Morden trains go via Bank. You need a service to Kennington via Charing Cross.

See I said someone would be along who knew more about that than me and I was right In my defense it was quite late at night (early in the morning) and I might have momentarily forgotten that there were in fact two branches of the Northern Line

 

[tom1649]

Nooo Morden trains go via Bank. You need a service to Kennington via Charing Cross. There will be signs pointing to both Northern Line Bank branches and Northen Line Charing Cross branch. Make sure you head for the latter

In the morning and evening peaks they go to Morden via Charing Cross as well.

 

[krus_aragon]

If, once you get down to the underground, you're not sure if you've got the right platform/train, you should find a big poster on the wall behind the tracks with a map of the route that trains take from there. You can use that to work out if the next train at that platform will call at Charing Cross.

 

[Vince]

When I get of ready to change, if I do get stuck will I be able to ask someone at the train station and what are these people called? I'm just worried I'm going to miss my train when changing, do trains leave exactly the time it says or do they wait 5 mins?

Also, is they announcements when a train comes into a station?

So when I get of the station do I just look the on the board for any that say my final destination and that will be the right one? And is 1 minute actually enough to switch trains?

 

[animationmilo]

What time train are you getting from Charing Cross?

 

[LexyBoy]

There will be plenty of staff on the station who will be able to advise you. I hope it won't matter if they're not white though - after all, you'll just be asking about travelling by train...

Trains leave at the scheduled time but may lock the doors up to a minute or so before this. There will be an announcement before the train arrives at a station (but all trains terminate at London Euston anyway).

The time shown for Euston-Charing Cross isn't referring to a particular train - the Tube is very frequent (every few minutes) and don't run to a timetable anyway - just follow the signs carefully, it's easy to get lost in the tunnels if you're new.

Finally... if you don't want the discussion to turn to your political beliefs, don't use a provocative username :roll:
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

What time train are you getting from Charing Cross?

I think OP is just going to Charing Cross, not onwards - the confusion coming from the fact that NRE shows the tube journey with no change time.

 

[Vince]

There will be plenty of staff on the station who will be able to advise you. I hope it won't matter if they're not white though - after all, you'll just be asking about travelling by train...

Trains leave at the scheduled time but may lock the doors up to a minute or so before this. There will be an announcement before the train arrives at a station (but all trains terminate at London Euston anyway).

The time shown for Euston-Charing Cross isn't referring to a particular train - the Tube is very frequent (every few minutes) and don't run to a timetable anyway - just follow the signs carefully, it's easy to get lost in the tunnels if you're new.

Finally... if you don't want the discussion to turn to your political beliefs, don't use a provocative username :roll:
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I think OP is just going to Charing Cross, not onwards - the confusion coming from the fact that NRE shows the tube journey with no change time.

When I get of at the station, would my best bet to be just to ask staff? I just fear missing my train lol.

 

[HugePilchard]

Seriously, unless it's the very last one of the day, there's no such thing as missing a tube. There'll always be another one along very shortly afterwards.

 

[Vince]

Seriously, unless it's the very last one of the day, there's no such thing as missing a tube. There'll always be another one along very shortly afterwards.

But I've already paid for my tickets to get a certain one?

Will the staff help me to go to the right platform if I ask?

 

[mikeg]

There is no train to miss, as tube trains run to a frequency rather than a timetable. Just hop on the tube according to the instructions given earlier. Your train ticket will let you on. If in doubt, go to the information desk.

Your name is provocative by virtue of relating to a beyond-the-pale-in-polite-society political ideology by the way. '88' in combination with Adolf has a well-known meaning. I suggest you change it to something more moderate/politically neutral in order to stop drawing attention to yourself. My political views are largely centre-left, but I don't go around advertising the fact on this forum unless the debate calls for it.

 

[Vince]

What time train are you getting from Charing Cross?

05:40 Glasgow Central
10:12 London Euston Train VIRGIN TRAINS 04h 32
10:12 London Euston
10:45 London Charing Cross Tube n/a 00h 33

 

[ainsworth74]

But I've already paid for my tickets to get a certain one?

The only train you're specifically tied to will be the Glasgow to Euston train. As others have said the Tube doesn't operate in the same way and it's a case of just hopping on the first train you find going to where you want.

 

[Vince]

There is no train to miss, as tube trains run to a frequency rather than a timetable. Just hop on the tube according to the instructions given earlier. Your train ticket will let you on. If in doubt, go to the information desk.

Your name is provocative by virtue of relating to a beyond-the-pale-in-polite-society political ideology by the way. '88' in combination with Adolf has a well-known meaning. I suggest you change it to something more moderate/politically neutral in order to stop drawing attention to yourself. My political views are largely centre-left, but I don't go around advertising the fact on this forum.

It's a name, I have not once mentioned any of my views at all I can ask questions on here about trains, this is a train forum even if I am a Nazi and whether you like it or not do not try and act all the "oh he's racist he isn't allowed here" this is not a political forum and it is just a name, who are you to decide whether it is wrong or not?

I suggest you keep your personal opinions to yourself like I am and continue to just stay train related and my question not my name.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The only train you're specifically tied to will be the Glasgow to Euston train. As others have said the Tube doesn't operate in the same way and it's a case of just hopping on the first train you find going to where you want.

Oh, I did not know that.

For future reference because I will need to be going by trains more often now, when changing over to a specific tied train? Say Newcastle to Doncaster but you need to change at York, when you get of at York, what would you do?

I'm getting a railcard and starting to use trains more often now so need a bit of help

 

[mikeg]

For future reference because I will need to be going by trains more often now, when changing over to a specific tied train? Say Newcastle to Doncaster but you need to change at York, when you get of at York, what would you do?

A lot of trains from Newcastle to Doncaster run direct, but if you need to change, look at the boards in the central concourse. They will tell you the final destination of the train at the top and all of the stations they call at underneath.

Smaller stations will often not have these boards that show all of the destinations and all of the trains, just on the relevant platform, but usually then the station will be small enough look at the platform displays in time. Alternatively, there may be boards showing all trains but just the final destination, in which case you need to know the time the train departs along with where it's headed to to find your platform. This info is available online.

 

[Vince]

I don't think mikeg was venting any of his personal beliefs towards you. If anything I would suggest he was helping you by recommending you change your username so that every thread you post in doesn't end up with people arguing about it! .

Okay thanks I just know sometime when travelling I'll need to do a change.

So you get of your first train (to the change destination) then get of the train and just look at the boards for your train? Is they announcements when trains come in to and do trains normally wait 2-5 mins?

How long does it normally take to read the boards and get to your platform?

A lot of trains from Newcastle to Doncaster run direct, but if you need to change, look at the boards in the central concourse. They will tell you the final destination of the train at the top and all of the stations they call at underneath.

What happens if my destination is mentioned on 2 boards, how do I know which one to go to?

How do I change my name if it means that much to you lot, jeez!

 

[ainsworth74]

So you get of your first train (to the change destination) then get of the train and just look at the boards for your train? Is they announcements when trains come in to and do trains normally wait 2-5 mins?

No the train we leave when it says it will so of the train is timed to depart at 09:57 say it will leave at 09:57 (unless there are other issues but you can't count on them).

At most large stations (and quite a few smaller stations) there will be announcements telling you what trains are leaving/arriving and what platforms they are arriving at as well as where they are then calling after they leave the station.

How long does it normally take to read the boards and get to your platform?

Depends on the size of the station. If it's a large station like Waterloo or Leeds then it might take 5 minutes or so to find the platform information then walk over there. Smaller stations it might be a minute.

What happens if my destination is mentioned on 2 boards, how do I know which one to go to?

The boards will give a time of departure for the two different trains, so get the train that leaves at the time you are planning on traveling.

How do I change my name if it means that much to you lot, jeez!

I think only the board admins can change your username. You can find them here, then send a PM to mojo or max will probably be your best bet.

 

[mikeg]

So you get of your first train (to the change destination) then get of the train and just look at the boards for your train? Is they announcements when trains come in to and do trains normally wait 2-5 mins?

Sometimes there is an arrivals board showing the origin of each train, but this doesn't really matter to you, it's the departure time that bookings are made on. Some trains can wait for up to 15 minutes, but usually don't hang around for long at all.

How long does it normally take to read the boards and get to your platform?

Depends on the size of the station and the location of the board(s). National Rail Enquiries has a list of minimum interchange times, which is the amount of time the company that runs the station has deemed necessary to do this.

How do I change my name if it means that much to you lot, jeez!

I know it can be done, but I don't know how, sorry, you may have to PM a moderator.

What happens if my destination is mentioned on 2 boards, how do I know which one to go to?

If your booking restricts you to a specific train, compare it with the departure time on your reservation ticket, otherwise you can hop on any train as long as it's within the restriction code of your ticket. Sadly this is not published very openly, but is important for journeys in to London as off peak tickets to London, along with some other stations are restricted based on the time they are due to arrive at the destination. If in doubt, ask a member of this forum or at the information desk/ticket office if there is no information desk.

 

[SS4]

Okay thanks I just know sometime when travelling I'll need to do a change.

So you get of your first train (to the change destination) then get of the train and just look at the boards for your train? Are there announcements when trains come in to and do trains normally wait 2-5 mins?

At large stations they usually will wait yes as many people will be boarding. Do look at the departure boards yet be aware that they will show the final destination of your train although often the calling points are often listed below. There are also PA announcements although they can be hit and miss.

How long does it normally take to read the boards and get to your platform?

Depends on the station size and how familiar you are with the station. There is always enough time between the announcement being made and the departure time for you to get there in good time.

How do I change my name if it means that much to you lot, jeez!

PM an admin would be my best guess, they don't normally take requests for name changes but this could be special circumstances (possibly rule 1c: Do not...otherwise offensive content).
IMO it's a big fuss about very little and I for one commend your honesty regarding what your name is when it would have been easier to lie. As long as there is no fuss caused then I can see it blowing over.

Of course if it was your religious belief then all would be rosy since everyone knows it's verboten to attack religion :roll:

If it helps you can think of changing as making two different train journeys if you're used to travelling direct. You could even look into splitting tickets at your change if you change at an NR station.

For your Tube journey you can save money either by getting a travelcard or an oyster card (both can hold railcard discounts on)

 

[Vince]

Sometimes there is an arrivals board showing the origin of each train, but this doesn't really matter to you, it's the departure time that bookings are made on. Some trains can wait for up to 15 minutes, but usually don't hang around for long at all.

So say that I get of at (for example) 9.56 and my next train to change is 10.02 will this be enough time to actually get to my right platform? My biggest fear is getting of the train (when specific to that train) and missing it due to not knowing where to go, do even smaller stations still have boards that will definitely show you where to go?

Depends on the size of the station and the location of the board(s). National Rail Enquiries has a list of minimum interchange times, which is the amount of time the company that runs the station has deemed necessary to do this.

Do all stations have a reasonable enough size board to read?
The tickets have my platform and seat number on and time my train departs.

If your booking restricts you to a specific train, compare it with the departure time on your reservation ticket, otherwise you can hop on any train as long as it's within the restriction code of your ticket. Sadly this is not published very openly, but is important for journeys in to London as off peak tickets to London, along with some other stations are restricted based on the time they are due to arrive at the destination. If in doubt, ask a member of this forum or at the information desk/ticket office if there is no information desk.

So where the final destination is then underneath all the places it stops at does the places underneath have a time on them or just next to the final one at the top?

Alright I'm Adolf88 just made another username to save alot of carry on PMing etc.

 

[mikeg]

So where the final destination is then underneath all the places it stops at does the places underneath have a time on them or just next to the final one at the top?

Tends to be just at the top, as it is the departure time that concerns you, for example the '1500 to newcastle' (Just an example)
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Some example departure boards :

At King's Cross

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Departures_board%2C_Glasgow_Central_railway_station_-_DSC06291.JPG At Glasgow Central, this is more typical of the departures boards at big stations.

You'll probably find some of these around the station which just show the final destination, this one at York: http://www.flickr.com/photos/47309173@N06/4468878581/

Smaller stations just have these, here is one at Northallerton, although there is one platform for Southbound, another for Northbound at Northallerton so there's no need to see what platform you want:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/darlo2009/5224516558/

 

[LexyBoy]

@mikeg - that picture's a bit small, have you got a bigger one?

@OP - just get to the station 15 minutes before your train and it'll be fine. It's not difficult, millions of people manage it every day. The time you're given for connections is designed to be enough for people who aren't familiar with the railway.

 

[mikeg]

@Lexyboy. Yes sorry, I changed it to an URL as I realised it was too big!

 

[LexyBoy]

@Lexyboy. Yes sorry, I changed it to an URL as I realised it was too big!

Just kidding

Some forums allow resizing of images but it seems to be disabled here, e.g.:
[IMG=600x400]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Departures_board%2C_Glasgow_Central_railway_station_-_DSC06291.JPG[/IMG]

 

[Mojo]

I have deleted a number of off-topic posts in this thread that are nothing to do with answering the OP's question.

I believe that his questions have all now been answered so I am locking the thread to avoid any more drift.