Will the auto PA System Voice ever change?

[Prodigy]

Now I don't know whether every station has it, but I am sure the majority of you will of heard the posh womans voice which auto announces the next train to arrive, the train standing at the platform, delays, safety notices etc.

I know it sounds stupid but I'm really beginning to get sick of hearing this voice, I mean ever since they introduced the auto PA system at my local station, the woman's voice is the only one they've ever used and it gets so annoying when you're in Greater Manchester hearing this posh voice when you're half awake. I find it almost relieving when I connect at Stalybridge on my way home, just hearing a different voice.

With that said, I'm just wondering if this womans voice is due to change soon? I know they do change them every so often but I'm not sure how often. Also, why don't they make the voice more suited to the area your in? For example in Manchester have someone with a Mancunian accent, and London in a Cockney accent.

 

[Eagle]

There are loads of voices all round the country. The most common is that of Phil Sayer, who I'd say makes up about 40 or 50% of stations' announcement systems (and has been doing it since the BR days).

 

[Schnellzug]

You mean "Please do try to keep all your luggage and personal belongings with you. if you see anything Suspicious, please inform on a member of Staff"? Yes, I've often wanted to throw something at her.

 

[D1009]

Recorded announcements on FGW are already changing, and not for the better in my view.

 

[starrymarkb]

yes, it sounds like the Wessex one..

 

[PaxVobiscum]

My least favourite:
"Passengers are reminded to always (sic) use the handrail and not to run on the stairs" I think it goes, or rather went, because the last few times I have used the stairs down to Glasgow Queen Street low level the incredibly irritating continuously looped announcement has been replaced by a loud hum and a few crackles. Hooray!

Can't say I noticed droves of people running and falling on the stairs due to the lack of fatuous advice though.

 

[Prodigy]

There are loads of voices all round the country. The most common is that of Phil Sayer, who I'd say makes up about 40 or 50% of stations' announcement systems (and has been doing it since the BR days).

I prefer his voice, the woman is just annoying as hell. I just think it would be better to have the voice to suit the area it's in. I'd love the Road Wars narrator to do the Manchester announcements

 

[Eagle]

I'd love the Road Wars narrator to do the Manchester announcements

The current one (Claire Goose/Tina from Casualty) or the former one (Lee Boardman/Jez from Coronation Street)? :P

 

[marks87]

My least favourite:
"Passengers are reminded to always (sic) use the handrail and not to run on the stairs" I think it goes, or rather went, because the last few times I have used the stairs down to Glasgow Queen Street low level the incredibly irritating continuously looped announcement has been replaced by a loud hum and a few crackles. Hooray!

Can't say I noticed droves of people running and falling on the stairs due to the lack of fatuous advice though.

There's about 20 or so stairs down to platform level at Dundee and at normal walking pace, the announcement plays about three times before I get to the bottom.

If I worked in the nearby WH Smiths, I'd have ripped the speakers out of the ceiling after five minutes.

 

[IanXC]

I wonder quite who selected the posh woman, I always cringe at the way she says Doncaster with such disdain. As if even the concept that anyone would want to go there is ridiculous!

 

[Prodigy]

The current one (Claire Goose/Tina from Casualty) or the former one (Lee Boardman/Jez from Coronation Street)? :P

Lee Boardman, Claire Goose would send me to sleep like the current one.

 

[Robinson]

I prefer his voice, the woman is just annoying as hell. I just think it would be better to have the voice to suit the area it's in. I'd love the Road Wars narrator to do the Manchester announcements

You mean like in Scotland, where most of the PA announcers have distinct accents? The one they've got installed at Glasgow Central now has a particularly strong one...

 

[wbbminerals]

I prefer manual announcements; it adds a human touch to the railways and often the announcers have local accents or say them in a funny way (eg. ryhming). I hate the female voice they use at Leeds, if announcements have to be automated then I think Phil Sayer is the best.

 

[WestCoast]

There are about 10 or so different voices across the country, there's a railuk sub forum with recordings of them all. Phil, Celia and Anne are probably the most common, the first two are professionals but Anne works for ATOS.

Depends on the TOC and area as to which voice you hear.

 

[transportphoto]

...there's a railuk sub forum...

There is, so much to the point I thought this thread was in it! Anyone interested, have a look at the Group Membership part of your User CP

TP

 

[Ivo]

There are about 10 or so different voices across the country, there's a railuk sub forum with recordings of them all. Phil, Celia and Anne are probably the most common, the first two are professionals but Anne works for ATOS.

I would suggest adding Julie to that list. She has pretty much monopolised Essex, Kent and Sussex (some of the busiest areas of the network).

 

[PaxVobiscum]

I prefer manual announcements; it adds a human touch to the railways and often the announcers have local accents or say them in a funny way (eg. ryhming).

My son and I were very amused by a female announcer at Preston who actually sang the words "Blackpool North" consistently to the same three pitches (like the first 3 notes of the "Close Encounters" theme which begins Bb-C-Ab [ray-me-doh]) every time she announced a departure to BPN. She spoke the rest of the words albeit in a slightly sing-song manner.

That was a couple of years ago now. Anyone else heard this?

 

[Harbon 1]

I would prefer phil at Buron station, because of the way that she says 'Notingham' (Hnottingum) but manual announcements are better, for example, she told us that the '15:23 cross country service to Hnottingum has been cancelled, the next train on platform one will be the 15:23 cross country service to Hnottingum' bloody confusing! Turns out AXC robbed Cambridge of a train and stuck it on to Nottingham before it got delayed

 

[Muzer]

"Passengers are reminded to always (sic) use the handrail and not to run on the stairs"

Why the "sic"? Surely you're not one of the crazy people who agree with that Victorian guy who said that split infinitives are bad, just because

Would you propose it should be "to go boldly where no man has gone before"?

 

[Stephen55a1960]

You mean "Please do try to keep all your luggage and personal belongings with you. if you see anything Suspicious, please inform on a member of Staff"? Yes, I've often wanted to throw something at her.

Likewise! The other irritating message (heard at Leeds for example) "It is not permitted to cycle or skateboard" etc:roll:.

 

[marks87]

In the "I want to rip my eardrums out" stakes, I think the former voice of West Coast ScotRail, "Sonya", takes some beating.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP0B2KMtyok

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Would you propose it should be "to go boldly where no man has gone before"?

Yes, normally; but since it is a very famous solecism it might as well be quoted accurately.

 

[p123]

Well there's scope for it to change one day I guess.

The on-train ones for ScotRail changed from someone ('annoying annie'... does anyone know who?) to the current Fletchers Mathers several years ago.

 

[Harbon 1]

Also, does anyone know why Phil and his lady friend at BHM always say "Birmingham New Street, this is Birmingham New Street"?

 

[221129]

Also, does anyone know why Phil and his lady friend at BHM always say "Birmingham New Street, this is Birmingham New Street"?

So people know where they are ???

Also BHM is not the only place(EXD,BRI etc)

 

[louis97]

Also BHM is not the only place(EXD,BRI etc)

Not for much longer unfortunatley

 

[Ivo]

Mr Sayer is not at BRI.

 

[louis97]

Mr Sayer is not at BRI.

Indeed, but his "lady friend" (Celia Drummond) is.

 

[221129]

Whoops i knew one of them were and i was refering to the style of announcement (Bristol Temple Meads,This is Bristol Temple Meads....)

 

[barrykas]

Sadly, Greater Anglia (or it may have been NXEA in their dying dats) appear to have dropped the ex-NSE "headmistress" auto announcer at Seven Sisters and Hackney Downs in favour of local announcements.

They always had the "<station>. This is <station>." opening too, as did Phil and Celia on FCC (GN) before they replaced it.

Cheers,

Barry