Great Western Coffee Shop

Tonight I got to Paddington with more than enough time to get a cup of tea and my train.. I got there about 20.23 for the 20.30...

Except..

...it was on platform 13...

So I had a couple of choices..

I chose a cup of tea, and then running with the cup of tea (and a lot of tea sloshing up my arm even with lid on) to just get the train.

So I ask again, why oh why oh why use platforms 13 or 14 unless they really need to?

As you can imagine, at that time of the evening, a lot of other platforms were empty..

No one from FGW/NR/anywhere else has ever been able to explain why these platforms are used so much...

So many people must miss their trains because of this....>

Anyone from FGW/NR/anywhere else like to comment?

Maybe it had been sitting there for a while?
It could have arrived earlier and if there was a fault or something it was fixed and then made available for the 8:30 so they could use it.

We've had this discussion before, platform allocations are totally up to the signal box, who generally aren't bothered how far people have to run.

The train may have arrived at 1800, during peak and been booked to lay over and there probably arent many platform at 1800!

Some topics merit repeated discussion  ;)  .... the forum has been growing strongly month on month and we have a lot more members - and active members - here now than we did 3 months ago.    It'll be the first time they have had a chance to get involved with this as a current issue and they may well contribute something more to the discussion.

Question.  If "platform allocation is up to the signal box" and it effects customers, what training / instruction do signal box staff get in terms of customer relations and how to do their best for people who, in the end, are paying their wages?

Signallers have nothing to do with the public. Network Rail pay the wages.

We shouldn't be slagging signallers off anyway, its a very safety critical job and p13 and p1 at Paddington are both the same station, so it no makes no different how far from the exits then are really...

I'm sorry - signallers do have something to do with the public, all be it indirectly.   They do a fine job of keeping the public safe and services running for the public. 

Where decisions they make are subjective (which platform to use, which train to send ahead first) then they should be very much aware of the effects on the public of those decisions ...

According to my Station Working for yesterday it was booked for 13. 20:11 arrival from Reading.

Station Workings if I remember correctly are authorised and sorted by Network Rail. Signallers get a copy. And need to keep to it as much as they possibly can to avoid any confusion with other staff.

If kept on changing the booked platform throughout the day that would be alot of alterations.

Also, platform may be empty, but that might be due to not being possible to use it. For example late morning there was some line possesion outside that stations granted it was temporary, but it makes platforms unavailable.

To the panel, a platforms a platform! As long as the whole train can fit in it.

in which case.. if they insist on using platforms 13 and 14 a disproprtionate amount of time.. I think it should be timetabled that anyone having entered platform 12 with (as an example) one minute to spare, should be allowed to get on the train and it should wait for them (I know people already on the train won't like this before someone says that!!).. I always feel sorry if I run past someone a lot older, or maybe someone who is unable to hurry for other reasons. They must just miss the train? And then have to walk all the way back again...

So we are now causing delays because of the length of walk to the platform from a given point. the bottom line is you dont get to Gatwick a minuite before your plane takes off so why are trains any different???

Why should that happen  - just arrive a minute earlier. Lots of stations have platforms like this:
Salisbury (6)
Exeter (2)
Bristol TM (1)
Birmingham New ST (4C)

and many more, everyone seems to manage there!

Arriving on time is in an ideal world.. The problem is, we're at the whim of the tube/bus in London and can't always plan to arrive earlier than we need to for our trains. What is annoying is that, even after the tube/bus has tried to scupper our journeys home, yet we finally manage to arrive at Paddington with more than enough time to get the train, except when it's an extra 3 or 4 minutes walk away on platforms 13/14!

I for one would love to arrive at Paddington a long time before my train is due to leave, but due to my arriving at Paddington late most mornings due to late running trains, I can't always leave work quite when I'd really like to to do this..

I guess only regular users of these platforms know how annoying it can be..

Yes, but they're much nearer to the main access point to other platforms, nor do they have such an obstacle course to reach them! To get from The Lawn at Paddington to 13 & 14 you either go along platform 9, up the steps to the footbridge, through the ticket barrier and down more steps - or you loop back round the ends of platforms 11 & 12, then walk the entire length of 12 to a narrow passageway (which can get very congested) through to 13 & 14. Try those routes sometime with heavy luggage!

However my main issue is not the situation of 13 & 14, it's that there are workings scheduled to go into those two platforms during off-peak times when there is vacant space in 9, 10, 11 or 12 (and sometimes in all four!). For goodness sake why? Can someone from Network Rail please give me an answer other than "it's in the station working books, so there!" or "to the panel, a platforms a platform!" I'm sorry, but those are not satisfactory answers. Someone at Network Rail must have a logical reason why it happens!

I totally agree.. In the rush hour, when Paddington is full to capacity, it's inevitable..

Howver quite often, late at night, or mid morning/afternoon, when it is not at all full, these Platforms appear to be used more often than necessary?

I too would like to have an answer from Network rail as to why this happens so often..

This evening (Wednesday) the 21:00 to Oxford was only a short train and was AT THE FAR END of Platform 13 because there was a longer train already on the platform.  Bizarely several other platforms (such as 9 & 10) were unoccupied.  It was so far along I'm surprised it wasn't announced as departing from Royal Oak (which was probably nearer than the Paddington main entrance).

I would suggest that we stop moaning about the use of Platform 13 because I think somebody who actually controls the allocation is reading the forum and is now just intentionally pushing us to the furthest point possible!   I just feel sorry for the old, disabled, those with young children, baggage, etc.

Forums such as this are occasionally read by people in all sorts of places so it is always possible that a question asking "why does x do y" will be read by x.    Put the question well and explained and positively, and you can even see something happen for the good .... but beware of the opposite effect too.

When I use Paddington, it's not usually for the local service so I have no personal involvement on this particular issue.   If I had, I'm sure that I would be asking elsewhere as well as here the reasons behind things being done as they are - perhaps to FGW, perhaps to Network Rail, and taking it forward that way too.  Perhaps there is an excellent operational reason which, once explained, will be accepted and relayed on to newcomers in the future. Perhaps there is a silent (here) group of people who prefer 13 / 14 and the trains are "out there" at times to keep them happy.  In which case tell us.   Or perhaps it's simply for historic reasons that could be reviewed, or because no-one's given it much thought.   In which case it can be taken forward.

Well said! :)

I agree, well said! Surely there's a logical reason which someone "in the know" can explain? At the moment I simply feel that no-one in NR or FGW is particularly bothered about the best use of platforms at PAD at off-peak times!

Back on the subject of platform allocations - but not Paddingston so slightly off topic sorry to say - I was reminded reading this of the time several years ago now when I was on a business trip to the midlands with a disabled colleague of mine. We arrived at Birmingham New Street with about 20 minutes to spare for our connection, and finding ourselves near to the information point we asked if they could tell us which platform our required train would be coming in on, so as to allow ourselves plenty of time to get there. The guy there couldn't have been more helpful. "Number 3's quite close to where we are now so you should be able to get there easily enough - I'll try to arrange for it to come in there" - and sure enough it did!

Compare that to Kings' Cross a couple of weeks ago when I was meeting a friend off a train from Cambridge. With a minute to go and the train showing as being on time, but no platform number shown, I politely asked the staff-member manning the information point which one it was likely to arrive on only to be greeted with a shrug, and a "I dunno mate - could be any of them". Needless to say the train had already arrived before the overhead display changed, and I was nowhere NEAR the platform in question, unable to meet my friend off the train as promised.

Sorry to sound like a grumpy old man singing to the tune of "fings ain't what they used t'be" (as far as I know NOT a Fleetwood Mac song...) but in all honesty, customer service HAS taken a nosedive, I think. Then again the public has become less respectful across the board as well, so it's not something which is easily solved.

What annoys me is when they blatently lie to you.

I *know* the information point at PAD and the platform staff have the list of trains and ***planned*** patforms - I also know this is subject to change.

Now it depends on who you get. But you walk up to the window and ask "Can you please tell me which platform XYZ is EXPECTED to go from - I realise this is subject to change and not guaranteed".

They they say "we do not have this information wait on the platform."

Yes I bloody well do as I can see it on the paper in front of them!

Generally mine goes from 3 (1721) 0r 9 (1821) but if I get there for a different train, I kind of like to know so I can get the bike onto the platform and folded ready for boarding - and if the platform changes, so be it

Why can they not just say "sorry we're not allowed to tell you" which is probably closer to the truth

I am aware how to get there, you don't need to treat me as though I am not a sharp tool in the box!

The issue with telling people the platform number when it hasn't been confirmed is that if it changes other passengers will blame the staff who said "Platform 9" or whatever.

This has happened many times, despite how many times you try to explain, it is due to go from that platform, but not guaranteed.

Easier to say to wait, too much hassle if it doesn't.

And It's bad to say, but the majority will just listen to Platform number and pretty much ignore everything else you say.

everything besides Turbos are banned from 13/14, so prehaps thats why most turbos are put there

Like train crew, trains also work to a diagram, it has been pre-selected into which platforms trains run, of course late alterations occur. Let say the 08.00 from platform 1 is late leaving you can't put the 08.10 arrival in on top, that would just block the 08.00 in.

Whilst Platform 13 and 14 at Paddington are a Pain being so much shorter, if a unit is Diagrammed to use platform 13 then the platforms departure screens will auto display that platform, it only causes confusion to alter platforms around, and whilst it should be that the short platforms at Paddington should be used as last resort, better to stick to prebooked platforms than have passengers sent to the normal platform to find No train as it has been sent to another platform by the signaller.

Between 20:00 and 20:30

Platform 1: 19:59 arrival from Great Malvern, leaves as 20:20 Great Malvern
Platform 2: 19:39 arrival from Bristol TM, leaves as 20:15 Swansea
Platform 3: No train due to be on this platform
Platform 4: 20:14 arrival from Weston SM, leaves as 20:45 Bristol TM
Platform 5: No train due to be on this platform
Platform 6: 20:04 arrival from Heathrow T4, leaves as 20:25 Heathrow T4
Platform 7: 20:18 arrival from Heathrow T4, leaves as 20:40 Heathrow T4
Platform 8: 20:28 arrival from Banbury, leaves as 20:51 Oxford
Platform 9: 20:02 arrival from Cardiff, leaves as 20:35 Plymouth
Platform 10: 19:52 arrival from Newbury, leaves 21:15 Reading
Platform 11: 19:59 arrival from Oxford, leaves 20:15 Reading
                 20:29 arrival from Oxford, leaves 20:45 Reading
Platform 12: 20:24 arrival from Heathrow T123, leaves as 20:33 Heathrow T123
Platform 13: 19:41 arrival from Reading, leaves as 20:00 Oxford
                 20:11 arrival from Reading, leaves as 20:30 Oxford
Platform 14: 20:17 arrival from Greenford, leaves as 20:25 Greenford

Platform 3 and 5 were free but putting a local stopper would be a last resort as it would delay other services trying to get over to the relief line from the main line.

Edit: This is based on the ammended station working for Tuesday 8th Jan =] and should not be taken as accurate as alterations can and do occur.

Ollie,

Thanks for that - but can you please give an example from an off-peak period, say 10:00 on a Saturday morning? I'd be interested to see which platforms are free and which are occupied then!

IIRC saturday is EXACTLY the same timetable as the rest of the week...

I'm not working this saturday, however I'm going through Paddington so I will see about getting a copy of the ammended workings to give an example for Saturday.

Jim, I don't think BBM was suggesting that: actually, I found their description of the route, provided for the benefit of those (like me) who aren't familiar with it, very useful in understanding this apparently thorny issue!

I was also interested in your reference to Bristol Temple Meads, platform 1: that's much easier to get to than platform 15, so when I arrive at 1749 and see my 1753 train is due from platform 15, I know I'm going to struggle!  For the benefit of those unfamiliar with the layout at Bristol Temple Meads, Platform 1 is just left and left again through the entrance: platform 15 is at the very far side of the station, involving negotiating the rugby scrum down into the subway, the mad dash against the flow of all the departing passengers and the final scramble up the steps to 15!

To be fair, as Jim says, I can manage it - if I can arrive that critical minute earlier: if I can't, I accept that's my problem!  :'(

I myself have been known to leg it across Bristol Temple Meads after coming in on a late unit. Bear in mind my connection wasn't actually valid I still managed to make it onto the Vomit.

That is true at Bristol yes - but I was getting to the point that it's 1 long flat walk, as opposed to steps.

oh know, some steps, whatever are you going to do...

I still fail to see what the fuss is about plat 13 (i have used it, so dont use that argument against me)

A bit of walking never hurt anyone!

Back to the original post, you'll see that the problem is that it is used more than necessary at off peak times, when other platforms are empty.. And it is very annoying to miss a train that I arrived at Paddington on time for... Or for people to miss it because they cannot walk as fast all the way to platform 13 as other people (for whatever reason)..

But as someone commented on here, it's probably best not to complain about it, otherwise someone who is in  charge or these things will make us use those platforms even more!

Let me try and explain the annoyance this way:

Imagine you're making a cross-London journey with heavy luggage. Your train arrived on time at the other terminus, however there's a delay on the Tube. You become anxious because it's a Sunday, there's only a 30-minute interval on the local service and it looks like you might just miss the next departure. But the Circle Line coughs into life and you find yourself up the stairs and on the main concourse at Paddington with two minutes to spare. You don't even waste time by looking at the main departure board, you head straight for platforms 9 to 12 because you're sure the train will go from one of those. Hang on a minute - something wrong here - all those four platforms are empty!!!! Is the incoming train delayed? Then you do look at the departure board - and it's going from 13! So no chance of getting it, it's now due away in one minute. You resist the urge to scream and instead curse the railway operators under your breath before phoning the person due to pick you up at Twyford and asking them to delay their journey by half-an-hour. (and yes that scenario really did happen to me fairly recently, hence me venting my anger in this thread! >:()

(and I can confirm that there was no engineering work that day at Paddington necessitating any platform closures)

As i've said, i've used that platform many times.

With lots of bags as well.

Never actually had an issue with it.

I really don't see what you lot are fussing about

Shazz,

Can I please politely ask you to re-read my message above and let me know how you would feel in such a situation as the one I had?

Thanks!  :)

I  was pointing it out, so I could use a equal example, stepless walk!

Yaaaaaawwwwwnnnnn. going on a bit is this thread.  ;)

Every half hour! Some places are lucky to get a train service at all on a Sunday!

Most Cross-London journey times are long in NRES Journey Planner, hence if you left that about of time, you really shouldn't have a problem!

It's a concept called "helping to improve the customer experience". 

Yes, you're right ultimately it isn't a big deal for many of us who aren't elderly, infirm or bagaage bound.  Equally it would make our lives just that little bit more tolerable if we didn't need to walk to the furthest end of the station when nearer, empty, platforms are available.

How about you make a petition to get those platforms removed and rebuilt elsewhere/ used less?

I'm sure noone will listen to you, or care, or do anything about it.

Once again, you're making a fuss about nothing, and should leave ample time (5-10 mins) on arrival at paddington to get your train, it's just common sence!

A bit of a walk never hurt anyone.  Now if you're lazy enough not to want to walk a few hundred metres or so extra, then thats another thing entirely...

Maybe you should apply for a job as a signaller if you think you could do better  ;)

Sure you can criticse them, but thats easy, doing it as a fulltime job is a completely different.

In regards to the 20:30 I'm guessing my post of what was on or due to be on other platforms was ignored?

You say you would just come into Paddington from the underground and assume 9-12 and then check the screen after.

Maybe that is where you are going wrong.

Ollie,

20:00 on a Tuesday evening is still quite a busy time and the evening peak is still winding down. The sort of times when I get annoyed at 9-12 being empty but my train is departing from or arriving at 13 or 14 is more like 13:00 on a weekday or 10:00 on a Saturday.

If my train uses 13 and 14 and there are other trains in 9 to 12 then I grin and bear it and I get on with life. I don't expect the signaller to put a train into a platform which is already occupied.

The point I'm making which various people don't seem to grasp is simply this:

*** Why do signallers put trains into 13 and 14 in off-peak times when 9 to 12 are all empty? ***

It's a reasonably simple question - and I'm sure there's a perfectly valid simple answer! Maybe it's for driver route-learning or refreshing? Maybe 9-12 have to be left empty at times for maintenance? It can't be that signallers do it just for their own convenience? There must be a rule somewhere that Network Rail has which decrees that this happens.

I agree with the poster who said that this thread has gone on too long and I hope we can wind it up very soon!  :)

Well I will get hold of an amended station working for a Saturday morning, but I wont do today as it wouldn't be fair really.

Chiltern are running out of Paddington today, so it doesn't count for a normal Saturday.

Leave it with me and I will look into it.

Thanks Ollie - I'll await your reply with interest!  :)

Today Chiltern were using 13/14 for most the day. I did 1 of them and coped perfectly well with the walk! It wasn't that bad! I'd say it took 2minutes. Now, bearing in mind trains leave the departure board 1 min before hand, I think it is quite easy, as you should be in by 2 minutes before departure, make it 2.30 and you should be fine!

Without luggage, or without being old, or without a bike

Yes, but do the other 2 people who are 'moaning' about it do it regulary with all those things?

The fact of the matter is, you should leave 5minutes (at least) between arriving at the station and your train being booked to leave. Most people with luggage or who are old/infirm normally leave the 'correct' amount of time.

And people with bikes (I'm going to be killed for saying this!) normally ride them down the platform anyway!

I'd love to see that through the crowds at PAD  :D

Seen it, you aren't missing much :D

As I presume I'm one oif the two people 'moaning' I feel compelled to reply....

If there are valid operational reasons why platform 13 MUST be used when other platforms are available then fair enough.  I generally arrive with plenty of time in hand to catch my train.  I don't have an issue with it being my fault if I don't leave sufficient time....my fault, my bad, etc.  My point simply is that if there are platforms available that would make it more convenient for customers then why not use them ? 

because as previously stated, a platform is a platform in the eyes of a signaller so is used that way.

And surely the platforms might be empty, but theres probably a good few trains on "final approach" to them in the next 5-10 mins, which tbh would make signalling them elsewhere a bit of a 'mare. Just to make it "convenient" for 50 or so people getting 1 train

As I keep saying, if there's a good operational reason for not using the empty platforms then so be it.  Don't have a problem with that at all.  If however an alternative to platform 13 could be used then, as a paying customer, I'd very much appreciate it.

As a paying customer who regularly uses the Hammersmith and City Line from Paddington (platforms 15 and 16), I would find arrivals and departures from Platforms 13 and 14 rather convenient as it happens. Who'd run a railway - you can never please everyone can you?  ;)

I think we should end this post now.. And I'm allowed to say that as I started it...

However one final (ish?) word... It has been mentioned several times in the last few replies that we should all arrive at Paddington several minutes early for our trains.. Please could you explain how I can do this when I arrive consistently late at Paddington in the morning (courtesy of FGW/NR) and am therefore constantly fighting to do enough hours at work before I leave.. So how can I leave early enough to arrive at Paddington early?  And no I am not priveleged like some of you, I have to take children to school in the morning so cannot get an earlier train however much I would like to!

Oh dear, now I asked a question! Please don't answer it...

Sadly it's not your choice to end a topic unless the mod's agree!

Ok, so you arrive late in the morning, thats quite true, so why not instead of rushing just catch a service 15mins later, and posiably from a better platform.

I'm not priviliged, I can't afford a season to Padd!

Why not give working from home a go, (I don't know if you can or not) and commute later on in the day, you might become more ontime!

Much as I encourage a wide range of discussions, I'm inclined to agree that we have spent quite a lot of time exchaning views on this topic, and it wouldn't be a bad idea to move on.  Good idea, Jo.

Sorry to bring this up but I said I would show what a Saturday is like between 10 and 11am =]

From Saturday 19th January amended station working:

Platform 1: 10:37 Bristol TM and 10:47 Worcester FS (2x180)
Platform 2: 10:06 arrival from Great Malvern out to the Depot 10+18
Platform 3: 09:30 arrival from Swansea out as 10:05 Penzance
               10:30 arrival from Swansea out as 11:05 Penzance
Platform 4: 09:43 arrival from Depot out as 10:15 Swansea
                10:51 arrival from Bedwyn out as 11:18 Bedwyn
Platform 5: 10:08 arrival from Plymouth out as 11:15 Swansea
Platform 6: 10:03 arrival from Heathrow T4 out as 10:25 Heathrow T4
               10:33 arrival from Heathrow T4 out as 10:55 Heathrow T4
Platform 7: 09:48 arrival from Heathrow T4 out as 10:10 Heathrow T4
               10:18 arrival from Heathrow T4 out as 10:40 Heathrow T4
               10:48 arrival from Heathrow T4 out as 11:10 Heathrow T4
Platform 8: 09:28 arrival from Oxford out as 10:22 Oxford
                10:27 arrival from Oxford out as 11:21 Oxford
Platform 9: Booked as being 10:37 Bristol, but this changed due to set swap, IIRC this had a set come in from Plymouth and went back to the Depot. But this isn't fact.
                10:57 arrival from Paignton out to the Depot at 11+12.
Platform 10: 09:52 arrival from Bedwyn out as 10:19 Bedwyn
Platform 11: 09:59 arrival from Oxford out as 10:15 Reading
                 10:29 arrival from Oxford out as 10:45 Reading
                 10:59 arrival from Oxford out as 11:15 Reading
Platform 12: 09:54 arrival from Heathrow T123 out as 10:03 Heathrow T123
                 10:24 arrival from Heathrow T123 out as 10:33 Heathrow T123
                 10:54 arrival from Heathrow T123 out as 11:03 Heathrow T123
Platform 13: 09:41 arrival from Reading out as 10:00 Oxford
                 10:11 arrival from Reading out as 10:30 Oxford
                 10:41 arrival from Reading out as 11:00 Oxford
Platform 14: 10:17 arrival from Greenford out as 10:25 Greenford
                 10:47 arrival from Greenford out as 10:55 Greenford


Again sorry for bringing up an old thread.

just let it die... :P

Aha I can't, I said I would do it, not going back on that :D

Thanks Ollie - I can see a possible scenario here that if the 09:41 arrival from Reading was about 5 to 10 minutes late (not unusual!) then platforms 9 to 12 would all be empty albeit briefly - but at least I can see that all platforms do get used even on a Saturday morning.

My very final word is that my regular weekday trains are the 07:54 arrival from Henley and the 17:36 departure to Oxford. The former arrives at the far end of platform 10 whilst the latter goes from the far end of platform 9. So I do get some good exercise every day - and I don't mind as long as everything is running to time!  :)

Personally I find platform 12 much more annoying than 13. I generally assume that the train will be going from 13, so make sure I use the Hammersmith & City when I am on the tube (or get off the fast train in order to go back to Ealing Broadway as the case my be), & use the footbridge - only to find that the train is on 12 & have to run all the way back!

This is a very intersting topic and shows just how complex running a railway actually is.

Given that until Paddington is rebuilt (sometime/ never?) 13/14 are for historic reasons out on a limb. You use to be able to get through trains from Windsor through to Moorgate.

Unfortunately, they are operationally very convienient platforms in which to run stoppers to and from  the Relief  Lines

One of the reasons they are so convinient is that they connect direct to Lines 5
& 6 so trains can slip in and out with least disruption to other platforms.

E.g a train can arrive from line 6 (off Up Relief at Ladbroke Grove) and into  13/14 when a train is leaving 12 downwards to line 5 or 4 (joining Down Relief at Ladboke Grove).

Whereas a train from line 6 to 10  blocks 11 to 14 for outgoing trains.

So it's operationally convenient to use these platforms even when others might appear free. There is also a drivers' mess room on the platform. Which means drivers can arrive at 13/14 take their PN break and then take a another train off 13/14. This minimises walking time which otherwise have to added into the duty, thus increasing driver productivity. I would suggest that may be why they used at around 20:30 because the late shift drivers who booked on in the afternoon would be coming up for their PN breaks around that time.

Given, therefore, they will be used there is still the issue of late display of the platform on the concourse. Now that should really only be a problem when a train is not going to use it's booked platforms and the departure board operator doesn't know what platform it is going to arrive at until the IECC informs them. O course in the old days of teh integrated railway teh stion staff would tell the signalman what platform they wanted the train, but now hey work for differnt comapnies. However, if things are running well then  there should be no reason why trains using 13/14 can't be displayed either immediately  after the previous train has left or say at least 15 minutes before departure.

Trains for 12/9 could be displayed at least 10 minutes before departure.

There is also a third problem and that is the poor reliability of the general infrastructure and trains means there is a need to change platforms, from that timetabled, at the last minute more frequently than one would like.

However, we could move more towards the continental method, particularly used in Germany where particular services will leave from the same platform throughout the day. Those of you that travel by express trains on the continent know you can find the posistion of  the coach with your reserved seat from the train formation display on the platform. There is some use of this method at Paddington with Heathrow Exprees using 6 and 7 (although other platforms are electrified for emergency use) and Heathrow Connect often 12. Some Reading stoppers seem to use 11 some part of the day.  However, it's not consistent.

To do this requires a degree of thought in planning the timetable/platform, stock diagrams etc and the day to day operational discipline of running rains on time which is probably beyond any current TOC and Networkrail signalmen.

Of course I loved coming in and out of 13/14 when I worked at the Royal London because I used the Hammersmith line off 15/16. Now with only leisure use it can be annoying if I want the Bakerloo, Inner Rail Circle or bus for onward journey or arrive from those. But as it's leisure travel I usually try and arrive at Paddington in time to have a pint in the Bear.

Welcome to the forum, eightf48544, and thanks for the insight.

Yes, thank you for that. I can see it makes sense.. It did happen again to me yesterday evening.. I arrived for the 9.30pm departure which stopped at Maidenhead.. Due to be being berated on this post before, I arrived with 15 minutes to spare.. There were two trains leaving before mine.. One from 13, one from 14, followed by mine from 14.... No departures from anywhere else on the other 12 platforms, although I guess later trains might already have been sitting in them idle....

So while I got the train no trouble, other people probably missed it..... And always will...

OK... just one more thing from me...

I've discovered an online journey planner at http://www.planajourney.co.uk (http://www.planajourney.co.uk) which gives scheduled platform numbers for trains departing Paddington. It's slightly clunky to use, you have to always add 'London' in front of 'Paddington' in the search box and then de-select all modes of transport except 'Train'. However it's very useful if you're able to check it before leaving the office and then you can plan ahead about what's best to do.

It's a good site, but if something is going to show the platform, it should clearly state that it is only the booked platform, and is not guaranteed.

Thanks for that site BBM. Although we all know the platforms will maybe  change, it's nice to know when we might need to have to have our running shoes on! I will make sure I always check it from now on..

Tonight, the buses in London (but could so easily have been the tube) delayed me by a long time. So having already missed one train home because of this (18.33), and having walked the last 15 minutes of my journey to Paddington, I thought I might also miss the 18.44 to Maidenhead (Bourne end Service) which I really really can't afford to do with a childminder waiting at home.... So I was quite happy to be walking down the ramp into Paddington with 4 minutes to spare (more than enough)... Until... I saw it was platform 14...  Result, another sprint to get the train... Which I just managed.. And nice sore feet now...Lovely...