Great Western Coffee Shop

See http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=110 for further details: Wayne Spence is absolutely brilliant - he deserves a much wider audience!

See http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=110 for further details: Wayne Spence is absolutely brilliant - he deserves a much wider audience!

"We are very sorry for the severe delay to this service ..."

"I am extremely sorry for the delay to your journey ..."

Of course, this would also require them to keep a spare set near each terminus, and extra drivers "on standby" so that the missing return journey could be started on time at the other end (both of which they should be doing as a matter of course anyway!)

That way they would not have to cancel services due to "drivers exceeding their hours" because all they would have to do is ring up the standby guys and get them to report in.

Or is that just too simple?

I accept your point, John and Jim, but sometimes such announcements are indeed made at the very last minute:


Occasionally, too, I've experienced on board train announcements being promptly contradicted by platform announcements at Bristol Temple Meads (bloody Digital Doris again!), causing no end of confusion!   ???

Vacman is right about ex-Wessex stations, they do say "First Great Western apologises...."

Anyone ever noticed how at Plymouth station the computer (former FGW system) announces "Roche" as "WROACH".

Be then computers only work on information fed to it, hence I've heard summer Newquay services being announced as calling at Par, ST BLAZEY, GOONBARROW JUNCTION and Newquay.

Just try asking for a ticket from St Blazey to Goonbarrow Junc. ;D ;D ;D

Also for around the first year of the Wessex "Digital Doris" system No trains called (by the computer) at Bugle or Luxulyan but did call at a NEW station "BUGXULYAN"  :D

I've also got a picture somewhere of the departure screens at Exeter Central showing a service calling at "...Axminster, CHARD JUNCTION, Crewkerne....."

... and (he's been mentioned elsewhere in this forum) there's a very distinctive Canadian (I think) accented TM who causes much hilarity on our westbound HSTs with announcements about the train stopping at 'Highbridge and BurnHAM' ...  ;D 

There was a proper Cornish catering manager on one of the virgin trains who would go mental reading out the list of snacks - ending in "Come on down, the price is right!"  Brilliant!  XC seems to have killed the humour though.....

Nigel you mean? Also known as "The bloke in the shop"

You are joking  :( ???

The one that gets on my tits is the ones at stations about lugguage 'any unattended lugguage will be removed without warning'. Well isnt that a totally daft statement? If its unattended lugguage who are you supposed to warn about removing it anyway??

The one that gets on my tits is the ones at stations about lugguage 'any unattended lugguage will be removed without warning'. Well isnt that a totally daft statement? If its unattended lugguage who are you supposed to warn about removing it anyway??

... and (he's been mentioned elsewhere in this forum) there's a very distinctive Canadian (I think) accented TM who causes much hilarity on our westbound HSTs with announcements about the train stopping at 'Highbridge and BurnHAM' ...  ;D 

That one drives me mad too ,.........something like please dont not leave unattended cases and parcels, i can understand the cases but Parcels when did you last see someone walking around BTM with a parcel completely wrapped in brown paper and tied up with string.

And such announcements are (or were) broadcast at Nailsea and Backwell: "any unattended articles will be removed without warning."  Oh, yes: removed by who, exactly?  As Nailsea is an unmanned station, is this yet another job opportunity for the civilian lady who runs the coffee van at the foot of the steps to platform 2, perhaps???

also why had Digital Doris got to call Bedmister....Bed..Minster ....it drives me mad!!!!!

It's even funnier that she says "...may be removed without warning, or damaged or destroyed by the security services"...what security services, if the station's unmanned?!

Hmmm.  Yes, I'm becoming convinced that the friendly lady who runs the little coffee van on the roadside at Nailsea is in fact also SAS-trained and has body armour, a balaclava and Heckler & Koch ready in her glove compartment ...  ;D

Yes I know it's the way the St Ives line is time-tabled.

Digital Doris seems to vary per station. At Frome she announces just once a few minutes before the train's due, Warminster it's twice, and larger stations like Westbury/Gloucester she says when the train's approaching the platform and when it's arrived. And there's the somewhat tinny voice from those information points!

One thing in common though- she's always saying First Great Western are apologising for every delay over 3 minutes!

Digital Doris makes a lovely anouncement at St Erth in the mornings,

"The next train from platform 3 is the 08.17 First Great Western service to Penzance calling at Lelant, Carbis Bay, St Ives, St Erth and Penzance. Platform 3 for the 08.17 First Great Western service to Penzance."*

Nice makes sense.

Yes I know it's the way the St Ives line is time-tabled.
For the rest of the Day Digital Doris ignores the St Ives Services.

* Or wording to that effect.

Anyone know why at Newton Abbot the lovely digital voice informs us that "The train now standing at platform one is the 0806 FGW service to London Paddington".

Now, unless you have a VERY vivid imagination, there is no train to be seen and it is about 20 seconds later that the train comes into view around the corner.

Also, this morning, apparantly FGW were running up to Manchester rather than XC.
[/quote

It's just the timings, it will say it a set time after the train hits the "Newton Abbot Arrival" tracker thingy.

Its based on the signals i believe.

I've heard some funny announcements, Digital Doris at Cheltenham Spa:

"...Calling at Ashchurch for Tewkesbury, Worcester Shrub Hill, Worcester Foregate Street, and Malvern Link. Change at Malvern Link...for stations beyond Malvern Link." And of course, the famous "DnDunbridge" ("Dean, Dunbridge")

Posh Pamela (As I used to call her) at Bristol TM:

"I am sorry there will be no catering facilities on this train, today. I am sorry there will be no, there will be no, catering facilities on this train..."

Also on board announcements have sometimes been a laugh. There used to be this funny conductor on Virgin XC from Chelt Spa to Bristol TM who mentioned about "False teeth" and "Spare change" when remembering to take baggage, and also naming stations like Bristol TM as a "Bustling metropolis", Bristol PW as "Bijou" and Chelt Spa as "Charismatic". Always brightened my day :)

An Trust feeds off the signals/other trackside equipment  ;)

It's not done off signals, nor TRUST.

Well, it is partially based on signals. It's announced when the train hits a track circuit OR when it hits a switch on the track. The system will then associate that "switch" or "track circuit" to the headcode that is approaching through the signalling system itself, or TRUST (it depends on how much TYRELL will talk to the signalling system at that station).

I know the one- except Chesterfield was Charismatic and Birmingham NS was "bold and beautiful!"

The one that gets on my tits is the ones at stations about lugguage 'any unattended lugguage will be removed without warning'. Well isnt that a totally daft statement? If its unattended lugguage who are you supposed to warn about removing it anyway??

Either way, can it be retimed to prevent the system sounding quite so pathetic? It seems to have been retimed for the other platforms at Newton Abbot

That one is really annoying and ive heard it so much I know it word for word

"Please do not leave your luggage unattended on the station. Luggage left unattended may be removed without warning, or damaged or destroyed by the security services"

They seem to be playing the one about no smoking more often than the luggage one currently, obviously as there is now a smoking ban

"all of our trains and stations are no smoking area's, please do not smoke until you have left the station premises"

Here in Wales we obviously get the announcements in Welsh as well. They also seem to be announcing trains that are starting off in Cardiff 3 times now e.g yesterday I noticed they announced the next train to depart from platform 0 for the Notts service 3 times in around the 6 minutes before it was departing.   Im sure it only used to be the once they would announce trains that were starting off, around 3 mins before departure time.

1. I was at Reading this afternoon and could quite clearly hear all of the platform announcements relating to every platform. Plus, they are relayed into the waiting rooms and toilets.

2. The Next Train announcements are made on two sets of overhead screens, side by side, on each platform at Reading - right up to an hour ahead, with platform numbers shown.

Hsts can use 4,5 ,8, 9 at Reading

The "No smoking" announcement is getting a bit annoying, mainly because of the announcer's nasally voice on that part. It definitely isn't digital Doris!

Another thing that I've realised about Digital Doris is she sounds really depressed when she says "London paddingtoooonn....", and yet much more upbeat when she says "GLOUCester!" or "Bristltmplmeeeaaads!" If you've ever been to Cardiff Central/Queen Street she pronounces the Welsh station names pretty well!

Not sure if it still does it, as i dont pay attention and the trains moved platforms.
The 17:30 HST from WSM to PAD, when it came in on platform 15 at Temple Meads, the 'Train now standing' announcement even though the train was not standing at the platform (it still hadn't come under the bridge, or was coming under the bridge at the time)

Not sure if it still does it, as i dont pay attention and the trains moved platforms.
The 17:30 HST from WSM to PAD, when it came in on platform 15 at Temple Meads, the 'Train now standing' announcement even though the train was not standing at the platform (it still hadn't come under the bridge, or was coming under the bridge at the time)

I believe that the No Smoking announcement is Doris, but she sounds really pissed off! AWLLL OUR CHRAINS ANN STAYSHUNS ARE NO SMOKING AIR-RE-YAS, WHEN YOU ALIGHT FROM THE CHRAIN PLEASE DO NOT SMOWKE UNTIL
YOU HAVE LEFT THE STAYSHUN PREMISES. Both the London (end) announcements are funny - Lundun Padddddingtunnnnnnnnnnnnn and Lundun Waterloooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Odd thing is the continuous versions she is happy with (I am sorry that the 07.55 First Great Western service to London Paddingtun!... is delayyyyed).


Another dodgy station is "Ann" "dover". I mean, if she can't say that right, god help her with Micheldever - which neither Celia nor Phil can say properly. Phil is close with "Mitchell... dever" but you can hear the slight gap.

Quite often at cardiff central it announces that the train standing on platform X is the ........ service, even though the train is already moving and on its way out of the station!

At reading you get almost five minutes of constant announcement - if everything is running normally

The young lady who did the recordings for Digital Doris spent 3 long days in Nottingham recording every station in the UK including Welsh stations in English and Welsh and an awfiul lot of phrases.

The Smoking is not permitted on stations etc message has been editted together hence the change in pitch.

Another announcement ive heard is when the FGW Swansea service is delayed and the West Wales ATW service arrives before it, they will say "Would passengers waiting for the delayed service to Swansea please wait for further announcements about this train".  Of course everyone just gets on the 3 carriage ATW service as it call at all the same stations as the FGW one!

I believe that the No Smoking announcement is Doris, but she sounds really pissed off! AWLLL OUR CHRAINS ANN STAYSHUNS ARE NO SMOKING AIR-RE-YAS, WHEN YOU ALIGHT FROM THE CHRAIN PLEASE DO NOT SMOWKE UNTIL YOU HAVE LEFT THE STAYSHUN PREMISES. Both the London (end) announcements are funny - Lundun Padddddingtunnnnnnnnnnnnn and Lundun Waterloooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Odd thing is the continuous versions she is happy with (I am sorry that the 07.55 First Great Western service to London Paddingtun!... is delayyyyed).


Another dodgy station is "Ann" "dover". I mean, if she can't say that right, god help her with Micheldever - which neither Celia nor Phil can say properly. Phil is close with "Mitchell... dever" but you can hear the slight gap.

Another announcement ive heard is when the FGW Swansea service is delayed and the West Wales ATW service arrives before it, they will say "Would passengers waiting for the delayed service to Swansea please wait for further announcements about this train".  Of course everyone just gets on the 3 carriage ATW service as it call at all the same stations as the FGW one!

I believe that the No Smoking announcement is Doris, but she sounds really pissed off! AWLLL OUR CHRAINS ANN STAYSHUNS ARE NO SMOKING AIR-RE-YAS, WHEN YOU ALIGHT FROM THE CHRAIN PLEASE DO NOT SMOWKE UNTIL YOU HAVE LEFT THE STAYSHUN PREMISES. Both the London (end) announcements are funny - Lundun Padddddingtunnnnnnnnnnnnn and Lundun Waterloooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. Odd thing is the continuous versions she is happy with (I am sorry that the 07.55 First Great Western service to London Paddingtun!... is delayyyyed).


Another dodgy station is "Ann" "dover". I mean, if she can't say that right, god help her with Micheldever - which neither Celia nor Phil can say properly. Phil is close with "Mitchell... dever" but you can hear the slight gap.

It must be pretty tedious recording all those stations, then doing them all again (they have a "continual" and "end" version), then all the misc announcements, then all the numbers and times and TOCs. Not that given the offer, I'd say no.

NB, there isn't a Welsh name for Bristol Temple Meads...

Do FGW/Virgin announce in Welsh at all, or is it just ATW with the obligation?

iirc for any station in wales its now a legal obligation to do it in welsh as well as english

I never knew there was a Welsh name for Bath Spa, until I went to Newport and heard the Welsh announcement! Can't remember what it was but it was completely different...

NB, there isn't a Welsh name for Bristol Temple Meads...

Bryste Temple Meads?

I use Westbury station daily, which I believe still has the old 'Wessex Trains' announcement system.  Along with the screens, I think the system is very poor and unreliable.

For example...

1. Delayed trains just seem to 'disappear' from the announcments and screens, leading people to be believe that their train has been cancelled, when in fact, it is just running late.

2. Platform alterations announcements aren't announced at all, or are announced very late (usually as the train is approaching the 'altered to' platform).

3. Incorrect train information displayed on a screen (e.g. I've seen a Penzance service displayed as the 'Portsmouth Harbour' service, leading to mass confusion).

4. No 'reason for the delay', via the announcements, why a train is running late (Wessex did a very good job of doing this).

5. Announcement system seems to be incapable of announcing any delays over '99 Minutes'.  There was once a 2 hour late running Cardiff Central service, although she kept announcing 'delayed by approximately 99 minutes.  First Great Western APOLOGISES for this late running, and the inconvenience this may cause you'.

I use Westbury station daily, which I believe still has the old 'Wessex Trains' announcement system.  Along with the screens, I think the system is very poor and unreliable.

For example...

1. Delayed trains just seem to 'disappear' from the announcments and screens, leading people to be believe that their train has been cancelled, when in fact, it is just running late.

2. Platform alterations announcements aren't announced at all, or are announced very late (usually as the train is approaching the 'altered to' platform).

3. Incorrect train information displayed on a screen (e.g. I've seen a Penzance service displayed as the 'Portsmouth Harbour' service, leading to mass confusion).

4. No 'reason for the delay', via the announcements, why a train is running late (Wessex did a very good job of doing this).

5. Announcement system seems to be incapable of announcing any delays over '99 Minutes'.  There was once a 2 hour late running Cardiff Central service, although she kept announcing 'delayed by approximately 99 minutes.  First Great Western APOLOGISES for this late running, and the inconvenience this may cause you'.

IMO, Westburys boards are very irritating.

For a start:

The 1942 might be delayed. But it will tell me 'Delay 17' minutes.

Why couldn't it just tell me expected 1959?

I use Westbury station daily, which I believe still has the old 'Wessex Trains' announcement system.  Along with the screens, I think the system is very poor and unreliable.

For example...

1. Delayed trains just seem to 'disappear' from the announcments and screens, leading people to be believe that their train has been cancelled, when in fact, it is just running late.

2. Platform alterations announcements aren't announced at all, or are announced very late (usually as the train is approaching the 'altered to' platform).

3. Incorrect train information displayed on a screen (e.g. I've seen a Penzance service displayed as the 'Portsmouth Harbour' service, leading to mass confusion).

4. No 'reason for the delay', via the announcements, why a train is running late (Wessex did a very good job of doing this).

5. Announcement system seems to be incapable of announcing any delays over '99 Minutes'.  There was once a 2 hour late running Cardiff Central service, although she kept announcing 'delayed by approximately 99 minutes.  First Great Western APOLOGISES for this late running, and the inconvenience this may cause you'.

You can hear that voice from the entire station, pretty much, and it very effectively drowns out the platform 3 voice which is on the contrary far too quiet!

Where in Temple Meads is Phil based? Always wondered about that ;)

I've noticed over the last couple of weeks that the announcements at Westbury are a lot more 'punctual' and 'regular'.

'The train now approaching platform', and 'The train at platform' announcements seem to be more widely 'in use'.

For the first time ever, I heard the 'will passengers intending to travel on this service, please join the train now, as it is ready to leave' announcement, when a train was standing at a platform.

Out of interest, does a member of staff have to operate the announcement system at stations, or does it work automatically?

And finally, for the first time in months, I heard a delay reason given to a train - 'This is due to a shortage of serviceable trains'!!!

Think its somewhere on platform 5,6 ,7 ,8

I've noticed over the last couple of weeks that the announcements at Westbury are a lot more 'punctual' and 'regular'.

'The train now approaching platform', and 'The train at platform' announcements seem to be more widely 'in use'.

For the first time ever, I heard the 'will passengers intending to travel on this service, please join the train now, as it is ready to leave' announcement, when a train was standing at a platform.

Out of interest, does a member of staff have to operate the announcement system at stations, or does it work automatically?

And finally, for the first time in months, I heard a delay reason given to a train - 'This is due to a shortage of serviceable trains'!!!

Thanks, dog box!  ;)

Having done a bit of 'Sherlock Holmes' detective work this evening (just using up a few minutes, waiting for my 1753!), I discovered a door marked 'SILENCE Customer announcements may be taking place'.  It's at the eastern end of platform 5 ... "Elementary, my dear Watson!"

 ;) :D ;D

Phil's announcements for Bristol Temple Meads itself are not pre-recorded: they're clearly done live - they are even amended in mid-announcement, if the information he has is updated!

I can't comment on the announcements at other stations, though: I've not heard them.

Phil's announcements for Bristol Temple Meads itself are not pre-recorded: they're clearly done live - they are even amended in mid-announcement, if the information he has is updated!

I can't comment on the announcements at other stations, though: I've not heard them.

I wonder whether we are talking at cross purposes. As Chris says, the one we're talking about is definitely not prerecorded. And he's excellent. 

As far as I know, all Phil's station announcements are pre-recorded. As I said before, he does loads of UK stations.

But I doubt he has a full time job at BTM- he is a professional voice artist.

Look at his website.

Thanks, John R, shadow and Graz!  :)

I agree with John - I think we are indeed referring to different kinds of announcements here.  The pre-recorded 'standard' announcements (whether by 'Ruth', 'Celia', 'Doris' or 'Phil'!) are clearly not the same thing as the 'real-time' announcements by 'a male voice' (whether it's the live Phil, or someone else!) at Bristol Temple Meads.  Can anyone, perhaps from FGW staff at BTM, clarify this for us, please?

By the way, just as a comparison, my 1753 yesterday was subject to a last-minute change, and this was announced 'live' over the tannoy by someone I shall have to refer to as 'male voice #2'.  He was very enthusiastic, saying "attention please, attention please ..." in repeated announcements, but he didn't have the clear and authoritative delivery of 'a male voice'.  (By the way, if 'male voice #2' is reading this, it's honestly not a personal criticism: rather, ask 'a male voice' for some coaching!)  ;)

Thanks for that, Lee!

Having listened to the voice samples on that website, it is now absolutely clear to me that the voice of the 'live announcements' at Bristol Temple Meads is not Phil Sayer.

The question remains: what name can we now give to the excellent, clear and precise 'a male voice' at BTM?  I'm rather tempted to go up to that door on platform 5 at BTM, hammer on it loudly, and shout "You in there: what's your name?"

 ;) :D ;D

I've noticed that the new information 'flatscreen' at Westbury, in the new waiting room, has completely different software (which looks ten times better and shows more train services), than the rest of the screens on the station.

Will this new style of software be rolled out to the rest of the station?

Regards

The "Cross Country" recording isn't too bad though, unlike Phil's "CROSSCUNTRY SERVICE TO!!! Bournemouth"

I can't say I like the flatscreens too much at Westbury at all. For one thing they're much smaller and you can't easily view them from an angle (you can with the CRTs), you have to look at them pretty much 'dead-on'.

Another thing about that system I dislike is it switching from page 1 to page 2 every five seconds. Problem is, page 2 usually only has one train on it! I much prefer the old system.

It spends a few secs on page 1 (the page that 99% of people need). I often do not have enough time to find what I m looking for

Perhaps they should put a bit of slack in the system... (http://www.takeforum.com/forum/images/smiles/abxe.gif)

Phil's CrossCuntry is better than DD's "First Great Western Service" which sounds like someone's just shoved something where the sun don't shine as she says it.... following by the London Paddingtunnnnnnn which sounds like object has now been removed from place where sun does not shine and all is well again.... sorry to be crude, but it does my friggin head in every time.  >:(

Note the Trans-Wilts cancellations on the picture if you look carefully!

I still puzzle though as to the mixed message it gives passengers when TMs invite them to buy tickets on the train, "to avoid a 20 minute wait at the barriers" as one TM said recently. One part of FGW says you must buy a ticket before you board, whilst another acknowledges the ability and custom to buy on board. Still, that's probably a different thread....

You know TM's/Conductors earn commission on what they sell onboard  ;)

I still puzzle though as to the mixed message it gives passengers when TMs invite them to buy tickets on the train, "to avoid a 20 minute wait at the barriers" as one TM said recently.

Alighting from a Voyager always makes me smile. Damn awful trains.

Alighting from a Voyager always makes me smile. Damn awful trains.

I really enjoyed standing on St Erth station listening to the automated PA announcing the 1747 would arrive next at my platform 3 times and it not appearing, then it was really comforting to find it had disappeared from the next train indicator and the next Paddington bound train was not until 22:something.  It was nice of National Rail enquiries to tell me they were experiencing large demand and the TrainTracker phoneline not having uptodate information, and finally after 25 minutes the PA telling the now very concerned passengers that the train was 25 minutes late and it arrive 5 minutes later.

Listen out for a colleague who takes a small xylophone to work.  Depending on weather or topical events, he serenades passengers over the PA before making announcements. (Remember Gladys Pugh on Hi de Hi ?)

I particularly remember one Friday morning during the August monsoon, when commuters arriving at BTM were treated to the opening bars of Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head.

Conductor training includes on train announcements. We were told to put personality into the PA and not to use Doris, (who is just about obsolete anyway, although she does kick in automatically after every 4th door opening with a safety briefing on some classes of unit).  Long boring rambles are also proscribed, but we have been instructed to find our own cheerful, clear and informative style.  Customers will probably be pleased to know that training is very customer focused and that we are constantly being told not to leave passengers without info at extended signal stops etc.

My group of trainees have been out and about  these past few days practising this.  Apart from a quickly corrected error in announcing the stations on a certain Bristol branch in the wrong order,  :'( I think, (ok then...hope) that we did make journeys a little more interesting.

*Don't forget your belongings - people have heard it so many times, they do not take it in

Announcements which should be AXED:

1Any in a language other than English
2Security - bags etc.
3Smoking (esp that B'ham New Street one!)
4Don't forget your belongings - people have heard it so many times, they do not take it in
5Anything with the word "customer"
6Stowing luggage
7Anything about not running due to the <insert weather word> weather
8Long messages from the "Customer Retail manager" (or Buffet man on proper TOCs) - short ones are ok eg "shop closing after Lancaster"

There are probably many others. But these would save some electricity!

1. Why? tourism to England is on the up due to the weak ^.
2. Making announcements about security re-assures people
3. Smoking is illegel on stations and countless times do I see people doing it, so make it obvious so people can be grassed up!
4. You assume every person on the train travels frequently?
5. Its a technicality, I can't say it really matters.
6. This is particularly useful for the refurbished Voyagers where there is a large luggage rack.
7. Why????
8. Once again, not everybody travels on Virgin trains all the time. How many trains do you know that have an actual shop - potential for confusion perhaps?

1. I meant Welsh.
2. Does it? Most people find it annoying and useless!
3. True, but people know it is illegal - having announcements won't change peoples' behaviour.
4. Less frequent travellers are less likely to leave something, and even they will have heard it many times on planes etc.
5. TOCs have passengers, not customers.
6. But in practice people won't change their habits, esp on Voyagers which are normally packed.
7. It is insulting, and it one of those announcements which is taking place of COMMON SENSE.
8. No, but those announcements take an age and are pointless.

I've only every heard Welsh announcements in WALES ;)

Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi, Btline.

Cue Moderators trying to find translation to ensure Btline has not been insulted.  ;D

(Far from it, Welshman is wishing you the compliments of the season.)

I was on a Bristol bound HST out of Paddington a week or two ago when an elderly gentleman passenger alighted at Swindon and proceeded to very politely, but very forcibly, explain to the Guard, who was of either Indian or Pakistani origin I should imagine, that he and his fellow passengers hadn't understood one word of his announcements all the way from London to Swindon and honestly he really did think some simple lessons in basic English would be jolly useful don't you know?

The guard's face was a picture!

BUT when in Wales do as the Welsh do....

I do find the Welsh annoucements at ATW stations (in Wales) a bit annoying as they seem so long, BUT when in Wales do as the Welsh do, and if any annonucement is dropped it should be the English version. ;D ;D

Except back to the original topic of this thread - why do they announce "the next station stop is...".  What is a "station stop"?  Is there a "station start" or a "station go"?   >:(

A station stop is preferable to a random stop at a signal.
You can bet that there was an incident when the next stop is xxx was announced, the train was held outside the station and someone tried to alight.

Well, thanks to CDL, that won't happen!

And as for the Welsh-language announcements at CDF they're a bleedin' nuisance when a Milford Haven service changes platform at the last moment: there are so many station calls that by the end of the announcement in Welsh before you get anything in English sometimes all you'll see is the tail lights of your train disappearing off towards Bridgend. No doubt it's been said before, but given the relatively small number of people who speak Welsh only wouldn't it benefit the majority if these announcements were in English first, then Welsh? Still, I suppose it's helped me learn some Welsh place names and numbers (Hendy-gwyn ar Daf anyone?)

Some Stuff

Is there anybody is Wales who can speak Welsh but not English?

I doubt it! Drop the Welsh.

I think "hatred" is rather a strong word and perhaps inappropriate here.

I believe what irritates people about Welsh language signs and announcements is the fact that so few people in Wales actually understand them. If there was a majority in the region who spoke Welsh as a first language it would make a lot more sense - you don't hear people complaining about the dual-language signs at Southall station where there's a majority Bangladeshi community for instance.

Thus it seems like a minority interest group is dictating to the majority - and it's that sense of unfairness which tends to cause people to fret about it.

I don't understand this hatred of all things Welsh.

...you don't hear people complaining about the dual-language signs at Southall station where there's a majority Bangladeshi community...

Wo - I did not state that at all! I am 100% in favour of the Welsh language being kept alive in schools and on station notice boards etc.

However, when roads signs become hard to read, and announcements in Welsh cause people to miss trains, it gets annoying. Everybody knows about "Cardiff" means - so why do we have to have it read in Welsh...first?

I would put money on there being no people in the world who can speak Welsh and not English. But the language should definitely be kept alive - the loss of any language, esp Welsh would be a travesty.

Has that clarified my view?

...you don't hear people complaining about the dual-language signs at Southall station where there's a majority Bangladeshi community...

And...why should London Paddington not be Llundain Paddington in Wales?  I don't hear aircraft bound from Heathrow to Greece being announced as OA flight 300 to Athinai.  Similarly, where on earth is Marseilles, or Belgrade for that matter?

IMO, the arrival/departure boards at Cardiff, which flash in alternate languages, are far more confusing.  Too little time is devoted to either language.

;D  Carrying that argument to its logical conclusion, I await with bated breath the confusion caused by K^benhavn, Lisboa,  Praha and Moskva.  In Greece, London is Londino, in France, Londres.  Just a few examples from literally thousands. 

IIRC, Mumbai, Kolkatta and Chennai, were changed from the colonial form to a style more appropriate for an independent nation.  Several other Indian cities have followed suit. 

And can someone explain the point of the Bengali signs at Southall.

Why waste money on doubling the screens?

And can someone explain the point of the Bengali signs at Southall.

My personal view is that if you live in England, you should be made to speak English when in a public place.

In India of course, not everyone is in favour of the new names, so some people use the old name and some use the new one -- this goes for streets as well as cities -- making it extra confusing for the foreigner who can't find Chowringhee, the most famous street in Kolkata, on a map because officially it's Jawaharlal Nehru Road. People aren't even consistant in their preference for old or new names -- one person might say they are travelling from Chennai to Bombay, while another might describe the same journey as Madras to Mumbai.

As for the railways, they use the old name for some places (such as Brahmapur for Berhampur) and the new names for others (like Varanasi for Benares). In addition you have to learn in which cities you'll find major stations such as Yesvantpur (Bangalore/Bengaluru), Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi), Howrah (Kolkata/Calcutta) etc. Throughout the country every station sign is in Hindi, English and the local state language (where this isn't Hindi, which is most places) -- even though there are vast areas where hardly anyone knows anything apart from a local language, which may not even be the state language. The prerecorded station announcements are also in three languages in most areas (in many Indian languages, the word they use for a train is Gary ;D).

the ones on the  swt class 159's can be amusing at torquay sometimes.... now arriving at paignton this is your final destination... the number of angry faces as they realise they have to get back on after the mad rush to get off  :) :D

(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/2895410424_58ed4fcf22.jpg?v=0)

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/30509233@N02/2895410424)

Just been told that they have been fitted? Any truth in this?

Just been told that they have been fitted? Any truth in this?

Oh yes they are. A number of sets are fitted already! But you will pleased to know that it for the time being to enable the driver to contact the guard to order his tea ;D or to let him know if being delayed/diverted etc. So listen out for the This is a staff announcment " will the train manager please contact the driver I've got a funny feeling it won't end there!

This question was asked months ago (April in fact). Most power cars are fitted with the units which will automaticlly call the guard when he/she is required by the driver.
http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=2509.15 (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=2509.15)

the ones on the  swt class 159's can be amusing at torquay sometimes.... now arriving at paignton this is your final destination... the number of angry faces as they realise they have to get back on after the mad rush to get off  :) :D

I was on a SWT 158 today and noticed a silly thing - the display shows the next station name and the voice announces it, if you are dozing or mp3'ing and don't look up quickly you don't know where you are because the display immediately goes blank until the train starts again.



I have also noticed this I don't think it's a fault just not thought out very well

   

the ones on the  swt class 159's can be amusing at torquay sometimes.... now arriving at paignton this is your final destination... the number of angry faces as they realise they have to get back on after the mad rush to get off  :) :D

It'll be interesting to see how many people this weekend get off terminating trains at St. Davids having 'not heard' the announcements to get off at Tiverton Parkway and catch the fast bus to Plymouth  :P

Some of the PA speakers in First Class when they do the announcements on HST's you can't hear because it's so distorded, Its sometimes so loud that it's painful to listen to  :-[

Dodgey wiring I would say :P

This is so true. And the quiet carriage is always the loudest!

I also take exception to the catering trolley having to "bleep" every time the vendor tells it someone has had a drink or a biscuit. Utterly, utterly pointless, and so bl**dy irritating.

Virgin have published their May 2009 Euston - North Wales timetable in Welsh.

Are they also available in English, or are they only published in Welsh?

I wonder why they hav wasted money and paper doing this? Does anyone on the line not speak English?

Welsh as a first language is largely concentrated in the less urban north and west of Wales, principally Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Anglesey, Carmarthenshire, north Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, parts of west Glamorgan, north-west and extreme south-west Powys, although first-language and other fluent speakers can be found throughout Wales.

I'm hearing this at slough at the moment but its not the only place I've heard it.

You are standing on the platform and before the train arrives the tannoy goes "Slough, this is Slough".  No I could understand that being announced on the incoming train.

It is this delay that is usually missing...

You are standing on the platform and before the train arrives the tannoy goes "Slough, this is Slough".

But surely people on the platform are aware of where they are? 

"B'ham New Street. This is B'ham New Street. The train now standing on platform 4B terminates here. All change. All change please. This is the service from London Euston.

I think you need to get out more, mate ...  ;) :D ;D  ;D

On a slightly more serious note, I do agree that most of the pre-recorded announcements at Bristol Temple Meads are 'ahead of the times': last night, I was told that "the train now standing at platform 11 is the 22-whatever from Westbury" - well, no it wasn't, because that train was still trundling towards us, past platform 12, having just passed under Bath Road Bridge ...  ::)

...AND - the buffet usually close after Reading so there is no buffet service!

The reason why this system is on trial is because its the updated version of the DITRA System than what they have at their other stations.

The main difference is the exchange of I/I'm for We/Were, and the system has lots more options that the previous to say the least.

Also this version is the same as what South West Trains have, and as mentioned above "The train now standing..." is no longer said and is replaced with "Platform x for the..." and SWT choose to disabled the "XYZ. This is XYZ" and FGW choose not to!

Do you know why Phil seems to be incompatible with the new version of Ditra?

Apparently, the reason why Phil was axed at Charing Cross is because he is incompatible with the new Ditra system.

So they used DD instead. >:(

At Oxford Sayer (man) makes announcements for trains using the "up" platform (Padd/Reading/Bomo/Soton etc) and Drummond (lady) makes announcements for trains using the "down" platform (terminatins ex-London services, Cotswold Line, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle etc).

PS, at risk of sounding repetitive, yet again I'm going to record my appreciation for the shiny new Oxford CIS. It's brilliant.  :)

I DO NOT like the awful 'god I sound bored' tones of the woman they use at Paddington.  Sounds so false.

But you have to love her "Please board the train NOW, as it is ready to leave"

Celia seems to have taken over most of  Bristol TM from what I heard the other day.... I quite like her sexy tones...  ;D  I DO NOT like the awful 'god I sound bored' tones of the woman they use at Paddington.  Sounds so false.

Exeter SD have had the "EXD this is EXD" announcement recalibrated as the down-London was being announced before the train was over the crossing, and it was possible to get the XC Aberdeen service out of the platform before it had finished.

In answer to what's the point, I was always asked plenty of times on the platform whether they were in the right city or not, so while some think "wh at's the point", it's no doubt comforting for soon.

Does it actually say that  :D

For all those "Phil" lovers (btline ;)) head down to Newton Abbot.

SO are FGW looking to have the same voice and same system t each of the stations?  Surely would make things more cost effective?

Does it actually say that  :D

The old system in the Thames Valley area is nothing to do with Great Western Link. It was installed by Thames Trains. And as far as I understand it, the intention is to fit the new system across the whole FGW network, at stations big and small - and the Thames Valley should get it first - the TT system has never been that reliable, as many of us know only too well , was hard at it on Friday at Moreton-in-Marsh, announcing the 8.52 from Malvern was running 10 late when you could hear it approaching the station.

At Oxford, the platform 1 announcements are made by a man - the directional announcements by the different voices seems quite a good idea, once you pick up on it. Having very rarely encountered Phil, I've no idea if this is him or not.

Oxford has a male voice on the up side and a female voice on the down side and, with simultaneous announcements, it is simple and effective.

One of my favourite announcements (since I got sent to work in Bracknell), is the Reading to Waterloo line announcements.. I don't do it very often as getting the train from Maidenhead to Bracknell (10 miles) takes the best part of two hours.. however.. the male recorded announcements (on the train) make ALL the stations between Reading and Waterloo sound like an exciting place that everyone would want to go, apart from "Martin's Heron" which sounds like his especially favourite place to go and even better than the rest! .. It makes me laugh (in a good way!) when I hear it, it's nice to hear such enthusiatic announcing  :)

Yesterday at Plymouth I heard the announcement for the 1000 Penzance-Paddington service and after all the normal stuff the female voice announced "I am sorry to inform you that this service has been reported full and standing". I thought it was unusual, has anyone heard that before?

Yesterday at Plymouth I heard the announcement for the 1000 Penzance-Paddington service and after all the normal stuff the female voice announced "I am sorry to inform you that this service has been reported full and standing". I thought it was unusual, has anyone heard that before?

If Phil had recorded that, he would be saying it non stop at New Street (for each XC service)!!

If Phil had recorded that, he would be saying it non stop at New Street (for each XC service)!!

xc counts the toilets as somewhere passengers can stand... after all they are quite spacious but for some reason nobody ever uses this option?  ;D

Yesterday at Plymouth I heard the announcement for the 1000 Penzance-Paddington service and after all the normal stuff the female voice announced "I am sorry to inform you that this service has been reported full and standing". I thought it was unusual, has anyone heard that before?

If the TM has phoned control and said "my service is F & S" then they normally get it put on CIS further up.

Not fare-paying passengers anyway... :P

Yesterday at Plymouth I heard the announcement for the 1000 Penzance-Paddington service and after all the normal stuff the female voice announced "I am sorry to inform you that this service has been reported full and standing". I thought it was unusual, has anyone heard that before?

But at a relatively unbusy station like Oxford, I doubt there are simultaneous announcements. The station is not big enough for different "zones" of announcements, like at Clapham Junction. Even Birmingham New Street can cope with just Phil.

Yesterday at Plymouth I heard the announcement for the 1000 Penzance-Paddington service and after all the normal stuff the female voice announced "I am sorry to inform you that this service has been reported full and standing". I thought it was unusual, has anyone heard that before?

Also, a fully functional auto announcer for Oxford should provide two or even three different announcements for each train, and more if there are delays, so it isn't a simple case of announcements not clashing just because there aren't two trains timetabled together. Having two voices at Oxford also future proofs it for the Chiltern plans of course...

Paul

Which "relatively unbusy" Oxford station is this? There are plenty of announcements that are going on near the same time, eg 06 and 36 mins northbound XC departures and 07 and 37 FGW London stoppers, plus a slightly late 01 or 31 London-bound fast can butt in as well.

The different voices for different platforms work well. I find I just tune out of the ones that don't relate to the platform I'm interested in.

It may be a bit odd if adopted at a rural stop with one train an hour each way but no doubt someone will address that issue when they start to roll the system out across the network.

I was really thinking of a station like Clapham Junction, with a train every 30s off peak, and 13s at rush hour. ;)

But you have a point about being able to "tune out" of announcements you don't need. That is useful. :)

Measurements were being taken this week to adjust the timing of announcements for arriving trains.

I was at BTM this morning (around 10am) for about 40 minutes.  No automated announcements for any services.  Screens on platform 3 (the one next to the ticket barriers) were also down.  No attempt was made to make any manual announcements - they just relied on people looking at the screens that were working.

I heard an announcement from the buffet on a journey back from London this week which ended thus:-

"...... and a 24 hour licensed bar."

Can we have a 24 hour train service to go with this? ;D

Looks like you made a slight error there Mr Devon_Metro... :P

train manager contact the guard?

can he not talk to himself without an announcement?

Sorry I wasn't very clear - announcement was on the platform at Newbury not on train

How about the fact that EVERYONE pronounces Colwall wrong!

Irritates the inhabitants no end.

It should be pronounced Co-el

I assume a similar argument applies to the use of "SWINDON (WILTS)" and "NEWPORT S.WALES" as destinations on tickets. I guess Swindon and Swinton could be easily confused, but there isn't another Newport with an open railway station and I can name at least one other in South Wales that isn't the stop between Cardiff Central and Severn TUnnel Junction...

In these parts we do occasionally hear about planespotters arriving at Lyneham in west Oxfordshire, who don't realise the RAF base is in the Wiltshire village of the same name.

Does that explain those idiotic signs at Jcts 16 & 17 of the M4 which state:

"For RAF Lyneham, follow Lyneham"   ???

Simply because in many cases, military vehicles (particularly the big heavy ones) are sent on different routes to those on the roadsigns so I presume this is to ensure the drivers aren't looking for some other alternative.

Oops. Replace guard with driver ;)

This one may be apocryphal. I've heard from another forum of an announcement that went thus:

"22 minutes late, due to escaped puma, Chessington North"

Anyone know if there's any truth to this?

Hmm ... I rather think that it is apocryphal: see http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=4658.msg41469#msg41469  ;) :D ;D

Its not so much the number of anouncements that annoys me it is the length of each one.  In Munich their are automatic anouncements on the frequently stopping S-Bahn and even on the trams.  However each anoucemnt is short "This train is for X" shortly after leaving a station/tram stop , and "next stop Y" just before each arrival so they never become annoying.  The only long anouncemnt an the entire network is a bilinugualone at the airport explaining which terminal to use)

Anoucements of anything that can be provided in a sign (no-smoking, quiet carriage, buffet this way) ought to be abandoned.

The serious point behind announcements is they are there for the non-regular travelers, to assume everybody on the train knows exactly what's going on is very foolish. 

The PA is a safety system,

And how many of us can actually put our hands up and say we know exactly where the emergency alarm, window hammers, etc are in each coach on an HST or a dmu?

Don't get me started on - don't leave your bags unattended!

As if anyone - esp in the C21 - is going to think: "Oh I'll nip to Smiths, but I'll leave my bag with my important documents/ money in it on the platform."

For God's sake can someone stop them!!!!!!

*Smoking - not needed, it's the law. If you don't realise it's the law, you deserve to be arrested. If you're foreign, you won't understand the English anyway, and you should have read a guidebook. Or - shock horror - seen at the signs! They have a nice clear picture of a fag with a red line over it!

*Wet weather - not needed, if you don't realise it's wet, you deserve to slip over.

*Mind the gap - not needed, if you don't check, you deserve to fall down the gap; if you are disabled, you should have assistance.

*Safety cards - not needed, they're in front of you. And as Fallen Angel says, people just won't read them whatever.

Sorry, this nanny state needs to stop. Gosh - how has Great Britain coped over the last few millenia?

*Safety cards - not needed, they're in front of you. And as Fallen Angel says, people just won't read them whatever.

The PA is a safety system, we have to inform control and signaler if it's not working.  A lot of the announcements are TRANSEC, or Disability Act required.  If they are skipped, both the TOC and the individual guard will be in a lot of doggie-doo.

If we have large scale cuts coming up then there must be a lot of Government staff that can be removed making all these crazy so called H&S decisions. We should all be responsible for our own actions and not need all this nonsense.

You'll have noticed that the announcements and signage has increased significantly since the Great Western franchise has been involved in some of the more high profile incidents in recent years and since the DDA's introduction.

:o No time left to check tickets then I take it !!!

I got off at Reading but i bet as soon as it passes slough the litany of not using the toilets on the approaches to Paddington will have started.

No no no please no - can't take it anymore

I got off at Reading but i bet as soon as it passes slough the litany of not using the toilets on the approaches to Paddington will have started.

For real...? Since when has that been happening?

It felt like we were all being given a pre-emptive b*ll*ck*ng after each stop! Given that Bristol TM/Bath/Chippenham/Swindon/Didcot are all 10-20 mins apart, these clowns were on the air virtually the entire time.

The irony was that the train manager was so busy making threats to those with invalid tickets on the PA he never actually got round to checking any of them.

We were also reminded at every station that since it had been raining earlier in the journey we may have an umbrella with us so we needed to make sure we had that as well.

Are people really stupid enough to need to be molly cuddled by the TOCs like this?

The onboard SN announcements are appalling.

appalling

appalling

appalling

appalling

This is appalling.

appalling

appalling

appalling

They need to REDUCE the amount of repetition.

Rather OT, but BTline will be pleased to hear that Phil has invaded Plymouth...  ::)  Now I know which Station Manager has a thing for Phil ;D

surly the public address system on trains needs to be working not just for customer services but also for h&s?

Thats more then likely for the benefit of the tourists (and weekend travellers) who don't understand basic underground.

Horror on the 5.53! Commuter dragged 200 feet after getting hand trapped on train
A woman cheated death after getting her hand trapped in a train door as it pulled away in front of horrified commuters.

Station staff were powerless to stop the train and the passenger only managed to free herself at the last second.

Rail safety chiefs today revealed the sequence of events which could easily have proved fatal.

The woman, a regular commuter who is not named, was aiming to catch the 5.53 pm First Capital Connect from platform nine at King^s Cross to Royston.

Thinking she had time to spare she passed the first carriages and walked towards the front of the train. She heard the door closing alarm but thought at first that was for an adjacent train.

Realising it was her train about to depart she went to step on board, her hand in front, just as the doors closed.

The door closed with the rubber edge trapping the fingers of her left hand while she was still on the platform.

The train dispatcher saw the woman but was unaware her hand was trapped and signalled the train away.

As the train started to move off the woman was forced to walk and then run alongside it.

The train dispatcher realised what was happening but by that time had no means of stopping the train.

After more than 60 metres the woman managed to pull her hand free - possibly aided by unknown passengers on board who were tugging at the door trying to force them open.

They also operated the on-board passenger alarm but the driver did not stop immediately and continued to Finsbury Park.

The woman was left standing shaken on the platform as staff rushed to give first-aid. She later attended hopsital where her fingers were found to be badly bruised but not broken.

In a report of the incident, which happened last October, the investigating Rail Accident Investigation Board (RAIB,) concluded:

The train dispatcher did not carry out a full safety check before allowing the train to depart;
The passenger attempted to board the train while the doors were closing;
The passenger alarm was operated after the train had travelled about 17 metres; under rules the driver should have stopped if part of the train was in a station - which it was. Instead he continued to the next station.
His actions, nowever, the RAIB stress, had ^no effect^ on what happened but his action could have under different circumstances ^resulted in a more serious outcome.^

The RAIB make a number of recommendations to prevent anything similar happening again.

Renewed training is being given to train and station staff. There will be more frequent public address announcements warning passengers of the dangers of trying to board trains when the doors are closing.

Drivers are also being told to stop immediately if the alarm is raised while they are in or have just left a station.

Summary

A passenger became trapped in a train door and was pulled along a platform, for a distance of approximately 20 metres, at London King^s Cross station on 10 October 2011. She suffered bruising to the fingers of her left hand.

The passenger^s hand became trapped when she attempted to board the train while the doors were closing. The train started to move before the passenger^s fingers were released because a member of staff on the platform did not fully check the train doors before signalling that the train could depart. The requirement to check doors is given in the railway Rule Book.

It is possible that the passenger could have withdrawn her fingers from the doors, before being pulled along the platform, if alternative door edge seals had been fitted on the Class 365 train involved in the incident.

When the passenger alarm was operated during the incident, the train did not stop immediately because the driver decided to continue to the next station. This decision had no effect on the incident but was contrary to the railway Rule Book and, in slightly different circumstances, could have increased the severity of the accident.

The RAIB has identified two learning points from this accident:

- the importance of fully checking train doors before trains depart; and

- the need for drivers to stop trains immediately if the passenger alarm is operated when any part of the train is within a station.

The RAIB has also recommended that, the design of door edge seals on Class 365 trains is reviewed, and if appropriate modified, when the seals are renewed as part of a mid-life refurbishment due in 2013.

Summary of conclusions

48 Passenger A was pulled along the platform due to:
- the passenger trying to board the train after the doors started to close, and expecting that the doors would reopen when her hand was trapped between them (paragraph 18, action to be taken (paragraph 50));

Actions reported that address factors which otherwise would have resulted in a RAIB recommendation

50 FCC intends to run another poster campaign covering the risks associated with passengers attempting to board trains after the doors start to close. It also proposes wider use of public address systems to educate passengers about the correct use of train doors.

Most people take chances, i'd try and board with the alarm sounding, slightly suprising that the doors managed to gain interlock with a hand in there though.

Can anyone else name any other stations which are pronounced incorrectly on the prerecorded announcements?

Why are these annoucements recorded with the incorrect pronounciations of some of the stations?

Also something else worth mentioning.  When at Gloucester today, the annoucement for the 1351 (HST) service to Cheltenham Spa was announced as ".....The 1351 Cheltenham Spa Express service, calling at Cheltenham Spa ONLY.".  Why is this announced as an express service calling at Cheltenham ONLY when there are no intermediate stations between Gloucester and Cheltenham anyway??  Any service between the two stations is pretty much the same duration, whether it be a Class 153, 158, 170, Voyager, or HST!  So don't really know where the "express service" comes into it!

I may be dreaming but it seems the announcments at Reigate for FGW services are still done by Phil.

Reigate station is managed by Southern.  As far as I am aware, for the time being anyway, they are retaining the existing system.

It is at Swindon. The only problem is you get a burst of what sounds like static after each name.  I've heard both the Merchant Venturer and the Torbay Express announced at Swindon.

Is it on a timer?

An the one reminding people to alight on the correct side of the train (particularly at Chippenham).

Transport minister Norman Baker has said the number of computer-generated announcements on trains has got out of hand and needs to be reduced.

Many of the speaker messages were irrelevant to passengers and spoiled their journeys, he told the BBC.

It was unnecessary, for example, to tell people they were on a non-smoking train when it was banned on all trains.

The Association of Train Companies said many passengers found announcements useful but a balance must be struck.

Mr Baker told Radio 4's The World at One that firms should differentiate between essential announcements - such as imminent station arrivals and explaining reasons for delays - and ones which were "simply unnecessary".

"Telling people they are in a quiet carriage when you have chosen to be there, telling people they are in a no-smoking train when all trains are non-smoking, telling you if you see something suspicious to see a police officer when there aren't any on the trains. There are so many announcements which get in the way. People do not want every single moment of their journey filled with someone saying something... the sadness is that the unnecessary announcements dilute the value of the important ones."

'Playing incessantly'

Announcements by on-board train staff "were not that bad" and it was automatic ones which were most annoying, the Lib Dem MP suggested.

"Someone has designed a computer program somewhere in a dark cellar and they have put it into the train and plays incessantly and no-one has the power, it seems, to stop the program playing."

Asked what he was going to do about the issue, Mr Baker said trying to regulate what could be said would be "completely over the top" and train operators should simply use their common sense about what was appropriate or not.

"What I am saying to the train companies is often you are running really good services but you are spoiling the journey for people by the excessive announcements."

The Association of Train Companies (ATOC) said that, according to research by consumer watchdog Passenger Focus, the vast majority of people were satisfied with information they get on trains and at stations.

"Passengers want concise and relevant announcements, such as what the next station is so that they get off at the right stop," it said.

"Train companies know there's always a balance to strike - they need to keep passengers informed without irritating them with too many announcements."

Train operators are expected to adhere to industry guidelines on all aspects on passenger information, including on-train announcements, although they are free to implement the guidance in different ways. ATOC said the guidance was under constant review.

Some stink too much of the nanny state and I feel quite insulted when being told how to alight from a train as though I can't be trusted.

Any PA announcement to do with no smoking enforcement, either on trains or stations, is a waste of time - the people who still blatantly smoke on station platforms are clearly not doing it because they are unaware - as can be seen by the attempts to try and hide out of sight... 

Paul

Who are Transec?

Imagine going into a John Lewis store and hearing all the time:-
  Take care round the cosmetics counter in case any liquid has been dropped on the
   floor

  Take care when stepping on and off the escalators

  When leaving the door please note the doors are automatic

   Do not stop breathing to avoid dead bodies in the store

 Thet would soon lose customers.   

There is already a thread on this topic on "The Wider Picture" Board which had been moved from here due to it being a UK issue.

A passenger could turn up at 12 29 and 50 seconds to catch the 12 30 because that is the time the train is ADVERTISED to depart.   The timetable does not tell them they must be aboard by 12 29 and 20 seconds.

Fair comment, phile.  I've therefore moved this topic and merged it with that existing discussion, in the interests of simplicity and continuity.

1230 is the advertised *departure* time. Departure time means wheels rolling. 40 seconds it probably verging on the excessive, but starting the train despatch procedure at T-30 seconds so that doors are closed and "rightaway" given in order that the wheels do start rolling at the advertised departure time is now virtually standard procedure.

As a train dispatcher in Cornwall I can say that 40 seconds is certainly needed on HSTs

I say "Tin-Muth"

I know nothing of 'Brizzle' - where might that be? ???

I take the point that there are places with 'just for locals' names, but Keynsham isn't one of them.

"Now arriving at London Paddington where this service will terminate"

Well done Train Manager Obvious... If the train tried to go any further there would be a dreadful mess and alot of awkward questions to answer... :-[

It might have been a useful reminder at Chester this morning though...

"Now arriving at London Paddington where this service will terminate"

Well done Train Manager Obvious... If the train tried to go any further there would be a dreadful mess and alot of awkward questions to answer... :-[

"Now arriving at London Paddington where this service will terminate"

Well done Train Manager Obvious... If the train tried to go any further there would be a dreadful mess and alot of awkward questions to answer... :-[

The the observant amongst youill have noticed my careful use of words to arvo us being sexist and revealing what gender the lady was.

In that case I think you meant to say "Person" ... Mind you, you could have said "Blonde" before "Lady" so it could have been much worse! Perils of typing on a Smart Phone on the 18:06 again? :P ;D

I am to assume this poor lady has not heard of Push-Pull Services then, where the loco does not have to run around the carriages when it terminates. Still used widely in the UK with:

• Eastcoast (InterCity 225 Electra Sets)
• Virgin Trains Pretendolino (Class 90+Mk3+DVT) - No specific diagrams, used when required
• GreaterAnglia Class 90+Mk3+DVT - Norwich - London Liverpool Street Services
• Chiltern Railway Class 67+Mk3+DVT - Silver Service Trains
• Arriva Trains Wales Class 67+Mk3+DVT - Occasional Class 57 and Mk2 Carriage Used - Premier North/South Wales Service
• Some services in Scotland are Loco Hauled I believe too?!
• Sleepers Deliberately omitted as the loco changes ends or another loco arrives to collect it

On the subject of infrequent travellers. I was aboard a Class 150 unit earlier this week and a lady who had perhaps had a little bit to drink asked me if the small area I was sat in between Train Doors and Drivers Cab was First Class... As a joke I said yes... Didn't expect her to believe me as she went off and sat somewhere else! :o

Oh if only that would happen on GreaterAnglia Class 321's to Southend Victoria ::) ;D :P ;)

My favourite is the PA on the H&C/Circle line platforms at Paddington: "The next westbound train has just departed Paddington" not exactly the next train for people waiting on the platform ;)

"Now arriving at London Paddington where this service will terminate"

Well done Train Manager Obvious... If the train tried to go any further there would be a dreadful mess and alot of awkward questions to answer... :-[

I find the "All change please, all change" strangely nostalgic, in an era of announcements that include the most inelegant "next station sop".  I'm sure everyone knows what it means, and the alternative of "You all have to get off now" would irritate me far more.

"Time, Gentlemen, please!"

You don't expect me to finish it in the 10 minutes allowed for drinking up do you?

At 9:01pm?

I've just opened a bottle of Shiraz. You don't expect me to finish it in the 10 minutes allowed for drinking up do you?

A few months ago I read an article declaring that FGW had cut announcements down.

Wow - I must have had a few bad examples of trains then!
The safety ones need to be cut now. There are clearly no enforced rules as LM, ATW, Chiltern etc manage to cope without them.
(Although I better not say that in case a Eurocrat in Brussels reads this forum and decides to get out the box of red tape and set up a committee to "harmonise" train announcements across the EUSSR)

We are told the security announcement is still required, even with the reduced announcement changes. It's put in writing so guards will continue to make it.

No-one leaves their bags around these days as they don't want it nicked!

2) Take your belongings/ if you see anything suspicious/ security personnel tour this station etc... 100% pointless - scrap. It also lets terrorists win as we are "striking fear" into people.

4) Wet weather - scrap. It's insulting and common sense.

Yes. There may be opinions in  favour of some announcements, but you only hear them in the Rail Industry.

Yes. There may be opinions in  favour of some announcements, but you only hear them in the Rail Industry.

Your example re: lawsuits is a poor reason. If you do announcements to prevent lawsuits, then you end up in a never ending circle that gradually removes all responsibility from people and the Nanny State takes over.

There needs to be a change in the culture. At the moment it's "I know my right". It needs to be "I know my responsibilities".
Starting with fewer safety announcements. And then if somebody does sue after injure themselves by slipping over in wet weather, the judge needs to tell them to take responsibility for their own lives and throw the case out (unless it is clear negligence by the other party).

Your example re: lawsuits is a poor reason. If you do announcements to prevent lawsuits, then you end up in a never ending circle that gradually removes all responsibility from people and the Nanny State takes over.

Unless you regard the Judiciary as the state, how can this be the Nanny State takes over.  The real Nannys are so called H&S reps who have never done a real job in  their lives and only know how to see a risk rather than assess it and decide whether it is reasonable and what it would be reasonable to reduce that risk if it is unacceptable. 

I agree the yellow line message is better than nothing at all but young children on the platform were asking mums and dads where the yellow lines were and were looking for them over the platform edge.