Great Western Coffee Shop

Since coming across a list of Help Point numbers (which appear to be PSTN) I've been tempted to call one of them whilst nearby, to see what happens.

Fear that there might be some byelaw or other other law I'd be breaking has tempered my curiosity.

a) Can they be programmed to display "the next train does not stop here - please stand back"

They're just web browsers with a mobile connection - they can in theory display anything you like. There's a central site for them with several pre-baked layouts, but showing something different should (in theory!) just require altering the code running on the server, rather than anything actually on the unit itself.

I've taken a look through all the standard formats ... and none of them includes trains passing without stopping, I'm afraid.  That data's not in the XML source either.

Yellow line: I thought every platform which fast trains pass without stopping, even occasionally, had one. I would have taken the absence of a yellow line to mean that all trains stop or pass slowly.

Yellow line: I thought every platform which fast trains pass without stopping, even occasionally, had one. I would have taken the absence of a yellow line to mean that all trains stop or pass slowly.

A yellow line is only actually required if passenger trains pass at speeds over 100 mph, and freight at speeds over 60 mph, as per the published rail group standards.   
http://www.rssb.co.uk/rgs/standards/GIRT7016%20Iss%205.pdf
The vast majority of yellow lines you see are additional to the laid down rules, and absence of a line should actually be the normal situation.  The boy who cried wolf...

Paul

I could understand the argument about the cost of maintaining the yellow line if it was in isolation, however there is also a white line which presumably also needs upkeep.  Would the incremental cost of maintaining the yellow line be so great if done at the same time as the white?

All you would have needed in maintenance costs for any sort of line (yellow or white) in Ian Allen Spotter days would have been 3 small boys in short trousers, a chilly day, and a bottle of Tizer each !

Going back to the issue that caused the question, I would have thought the driver of a fast through train should sound his horn if there are passengers close to the platform edge, or are heading in that direction. More so if the driver knows that the route is somewhat unusual, so passengers are less likely to be expecting the fast service.

He/she did!

It is a bit of an optical illusion but an HST approaching from the south does not appear to be going that fast when it gets close to the platform at Melksham.  In reality it is probably doing 40 to 60mph.

I was thinking of the white line on the platform edge.

Yellow line: I thought every platform which fast trains pass without stopping, even occasionally, had one. I would have taken the absence of a yellow line to mean that all trains stop or pass slowly.

M1. Code of Practice guidance
f. Operators should ensure that:
• the help point can be located easily;
• the location does not impede pedestrian traffic;
• controls are within comfortable reach range;
• the force required to operate the controls is kept to a minimum and that controls are palm-operable;
• the buttons contrast well with the background and that their function is described both in text and tactile form;
• the buttons have a minimum diameter of 20 mm;
• the person providing the help can be heard (localised acoustic consideration); and
• a visual indicator lamp indicates to a hearing impaired person that their call has been answered.

S1.European standards
7. The danger area of a platform commences at the rail side edge of the platform and is defined as the area where passengers are not allowed to stand when trains are passing or arriving.
8. The illuminance level of the external areas of the station shall be sufficient to facilitate way finding and to highlight the changes of level, doors and entrances.
9.The boundary of the danger area, furthest from the rail side edge of the platform, shall have a visual marking and tactile walking surface indicators.
10. The visual marking shall be a contrasting, slip-resistant, warning line with a minimum width of 100 mm.
11. Tactile walking surface indicators can be one of the two types:
• an attention pattern indicating a hazard at the boundary of the danger area
• a guiding pattern indicating a path of travel at the safe side of the platform
12. The material at the rail side edge of the platform shall contrast with the darkness of the gap. This material shall be slip resistant.
13. The end of the platform shall either be fitted with a barrier that prevents public access or shall have a visual marking and tactile walking surface indicators with an attention pattern indicating a hazard.

S1. Platforms – platform design
e. The appropriate tactile surface should be installed along the entire length of a platform when any rebuilding or resurfacing takes place. See Guidance on the Use of Tactile Paving Surfaces for further guidance.
f. Where the tactile surface is installed on an island platform, it should be on both faces of the island platform. It should never be installed on one face and not the other.
g. The platform edge tactile warning surface can be of any colour, except red, and the colour should provide a good contrast with the surrounding paved area.
h. The tactile surface should be 400 mm deep, extend the full length of the platform, and be laid parallel to, and immediately behind, the platform edge coper, where this is 760 mm from the platform edge. Platforms that are only partially installed with tactile strips should be avoided.
m. Where the permissible or enhanced permissible speed on the adjacent line is greater than 100 mph, a yellow line should be provided on the platform, together with warning signs. The yellow line shall be positioned so that people standing immediately behind the line are at least 1500 mm away from the platform edge.

Truro is the only station in cornwall with yellow lines. Many stations are missed on various services and of course ECS and freight.

If Melksham gets a proper-sized platform, this stuff would presumably come into play.

Truro is the only station in cornwall with yellow lines. Many stations are missed on various services and of course ECS
and freight.

Slightly flippant, but Newquay does.

Now if the platform at Melksham is rebuilt could this style be adopted and be low upkeep?

(http://www.mbob.co.uk/rforum/nqyyel.jpg)

To answer Grahame the stations I've seen staffed are Penzance St erth, redruth, Truro, st Austell, Par (am only) Bodmin and liskeard. The rest unstaffed and also the ones that get most non stop services

How many have tactile stuff?

To be fair to richwarwicker (and knowing grahame's trademark typing so well), I too assumed that grahame was probably asking, "How many have actual staff?"

 ::) :D ;D

Totally agreed - very much looked like one of my smelling mistakes - sorry chaps!

Err - I said "tactile stuff" meaning those bobbly lighter coloured stone panels ... not tactile staff  ;D  (Very interesting to know which stations are manned though!)

Not helped by me having a few beverages after I'd refereed the Plymouth Albion Ladies rugby match yesterday afternoon I'm sure!

That stuff that's absolutely lethal when it's icy

Perhaps the ref needs glasses!  ;D
Still it was a busy game by the sound of it with a 49-33 scoreline.

Bet you can't guess which one is me!  ;D

Yes very busy game. Lovely to ref mind. Both teams looked excellent in attack. Managed not to use the sin bin. Albions pitch is a little disappointing considering their men's standard. Cut up very easily and very muddy considering we haven't had any bad weather. Plenty of photos posted through the 'visitor post' section on Plymouth Albion ladies Facebook. Bet you can't guess which one is me!  ;D

Not hard to miss amongst the ladies. Particularly with the very pink jersey and socks!

I remember at school if you turned up without the proper kit you had to do games in your underwear...

Doubt we could apply that to ladies rugby let alone the referees.   ;D