Station and on board train announcements - merged topic, ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Jim]

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'!!!

The only ones at Westbury done automatically are 2 "The next train to arrives" and the delays....

[Chris from Nailsea]

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

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

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!"

 

[Jez]

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'!!!

At stations in Wales they always do both  "the next train to arrive" and "the train now approaching platform" announcements.  If a train is starting off somewhere e.g. Cardiff they will do "the next train to depart" announcement but do it at least twice, if not 3 times.

[Btline]

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

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

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!"

 

But is not it pre-recorded? Or is BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI) but BTM is a commonly used alternative)) the station that he does full time, with all the others on pre-recorded?

[Chris from Nailsea]

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.

[Btline]

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.

He does many stations in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) (B New Street, Leeds area, Reading (I think)....), so perhaps his main "job" is at B T M!

[swlines]

We talking about Mr Phil Sayer - the famous automated announcer?

The way the software works that has Phil and Celia loaded in is that any corrections may occur are either cut in (if it's the same announcement as what the details are for) or it's put in the 'queue'. All automated

[John R]

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. 

[shadow]

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. 

He is most definatly not recorded!
I heard a phone in the background once!

[Graz]

^ Not to mention the squeaking of the tracks that sometimes can be heard over the speakers as he's talking, if there's a freight going through the P3/P5 part or a train pulling into P5!

[Chris from Nailsea]

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^▸ (First Great Western) staff at BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI) but BTM is a commonly used alternative)), 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!) 

[Btline]

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

But I doubt he has a full time job at BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI) but BTM is a commonly used alternative))- he is a professional voice artist.

Look at his website.

It is quite possible that "male voice 2" is just a supervisor who corrects/supplements the main computerised system- this happens a lot a Worcester when Digital Doris sprouts rubbish!

-----------------------

I find it funny that the woman that does the London Underground was sacked!

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks, Btline.

In that case, it is becoming clear that 'a male voice', who makes clearly live announcements at Bristol Temple Meads, is not in fact 'Phil'.

As I asked, can anyone, perhaps from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) staff at BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI) but BTM is a commonly used alternative)), clarify this for us, please? 

[Lee]

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

But I doubt he has a full time job at BTM^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI) but BTM is a commonly used alternative))- he is a professional voice artist.

Look at his website.

Indeed (link below.)
http://www.sayerhamilton.com/

[Chris from Nailsea]

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^▸ (Bristol Temple Meads (strictly, it should be BRI) but BTM is a commonly used alternative))?  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?"