Plymouth Station Improvments

[Aictos]

I probably guess it could just be teething issues, like what most new stuff would have. Even so, I hope they get improved too as I'll be coming home from uni in a few weeks time.

On a similar topic, since I've heard that RENFE's bidding on the franchise, I wonder if we might be hearing their signature tune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aeeb3ZqirkU&feature=related) on announcements if they win?

If RENFE do win, I love to hear their signature tune at the stations along with the SNCF signature tune as well

 

[charlee]

I thought i should post here instead of like creating a new thread but. Its concerning PLatforms 1 and 2;

How long have platforms 1 and 2 been out of use? I remember platform 2 having postal trains when i was younger (early 1990s)! Im guessing they been out of use from passengers since 70s?

 

[Woody]

Platforms 1 and 2 at Plymouth were converted to terminal bay platforms in 1974.One of these bays at the west end is usually used for the Tamar Valley Line service but the longer east end bays were used for parcels and for Royal Mail trains until the withdrawal of this traffic from the area in 2003.This followed reduced traffic levels when the main line via Okehampton as a through route was closed with effect from Monday 6th May 1968. Also the entire Millbay line, including the branch into Millbay Docks finally closed on the 30th June 1971. The Docks at the time seemed to offer little potential for any traffic anymore as most of the train servicing was being performed at Laira Depot.

 

[TEW]

There is normally a unit stabled next to Platform 3 and the odd unit gets stabled in the old postal platforms, think the main time is on Summer Saturdays when a 153 is booked to sit there most of the day. Network Rail test trains sometimes stable in the postal platforms as well.

 

[charlee]

Visited the station yesterday, wow the new departure boards are such an improvement, looking good.

Seems they are starting on the Toliets next

 

[charlee]

To Under go a £1.5m Facelift;

Includes new cladding in subway
New Signs

http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/Ply...g-1-5million/story-16410194-detail/story.html

Also pictures of the new improvements to the station if havent seen (ie. Entrance improvments)

 

[Central Trains]

Managed to spot an old Intercity Swallow at Plymouth yday!

 

[richw]

Managed to spot an old Intercity Swallow at Plymouth yday!

It was vinyled to go to railfest, has returned and been sat between a power car and coach h locked out of use soon, assuming its been positioned to be dropped at a certain depot at some point on its journeys, to be unvinyled. The swallow livery does not meet dda standards as the doors aren't painted a different colour

 

[Central Trains]

Na this was a little swallow on a station lightbox!

 

[starrymarkb]

I have - Glasgow Queen Street Low level. It's not just confined to rail stations though, Glasgow Airport had LCD Sceens playing a loop of someone telling you not to take trollies on the Escalator

Having passed through Glasgow Airport last week I thought I'd grab a clip of the infamous LCD screens!

[youtube]Inu3AiQwCDA[/youtube]

Seriously why not just use a sign!

 

[fgwrich]

Na this was a little swallow on a station lightbox!

Ding Ding

 

[fgwrich]

Having passed through Glasgow Airport last week I thought I'd grab a clip of the infamous LCD screens!

[youtube]Inu3AiQwCDA[/youtube]

Seriously why not just use a sign!

Why?! That is even more of stupid idea than using a sign! Becuase in doing so, your potentially going to get people stopping at the top or bottom of the escalators and people who arnt looking will pile into one another...Over zelous Health & Safety gone mad i think!

 

[charlee]

Visited the station Monday! And the Toilets have been installed and opened. Very clever how they have fitted them in all looks rather seamless and doesn't look like an extension. (If you discount the change of decor! )

New signs are up . Actually says welcome to Plymouth not "welcome top Plym".

Didn't go onto platforms, as was waiting an arrival. So not sure whether the Subway re clad, and platform improvements!

Unsure as to if its finished now or not.

Also where has the ATM gone??

 

[aylesbury]

Went through in March and didnt think much of the look of the station platform surfaces need to be replaced for a start and the buildings on the platforms also looked crap.

 

[Woody]

The internally the free toilets and waiting rooms on platforms 4 and 7 have been refurbished and a new pay as you enter toilet (20p) has been added to the main concourse.As for the ATM machine,well the booth it was in has been removed as part of an enlarged main concourse as the agreement between FGW and the Barclays bank had expired anyway.A new ATM will eventually be installed outside the front of the new enlarged station concourse but that awaits a new agreement between the bank and the new Great Western franchisee.Also part the rusting canopy at both ends covering the former Postal Platform (East end)and bay platform (West end) has been removed and the remainder refurbished.Overall though the platform buildings,canopies and surfaces remain largely the same.A pity they could not done something about those canopies to allow more natural light to reach the platforms it can be can be quite a gloomy platform enviroment.The station really needs rationalizing to a more appropriate size really perhaps as part of some sort of commercial development both in and around the station to make it really fit for the 21st century but that will have to wait for better times.

 

[charlee]

The internally the free toilets and waiting rooms on platforms 4 and 7 have been refurbished and a new pay as you enter toilet (20p) has been added to the main concourse.As for the ATM machine,well the booth it was in has been removed as part of an enlarged main concourse as the agreement between FGW and the Barclays bank had expired anyway.A new ATM will eventually be installed outside the front of the new enlarged station concourse but that awaits a new agreement between the bank and the new Great Western franchisee.Also part the rusting canopy at both ends covering the former Postal Platform (East end)and bay platform (West end) has been removed and the remainder refurbished.Overall though the platform buildings,canopies and surfaces remain largely the same.A pity they could not done something about those canopies to allow more natural light to reach the platforms it can be can be quite a gloomy platform enviroment.The station really needs rationalizing to a more appropriate size really perhaps as part of some sort of commercial development both in and around the station to make it really fit for the 21st century but that will have to wait for better times.

Ah so is that what the scaffolding on the old Platform 1 and 2 and staff car park is? Did notice that forgot to ask about that.

 

[Cliveblackpool]

Platforms 1 and 2 at Plymouth were converted to terminal bay platforms in 1974.One of these bays at the west end is usually used for the Tamar Valley Line service but the longer east end bays were used for parcels and for Royal Mail trains until the withdrawal of this traffic from the area in 2003.This followed reduced traffic levels when the main line via Okehampton as a through route was closed with effect from Monday 6th May 1968. Also the entire Millbay line, including the branch into Millbay Docks finally closed on the 30th June 1971. The Docks at the time seemed to offer little potential for any traffic anymore as most of the train servicing was being performed at Laira Depot.

I always remember Platform 1 as a bay, I assumed it was never a through road.
In the 70's they filled in a section between 2 and 3,(which became bays) making platform 4 a level access from the ticket hall. Platform 4 was then supposed to have most of the down trains. Most up trains used 7 and 8. The Plymouth sleeper was often in 8 later in the day.
The arrival of the HSTs meant extra coaches, restaurant car & buffet were no longer taken off and put on at Plymouth.
Before my time, but platform 1 (East facing) may have possibly been used for the Tavistock South Launceston train via Tavistock Junction.

 

[Requeststop]

They should do to Plymouth Station what the rail loving poet Sir John Betjamin said about Slough.

Come, friendly bombs and fall on Slough
To get it ready for the plough.
The cabbages are coming now;
The earth exhales.

It's always been a dump Plymouth Station - erase it and build a decent classical station worthy of Brunel.

 

[Cliveblackpool]

They should do to Plymouth Station what the rail loving poet Sir John Betjamin said about Slough.

Come, friendly bombs and fall on Slough
To get it ready for the plough.
The cabbages are coming now;
The earth exhales.

It's always been a dump Plymouth Station - erase it and build a decent classical station worthy of Brunel.

To what I have heard North Road station was just a 'collection of sheds' before the present station was built. The main stations originally being Millbay (GWR) and Friary (LSWR) Both terminus stations. (Just before Millbay station there was a line to Millbay docks. Boat trains & freight)
Millbay Stn http://www.flickr.com/photos/didbygraham/288406859/

 

[charlee]

Anyone know if the improvements to the subway have been done yet?

 

[Rich McLean]

Anyone know if the improvements to the subway have been done yet?

There were not done when I last went down a few weeks back, so I take that as a no so far

 

[plymothian]

Update
http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/pha...ation-begins/story-19248585-detail/story.html

Phase 3 is an upgrade of the approach roads for vehicles
Phase 4 is an upgrade of the approach roads for pedestrians and cycles

The subway revamp is still in the offing.