How to request a train to stop at a station

[Future]

I had a sudden epiphany the other day that I didn’t know how to request a train to stop when boarding a train. Do I go speak to the guard at the stop before or when I board the train? Thanks

 

[Ken H]

I had a sudden epiphany the other day that I didn’t know how to request a train to stop when boarding a train. Do I go speak to the guard at the stop before or when I board the train? Thanks

tell them before the last mandatory stop before yours. go and find them if necessary.

 

[High Dyke]

Getting off at a request station, then speak to the guard, usually when you get on, or they do a ticket check. If boarding at a request station then stick your arm out like you would stopping a bus / hailing a taxi. Done it many times on routes with request stops.

 

[ANDREW_D_WEBB]

Speak to the guard who will inform the driver

 

[geoffk]

If hailing a train after dark, I was advised to use a torch and shine it on the track just in front of the train and not in the driver's face, and don't wave it up and down.

 

[DanNCL]

Requesting a train to stop for you to board is like flagging down a bus, only a train doesn’t have indicators so it’s more difficult to tell when the driver has seen you. Best advice would be to keep your arm out until you’re certain that the driver has seen you - sometimes they’ll use the horn, sometimes they’ll wave, usually they’ll indicate somehow to you that they’ve seen you.

 

[Neo9320]

Is the OP actually talking about request stops that are advertised or just hopping on a train and asking them to stop at any old unbooked stop?

 

[Future]

I’m asking about boarding a train at a station (say Exeter) and requesting it to stop at a booked request stop (say Yeoford)

 

[DDB]

My experience is that guards are pretty hot on this and will walk down the train saying anyone for (insert name of request stop)

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

My experience is that guards are pretty keen to make announcements regarding request stops and the need to inform them of any need to call at them. This is then followed by a passage through the train to confirm any such requirements. On some routes drivers and guards use the buzzers to communicate about impending possible request stops but I've never been sure as to the official status of this practice. None of the routes I used to work had any request stops.

 

[pdeaves]

The pre-recorded station announcements are very long and verbose but tell 'you' exactly what to do: speak to the guard.

 

[Neo9320]

I’m asking about boarding a train at a station (say Exeter) and requesting it to stop at a booked request stop (say Yeoford)

Just thought I’d check

 

[hexagon789]

On some routes drivers and guards use the buzzers to communicate about impending possible request stops but I've never been sure as to the official status of this practice.

I understand that if there is no one wanting off, the guard will give "two" on the buzzer (right away) to the driver on approach to the request stop (the driver resonding in acknowledgement). Thus unless anyone wishes to board, the driver will pass the request stop.

If the driver doesn't receive two buzzes, they will stop. That effectively makes it failsafe, if the guard forgets to buzz, the driver will stop anyway.

 

[dk1]

You wouldn’t need to worry on the GA request stops. They all became booked during the pandemic & have never changed back. I understand things are very different in the likes of Scotland & Wales where there are a plethora of such stations.

 

[VideozVideoz]

Yep, in my experience, guards are hot on request stop information on the relevant lines. I’ve never once had to find the guard to ensure it stops. They’ve always got to me first. In terms of hailing, the far north line is trialling a radio system that informs the driver when you press the button on the CIS

 

[Sprinter107]

I always acknowledge the waiting passenger with a toot on the horn, so they know I'm stopping. Our guards don't bother with the buzzer, they tell the driver which request stops, if any that we need to call at. If the driver doesn't get told by the guard, we stop anyway.

 

[Edsmith]

I understand that if there is no one wanting off, the guard will give "two" on the buzzer (right away) to the driver on approach to the request stop (the driver resonding in acknowledgement). Thus unless anyone wishes to board, the driver will pass the request stop.

If the driver doesn't receive two buzzes, they will stop. That effectively makes it failsafe, if the guard forgets to buzz, the driver will stop anyway.

Yes I think that's how it works on the Barnstaple branch and the driver gives one buzz back if stopping and two if not.

 

[Pinus contorta]

If I am only travelling one stop I think its a good idea to try to get on at the back where the guard is doing the doors and just say can you stop at the next station for me please. Just incase he she doesn't make it through the train immediately.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

I always acknowledge the waiting passenger with a toot on the horn, so they know I'm stopping. Our guards don't bother with the buzzer, they tell the driver which request stops, if any that we need to call at. If the driver doesn't get told by the guard, we stop anyway.

This is how the North Warwick works too (4 stops between Moor St/Stratford)

 

[NorthernSpirit]

If hailing a train after dark, I was advised to use a torch and shine it on the track just in front of the train and not in the driver's face, and don't wave it up and down.

It may be better to shine the torch on your hand / arm as this makes it a bit easier for the driver to see the request to board. I've done this a few times and had no problem, I did have one driver say to me that the way I did it was the best approach as some people simply wave the torch around or shine it towards the driver not realising that they're blinding the driver.

 

[trainmania100]

Amazingly enough that woman Julie Walters was on channel 4 in Scotland today going to request stop stations, she tells the guard. And when getting the train obviously puts her hand out

 

[Master Cutler]

TFW anounce to passengers when boarding to tell the guard if a request stop is required. When requiring a stop from the platform the trains have usually slowed down on approaching the station so drivers can make a safe stop if requested. Most of the stops on Anglesey are request.

 

[sw1ller]

If hailing a train after dark, I was advised to use a torch and shine it on the track just in front of the train and not in the driver's face, and don't wave it up and down.

Don’t do this. The driver will be able to see you, even in the dark. Waving a torch around means danger to a driver who may put the train into an emergency brake. The tracks are darker than the platform so the driver may think someone’s fallen on them.

If no guard comes round, the train will be stopping at all stops. That’s what tends to happen west of Llandudno Junction. Some guards don’t like to use 2 on the buzzer for fear of giving two agains a red signal. My preference would be for the driver to first give two if nobody’s waiting to get on, then the guard either gives two back and away we go, or one to stop. If nothing is given back then you also stop (guard busy in train). But nobody on the north wales coast works like this.