Stafford - Northbound - Platform 1

[dangie]

Apologies if the title is a bit confusing.

This morning I was at Stafford station. The 1050am (10 mins late) northbound London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly pulled into Platform 1 which is normally used for southbound trains. This may happen regularly, but I’ve never seen a northbound train used this platform. Is it a common occurrence or not? Visually I couldn’t see any reason for it.

For information the passenger lift over to the usual platform 3 bay platform was out of action. Would there be a platform change if there were disabled passengers either getting off or on who couldn’t use the walkway bridge?

 

[Lewisham2221]

That sounds like a plausible explanation

 

[RailsNetwork]

Would there be a platform change if there were disabled passengers either getting off or on who couldn’t use the walkway bridge?

Yes, if someone boarding/alighting at Stafford who requires passenger assistance makes themselves known to staff in good time, platform changes can occasionally be organised with the signaller. Won't always happen though, for example: if it affects another service; if there are other reasonable routes/services that won't majorly disrupt the passengers journey.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Oct 2024 ==

The 1111 Birmingham New Street to Liverpool Lime Street service - also booked on platform 3 - also swapped platforms. Albeit it switched to 5 not 1, could suggest there was an issue with platform 3 at the time.

 

[dangie]

Yes, if someone boarding/alighting at Stafford who requires passenger assistance makes themselves known to staff in good time, platform changes can occasionally be organised with the signaller...

Thank you. If I remember correctly there is, or used to be, a separate goods lift. If it was a passenger lift problem could the goods lift have been used? Unless of course it was for a different matter entirely.