How do they know the platform number before I do?

[Weary Walker]

Maybe they didn't know, just had a lucky guess and there are another 20-30 who guessed wrong bringing up the rear.

 

[Hedge Fund]

Does it really matter if there are 20-30 people ahead of you heading for a train with hundreds of seats?

And please don’t sprint or run on a busy railway stations anyway. We’ve had a recent thread about it.

Do you reserve a seat in advance?

It isn't the fact they are in front of me, no issue at all with that, it's more my curiosity of how they knew which platform to queue at, given they have obviously been standing for a few minutes at the correct platform gate, while morons like like are stood gawping at the departure boards and then sprinting.

I have given up on choosing reserved seats a long time ago. I find it much better to simply run for the Unreserved coach and select a seat myself.

 

[bleeder4]

It isn't the fact they are in front of me, no issue at all with that, it's more my curiosity of how they knew which platform to queue at, given they have obviously been standing for a few minutes at the correct platform gate, while morons like like are stood gawping at the departure boards and then sprinting.

I have given up on choosing reserved seats a long time ago. I find it much better to simply run for the Unreserved coach and select a seat myself.

I've just had a look on RTT for you, as you said your trip is normally on Thursday (today). The 18:30 Avanti from Euston to Glasgow is currently booked to depart from platform 14. The set planned to be used is 390124. This set is currently forming the 11:56 from Glasgow to Euston, due into platform 14 of Euston at 17:38 and (at time of writing) 4 minutes late at Preston.

So when you get to Euston later you just need to look at the arrivals board to see which platform the 17:38 arrival from Glasgow is at. Unless anything changes last minute, it should be 14.

 

[Hedge Fund]

I've just had a look on RTT for you, as you said your trip is normally on Thursday (today). The 18:30 Avanti from Euston to Glasgow is currently booked to depart from platform 14. The set planned to be used is 390124. This set is currently forming the 11:56 from Glasgow to Euston, due into platform 14 of Euston at 17:38 and (at time of writing) 4 minutes late at Preston.

So when you get to Euston later you just need to look at the arrivals board to see which platform the 17:38 arrival from Glasgow is at. Unless anything changes last minute, it should be 14.

That is really interesting, thanks.

I'm now looking on RTT myself.

Will it be platform 14?...

In the words of gameshow 'Banzai!'... "Place bets now!"

 

[gordonthemoron]

RTT is not 100% reliable, but it usually works

 

[mike57]

RTT (Real time Trains) is your friend, I get a very sore knee standing (and queueing), so I use it to avoid the queues that develop as soon as the platform number is announced. Even works at St Pancras international on Eurostar services, we look for seats near to the correct set of entrance doors while we wait. More often than not you get it right, with even last minute changes updating on occasions, but you always need to mindful of last minute swaps, and pay attention as well.

I realise that on a lot of services you have reserved seats, so its not so much that you will not get on the train, its more about not being at the back of a shuffling slow moving throng which I find far more wearing on my dodgy knee than a steady paced walk, particularly when also managing luggage.

Also a total 100% correct record for platform number at my local station... Think about it...

 

[Skiddaw]

When I'm en route back to Penrith from Euston I use the Platform Finder thingy that comes up on Google when you do a search. I lurk by the announcement screens in case it changes at the last minute, but stand as close as I can to what I expect the platform to be. Then I can do a trolley-dash (fast walk- not a run before anyone tells me off) to get to the front(ish) of the queue as soon as it is displayed. It's never yet been incorrect.

 

[jfollows]

Exactly so.
1S90 (17:30 to Glasgow) shows to be operated by 390005 today, which is currently operating 9M54 10:52 Edinburgh-Euston via Birmingham (as @Peter0124 said above), due to arrive into Euston at 16:40, so that’s a good indication. Things go wrong and sets get swapped. Seeing the headcode against a platform on Open Train Times or Traksy nearer the time is a much more reliable indication.

And indeed the set was swapped to operate 9G34 17:10 Euston-Birmingham New Street. The set to form 1S90 (now 390011) is not due to arrive at Euston until 17:38.

 

[TheSmiths82]

I use Real Time trains and can usually work it out by looking at the inbound train. I assume due to staffing I find that if a train has come from Manchester it is usually the same train going back. It can be a little bit tricky with three trains an hour but so far my guess work as always been right. If it is a far platform I don't stand too close in case I am wrong end up having to do the dreaded Euston run!

I honestly have no idea why do I Euston run but I think I just like to know I can get my luggage above the racks before they are full.

 

[Belperpete]

Using set numbers is surely a bit of a gamble if there is disruption. Whereas the headcode should absolutely identify the train. I use OTT both to find the headcode, and then to see what platform that headcode appears in. At that point, you can fairly confidently join the queue. Okay, I may not be at the head of the queue, but I am usually near it.

 

[Surreytraveller]

Using set numbers is surely a bit of a gamble if there is disruption. Whereas the headcode should absolutely identify the train. I use OTT both to find the headcode, and then to see what platform that headcode appears in. At that point, you can fairly confidently join the queue. Okay, I may not be at the head of the queue, but I am usually near it.

Even using the headcode can be an issue, as the Signaller may not have been told of the swap if there's a last minute swap.
And it isn't unheard of for the driver to be on the wrong train when they haven't been told as well!

 

[Jimini]

Using set numbers is surely a bit of a gamble if there is disruption. Whereas the headcode should absolutely identify the train. I use OTT both to find the headcode, and then to see what platform that headcode appears in. At that point, you can fairly confidently join the queue. Okay, I may not be at the head of the queue, but I am usually near it.

Always headcode for me aye.

 

[Pacef8]

Ask for platform assistance and that little golf trolley will take you there.

 

[Annetts key]

In the words of gameshow 'Banzai!'... "Place bets now!"

Clips available on YouTube Betting ends!

As most of the replies above say, a combination of RTT and OTT or other sites / apps that give the same information can give you a clue on which inbound service will likely form the train you are hoping to catch. When I was travelling to / from Paddington, this is the method that I used when travelling home from Paddington.

 

[Phil Anthtropy]

I travel on either the 17:30 or 18:30 Avanti out of Euston, to Carlisle, usually on a Wednesday or Thursday, depending on what days I’m in the office.

The train seems to depart from a random platform number each time, but often 1-3 or 11-15, so could be either end of the station.

I watch the departure board like a hawk, and the split second it shows the platform, I sprint for the platform. Usually one of the first to leave the concourse area.

But without fail, every single time, I’ll sprint to the platform gates and there will already be a crowd of 20-30 people stood there in a queue in front of me, waiting to have tickets checked.

I have tried looking at apps such as NexTrain or national rail, to see if the platform info comes up faster than the departure board, but it doesn’t.

I have no idea how these people know which platform it will be, before I do.

It’s a mystery…

Any suggestions?!

Have they got some insiders on the train or the station control system

 

[Dr Hoo]

I’m glad that the OP has had an answer to their question.

I was happy to rely on RTT for platforms until arriving at Waterloo by the Underground one day I checked RTT as soon as I had a signal.

Purposeful walk to barrier and joined Portsmouth train just I heard a whistle.

Phew!

Watched Portsmouth train pull out from the adjacent platform after a set swap.

Doh!

Now always wait for or use main indicator.

 

[bramling]

Even using the headcode can be an issue, as the Signaller may not have been told of the swap if there's a last minute swap.
And it isn't unheard of for the driver to be on the wrong train when they haven't been told as well!

To be fair, this can happen even if a train has been on the proper departure board. Especially if it’s displayed automatically as the incoming train arrives, and then is changed soon after.

Nothing that anyone does is going to be infallible, but using a combination of things it’s possible to get it right most of the time. But there is need to understand what one is seeing and be able to interpret what is going on. I wouldn’t rely on just platform numbers, as that’s increasing the risk of getting caught out.

At the end of the day those with more commuting experience and perhaps some insider knowledge will be able to make a better crack at this, which is just one of those little facts of life. But it all comes down to one’s appetite for risk and how much of a problem it will be for you if you play the game and get it wrong!

 

[sh24]

Even using the headcode can be an issue, as the Signaller may not have been told of the swap if there's a last minute swap.
And it isn't unheard of for the driver to be on the wrong train when they haven't been told as well!

Indeed, I've had the head code change once the unit is in platform.

 

[Belperpete]

I was happy to rely on RTT for platforms until arriving at Waterloo by the Underground one day I checked RTT as soon as I had a signal.

Now always wait for or use main indicator.

Yep, even if using OTT for the headcode to find the platform, always verify the train. At Euston, there are now displays on the platforms themselves. There are also displays on the trains themselves as a last resort, but it is not uncommon for these to be blank, or still showing the inbound service.

 

[Omnishambles]

I use a mix of RTT and Traksy. RTT to compare incoming and outgoing set numbers then Traksy to confirm incoming and outgoing headcodes. never been an issue on my regular Euston travels

 

[BurtonM]

RTT as others have said is not completely reliable but generally is.
A tip for Euston - if you find the train on RTT and go to the ramp - sometimes you will find the train sitting in the platform. If the gateline is open and unmanned, even if you have a ticket, don't bother trying to wait on the platform as Avanti staff don't like it, they will just ask you to leave, close the barrier then let you back through when the platform is announced.

 

[SussexMan]

At stations with two platforms or less, there may also be signs that state where the train will be heading.

Maybe I am misunderstanding your comment, but I've never had a problem knowing which platform my train will depart from if the station has fewer than two platforms.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

RTT as others have said is not completely reliable but generally is.
A tip for Euston - if you find the train on RTT and go to the ramp - sometimes you will find the train sitting in the platform. If the gateline is open and unmanned, even if you have a ticket, don't bother trying to wait on the platform as Avanti staff don't like it, they will just ask you to leave, close the barrier then let you back through when the platform is announced.

I've been able to just walk onto the platform before if arriving well in advance without confrontation
But I always wait for the cleaners to be done/the train to be announced before getting on (and spend the rest of the time watching trains arriving and leaving)

 

[LickeyIncliner]

I use Real Time trains and can usually work it out by looking at the inbound train. I assume due to staffing I find that if a train has come from Manchester it is usually the same train going back.

I understand that the operator will try to make sure that a Manchester-based crew works back to Manchester, but from something I read in (I think) Modern Railways I thought 390s had to visit all their main depots over something like a 7- or 10-day cycle, because different depots do different aspects of scheduled maintenance? If that's correct, then it must be less likely that a train arriving at Euston will go back to the place it has just come from.

(This should perhaps be a separate thread.)

 

[Watershed]

I understand that the operator will try to make sure that a Manchester-based crew works back to Manchester, but from something I read in (I think) Modern Railways I thought 390s had to visit all their main depots over something like a 7- or 10-day cycle, because different depots do different aspects of scheduled maintenance? If that's correct, then it must be less likely that a train arriving at Euston will go back to the place it has just come from.

(This should perhaps be a separate thread.)

The unit rotations are based on operational convenience and platforming more than anything else. We don't have a mirror-image Takt timetable (where an xx20 arrival would form an xx40 departure) and Euston doesn't have enough platforms for every Manchester arrival to form a Manchester departure and so on.

The crew diagrams are something completely separate, generally worked out after the timetable and unit diagrams have already been established. Most Avanti depots know multiple routes, e.g. Manchester crews sign Birmingham and Preston, so many diagrams would involve passing to/from one of those locations to form a triangular day's work.

Avanti crew would usually have a break at Euston before working any train back so it doesn't make any difference whether a Manchester arrival goes back to Manchester or Glasgow.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

Seems to me one thing this thread demonstrates is: If rail companies, in their rush to forget that their purpose is actually to serve passengers, deliberately withhold useful information from those passengers (for example, which platform your train is going from at Euston) then frustrated passengers start doing whatever they can to find out the information anyway. And some of those passengers will go to extraordinary lengths to get that information. Lesson: Why not just give the passengers the information they need as soon as it's available!

 

[bramling]

Seems to me one thing this thread demonstrates is: If rail companies, in their rush to forget that their purpose is actually to serve passengers, deliberately withhold useful information from those passengers (for example, which platform your train is going from at Euston) then frustrated passengers start doing whatever they can to find out the information anyway. And some of those passengers will go to extraordinary lengths to get that information. Lesson: Why not just give the passengers the information they need as soon as it's available!

To be fair, it would cause more problems if booked platforms were posted, lots of people gather there, and then the train actually comes into a different platform. Especially in busy London area stations where you could have large numbers of people moving around in awkward ways.

And how would people be able to game the system? It’s nice to have one of those rare things in life where smarter people are able to gain a little squeeze over the masses.

 

[GordonT]

Maybe they didn't know, just had a lucky guess and there are another 20-30 who guessed wrong bringing up the rear.

Or if they are regular travellers on this specific departure surely they'll gravitate to the platform it most often leaves from and on the odd occasion it turns out to be leaving from a different platform they will relocate without necessarily viewing such a relocation as being the biggest trauma of their day?

 

[DynamicSpirit]

To be fair, it would cause more problems if booked platforms were posted, lots of people gather there, and then the train actually comes into a different platform. Especially in busy London area stations where you could have large numbers of people moving around in awkward ways.

Yeah, and to be clear, I'm not suggesting that platforms should be advertised before the station staff know for sure which platform it'll be. But we all know that at Euston, that information is routinely withheld even after it's known for sure which platform the train is at.

 

[bramling]

Yeah, and to be clear, I'm not suggesting that platforms should be advertised before the station staff know for sure which platform it'll be. But we all know that at Euston, that information is routinely withheld even after it's known for sure which platform the train is at.

Oh yes completely agree that’s undesirable. Though still desirable for those able to play the game!