dk1
Veteran Member
Well done you for your dedication. One of my ex-colleagues spent a day there last month giving it a full once over from traincrews perspective and was from what I gather very impressed.
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Cambridge South new station opening
- Thread starter whittlesfordok
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RailUK Forums
TransportHub
Member
Has anyone there today got any pics of the station to share? Particularly of this GBR branding that has been talked about so much
Farigiraf
Member
Haven't taken any pictures, but from what I've seen, the 'GBR branding' consists of:
- The station sign
- Rail alphabet 2 signage
- A few ads for GBR
TransportHub
Member
Thanks, somewhat underwhelming then given all the 'first GBR branded station' hype!
From a Blue Sky search https://bsky.app/search?q=cambridge+south the barriers have GBR branding
There are/were? also tote bags and badges on offer
Farigiraf
Member
Indeed, but I dread to think of what full-GBR branding would consist of - union jacks all over the canopy?
In this case I think the right balance was struck - it's not necessarily in your face, but you certainly won't miss the fact that it's GBR station.
Obar123
Member
Not sure if it has been thought about, but will Cambridge South be included in the Anglia rangers/rovers?
Impressive station - what's less impressive is the screens constantly having London services alternating between Platforms 1 and 2 - often contradicting announcements being made and changing while the train is seconds away from arrival.
I assume its track circuit related and needs ironing out but keep that up and there'll be accidents with people running up and over the bridge (and back).
I assume its track circuit related and needs ironing out but keep that up and there'll be accidents with people running up and over the bridge (and back).
rmHawk765
Member
Can confirm platform changes are happening with almost every Down train, and the PIS screens on the platform don't show it.
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The branding is not GA as seen previously.
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The station is rather reminiscent of Abbey Wood.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
The branding is not GA as seen previously.
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The station is rather reminiscent of Abbey Wood.
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wagnaga
Member
There was certainly an issue with the passenger information screens when I was there earlier. Signalling issues meant some services were cancelled, delayed or terminated short. The service being shown on the screen wasn't always the service on the platform. Hopefully this can be ironed out.
Failed Unit
Established Member
Looks like in the week they plan have services grouped by the island. Considering they are only 3 minutes apart, people will stand on the bridge and wait for Cambridge bound trains if this happens lots.
Royston Vasey
Established Member
And that's absolutely plenty! The RA2 typeface on plain white signage is refreshingly clean, especially compared to the livery!
omnicity4659
Member
- Joined
- 25 Sep 2017
- Messages
- 233
It looks like Rail Alphabet 3 and not 2. Also noted new symbols on wayfinding signage.
fat_boy_pete
Member
First YouTube video from this morning has been uploaded
I should add RTT showed all the platform numbers in black of the services I witnessed this with, so they were eventually departing from booked platforms.
Order seemed to be:
- Train initially shown leaving from wrong platform
- A few minutes prior, corrects itself
- This is then announced as a platform alteration at the same time as the screens change yet again back to the originally shown wrong one.
The platform layout is what it is but this resulted in me going to the wrong platform, seeing the screens had gone blank and the train was now going from the "right" platform, then getting halfway up the stairs for a second time then having to run back when I realised I was in fact in the right place without needing to change yet again.
Yes - I found that at least on platforms 2 and 3 the screens were showing the next but one train to arrive, not the next one.
I had a good look around this afternoon. It's very impressive on the inside! The staff were kindly allowing visitors through the gateline to have a wander around. Plenty of families, railfans and 'influencers' about.
Here is a selection of photos showing GBR branding, posters, and the station signage. Some locals noticed that Hobson's Park has lost its apostrophe on the internal signage but it's there on the totems outside.
Here is a selection of photos showing GBR branding, posters, and the station signage. Some locals noticed that Hobson's Park has lost its apostrophe on the internal signage but it's there on the totems outside.
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BBC news website has a report here. A picture shows the GBR barrier line:
www.bbc.co.uk
Cambridge South railway station officially opens
Passengers can travel to London, Stansted Airport and to international rail services via St Pancras.
www.bbc.co.uk
RUK
Member
I can’t say I’m a fan of the flag being plastered all over everything, like the water refill point and ticket barriers. Contrasts quite a lot with the plain signage. Oh Lord, hopefully this won’t lead to a situation with Hobson’s Park like with Addenbrooke’s Hospital being called “Addenbrookes”. The map below the totem outside is in the Biomedical Campus style, so presumably will have been checked by someone local.
And here are an assortment of more general photos of the station, both interior and exterior. They show the interior wood paneling and ceiling, the text based public artwork, and very red balustrade on the bridge stairs. Exterior photos show the platform environments, the emergency escape over bridge, solar panel roofing and forecourt.
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It was foreseen as a significant problem right from the early stages, consider this and the following posts from Oct 2020.
@MarkyT and others have proposed various solutions involving flyovers but they would be both expensive and intrusive. EW Rail traffic will only add to the conflicts.
Cambridge station is already one I no longer like to use bc of the distance on foot from P7/8 to the bus stops.
Nodding Cat Ch
Member
The station is really beautiful, the use of wood is stunning. two entrances.
I got up at 5am to make this video.
Features the ride from Cambridge to Cambridge South. The 6.31 to Kings Cross
Enjoy!
I got up at 5am to make this video.
Features the ride from Cambridge to Cambridge South. The 6.31 to Kings Cross
Enjoy!
quantinghome
Established Member
- Joined
- 1 Jun 2013
- Messages
- 2,830
This feels like one of those 'Railforums problems'. Yes, it's a bit of an issue, but not massive truth be told. The same issue arises at numerous stations all over the railway network for the same reason.
Nodding Cat Ch
Member
Speedy Fat Boy Pete 
RUK
Member
The wood and solar panel canopies are very nice. The wood surprised me a bit - I didn’t know that it would be used. Why was wood chosen? For environmental and/or weight reasons? Metal rusts, and concrete is now known to be not as long-lasting as first thought, so perhaps wood is coming back into fashion again, since all materials will have to be renewed sooner or later in any case?
mr_moo
Member
Because we are a bit nuts, and because we felt we wanted to do our own little celebration for the opening, especially given how much I was involved but that I wasnt involved at the end, I present to you the Cambridge South birthday cake!
(No you dont get a video of us singing happy birthday - we did sing it though)
(No you dont get a video of us singing happy birthday - we did sing it though)
RUK
Member
Are those biscuits not forming a bay platform, such as at Cambridge North or Cambridge, rather than any of the through platforms at Cambridge South? I suppose for the official opening, you’ll have a Colin the Choo-Choo Caterpillar wrapped in GBR livery, rather than what looks like a kettle!
Certainly looks like a heavier typeface version of RA2.