• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Aberdare Query

GordonT

Established Member
Joined
26 May 2018
Messages
1,717
I have no knowledge of Aberdare nor it's rail operations other than noting that timetables show Aberdare-bound trains calling at Aberdare (Platform 2) "to drop passengers off only" then proceeding on their half-minute journey to Aberdare (Platform 1) where they terminate. Trains on their next Southbound trip from Aberdare (Platform 1) do not call at Aberdare (Platform 2).
I have two questions arising from this.

1. Whilst boarding is not permitted for travel between Aberdare (Platform 2) and Aberdare (Platform 1) are pax already on the train from points south of Aberdare allowed to remain on the train beyond Pl 2 and alight at Pl 1 (assuming there would be any advantage in so doing)?

2. Are there any other stations where the penultimate stop of an incoming journey is a different platform of the same station (obviously excluding the numerous situations where trains terminate at one platform and return from another)?
 
Last edited:
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

30907

Veteran Member
Joined
30 Sep 2012
Messages
21,985
Location
Airedale
RTT is not an official document; the National Rail Public Timetable PDF does not have this information. Aberdare is shown as one station.

That said, I am fairly sure people have done that short section of track :)

I don't think any other station has such an arrangement (at one time Manchester Exchange and Victoria could have done, or New Holland Town and Pier, but neither shared a name.).
 

Starmill

Veteran Member
Joined
18 May 2012
Messages
27,337
Location
Bolton
You are perfectly permitted to remain onboard there if you wish to. You may also board if you want to for some reason, and go south. But if you do that you'll need to wait on the train during the turnaround time so you'd only be wasting your time.

The timetable data designates the stop as set down only purely so that someone can't accidentally attempt (and fail) to buy a ticket for it, or book a journey to another station wasting their time as above.
 

Farigiraf

Established Member
Joined
23 Jul 2023
Messages
1,211
Location
Bridge on the River Cam
1. Whilst boarding is not permitted for travel between Aberdare (Platform 2) and Aberdare (Platform 1) are pax already on the train from points south of Aberdare allowed to remain on the train beyond Pl 2 and alight at Pl 1 (assuming there would be any advantage in so doing)?
Yes, it is allowed. P1 is still more conveniently located for much of the town and also hosts the main station car park.

2. Are there any other stations where the penultimate stop of an incoming journey is a different platform of the same station (obviously excluding the numerous situations where trains terminate at one platform and return from another)?
I seem to recall a station on the continent where the train calls at one platform intended for interchanges and then moves on to a 'main' platform. Can't remember where it is though.

Do any services at Birmingham New Street (or other stations with A/B platforms) shuffle from the A side to the B side of a platform (or vice versa) mid-route? Could count splitting/joining services.

RTT is not an official document; the National Rail Public Timetable PDF does not have this information. Aberdare is shown as one station.
Fairly sure TFW trains do announce both platforms, so it seems to have been added in as a separate station in some data sources as a sort of shortcut (Bletchley High Level is another example).
 

Top