Accessing Fast Platforms

[MerlinRail 804]

Apologies if I’ve put this on the wrong forum.

There are plenty of stations around the country with fast and slow lines, and a fence on the island platform separating fast and slow lines with a few gates along it. On YouTube, I have seen plenty of trainspotting videos where they have gained access to the fast lines section of the island.
How do you get access to the fast platforms? Do you have to speak to staff at the station, or just open the gate whenever you want?

 

[JonathanH]

How do you get access to the fast platforms? Do you have to speak to staff at the station, or just open the gate whenever you want?

The point of the fence is to stop anyone being the other side of it. No exception is intended to be made for photography.

 

[RailsNetwork]

From what I know (GWML) at stations such as Twyford:
The gates can be opened, however their intended purpose is to let passengers get to/from the fast platforms should a train stop there for whatever reason (i.e a SSO or emergency). Some stations may opt to lock these gates if there's no train stopping.

As @JonathanH mentioned, there's really no safe reason. If at all possible, you'd have to ask station staff for permission as it's a massive safety concern for them - although chances are it'll be a very firm no due to aforementioned reasons.

 

[Steve Harris]

Apologies if I’ve put this on the wrong forum.

There are plenty of stations around the country with fast and slow lines, and a fence on the island platform separating fast and slow lines with a few gates along it. On YouTube, I have seen plenty of trainspotting videos where they have gained access to the fast lines section of the island.
How do you get access to the fast platforms? Do you have to speak to staff at the station, or just open the gate whenever you want?

Or have they set up the camera right behind the fence and then put a bit of zoom on so it looks like they are other side of the fence ??

 

[Horizon22]

Gates can be opened - although some may be locked - but they are deliberately slightly unweildly to prevent easy access; ultimately these are in position for safety reasons and reduction of trespass or even fatal incidents. For the latter is it a provden reduction stratgey as an additional physical barrier.

There should be no reason to access those platforms unless a) there is a limited 'fast' service stopping, b) an emergency, c) disruption and platform alterations.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Apologies if I’ve put this on the wrong forum.

There are plenty of stations around the country with fast and slow lines, and a fence on the island platform separating fast and slow lines with a few gates along it. On YouTube, I have seen plenty of trainspotting videos where they have gained access to the fast lines section of the island.
How do you get access to the fast platforms? Do you have to speak to staff at the station, or just open the gate whenever you want?

The gates are usually not locked (because trains might be diverted to those platforms without notice), though I think they may be locked at some GWR/Lizzie stations where slow trains are only run on the fasts in actual emergencies, but the idea of them is to make someone in "the wrong place" more visible to reduce suicides, so if you are there you will almost certainly be picked up for it and if just spotting rather than travelling likely be asked to leave.

Even if not picked up for it, do consider the potential impact on the nerves of any driver running through fast who may be concerned you're about to jump under their train.

So in short, if you're spotting always stick to places you're intended to be on the station, which isn't the "wrong" side of these fences unless a train you intend to board is being advertised on that platform or you've just alighted from one there and are walking towards the nearest exit gate.

 

[ainsworth74]

Or have they set up the camera right behind the fence and then put a bit of zoom on so it looks like they are other side of the fence ??

I reckon that's what's actually going on. The person isn't filming from the fast line platform but right on top of the fence. Therefore getting the shot that they want but without alarming any staff unduly. Win win!

 

[MP33]

I thought that the gates on the eastern Elizabeth line are not locked, but require a little bit of effort to open. The idea being, that if someone is not in the right frame of mind. Trying to open the gate, might bring them back to a right frame of mind.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I thought that the gates on the eastern Elizabeth line are not locked, but require a little bit of effort to open. The idea being, that if someone is not in the right frame of mind. Trying to open the gate, might bring them back to a right frame of mind.

In most cases they're a psychological barrier, yes, both in terms of giving the feel "you shouldn't be here" (which can be enough as a dissuader) and making it easy for staff (both in person and via CCTV) to identify people who are where they shouldn't be and deal with that before an incident potentially occurs.

That of course means spotting there is just as inappropriate as spotting off the end of the platform ramp or something - unless specifically required to be there to board/alight a train it's in effect not a public area.

 

[Deepgreen]

There are many stations where the fast line gates are either not locked because staff have forgotten, have been told to leave them open in case of disruption, etc. As others have said, though, scenes that appear to have been taken from fast platforms are often from fence/gate tops, etc.

 

[Bletchleyite]

There are many stations where the fast line gates are either not locked because staff have forgotten, have been told to leave them open in case of disruption, etc. As others have said, though, scenes that appear to have been taken from fast platforms are often from fence/gate tops, etc.

Indeed, the top of one of the supporting posts is probably quite a convenient place to balance a camera to get a more steady shot! No tripod needed

 

[Watershed]

They are certainly locked at some of the 'inner' stations such as Wimbledon and Ealing Broadway. Indeed the latter has locked floor-to-ceiling gates preventing access to the Down Main platform via the footbridge or overbridge.

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Even if not picked up for it, do consider the potential impact on the nerves of any driver running through fast who may be concerned you're about to jump under their train.

I concur completely with this. I am not sorry if this comes across a tad harsh, but if circumstances were such that the use of such a 'fast line' (fenced off) platform for legitimate reasons - trains calling additionally etc - this will/should have been communicated to all who need to know, including train crew. For a driver to suddenly come across someone standing on the 'wrong' side of such a platform, without any prior knowledge of same, is not funny in any sense of the word, so please do NOT ever go there.

 

[AlterEgo]

On YouTube, I have seen plenty of trainspotting videos where they have gained access to the fast lines section of the island.

Do you have any examples?

 

[zwk500]

I thought that the gates on the eastern Elizabeth line are not locked, but require a little bit of effort to open. The idea being, that if someone is not in the right frame of mind. Trying to open the gate, might bring them back to a right frame of mind.

In most cases where trains may be switched to either line without notice, the gates are not locked (maybe even cannot be) and (EDIT: I thought they were a spring-loaded design) are a spring-loaded design so that they can be opened by passengers boarding or alighting and then return to the closed position. These gates are certainly present on the WCML and Brighton Line.

 

[Bletchleyite]

In most cases where trains may be switched to either line without notice, the gates are not locked (maybe even cannot be) and are a spring-loaded design so that they can be opened by passengers boarding or alighting and then return to the closed position. These gates are certainly present on the WCML and Brighton Line.

The WCML ones are mostly not spring-loaded (though a few are).

 

[zwk500]

The WCML ones are mostly not spring-loaded (though a few are).

Thinking back, you may well be right! Post updated.

 

[Deepgreen]

I concur completely with this. I am not sorry if this comes across a tad harsh, but if circumstances were such that the use of such a 'fast line' (fenced off) platform for legitimate reasons - trains calling additionally etc - this will/should have been communicated to all who need to know, including train crew. For a driver to suddenly come across someone standing on the 'wrong' side of such a platform, without any prior knowledge of same, is not funny in any sense of the word, so please do NOT ever go there.

I agree, but what is your view on this when the gates are actually open (in other words, people are free to wander through an opening without operating anything)?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2025 ==

Indeed, the top of one of the supporting posts is probably quite a convenient place to balance a camera to get a more steady shot! No tripod needed

I can confirm that! Works best with a degree of zoom rather than wide angle, as the latter shows the fence too prominently!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I agree, but what is your view on this when the gates are actually open (in other words, people are free to wander through an opening without operating anything)?

I'd say you shouldn't be there unless to board or alight a train even if someone has left the gates open.

 

[MerlinRail 804]

Do you have any examples?

Starlife Studios Maidenhead - I asked in the comments and he said he just asked the staff and they let him

 

[Big Jumby 74]

I agree, but what is your view on this when the gates are actually open (in other words, people are free to wander through an opening without operating anything)?

If that is the case, then that is for the TOC/NR to decide what (rules) apply and to which stations, and to manage accordingly. When those fences were first put up (eg: at Wimbledon) it was, AFAIR, for anti suicide purposes, although Surbiton being prone to many such incidents over the years has never had the same installed - perhaps a realisation that to impose such restrictions at every location would render the timetable/train service unworkable? I often found it strange how in latter days (of my career) NR went to great lengths to install cess walkways at great expense no doubt for their staff along much of the SWML (inner area - that to which I was familiar), all very worthy etc., until such walkway routes met with obstructions, such as limited clearance bridge parapets/walls etc, when said new walkways would suddenly end, with no obvious visual advice to staff how to proceed. Another case of micro management until it became seemingly unsurmountable perhaps, after which the head was buried in the bucket of sand, who knows?
One of my Manager's often said NR had become so risk averse, they wouldn't be satisfied until there were no train movements at all...!

 

[Meerkat]

When those fences were first put up (eg: at Wimbledon) it was, AFAIR, for anti suicide purposes, although Surbiton being prone to many such incidents over the years has never had the same installed

Surbiton gets too many fast line stops for gates??

 

[Big Jumby 74]

Surbiton gets too many fast line stops for gates??

My point exactly. These measures are put in place to a point, but not perhaps where most needed due to timetable constraints. The industry paying lip service to certain issues perhaps, but only where it doesn't interrupt the business of the day!
But back to the OP's question - if these measures ARE in place, those working the trains will have been briefed on such matters, and any unauthorised access issues are liable to cause problems - put yourself in the position of a driver approaching a station where you expect to see no one standing on the platform you are approaching at 90/100mph, and suddenly someone pops out from behind a pillar - what would you think.......don't even go there..!

 

[Deepgreen]

I'd say you shouldn't be there unless to board or alight a train even if someone has left the gates open.

Interesting. Of course, perspectives differ between 'normal' passengers and staff/enthusiasts, etc. While those on this forum might understand not to wander through an open, very wide gate onto the fast line side of an island platform, the average passenger won't even consider the issue. For example, I see huge numbers of people ambling around on their phones and they are extremely unlikely to consider an open gateway to the other side of the platform a no-go area.

 

[Horizon22]

My point exactly. These measures are put in place to a point, but not perhaps where most needed due to timetable constraints. The industry paying lip service to certain issues perhaps, but only where it doesn't interrupt the business of the day!

I think if a station is getting 4tph or more on "fast" platforms, then it really isn't going to be practical to be closing / opening / closing the gates. You'd need to essentially have someone permanently there! Not to mention Surbiton has island platforms with track paired by direction, not by use.

Easier to have (as an example) a barrier between a sparsely used 'down fast' platform and the 'up slow' platform.

 

[Deepgreen]

I think if a station is getting 4tph or more on "fast" platforms, then it really isn't going to be practical to be closing / opening / closing the gates. You'd need to essentially have someone permanently there! Not to mention Surbiton has island platforms with track paired by direction, not by use.

Easier to have (as an example) a barrier between a sparsely used 'down fast' platform and the 'up slow' platform.

As at Earlsfield, for example.

 

[adc82140]

They are certainly locked at some of the 'inner' stations such as Wimbledon and Ealing Broadway. Indeed the latter has locked floor-to-ceiling gates preventing access to the Down Main platform via the footbridge or overbridge.

I'm assuming Wimbledon no longer has any scheduled fast line stops. When did these cease approximately?

 

[Big Jumby 74]

I think if a station is getting 4tph or more on "fast" platforms, then it really isn't going to be practical to be closing / opening / closing the gates. You'd need to essentially have someone permanently there! Not to mention Surbiton has island platforms with track paired by direction, not by use.

I'm assuming Wimbledon no longer has any scheduled fast line stops. When did these cease approximately?

Surbiton and Wimbledon are identical in line usage, but not stopping pattern, which is the crux of the matter. There are (were in my time) only a handful of fast line trains that called Wimbledon, one being (AFAIR) the 0554 Basing to Waterloo which called at p6 UFL at Wimbledon, but such services were in a small minority, so fence line gates would as a rule remain locked for most of the day. Surbiton had a far greater number of fast line services stopping, albeit the Down side platform (3/4) could perhaps be given a less critical category than the UP (p1/2), p2 having far more non stopping services passing the immediate platform face than the Down side platform faces. Unlike new build lines (Elizabeth line) there will never be a set format that fits all stations on the older/wider NR network.

 

[jfollows]

1W91 05:30 Waterloo-Weymouth calls DFL at Wimbledon
2L10 04:54 Basingstoke-Waterloo calls UFL at Wimbledon
but very few indeed

 

[boiledbeans2]

I'm assuming Wimbledon no longer has any scheduled fast line stops. When did these cease approximately?

Wimbledon has routine fast line stops on Sunday - the Basingstoke and Alton stoppers, e.g.:

Realtime Trains | 0905 London Waterloo to Basingstoke and Alton | 23/02/2025

Real-time train running information for 0905 departure from London Waterloo to Basingstoke and Alton on 23/02/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

On Sundays, the gates are definitely unlocked at Wimbledon as I've used them before. Never tried opening the gates on other days though.

When there's the tennis tournament, more trains stop at Wimbledon fast lines, including 158/159s.