Automated Announcements in Glasgow and Inverness

[Addington]

Hello,

I am seeking assistance in regard to automated platform announcements at Glasgow Central, Glasgow Queen St and Inverness stations. Are these stations so equipped, and if so, do they play globally on the concourse (so I can record them in one spot), and/or individually on the relevant platforms?

Thanks,

Add

 

[rail-britain]

I've not heard automated anouncements at either station
Both stations use a global system

I'm not aware of any stations in Scotland that use individual platform circuits, although some do have a split between certain area

 

[thefab444]

Sadly the majority of stations in the north of Scotland, as well as the two Glasgow stations and a few other large stations like Motherwell and Haymarket, do not have automated announcements. Not sure why though, as Edinburgh Waverley has automated announcements.

Stations in the "lowlands" have a Ditra system, similar to that used by Chiltern Railways or on parts of Northern Rail. Always "global" as far as I know.

 

[CarterUSM]

The announcers for Central and Queen Street used to be based in the respective signal centres, though i'm unsure to whether they still are, albeit at West of Scotland signalling centre now. Announcements at the majority of the out stations are done by the cctv centres at Paisley and Dunfermline i think, not 100 % sure, though i've noticed Stewarton has had automated announcements for quite a while now.

 

[rail-britain]

The announcers for Central [snip] used to be based in the respective signal centres

The announcer for Glasgow Central used to sit just to the left of the Station Managers office, directly above WH Smith

 

[CarterUSM]

The announcer for Glasgow Central used to sit just to the left of the Station Managers office, directly above WH Smith

It would seem some of my colleagues have no idea of their surroundings then. Though i do recall this arrangemet you refer to also. Not having been up there for a while i couldn't say with any conviction though.

 

[rail-britain]

The announcer for Glasgow Queen Street is also based in the station

There are proposals to move to an automated system, with manual intervention from the Springburn Signalling Centre
However, FSR (who manage both stations) have issues with this as they provide the staff for this

 

[MidnightFlyer]

The announcer for Glasgow Central used to sit just to the left of the Station Managers office, directly above WH Smith

Which WH Smith? the one at the enterence or the one near the high number plats near the LL enterance?

 

[rail-britain]

Which WH Smith? the one at the enterence or the one near the high number plats near the LL enterance?

The WH Smith to the left of the Station Managers office entry

 

[CarterUSM]

The announcer for Glasgow Queen Street is also based in the station

There are proposals to move to an automated system, with manual intervention from the Springburn Signalling Centre
However, FSR (who manage both stations) have issues with this as they provide the staff for this

Do you mean West of Scotland signalling centre at Cowlairs? It sounds like a good idea all the same, i don't know what the issue is all the same as it never used to be a problem, i'll keep my eyes and ears peeled for any information about it anyway.

 

[rail-britain]

Do you mean West of Scotland signalling centre at Cowlairs?

I don't have a postal address and I've always referred to it as the Springburn Signalling Centre (as other people within FSR also referred to it as that)

 

[me123]

The announcers for Central and Queen Street used to be based in the respective signal centres, though i'm unsure to whether they still are, albeit at West of Scotland signalling centre now.

I've heard them using the tannoy to stop specific people riding their bikes in the station, so that suggests to me that they are in the station and can see the concourse (or act least have access to the CCTV).

The automated announcements are in place on Queen Street Low Level and Central Low Level stations, as well as other stations on these "cross-city" lines. I think they play on both platforms for both directions. But upstairs is still manual, and I hope that it remains that way personally.

 

[Addington]

Thank you all for your replies thus far, its given me some things to think about, including going via Edinburgh.

 

[Maxfly]

The announcers for Central and Queen Street used to be based in the respective signal centres, though i'm unsure to whether they still are, albeit at West of Scotland signalling centre now. Announcements at the majority of the out stations are done by the cctv centres at Paisley and Dunfermline i think, not 100 % sure, though i've noticed Stewarton has had automated announcements for quite a while now.

How clear are these?? I ask as i know there have been a few times when platforms have been changed there and although scotrail have been informed well in advance the passengers are still on the wrong platform??

 

[CarterUSM]

I don't have a postal address and I've always referred to it as the Springburn Signalling Centre (as other people within FSR also referred to it as that)

Perhaps it's a local thing, cowlairs is indeed part of the wider area of springburn though i've honestly never heard it described in that fashion myself.
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How clear are these?? I ask as i know there have been a few times when platforms have been changed there and although scotrail have been informed well in advance the passengers are still on the wrong platform??

They are pretty clear, exactly the same as Glasgow central and queen st low levels announcements, though as both lines are bi-directional the possibility of the train arriving on the 'wrong' side exists, and does happen occasionally. A little jog for the punters.

 

[Maxfly]

[/i]They are pretty clear, exactly the same as Glasgow central and queen st low levels announcements, though as both lines are bi-directional the possibility of the train arriving on the 'wrong' side exists, and does happen occasionally. A little jog for the punters.

Good stuff, handy to know. Normally just happens on a sunday tbh...if it happens any other time summats gone tits up lol

 

[CarterUSM]

Good stuff, handy to know. Normally just happens on a sunday tbh...if it happens any other time summats gone tits up lol

Yes it seems to happen more on a sunday, especially in the down direction from killie. You're spot on though, any other time is likely to mean problems.

 

[Maxfly]

Yes it seems to happen more on a sunday, especially in the down direction from killie. You're spot on though, any other time is likely to mean problems.

yep that's cos if the UP main was closed trains, travelling to Killie would lose time whereas closing the DN if anything trains travelling DN the UP should actually make up time if anything
Lets the track walkers on uninterupted

not clearest explanation i give you though lol

 

[CarterUSM]

yep that's cos if the UP main was closed trains, travelling to Killie would lose time whereas closing the DN if anything trains travelling DN the UP should actually make up time if anything
Lets the track walkers on uninterupted

not clearest explanation i give you though lol

No, you're speaking loud and clear. Common sense I suppose.