Automated Announcements

[Addington]

I was recently in the UK for a month (I live in Australia), chasing announcements at stations and on board trains. Some of the major stations I have visited were Nottingham, Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool Lime Street, Cardiff Central, and Liverpool St, Kings Cross and Waterloo in London. I also travelled on a few EMU sets within the Southern and MerseyRail operating areas, getting on board announcements.

I have endeavoured to follow the posts within the forums, quite possibly this information may have already been asked, but I trying to piece together which EMU or DMU stock for which operators have on board announcements, and which of the large stations are good for announcement recording. I'm considering travelling to Scotland, should anything be recordable there. I’m in the process of planning a return visit.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

Addington

 

[First class]

So you're basically looking for trains that have automated announcement systems?

You say you've done Merseyrail EMUs, but have you heard the actual station announcements at Liverpool Central on Sunday mornings? These are from the 80's I believe and warn of a station evacuation being necessary.The Class 507/508 units also have various announcements which can only be triggered by the guard/driver, such as "Due to a signal failure, this service is delayed by x minutes"and "Change here for the Soccerbus to Anfield".

Most Network Rail ran stations are the same in terms of announcement styles, my favourite station for announcements is Inverness, a lovely Scottish accent pronouncing some great Gaelic sounding stations on the Far North.

 

[me123]

I'm considering travelling to Scotland, should anything be recordable there. I’m in the process of planning a return visit.

Hi Addington. Scotland has them on every route, except the Cathcart Circle. This line is operated by Class 314 EMUs which are simply too old to have them. These trains also operate a few services on the Inverclyde Line.

There are also no automatic announcements on the Caledonian Sleeper overnight train to London, and none on the Fife Circle Locomotive hauled services (which only run in the peak time).

In this post, I refer solely to Scotrail operations. Virgin, Crosscountry and East Coast services still have manual announcements. Transpennine Express (who operate a handful of trains to Manchester) also have them.

 

[thefab444]

I believe all of TPE's stock is fitted with automated announcements. The Voyagers and Pendolinos are also both fitted with automated announcements, although these are rarely used.

 

[Addington]

So you're basically looking for trains that have automated announcement systems?

Yep, looking for any rollingstock, and stations, that have the automated announcements.

You say you've done Merseyrail EMUs, but have you heard the actual station announcements at Liverpool Central on Sunday mornings? These are from the 80's I believe and warn of a station evacuation being necessary.The Class 507/508 units also have various announcements which can only be triggered by the guard/driver, such as "Due to a signal failure, this service is delayed by x minutes"and "Change here for the Soccerbus to Anfield".

I only had the opportunity to be at Liverpool Central for about 30 minutes, so only got a few of the regulars. A longer is certainly needed. As for the 507/508 units, the only non station announcement I got was for feet on seats. To get unusual stuff, you just have to be in the right place at the right time!

Most Network Rail ran stations are the same in terms of announcement styles, my favourite station for announcements is Inverness, a lovely Scottish accent pronouncing some great Gaelic sounding stations on the Far North.

I tried to stick to the Network Rail stations, I only managed to get Phil at Waterloo, nearly everywhere else was Sarah. My visit to Wales was the first time I had recorded anything non-English sounding, though it did lead to long announcements.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Hi Addington. Scotland has them on every route, except the Cathcart Circle. This line is operated by Class 314 EMUs which are simply too old to have them. These trains also operate a few services on the Inverclyde Line.

There are also no automatic announcements on the Caledonian Sleeper overnight train to London, and none on the Fife Circle Locomotive hauled services (which only run in the peak time).

In this post, I refer solely to Scotrail operations. Virgin, Crosscountry and East Coast services still have manual announcements. Transpennine Express (who operate a handful of trains to Manchester) also have them.

Hi and thanks me123. When you mention that all of Scotland has announcements, does this include the non-suburban stock as well?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I believe all of TPE's stock is fitted with automated announcements. The Voyagers and Pendolinos are also both fitted with automated announcements, although these are rarely used.

I found it a bit unusual that Southern have announcements for the "next stop", "now arriving at" and "this is the Southern service to", but didn't, or havent, bothered to record anything to connections.

 

[Geezertronic]

Virgin, Crosscountry and East Coast services still have manual announcements.

I travelled to Euston last week on a Pendolino with automated announcements - I hated it, compared to the ones on London Midland they were awful. Luckily the train manager was announcing on the return journey back to Brum.

 

[RPM]

Chiltern Railways had automatic announcements on the 168s and also the 165s after they were refurbished. They generated so many complaints from passengers that the system was disabled and has remained so ever since.

 

[Addington]

I travelled to Euston last week on a Pendolino with automated announcements - I hated it, compared to the ones on London Midland they were awful. Luckily the train manager was announcing on the return journey back to Brum.

Are there any particular lines/rollingstock I should look out for and travel on on London Midland? I visited all the lines in the area, but only got the automated help points.

 

[Geezertronic]

Are there any particular lines/rollingstock I should look out for and travel on on London Midland? I visited all the lines in the area, but only got the automated help points.

People on here with more experience will probably offer better advice but most of the London Midland stock appears to have Automated Announcements on from what I can tell (or what I have personally travelled on). If you are looking for a change from the West Coast Mainline (WCML), you can't go far wrong with the Cross City line in Birmingham.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_midland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-City_Line

 

[LondonLarry]

Are there any particular lines/rollingstock I should look out for and travel on on London Midland? I visited all the lines in the area, but only got the automated help points.

It's intermittent on the Class 350s. They seem to have turned off the portion announcements (e.g. front 4 coaches for Brum, rear 4 terminate at Northampton). Occasionally you'll get the PIS annoucement, shortly followed by the guard's manual announcement!

 

[Hyperen]

People on here with more experience will probably offer better advice but most of the London Midland stock appears to have Automated Announcements on from what I can tell (or what I have personally travelled on). If you are looking for a change from the West Coast Mainline (WCML), you can't go far wrong with the Cross City line in Birmingham.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_midland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-City_Line

I use the Cross-City every day and have never heard an automatic announcement on a Class 323.

 

[Pumbaa]

Here goes:

LM - Auto-announcements on 350s and 170s only. On 170s, announces when train arrives at station that this is the LM service to x, calling at y and z. Next station y. On approach to y, we are now approaching y. CrossCountry 170s also have this arrangements. 350s are umm interesting. When it's on, the auto-woman does a full "this is the station z service, calling at x and y" when leaving the origin station only. No further announcements until on the approach to each station "we are now approaching y", and when at station "this is y. this is the train to z".

fTPE: 185s announce the calling pattern after departure from each station, as well as announcing the next station on the approach to it, and at each station reminds passengers which station it is, and where the train is going to.

Scotrail: Yes, all units bar 314s. Including non-suburban stock. Even the 156s! Full caboodle, as described above for fTPE as rule of thumb.

fGW: I don't think they have any stock that does automated announcements do they?

That's all I can confidently describe for now, other than Southern, but you seem to already know them.

 

[323235]

All you get in the way of automated announcements on FGW is "Welcome aboard please listen to the following......".

This can be heard on all there DMU's

 

[Drsatan]

All you get in the way of automated announcements on FGW is "Welcome aboard please listen to the following......".

This can be heard on all there DMU's

And it was the case on Wessex Trains refurbished 150s and 158s too.

All of SWTs 158s/159s have automated announcements. The funny thing is, the automated announcer splits some station names into two syllables when they should be pronounced as one word e.g.

On board the xx.07 service from Romsey to Salisbury via Eastleigh, Soton C, & Romsey. "Welcome onboard this South West Trains service to Red-bridge via Southampton Central (when leaving Romsey the train's only advertised as going to Redbridge so passengers don't get confused). Calling at Chandlers Ford, East-leigh, Southampton Airport Parkway, Swaythling, St Denys, Southampton Central, Mill-brook, Red-bridge and Romsey." Gets a bit irritating after a while

SWTs 444s/450s have automated announcements which use the same voice-over artist, although occasionally they're not used and the guard makes manual announcements instead. All of SWTs 455s have automated announcements too.

 

[emoaconr]

ATW 175's seem to be rather inconsistent.

When in station, it usually gets "We are now at X. This train is for Y. The next stop is Z".

Leaving a station, its usually "This train is for X. The next stop is Y. Thank you". However it seems after longer stops (usually principal stations), you get "This train is for X. We will be calling at the following principal stations: A, B, C, X, Y and Z" (followed by safety announcements, and "thank you for travelling with Arriva Trains WAYuls today").

When a train approaching is a station, Ruth simply states "We will shortly be arriving at x". There is also sometimes a chime to wake up the snoozers. Its very inconsistent and often isn't switched on at all.

 

[Bittern]

Hi and thanks me123. When you mention that all of Scotland has announcements, does this include the non-suburban stock as well?

Every ScotRail service (except the ones mentioned that me123 mentioned that do not) have automated announcements.

 

[mathmo]

Class 365s on services out of King's Cross (e.g. to Cambridge) have automatic announcements, though they're often not used. I like them because they don't say very much. If I'm remembering them correctly, messages include:
"This train is for London King's Cross"
"The next station is London King's Cross"
I can't ever remember hearing them announce that the train will divide or anything complicated though!

 

[MCR247]

It sounds like 'This train is for Blondon Kings X!

 

[me123]

Hi and thanks me123. When you mention that all of Scotland has announcements, does this include the non-suburban stock as well?

Yes. The Class 170s operating between the major cities in Scotland have fully automated announcements, although they are often supplemented by the guard. The only exceptions are a few trains a day operated by National Express and Crosscountry between Edinburgh and Aberdeen which have fully manual announcements.

Whilst the announcements may seem more at home on a suburban route, they actually work quite well the way they've been installed. They don't interfere more than they absolutely need to.

This is what they sounded like at first, and they were unbearable! They've since been replaced throughout.

 

[Addington]

People on here with more experience will probably offer better advice but most of the London Midland stock appears to have Automated Announcements on from what I can tell (or what I have personally travelled on). If you are looking for a change from the West Coast Mainline (WCML), you can't go far wrong with the Cross City line in Birmingham.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_midland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-City_Line

Thanks Geezertronic.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It's intermittent on the Class 350s. They seem to have turned off the portion announcements (e.g. front 4 coaches for Brum, rear 4 terminate at Northampton). Occasionally you'll get the PIS annoucement, shortly followed by the guard's manual announcement!

Thanks LondonLarry. Is the voice on board these sets also Julie Berry? I noticed on the Class 377 sets that auto announcements queue if a guard talks when the announcmement is due. At least that way you dont miss anything.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Here goes:

LM - Auto-announcements on 350s and 170s only. On 170s, announces when train arrives at station that this is the LM service to x, calling at y and z. Next station y. On approach to y, we are now approaching y. CrossCountry 170s also have this arrangements. 350s are umm interesting. When it's on, the auto-woman does a full "this is the station z service, calling at x and y" when leaving the origin station only. No further announcements until on the approach to each station "we are now approaching y", and when at station "this is y. this is the train to z".

fTPE: 185s announce the calling pattern after departure from each station, as well as announcing the next station on the approach to it, and at each station reminds passengers which station it is, and where the train is going to.

Scotrail: Yes, all units bar 314s. Including non-suburban stock. Even the 156s! Full caboodle, as described above for fTPE as rule of thumb.

fGW: I don't think they have any stock that does automated announcements do they?

That's all I can confidently describe for now, other than Southern, but you seem to already know them.

Thanks for the above Pumbaa. I wouldnt be surprised if fGW didnt have anything onboard, from what I gather, they are in the process of getting rid of the passenger information points in their area, replacing them with a system that connects to an operator.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

ATW 175's seem to be rather inconsistent.

When in station, it usually gets "We are now at X. This train is for Y. The next stop is Z".

Leaving a station, its usually "This train is for X. The next stop is Y. Thank you". However it seems after longer stops (usually principal stations), you get "This train is for X. We will be calling at the following principal stations: A, B, C, X, Y and Z" (followed by safety announcements, and "thank you for travelling with Arriva Trains WAYuls today").

When a train approaching is a station, Ruth simply states "We will shortly be arriving at x". There is also sometimes a chime to wake up the snoozers. Its very inconsistent and often isn't switched on at all.

At least there seems to be consistency in what the trains say. I am assuming Welsh isnt spoken onboard? If its anything like the stations, announcements take forever.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

This is what they sounded like at first, and they were unbearable! They've since been replaced throughout.

That was horrendous, I cant think of anything I have heard that is worse! I am glad they got rid of her.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Class 365s on services out of King's Cross (e.g. to Cambridge) have automatic announcements, though they're often not used. I like them because they don't say very much. If I'm remembering them correctly, messages include:
"This train is for London King's Cross"
"The next station is London King's Cross"
I can't ever remember hearing them announce that the train will divide or anything complicated though!

Thats c2c isnt it? (we only have one privatised rail network, so I'm still getting used to everything being split in the UK).

 

[90019]

Thats c2c isnt it? (we only have one privatised rail network, so I'm still getting used to everything being split in the UK).

It'll be FCC, as they're the only TOC that uses 365s.

c2c use 357s

 

[jon0844]

It sounds like 'This train is for Blondon Kings X!

I think it's 'Dlondon King's Cross', presumably having had someone badly chop the 'and' bit off to make a separate sample for King's Cross.

I am surprised FCC hasn't paid to have the samples changed so it can welcome people aboard the First Capital Connect service (it is set up to say West Anglia Great Northern) - especially if its true that some of them will survive beyond 2015. I believe the welcome message has been ditched and I am sure it also used to speak the stopping pattern before (as Wagn). Now it only shows that on the display.

One driver in particular likes to use almost every announcement possible (some are quite amusing and very long) but many services won't even have it turned on - even on the regular services that don't have any odd stopping patterns.

 

[bengley]

Chiltern Railways had automatic announcements on the 168s and also the 165s after they were refurbished. They generated so many complaints from passengers that the system was disabled and has remained so ever since.

I hate stupid snobby people who complain about them. I saw a blind guy miss his stop the other day because of the lack of auto/driver announcements. This was at Wendover. I think announcements should be re-enabled no matter what the stupid public think.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also, on topic:

Julie Berry herself kindly recorded this for me for a project.

http://dump.no/files/563e3efee3d1/Announce.mp3

 

[jon0844]

These are a requirement for DDA compliance! It's crazy if a TOC disabled the system, and presumably illegal too.

 

[mathmo]

I am surprised FCC hasn't paid to have the samples changed so it can welcome people aboard the First Capital Connect service (it is set up to say West Anglia Great Northern) - especially if its true that some of them will survive beyond 2015. I believe the welcome message has been ditched and I am sure it also used to speak the stopping pattern before (as Wagn). Now it only shows that on the display.

Wagn was quite a while ago and I didn't use the train much in those days so sadly I can't remember. But I agree that it doesn't seem to say the stopping pattern any more.

One driver in particular likes to use almost every announcement possible (some are quite amusing and very long) but many services won't even have it turned on - even on the regular services that don't have any odd stopping patterns.

Could you give an example? Unfortunately I've never been on one of these trains

 

[bengley]

These are a requirement for DDA compliance! It's crazy if a TOC disabled the system, and presumably illegal too.

I know. The drivers rarely make the announcements, although they have been doing it more for the last week or so. I really would prefer the automated ones. RPM, do you think you could put a word in at the wherever you go for your shift? I think it should be mandatory on the Amersham route at least.

 

[Mojo]

There is a minimum standard of announcements (I can't find it anywhere) but it is far exceeded on many (most) trains. There should be announcements informing customers of the next stop and the destination, but can't see the need for anything more than that.

 

[MCR247]

I never thought that auto announcements would work on exrpess & semi/long distance trains, until I saw FSRs 170 annnouncements. Instead of just being like: 'This is X. This train is for A via C' It was more like Welcome onboard this First Scotrail service for Aberdeen' and it didnt sound so robotic

 

[RPM]

I know. The drivers rarely make the announcements, although they have been doing it more for the last week or so. I really would prefer the automated ones. RPM, do you think you could put a word in at the wherever you go for your shift? I think it should be mandatory on the Amersham route at least.

In driver-only areas drivers are required to make announcements in order to comply with the DDA regulations. However if a driver thinks that making an announcement may distract him/her in any way from safely driving the train then they can omit the announcement. Therefore although announcements are olbigatory, it is impossible to enforce them.
Personally I have no issues with announcing and I do it as a matter of routine but other drivers feel very strongly that it is a dangerous practice and I respect their view even if I don't agree with it.

 

[me123]

I never thought that auto announcements would work on exrpess & semi/long distance trains, until I saw FSRs 170 annnouncements. Instead of just being like: 'This is X. This train is for A via C' It was more like Welcome onboard this First Scotrail service for Aberdeen' and it didnt sound so robotic

I would say that they are the "Gold Standard" for announcements. The 320s aren't, though. Until they were recently updated, they used to take every opportunity to remind you to "mind the gap when boarding or alighting from this train".