Destination indicators

[Robinson]

This has probably been discussed before, but I thought I'd mention it here.
Passing through Woking yesterday evening, I saw a 444 sitting in the west-facing bay; its destination screens on the front read "Delhi" and the ones above the windows (at the ends of the driving coaches) read "New Delhi".

Slightly amusing, and I didn't actually know this could easily be done, as often whenever I've been on trains that weren't running to a "normal" destination (e.g. TPE running to Manchester Victoria), the information system simply got turned off...

 

[Cherry_Picker]

You used to be able to put "Mystery Excursion" on a 158. You probably still can, its been a while since I had chance to check.

As for the LED ones? You can put whatever you want on the front if you have a laptop and the correct software. Sometimes silly things get put on displays by the depot.

 

[Brucey]

http://img.ly/cnQ2

 

[ainsworth74]

There have been several amusing displays over the years, I remember seeing a picture of a Voyager with the display saying "Off to bed now!".

 

[Schnellzug]

Like on buses, you often see ones running around saying "Sorry".

 

[Flamingo]

I've seen two Voyagers at Bristol coupled together, the front one's display said "Stop following me", and the rear ones display said "But I love you".

 

[gnolife]

I've had 'Hell and Back' as an alternative to Cleethorpes on a 185.

 

[scotsman]

I've seen two Voyagers at Bristol coupled together, the front one's display said "Stop following me", and the rear ones display said "But I love you".

I'm sure someone said there was once a Voyager that "For those of you about to rock [screen scrolls] we salute you!

 

[142094]

You used to be able to put "Mystery Excursion" on a 158. You probably still can, its been a while since I had chance to check.

Still can on some of the Northern ones. Another one was Ramblers Special (or words to that effect).

 

[deltic1989]

saw a 222 at Nottingham on christmas eve with "santa special" in the front.

 

[Eagle]

saw a 222 at Nottingham on christmas eve with "santa special" in the front.

Well there are photos somewhere of a service to the North Pole (not the depot :P) that evening in LM-land somewhere...

 

[Peter Mugridge]

There was this...

 

[Class377/5]

Or that Vomit Comet 350 that was in Modern Railways

 

[2Dogbox]

You used to be able to put "Mystery Excursion" on a 158. You probably still can, its been a while since I had chance to check.

You can still put that up on EMTs 158's along with "Ramblers Excursion" and "Roses Link"

 

[Robinson]

A few years ago there was another example in RAIL of an Australian train, with the screen reading "This train is f*cked!"

Again though, I hadn't actually seen anything like these before...

 

[sprinterguy]

I'm sure someone said there was once a Voyager that "For those of you about to rock [screen scrolls] we salute you!

Yup, saw it at Durham. Wish I'd been quick thinking enough to take a photo, but the train was pulling out at the time!

"Ashby de la Zouch" has also been displayed on a Centro 323: That's a fair coast off the wires beyond Lichfield, even if the line still had a passenger service!

 

[BestWestern]

Class 158 systems on our fleet allow a few bizarre ones, including "Mystery Excursion" and "Manchester United Football Ground", no foreign destinations though! Presumably all 158 units were programmed generically under BR and most have never been re-programmed to erase the superfluous destinations?!

 

[Eagle]

Class 158 systems on our fleet allow a few bizarre ones, including "Mystery Excursion" and "Manchester United Football Ground", no foreign destinations though! Presumably all 158 units were programmed generically under BR and most have never been re-programmed to erase the superfluous destinations?!

No point removing the exotic destinations; what if they get transferred to Northern or ScotRail or wherever sometime in the future?

 

[driver9000]

With regard to the 158s simply typing in random number codes can turn up some interesting results. In the cab there is usually a sticker that lists those relevant to the operator but there are huge gaps in the numbering sequence listed. Typing in numbers between the gaps are sometimes still valid and will show on the front. Singapore and Hong Kong used to be in the memory bank.

Voyagers have a free text input option for the external displays which is available to some staff, I have seen some weird things shown on their displays. At least they certainly used to anyway.....

 

[Tomonthetrain]

I've seen LM 350s display "Not Quite A Dutchess" in Northampton.

 

[northwichcat]

Like on buses, you often see ones running around saying "Sorry".

Why don't they have that on the blinds for Pacers that are in service?

 

[Train wasp]

Talking to a SWT driver some time ago. He said SWT management don’t tolerate drivers putting silly destinations on units. I can’t see the harm in it myself it's only a bit of fun.

 

[BestWestern]

Talking to a SWT driver some time ago. He said SWT management don’t tolerate drivers putting silly destinations on units. I can’t see the harm in it myself it's only a bit of fun.

SWT are very hot on the presentation of their trains and their company image in general. I can understand why they wouldn't see the funny side of trains running round with stupid destinations on the fronts, and it isn't especially customer friendly really!

 

[Schnellzug]

SWT are very hot on the presentation of their trains and their company image in general.

Pity it doesn't extend to the stations ...

[/sour]

 

[Derbyshire Gra]

Its not only train displays that can cause fun - attached picture taken at Paddington several years ago.

 

[marks87]

I've seen two Voyagers at Bristol coupled together, the front one's display said "Stop following me", and the rear ones display said "But I love you".

That's inspired

 

[317666]

Wasn't there a Voyager with "Tenerife" on the front once?

 

[150222]

I once saw a Northern 158 at Leeds. The destination display said 'Weymouth Quay'! Now that's optimistic.

 

[Eagle]

I once saw a Northern 158 at Leeds. The destination display said 'Weymouth Quay'! Now that's optimistic.

Did 158s ever work the Quay branch before it closed? Or was it all NSE LCHS boat trains by the end?

 

[150222]

Did 158s ever work the Quay branch before it closed? Or was it all NSE LCHS boat trains by the end?

I think it was a 33 & 4(VEP?). Bit before my time though.