GBR and trackside signage

[Sad Sprinter]

I feel trackside signage is an important part to the railway. BR era signage always managed to convey a sense of power and importance to the railway. I always loved looking at the signs of junction names but many have either been removed or heavily vandalised. Then there’s the more miscellaneous signage like the old “Euston station 1 mile” sign that was for no obvious reason at all removed about a decade ago. I wonder if GBR will usher in a new era in trackside signage, relabelling junctions, tracks, distances to and from London etc.

 

[JonathanH]

I wonder if GBR will usher in a new era in trackside signage, relabelling junctions, tracks, distances to and from London etc.

I don't really see why it would, any more than we are going to embankments cleared of vegetation like they were in steam days. GBR is about spending taxpayer money more effectively on the railway, not so much replacing trackside signage (which costs money).

I assume you are coming at this from the railway taking more pride in it appearance, and there is a place for that, but at the same time there is a need to ensure money is spent on the right things.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

I don't really see why it would, any more than we are going to embankments cleared of vegetation like they were in steam days. GBR is about spending taxpayer money more effectively on the railway, not so much replacing trackside signage (which costs money).

I assume you are coming at this from the railway taking more pride in it appearance, and there is a place for that, but at the same time there is a need to ensure money is spent on the right things.

Well I think for a new era, pride in its appearance is a necessary message that the system works and takes itself seriously. Something that is endemically missing in modern Britain at the moment.

 

[dosxuk]

I wonder if GBR will usher in a new era in trackside signage, relabelling junctions, tracks, distances to and from London etc.

Not a chance. Would be a complete waste of time and money to do so.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

Not a chance. Would be a complete waste of time and money to do so.

I love perma-austerity too.

 

[JonathanH]

I love perma-austerity too.

Even if it wasn't permanent austerity, the railway has an issue with graffiti on lineside structures, which is very difficult to control.

 

[Zomboid]

It'll probably have it's own designs for public facing signage, but anything that's not and that remains fit for purpose (mostly that kind of thing is not branded anyway) will be left until it needs replacement.

It's not austerity to not spend money on doing things that don't need to be done.

 

[SynthD]

By way of using modern technology, we are moving in the other direction. Do we miss the lack of signals on the Cambrian, ECML and other lines moved to in cab signalling? I don’t.

There’s a photo of an Old Oak Common platform sign in a new font. Or, what I’m told is a new font.

 

[The exile]

There’s a photo of an Old Oak Common platform sign in a new font. Or, what I’m told is a new font.

What, another one?!

 

[James H]

I would like to see GBR take a little more consideration of the aesthetics of railway infrastructure and the impact on the passenger experience. Some modern installations in passenger-facing areas are shockingly ugly.

NR has had some commendable efforts in this direction with competitions to design functional, economical and at least somewhat elegant footbridges and the like, but there's a long way to go.

It's a shame the New Rail Alphabet signage project has been so botched and inconsistent.

 

[The Planner]

Your average customer isn't going to care, they want a seat and to be on time.

 

[vuzzeho]

There’s a photo of an Old Oak Common platform sign in a new font. Or, what I’m told is a new font.

I don't think that's the final font - just a little promo sign to say 'the platforms are coming up!'. We're not close enough to see what the sign will be - but probably just RA2.

I would like to see GBR take a little more consideration of the aesthetics of railway infrastructure and the impact on the passenger experience. Some modern installations in passenger-facing areas are shockingly ugly.

NR has had some commendable efforts in this direction with competitions to design functional, economical and at least somewhat elegant footbridges and the like, but there's a long way to go.

It's a shame the New Rail Alphabet signage project has been so botched and inconsistent.

I agree, and I'm hopeful. NR has been working on Design Guides pretty consistently recently with Rail Alphabet 2 and this is starting to be rolled out properly - I think Euston's completely done up in RA2 now.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

It'll probably have it's own designs for public facing signage, but anything that's not and that remains fit for purpose (mostly that kind of thing is not branded anyway) will be left until it needs replacement.

It's not austerity to not spend money on doing things that don't need to be done.

It’s not austerity, but it is evidence of the perma-austerity mindset Britain seems to perpetually have, particularly at the moment. “Every penny counts”, “no spare cash accept for day to day running” etc.

Your average customer isn't going to care, they want a seat and to be on time.

I disagree, I think the “customer” will pick up on the small details they’re using a service that takes pride in itself. If it really is a zero-sum game of getting from A-B on time in a seat, we wouldn’t bother with train liveries, pleasing architecture etc.

 

[The Planner]

It’s not austerity, but it is evidence of the perma-austerity mindset Britain seems to perpetually have, particularly at the moment. “Every penny counts”, “no spare cash accept for day to day running” etc.


I disagree, I think the “customer” will pick up on the small details they’re using a service that takes pride in itself. If it really is a zero-sum game of getting from A-B on time in a seat, we wouldn’t bother with train liveries, pleasing architecture etc.

They won't, the sign would be passed in 2 seconds and unless you were specifically looking for it you wouldn't even notice. Who is to say under GBR liveries don't get altered to a single brand? This forum would go into a frenzy if it was declared it was all going back to BR blue. Most new architecture is functional, massive green footbridges or weathered steel bridges.

 

[LowLevel]

With overgrown vegetation everywhere smashing lumps out of the trains themselves not being tackled, it seems some battered old junction signs being replaced that aren't even a standard feature and most people can't see from the train are hardly going to be a priority.

 

[JonathanH]

With overgrown vegetation everywhere smashing lumps out of the trains themselves not being tackled, it seems some battered old junction signs being replaced that aren't even a standard feature and most people can't see from the train are hardly going to be a priority.

Well quite. After I saw the original post in this thread, I contemplated just how many hours of labour it would take to remove all the overgrown vegetation and graffiti from the network to get it back to a tidy state.

 

[vuzzeho]

I disagree, I think the “customer” will pick up on the small details they’re using a service that takes pride in itself. If it really is a zero-sum game of getting from A-B on time in a seat, we wouldn’t bother with train liveries, pleasing architecture etc.

I fully believe that good design is important and can improve the customer experience, even if it is superficial, it can change perceptions on the quality of a service. That said, things like trackside signage are barely, if ever noticed by passengers (outside of enthusiasts) and so, do not affect their experience at all. It would be a waste of money to remake things with a new style unless the old signage needs replacing (which is the only reason I think they would - and so, the only way this overhaul will happen) simply because it is not customer facing at all. And it's not meant to be. Other signs, though, like station signs, digital signs, and anything the passenger would see, should be overhauled, though.