How do they know the platform number before I do?

[Hedge Fund]

I travel on either the 17:30 or 18:30 Avanti out of Euston, to Carlisle, usually on a Wednesday or Thursday, depending on what days I’m in the office.

The train seems to depart from a random platform number each time, but often 1-3 or 11-15, so could be either end of the station.

I watch the departure board like a hawk, and the split second it shows the platform, I sprint for the platform. Usually one of the first to leave the concourse area.

But without fail, every single time, I’ll sprint to the platform gates and there will already be a crowd of 20-30 people stood there in a queue in front of me, waiting to have tickets checked.

I have tried looking at apps such as NexTrain or national rail, to see if the platform info comes up faster than the departure board, but it doesn’t.

I have no idea how these people know which platform it will be, before I do.

It’s a mystery…

Any suggestions?!

 

[bramling]

I travel on either the 17:30 or 18:30 Avanti out of Euston, to Carlisle, usually on a Wednesday or Thursday, depending on what days I’m in the office.

The train seems to depart from a random platform number each time, but often 1-3 or 11-15, so could be either end of the station.

I watch the departure board like a hawk, and the split second it shows the platform, I sprint for the platform. Usually one of the first to leave the concourse area.

But without fail, every single time, I’ll sprint to the platform gates and there will already be a crowd of 20-30 people stood there in a queue in front of me, waiting to have tickets checked.

I have tried looking at apps such as NexTrain or national rail, to see if the platform info comes up faster than the departure board, but it doesn’t.

I have no idea how these people know which platform it will be, before I do.

It’s a mystery…

Any suggestions?!

If you know what incoming service forms the outgoing one, it’s possible to fairly accurately predict which platform the train will leave from based on where the incoming service arrives. This can be risky if an unplanned alterations occurs though.

 

[Peter0124]

I recommend using Realtime Trains, and also following the inbound service to see where it arrives. Though last minute set-swaps do happen.

 

[Freightmaster]

Any suggestions?!

See this thread:

Euston departure platform request.

Good afternoon all. I hope this isn’t out of place, but does anyone know which platform Euston>Manchester 18:32 will leave from today? I’m just trying to avoid the “scramble”. Thank you in advance.

www.railforums.co.uk

MARK

 

[The exile]

Are there "Staff information" screens anywhere? (I don't think GWR are the only ones to use them - though theirs are the most user friendly I've seen) - GW's ones at least are linked to a different info source that can sometimes be several minutes ahead of the PIS.

 

[390136]

Are there "Staff information" screens anywhere? (I don't think GWR are the only ones to use them - though theirs are the most user friendly I've seen) - GW's ones at least are linked to a different info source that can sometimes be several minutes ahead of the PIS.

Yes but they're underground in the basement area.

RTT is a good shout, but always worth having a map open like OTT or Traksy to keep an eye on headcode changes.

Although as mentioned above, last minute swaps do happen. Always best to linger at the top of the ramp, so you can still quickly access other platforms.

 

[bleeder4]

RTT is good for this, but you could also check the arrivals board to see which platform the incoming service arrives at. ie if you're getting an Avanti to Carlisle and you can see on the arrivals board that shortly before your train is due to depart, there is an incoming Avanti arrival from Edinburgh/Glasgow, then there is a good chance that will be your train.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

If you know what incoming service forms the outgoing one, it’s possible to fairly accurately predict which platform the train will leave from based on where the incoming service arrives. This can be risky if an unplanned alterations occurs though.

But how would you know what incoming service is going to form the outgoing one? Even sites like OTT or RTT don't - as far as I'm aware - show that info.

 

[Crithylum]

But how would you know what incoming service is going to form the outgoing one? Even sites like OTT or RTT don't - as far as I'm aware - show that info.

Compare the unit numbers from know your train (assuming that these are accurate)

 

[DaveyJones]

RTT is good for this, but you could also check the arrivals board to see which platform the incoming service arrives at. ie if you're getting an Avanti to Carlisle and you can see on the arrivals board that shortly before your train is due to depart, there is an incoming Avanti arrival from Edinburgh/Glasgow, then there is a good chance that will be your train.

It doesn't work like that - Glasgow/Edinburgh arrivals normally form a Manchester Service back out

 

[saismee]

But how would you know what incoming service is going to form the outgoing one? Even sites like OTT or RTT don't - as far as I'm aware - show that info.

The schedule will have a platform specified, so you can see that your train departs from platform X and find the arrival before that. Then if the arrival goes into a different platform, that's likely to be where yours departs from unless there is disruption or an alteration.

 

[Peter0124]

It doesn't work like that - Glasgow/Edinburgh arrivals normally form a Manchester Service back out

Glasgow-Euston fast services usually work the xx:53 to Manchester, the xx:30 northbound to Glasgow is usually worked by the Scotland via Birmingham arrival.

 

[bramling]

But how would you know what incoming service is going to form the outgoing one? Even sites like OTT or RTT don't - as far as I'm aware - show that info.

Look at RTT for a day in the future when there’s no engineering work or other alterations, and compare the booked platform numbers.

Or for regular passengers simply from daily experience of what happens, if one takes the same service regularly.

 

[Electrostar387]

But how would you know what incoming service is going to form the outgoing one? Even sites like OTT or RTT don't - as far as I'm aware - show that info.

Not always, but often these day in the "detailed" section of RTT for your service it will now specify which train service forms your intended train. So, in the example below, the train to ELY from KGX states "Service forms from 2C57 from Cambridge"

Realtime Trains | 1T60 2009 London Kings Cross to Ely | 22/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 1T60 2009 departure from London Kings Cross to Ely on 22/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Dr Hoo]

I travel on either the 17:30 or 18:30 Avanti out of Euston, to Carlisle, usually on a Wednesday or Thursday, depending on what days I’m in the office.

The train seems to depart from a random platform number each time, but often 1-3 or 11-15, so could be either end of the station.

I watch the departure board like a hawk, and the split second it shows the platform, I sprint for the platform. Usually one of the first to leave the concourse area.

But without fail, every single time, I’ll sprint to the platform gates and there will already be a crowd of 20-30 people stood there in a queue in front of me, waiting to have tickets checked.

I have tried looking at apps such as NexTrain or national rail, to see if the platform info comes up faster than the departure board, but it doesn’t.

I have no idea how these people know which platform it will be, before I do.

It’s a mystery…

Any suggestions?!

Does it really matter if there are 20-30 people ahead of you heading for a train with hundreds of seats?

And please don’t sprint or run on a busy railway stations anyway. We’ve had a recent thread about it.

Do you reserve a seat in advance?

 

[Archvile]

Look up your service on RTT. Go to detailed view. Note the set number.

Search that set number in the search bar. It will show what it's currently working inbound. Note the headcode.

Watch the headcode get pathed into a platform on Open Train Times/Traksy.

Voila.

 

[Nickpbo]

Railcam displays both the last and next headcodes for a train standing at most terminii.

 

[Bantamzen]

Look up your service on RTT. Go to detailed view. Note the set number.

Search that set number in the search bar. It will show what it's currently working inbound. Note the headcode.

Watch the headcode get pathed into a platform on Open Train Times/Traksy.

Voila.

Furthermore, you can then use these tools to predict potential delays too.

For example, I usually commute early morning from Northwich to Salford Quays, so part of my journey is with Northern from Northwich to Altrincham (on a Chester - Man Picc / Stockport service). Using RTT I have discovered that the first two services from Northwich (06:28 & 07:03), are actually formed from a 4 car ECS move from either Newton Heath or Manchester Piccadilly, usually due to arrive into Chester at around 05:46 where it splits into 2 * 2 cars. If this ECS runs late, or not at all, it's a fair bet that one or both may be delayed or cancelled, or if the ECS only moves as 2 car then the 07:03 will be cancelled (as has happened for the last two days). So if the ECS doesn't run I'd generally sack off going into the office, and schedule for another day (or get the 07:22 & suffer the hell on Earth that are the Metrolink services from around 08:00 out of Altrincham with hundreds of schoolkids on them ).

As others have said, it's not 100% accurate by any means, set swaps, short forms, early terminating services etc etc can all change it, but if you have a fairly regular commute you can build up a picture of how your services may run, what prior services usually form them, and plan accordingly.

 

[sh24]

Look up your service on RTT. Go to detailed view. Note the set number.

Search that set number in the search bar. It will show what it's currently working inbound. Note the headcode.

Watch the headcode get pathed into a platform on Open Train Times/Traksy.

Voila.

Which works 98% of the time, but always be mindful of a set swap.

 

[Lloyds siding]

Avanti asked me a couple of days ago if I wanted Euston platform info texted to my phone.

 

[jfollows]

Avanti asked me a couple of days ago if I wanted Euston platform info texted to my phone.

They do, but later than by working out the platform yourself by some of the methods mentioned above.
The 17:30 is 1S90, the 18:30 is 1S95 and can be seen on sites such as https://www.opentraintimes.com/maps/signalling/lec1 in a platform prior to announcements is just one way for @Hedge Fund to find the information.

 

[Sussex hammer]

My suggestion would be to ask several of these 20-30 people and what their tip is.

 

[John R]

I use RTT to confirm the headcode of the train, and the OTT track map to co firm that the correct headcode is occupying which platform. Never failed yet.

 

[Archvile]

Which works 98% of the time, but always be mindful of a set swap.

That's why you watch the headcode change once it's berthed! Caught me out before.

 

[blueberry11]

At stations with two platforms or less, there may also be signs that state where the train will be heading.

 

[bramling]

I use RTT to confirm the headcode of the train, and the OTT track map to co firm that the correct headcode is occupying which platform. Never failed yet.

There’s always an element of risk in trying to pre-empt things. One has to accept that if trying to out-smart the system, there’s potential for it to go wrong at times. Having said that, the vast majority of the time things should work out.

 

[jfollows]

Exactly so.
1S90 (17:30 to Glasgow) shows to be operated by 390005 today, which is currently operating 9M54 10:52 Edinburgh-Euston via Birmingham (as @Peter0124 said above), due to arrive into Euston at 16:40, so that’s a good indication. Things go wrong and sets get swapped. Seeing the headcode against a platform on Open Train Times or Traksy nearer the time is a much more reliable indication.

The other alternative for the original poster is to find a friend who will do this for you. I’m not offering! But I do this for one particular friend who sends me a message and who knows that I won’t always be in a position to help, however 99% of the time I can. She gets more quality time in the pub as a result.

 

[Jimini]

There’s always an element of risk in trying to pre-empt things. One has to accept that if trying to out-smart the system, there’s potential for it to go wrong at times. Having said that, the vast majority of the time things should work out.

True. Happened to me last night at Paddington. RTT had the 1923 to Oxford "at platform" in bold / red on P1 (just after 7ish). Looked it up on Traksy and there was only a random headcode on the platform rather than the Oxford one. Gave it a swerve rather than hanging around on the platform, and by the time I'd got back to the concourse it had been cancelled.

I was first out of the blocks for the delayed 1848 Swansea service though. That all lined up on Tiger / RTT / Traksy perfectly

 

[bramling]

True. Happened to me last night at Paddington. RTT had the 1923 to Oxford "at platform" in bold / red on P1 (just after 7ish). Looked it up on Traksy and there was only a random headcode on the platform rather than the Oxford one. Gave it a swerve rather than hanging around on the platform, and by the time I'd got back to the concourse it had been cancelled.

I was first out of the blocks for the delayed 1848 Swansea service though. That all lined up on Tiger / RTT / Traksy perfectly

Yeah I got caught out with a swap a few weeks ago at King’s Cross. Happily settled on to what would should have been my train, first I was aware of anything different was when the PA came on just before departure saying this was a Kings Lynn train. Rather than mess around looking for my actual train (which I think in the end got cancelled anyway) I just remained on and arranged to be picked up at Letchworth, so it didn’t massively cause me an issue. But at other times of day when the fast services run fast to Cambridge it would have been a problem!

So the moral is, unforeseen things can happen at any time, and even when everything seems to be all working as per what the book says, one always needs to keep an eye on what’s happening.

 

[Mattplans]

Does it really matter if there are 20-30 people ahead of you heading for a train with hundreds of seats?

I think it's very obvious that he's just using that to show that a lot of people seem to know the platform ahead of announcement, not that there's an issue that there's other people before him.