Is closing slam-doors helpful for dispatch?

[cuccir]

A query that has been bugging me for some time: is it helpful for platform staff in dispatching a train if the last passengers entering via a slam-door such as those on a Mark 3 carriage shut the door behind them?

My inclination is to close the door but I'd say that the majority of passengers don't. If staff have to check the doors anyway then perhaps it's not speeding things up or maybe even it slows the process down if they're having to check that they've been shut properly.

Thoughts from anyone in the know?!?

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's obvious if a door is closed properly, the handle is in line and the edge is not visible. So from a passenger's perspective yes, it is useful.

 

[AlterEgo]

I always close slam doors behind me for the reason @Bletchleyite gives.

 

[sTEAM Stewart]

Absolutely yes.

In fact, Greater Anglia have an automated message "to assist in the prompt departure of this train, passengers are asked to close doors behind them"

 

[chubs]

Was going to mention the GA one, but I've never heard any automated messages on GA slam door stock! They do it manually over the PA - tends to be more on quieter times / services / stations when there aren't any platform staff around.

 

[cuccir]

Thanks for the replies - good to know that my inclination was correct on this one!

 

[Eddie Stuart]

I've always thought that it's bad manners not to, unless someone is right behind me.

 

[GarethC]

Was going to mention the GA one, but I've never heard any automated messages on GA slam door stock! They do it manually over the PA - tends to be more on quieter times / services / stations when there aren't any platform staff around.

The automated message is on the stations "To assist in the safe and punctual departure of this train, please close doors and windows behind you. Thank you."

Generally it works quite well. Though there always seems to be someone who leaves a door open at the furthest point from the staff. Connected to this, does anybody know how the number of platform staff compares between TOCs and Stations. I know that Ipswich generally has two dispatchers on Platform 2 during the daytime. I have seen the Guard running up and down closing the doors at Manningtree on a Sunday (and accumulating delay). In contrast there always appeared to be lots of staff when these trains were used on the WCML at Stockport, but that might have been a figment of my imagination (I followed the MK3 stock to East Anglia!).

Gareth

 

[Dai Corner]

Absolutely it is.

In the all-slam door days it is was normal to hear the announcer say 'This train is ready to depart. Please close all doors and stand clear'.

 

[221129]

It's not actually that helpful as the doors have to be checked regardless. But it does take less effort to check a door than to close one.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I always close the door behind me but then sometimes I get glares from dispatchers as if to say “Ahem that’s my job” especially at Reading, puts me off.

 

[Tube driver]

I use GA often and tend to sit towards the front of the train. When I get off I regularly close open doors as I walk towards the stairs out of the station (obviously checking no-ones trying to get off first!). Nowt wrong helping out like this.

Despite the PA's asking people to close doors behind them, I think that people are so used to automatic doors that they just assume they'll close themselves. Also had it a few times where people look for the door open button and it just doesn't compute with them that you have open a window, lean out and open from the outside.

 

[diffident]

Back in the day of Virgin CrossCountry being 47 hauled, especially Brum to Brighton, the doors were always open

 

[6Gman]

Back in the day of Virgin CrossCountry being 47 hauled, especially Brum to Brighton, the doors were always open

Didn't they flap about as the trains accelerated and braked?

 

[cactustwirly]

Yes, especially on the London-Penzance/Cotswold line services where the guard has to close all the doors at the smaller stations.
When I did the Penzance service, my train was 15 minutes late, because the guard had to walk the length of the train to close the doors at most stops west of Plymouth.

 

[cjmillsnun]

Certainly on the old Mk1 EMUs is was common practice for most to shut the doors behind them to assist with a prompt departure.

 

[alxndr]

I always have a look around and slam the door if there's no one else around. I'll also do other doors if I happen to be passing and they've just been left open.

I even tried shutting one out of habit a week after having surgery on my chest and shouldn't have been much with my upper body at all. That smarted quite a bit, but it was purely instinct to be polite.

 

[causton]

Simply listen to this guard

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8msFFcTw-q3eVdCRzdvTHZKcGs
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B8msFFcTw-q3cHQ3Mk1leUllclE

I absolutely love these announcements!

 

[Silver Cobra]

Alongside the announcements on the GA services using Mk3 coaching stock, the windows on the doors also have stickers at the top which say 'Thank you for travelling with us. Please close the door behind you' (or something to that effect).

 

[chubs]

The automated message is on the stations "To assist in the safe and punctual departure of this train, please close doors and windows behind you. Thank you."

Generally it works quite well. Though there always seems to be someone who leaves a door open at the furthest point from the staff. Connected to this, does anybody know how the number of platform staff compares between TOCs and Stations. I know that Ipswich generally has two dispatchers on Platform 2 during the daytime. I have seen the Guard running up and down closing the doors at Manningtree on a Sunday (and accumulating delay). In contrast there always appeared to be lots of staff when these trains were used on the WCML at Stockport, but that might have been a figment of my imagination (I followed the MK3 stock to East Anglia!).

Gareth

Ah right, I travel the full length of the line usually and they obviously don't do it on arrival in Norwich or Liverpool St but they do manual announcements on the train in quieter times.

Just from my observations on the mainline in the peak all the stations have at least 1 member of platform staff, but evenings and Sunday the smaller ones like Manningtree, Stowmarket, Diss etc have non (there's signs on the gates indicating if staff are available or not) so if someone doesn't shut the door the guard often walks the length of the train.

Most people seem to shut them though, frequent and even occasional travellers on the GEML are well used to the procedure after a lifetime of mk2's and mk3's.

 

[chubs]

Also had it a few times where people look for the door open button and it just doesn't compute with them that you have open a window, lean out and open from the outside.

I've had some very bemused looks from tourists and international student freshers who didn't know how to open an mk2/mk3 door and I've shown them

 

[Lucan]

I've always thought that it's bad manners not to ...

Especially if the weather is cold.

 

[306024]

Other slam door operators such as Great Western could learn a lot from GA. The conductors announcements on the train to close doors behind really do have a positive effect, especially amongst regular commuters who know an open door equals delay. Often passengers will close doors others may have left open.

 

[Signal Head]

Slide the window up and close the door, if you're last off and no one boarding. Routine in the days of mainly slam door stock, I have to actually remember to do it now on the odd occasion I'm in HST-land.

 

[cf111]

I'm normally on a cheap 1st advance on the northbound Highland Cheiftain so at the very rear of the train and I will close doors going up the platform if I don't see anyone left to alight.

The railway will be more accessible and safer when all the slam door stock is gone so it is good things are improving but on a selfish note I will miss the noise they make when slammed shut so I think that's why I do it!

 

[pdeaves]

Is it still the case (it certainly used to be) that passengers are more likely to close doors in the mornings than evenings? a.m. they are all in a hurry to get to work so close the doors to arrive on time. p.m. they leap out and rush home without a thought to those still on the train!

 

[pt_mad]

It's very helpful as long as the door doesn't go on the catch. In which case it's a hinderance.

I also find that if you push the door by anything other than the handle, you end up with black on your hands.

 

[221129]

Other slam door operators such as Great Western could learn a lot from GA. The conductors announcements on the train to close doors behind really do have a positive effect, especially amongst regular commuters who know an open door equals delay. Often passengers will close doors others may have left open.

I'm.not sure how it makes it quicker? The guard still has to walk the length of the train to check them anyway...

 

[Kite159]

I'm.not sure how it makes it quicker? The guard still has to walk the length of the train to check them anyway...

What even at stations with platform staff who give the signal to the guard to relock the doors after checking they are all closed? ....

 

[TheEdge]

I'm.not sure how it makes it quicker? The guard still has to walk the length of the train to check them anyway...

No, its very obvious if a Mk3 door is closed or not.

An experience guard will be able to tell from at least three coaches, more depending on the conditions. A Mk3 door sits perfectly flush when its closed. If a door facing towards the guard is on the catch a reflective yellow strip is visible, one away will obscure the sighting of the CDL lamp. So if a guard can look down the side of their train, see all the CDL lights and no reflective strips then all are closed. If unsure get close to the body and look down to see if they are flush. They also make a very very distinctive double clunk noise when they close properly, the sound of a Mk3 door closing but only going onto the catch is incredibly obvious when you are in tune to it.