Kings Cross - New station

[jon0844]

I do still find it odd to have platforms 9-11 showing the same train on both sections of the screen when it's either a single 4-car service on platform <n>(b) or when it's an 8-car using both sections of the platform.

I even noticed that the scrolling of the stopping pattern isn't always in sync (I guess that's down to the delay in displaying them when they first go up?) so you could even get people thinking the two trains are different.. and then getting confused when there may not be a train at the (a) section!

Surely the software should see that there's just one train on platform 9, 10 or 11 and simply show it once - at the top, with the stopping pattern scrolling by. The bottom bit could perhaps show some other information, perhaps like 'This service is 4-coaches/cars' or perhaps where first class is positioned. Of course there needs to be that data available to show, but it works on the TL side. At Liverpool St, they have information showing front/rear, and I believe they also resort to the humble poster board on wheels too.

Apologies if this is a known issue and is being looked at.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCSEFfa3VeA

 

[DarloRich]

First time through Kings Cross as a passenger yesterday (in and out) and i have to say it was very easy to use, and SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better than before.

Fantastic - a really good job. Cant wait for all the scaffolding to be taken away so we can really see the rest of the building

 

[142094]

Went into platform 0 on a HST yesterday, and momentarily forgot where the underground entrance was. Not sure if the signs are prominent enough to show where the entrance is from some of the platforms.

 

[jon0844]

Seems they've fixed the signs at platforms 9-11 now! You just get the 'Welcome to King's Cross' on the top and the train shown below - unless there are individual trains on a and b.

Much better!

 

[fishcake]

My first post having been a commuter into Kings Cross for many years, whislt the new structure looks great and provides nice facilties for those casual travellers, for the majority of regular users the flow is a real pain. My train comes reguarly into platform 8 and I take the Northern line. I am still trying to figure out the route they expect you to take which does not involve adding several minutes to the journey. They still seem to be trying different options. Lots of people givign out leaflets etc but no-one seem to be asking for people's view. I'd happly pass on the shops for a quicker and easier flow.

 

[Waddon]

One thing that is interesting is that the glass wall along the St.Pancras side of the big dome is not all doorways, despite looking like it was designed to be that way... there's even door mats on the inside, even though there is no door! Saw several people walking up to it, expecting it to open, only having to walk round to another entrance...

 

[jon0844]

That is odd. As it's all quite open, I wonder how warm it will be when the temperature falls or it's really windy outside? They've been lucky that it opened to the public just as we got a mini heatwave.

In fact, has it actually rained since it opened to the public? I wonder how horrible the floor will become when it does?!

 

[Deerfold]

Had a happier trip up today as I ignored the pointy hand people(still lying to people about not being able to get through this way), walked in through the York Way entrance with my large suitcase, having just got off the bus, through the barrier and onto my train on Platform 1.

 

[Bungle73]

Why has the station map on the NRE website still not been updated with the new layout? They haven't updated the one for my local station, which had a new bridge installed weeks ago, either for that matter.

 

[Deerfold]

Why has the station map on the NRE website still not been updated with the new layout? They haven't updated the one for my local station, which had a new bridge installed weeks ago, either for that matter.

I'm not sure but Blackfriars hasn't been updated either - it's nearly 4 months since the Southern entrance opened and the station had a completely different structure. I'm wondering if they're waiting for everything to be complete around July - but it does leave Station made easy being completely wrong for a busy station for months and no comment to say that - just a comment saying that there had been changes since the plan below would help.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Sorry, I had a quick skim through this thread and couldn't find the answer to this - what's happened / happening to the old booking office on what is now the arrivals area - along with the shops is it just empty? Sorry if I missed this elsewhere

 

[mirodo]

Sorry, I had a quick skim through this thread and couldn't find the answer to this - what's happened / happening to the old booking office on what is now the arrivals area - along with the shops is it just empty? Sorry if I missed this elsewhere

It's been closed. The shops in the arrivals area are still open, or at least were when I passed through on the first Monday of the new arrangements.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

. . . . what's happened / happening to the old booking office on what is now the arrivals area - along with the shops is it just empty?

All to come down (after the Olympics) to create an open square.
Pics on the NR site here and here.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

It's been closed. The shops in the arrivals area are still open, or at least were when I passed through on the first Monday of the new arrangements.

Ah, thanks

All to come down (after the Olympics) to create an open square.
Pics on the NR site here and here.

Thanks, I knew that, was just wondering the short term. Thanks.

 

[jopsuk]

It'll be interesting how they'll run the station during the demolition and square building phase.

 

[LE Greys]

Just been through. Going to take a while to get used to, but in general it's pretty good. I went over the bridge for a look, and the only lift/escalator combination out of action was the one to my platform (typical, shredded my suitcase trying to get it down a stalled escalator). Also, no 'phone boxes (my mobile company suddenly started charging me £1 a minute!!!). Still, it's been that sort of day really,

The overall impression inside the semi-roundhouse is very 'organic', almost tree-like in places. It also seems to have shrunk the gap from main line to suburban sections, but that's probably an illusion. Had no time to sample any of the catering, but I'll do so before long. Finally, it's weird being on the bridge with no clock.

 

[jon0844]

I saw them trying to fix the escalator on platform 8 on Friday (naturally, you'd expect it to have failed within a fortnight of going into service).. you could smell the WD40 a mile off!

I presume they were doing a little more than spraying WD40, but that's what I could smell!

With the escalators on the underground often being custom made, I can sort of get them having problems but if you buy an escalator 'off the shelf' so to speak, you'd expect them to work! Likewise with the lifts.

Did Bombardier install them?

 

[Waddon]

The escalators behind the Pret a Manger were squealing loudly when I was last there, something not fitting right somewhere...

p.s. on a different point, although it looks fine at the moment, why do the designers of all modern railway architecture seem to think that white-painted metal and mirror-finish reflective surfaces are the ideal finish for a railway structure? The railway is a place that seems to attract dirt, and as they never seem to be properly cleaned they always start looking filthy and shabby after a few weeks (a good example is the new structures at Clapham Junction, brand new a few months back but now look like the floor of a seedy nightclub after a particularly rough night...)

 

[swt_passenger]

It'll be interesting how they'll run the station during the demolition and square building phase.

I would expect once the Olympics is over, everything that isn't part of the main structure (ie all the food places, shops and the ticket office) will be dismantled until you are left with just a large open space. That shouldn't affect passenger use much, so I think exit would normally be out the front still, though possibly reduced at times - a lot can be done overnight usually.

Once it's down to a shell they might well build hoardings with overhead protection within it, and demolish outside and above the hoardings, basically the reverse of what they did in the area of the suburban platforms for a while?

 

[Barclay]

Finally, it's weird being on the bridge with no clock.

The ex-Handyside bridge clocks are going back up, modified to sit on a bracket suspended above P8. If you want to have a look at the proposal on the Camden planning applications website, the reference number you need to type in is 2012/1492/L.

 

[williamn]

Today all the gates are open and there is a departures board in the old concourse area...

 

[jon0844]

I think the gates are left open in the day from what I have seen. I presume they're closed only for rush hours?

 

[Blindtraveler]

re the dodgy escalaters its not been a good year for NR in this area. Wonder if they were bought as a job lot with the new ones at EDB? If so, expect plenty more trubble.

Think the underlying issue is there not designed for the luggage.

 

[jon0844]

The escalators look nice though! Is it bad design or poor fitting? You'd think that, despite having so many moving parts, technology advances would make escalators pretty reliable. Surely the manufacturers learn all the common problem areas, such as parts that suffer abnormal wear and tear, and engineer the problems out?

To have lifts and escalators failing within a matter of days suggests it may be the quality of the installation - but Joe Public doesn't really care who is to blame. However, I'd like to know. Who fitted them?

 

[Clip]

Be a shame for the Newsweek stand outside.. I take it its not being given a licence to trade outside once hte forecourt buildings are done?

Ive used that place nigh on every day for over 10 years

 

[Deerfold]

I think the gates are left open in the day from what I have seen. I presume they're closed only for rush hours?

They were open (not all,but about half) at 0930 this morning as I came out of Kings X.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Be a shame for the Newsweek stand outside.. I take it its not being given a licence to trade outside once hte forecourt buildings are done?

Ive used that place nigh on every day for over 10 years

I used to be very keen on it as they used to sell the most competitively priced cans of drink around.

Then a couple of years ago they jacked them up to near-WHS levels.

 

[swt_passenger]

Be a shame for the Newsweek stand outside.. I take it its not being given a licence to trade outside once hte forecourt buildings are done?

Ive used that place nigh on every day for over 10 years

I think a news-stand does remain, but in a slightly different position. Something or other is needed to hide various LU infrastructure, including a 'circular ventilation shaft', and there is a fairly significant structure alongside Euston Rd, in line with the southeastern stairs down to the tube interchange passageway and subway.

The 'square' isn't actually as open to Euston Rd as I originally thought; the architect's website here shows a few images, and these show a bit more of a roof between the stairs and the vent shaft:

http://www.stantonwilliams.com/projects/kings-cross-square/#drawings

This isn't shown consistently on all of NR's drawings though:

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/6288.aspx (scroll down a bit...)

Camden planning application 2011/4779/P refers to a retail space around the circular vent, but at the moment (1735 on 2nd) the detailed files aren't openable...

 

[LE Greys]

re the dodgy escalaters its not been a good year for NR in this area. Wonder if they were bought as a job lot with the new ones at EDB? If so, expect plenty more trubble.

Think the underlying issue is there not designed for the luggage.

They did a pretty good job on my case! I made the mistake of sliding it down the broken one rather than carrying it (because it weighed 60 lbs and I had a backpack as well). The back is now ripped to shreds.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The ex-Handyside bridge clocks are going back up, modified to sit on a bracket suspended above P8. If you want to have a look at the proposal on the Camden planning applications website, the reference number you need to type in is 2012/1492/L.

Excellent, although I couldn't find any pictures.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Today all the gates are open and there is a departures board in the old concourse area...

Where did you see that, (is it in the same position / panels as the previous departure boards, or is it train-side of the barrier line)?

 

[Deerfold]

Where did you see that, (is it in the same position / panels as the previous departure boards, or is it train-side of the barrier line)?

It's the small screen that always used to be next to the big departure board. It has local and long distance services mixed and needs you to put your nexk at quite an angle if you're anywhere near it. Approx at the end of platform 6 (but in the main arrivals concourse).