Last night at King's Cross

[rdwarr]

I just missed the 18:33 so got caught up in the "mini-chaos" that was going on due to "Electrical supply problems near Knebworth". Two things struck me.

The 18:14 was running about 50 minutel late but they kept announcing it as "The 18:14 to Kings Lynn via Cambridge and Cambridge via Cambridge". Made me wonder if they have any trains that manage to go to Cambridge without going to Cambridge.

I was going to get the 18:53 but it seemed to be very late and the boards showed it was four carriages only. So I opted for the 19:06 because I could see the train in the station. Whilst sitting in the relative comfort of an HST passengers were still waiting for the 18:53 to arrive at the next platform but taking up the full space where an eight-car unit would be even though they were next to the "four cars only" sign. It was packed on that platform - they stood no chance of getting on.

I thought of our friend who drives five 91s and his "commuters are like sheep" comments. I had to concede that sometimes, some of them probably do.

The 18:53 turned up just as the 19:06 was pulling out. Definitely only four coaches. I wonder if they made the 19:23?

 

[DaveNewcastle]

I guess I tend not to pay attention to announcements at Kings Cross if they relate to the local services, but I can confirm to having heard this on other occasions recently:

" . . . Cambridge via Cambridge".

 

[3141]

SWT announce trains to "Gillingham (Dorset) and Salisbury". I think it would be more sensible to put the nearer main centre first, in this case and the case of "Cambridge and Kings Lynn".

 

[Bushy]

SWT announce trains to "Gillingham (Dorset) and Salisbury". I think it would be more sensible to put the nearer main centre first, in this case and the case of "Cambridge and Kings Lynn".

Depends, on the circumstances. In the case of the Kings Lynn and Cambridge Service the train splits at Royston, the front running to Kings Lynn, fast to Cambridge, the rear runs slow to Cambridge.

My favourite destination announcement is Charing Cross to Ramsgate and Ramsgate.

Regards

Bushy

 

[NSE]

Southern have something similar at Victoria. A train to Brighton that splits at Haywards Heath and the front runs fast while the rear is all stations. I did enjoy hearing 'Southern service to Brighton and Brighton'

 

[Welshman]

The Merseyrail electric service, advertised in RTT as from Chester to Chester usually amuses me.

But then, little things...little minds.

 

[AndrewP]

I was caught up in this too and have to say it seemed to be well sorted out and everything was running after about half an hour and the announcements were frequent and clear.

Also East Coast turned their trains round really quickly.

 

[merlodlliw]

The Merseyrail electric service, advertised in RTT as from Chester to Chester usually amuses me.

But then, little things...little minds.

If Nat Rail do it,why not RTT.

 

[455driver]

I thought of our friend who drives five 91s and his "commuters are like sheep" comments. I had to concede that sometimes, some of them probably do.

You see, I do speak the truth!

I like the five 91s bit, took me a while to work it out!

 

[CockneySparrow]

Depends, on the circumstances. In the case of the Kings Lynn and Cambridge Service the train splits at Royston, the front running to Kings Lynn, fast to Cambridge, the rear runs slow to Cambridge.

My favourite destination announcement is Charing Cross to Ramsgate and Ramsgate.

Regards

Bushy

I didnt know they split it coming back from Kings Cross at Royston, up until a few months ago (when I last travelled regular to Cambridge) they always splitted the 8 car train into two at Cambridge

I know in rush hour they split a 12 car at Royston but that's going to Kongs Cross not going towards Cambridge
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I just missed the 18:33 so got caught up in the "mini-chaos" that was going on due to "Electrical supply problems near Knebworth". Two things struck me.

The 18:14 was running about 50 minutel late but they kept announcing it as "The 18:14 to Kings Lynn via Cambridge and Cambridge via Cambridge". Made me wonder if they have any trains that manage to go to Cambridge without going to Cambridge.

I was going to get the 18:53 but it seemed to be very late and the boards showed it was four carriages only. So I opted for the 19:06 because I could see the train in the station. Whilst sitting in the relative comfort of an HST passengers were still waiting for the 18:53 to arrive at the next platform but taking up the full space where an eight-car unit would be even though they were next to the "four cars only" sign. It was packed on that platform - they stood no chance of getting on.

I thought of our friend who drives five 91s and his "commuters are like sheep" comments. I had to concede that sometimes, some of them probably do.

The 18:53 turned up just as the 19:06 was pulling out. Definitely only four coaches. I wonder if they made the 19:23?

There would be alot of people who wouldn't have even heard of Kings Lynn let alone know where it is, hence why they say via Cambridge otherwise some Cambridge passengers might not board it

 

[craigwilson]

My favourite destination announcement is Charing Cross to Ramsgate and Ramsgate.

I know at Ashford at least they announce the inland (Ramsgate via Canterbury) portion as "Ramsgate" and the coastal (Ramsgate via Dover) portion as "Sandwich". I've no idea what happens nearer to London though.

 

[ollyrogers]

I know at Ashford at least they announce the inland (Ramsgate via Canterbury) portion as "Ramsgate" and the coastal (Ramsgate via Dover) portion as "Sandwich". I've no idea what happens nearer to London though.

Not familiar with the South East but where I live in Brentford SWT have two trains in opposite directions to London Waterloo, being on the Hounslow Loop Line. The quicker train is billed as "London Waterloo", whereas the train that still has to continue on the loop usually has Mortlake on the departure boards, so as not to confuse people or slow them down unnecessarily

 

[hassaanhc]

Not familiar with the South East but where I live in Brentford SWT have two trains in opposite directions to London Waterloo, being on the Hounslow Loop Line. The quicker train is billed as "London Waterloo", whereas the train that still has to continue on the loop usually has Mortlake on the departure boards, so as not to confuse people or slow them down unnecessarily

That is normal for SWT, for example at Waterloo:
Waterloo-Aldershot via Ascot are "Frimley via Ascot"
Waterloo-Waterloo via Kingston are either "Strawberry Hill via Kingston" or "Teddington via Richmond"
Waterloo-Waterloo via Hounslow are either "Hounslow via Brentford" or "Hounslow via Richmond"
Weybridge/Woking via Hounslow are "Addlestone via Hounslow"

On trains this can also happen, for example
Hounslow via Richmond:
Waterloo-Mortlake: "Hounslow via Richmond"
North Sheen-Richmond: "Hounslow"
St Margarets-Twickenham: "Kew Bridge via Hounslow"
Whitton until reset at Hounslow: "Barnes Bridge"

Hounslow via Brentford:
Waterloo-Chiswick: "Hounslow via Brentford"
Kew Bridge: "Hounslow"
Brentford until reset at Hounslow: "Mortlake"

 

[Muzer]

The most confusing station for this is Romsey. You *really* have to think about which train you're boarding.

Possible announced destinations for Salisbury 6 services:

Redbridge (clockwise (Salisbury-bound) services starting Romsey)
Salisbury (clockwise (Salisbury-bound) services on the second call to Romsey)
Chandler's Ford (anticlockwise (Romsey-bound) services on the first call to Romsey)

This is an issue because if you're going to somewhere close to Redbridge you probably want the Chandler's Ford service (which calls first at Redbridge), whereas if you're going to somewhere close to Chandler's Ford you probably want the Redbridge service (which calls first at Chandler's Ford) - the reverse of what you might subconsciously think if not actively considering it.

Then of course you have the Portsmouth and Cardiff services as well as more unusual ones like Gloucester, Great Malvern, Brighton, Southampton Central, etc., and whichever one went via Melksham. It's generally a station where you really have to think if you're just turning up and boarding a train