Llandudno Junction platform 4

[Russel]

Had a day around North Wales yesterday and something occurred to me, why is platform 4 at Llandudno Junction used so little?

The majority of services seem to use just platform 1 and 3.

 

[KevinTurvey]

I believe this is the preferred solution simply to help passengers (especially with luggage) make an easier change of trains without needing to use the stairs and footbridge.

 

[Russel]

I believe this is the preferred solution simply to help passengers (especially with luggage) make an easier change of trains without needing to use the stairs and footbridge.

I get that, sort of, but what makes Llandudno Junction different to any other interchange, especially considering there are lifts?

It just seems to be a bit of a unique way of doing things.

 

[L401CJF]

I get that, sort of, but what makes Llandudno Junction different to any other interchange, especially considering there are lifts?

It just seems to be a bit of a unique way of doing things.

Part of the issue at LLJ is that a lot of trains seem to depart within a few minutes of each other (or at the same time) and there's only 1 dispatcher on duty there.

I'm not saying this is the reason why P4 is used so little, but using 3 for Holyhead where possible does mean the dispatcher is able to dispatch trains toward Chester/Llandudno/Blaenau from P1 (or Llandudno from P2) then quickly move to P3 to to dispatch Holyhead services. This would help avoid delay minutes.

The main reason I'd imagine would be as stated above, easier for passengers to change trains, plus there are practically no facilities on platform 4 - does it even have any benches?

 

[childwallblues]

Part of the issue at LLJ is that a lot of trains seem to depart within a few minutes of each other (or at the same time) and there's only 1 dispatcher on duty there.

I'm not saying this is the reason why P4 is used so little, but using 3 for Holyhead where possible does mean the dispatcher is able to dispatch trains toward Chester/Llandudno/Blaenau from P1 (or Llandudno from P2) then quickly move to P3 to to dispatch Holyhead services. This would help avoid delay minutes.

The main reason I'd imagine would be as stated above, easier for passengers to change trains, plus there are practically no facilities on platform 4 - does it even have any benches?

I used Platform 4 some time ago but it was because a late running Blaneau had been turned at the Junction.

 

[Llandudno]

Surely it’s a good thing if capacity permits to concentrate connecting services on adjacent platforms were possible to assist passengers?

I never seem to be able to change trains at Crewe, Chester, Stockport, Derby or Sheffield without using a footbridge!

 

[zwk500]

Surely it’s a good thing if capacity permits to concentrate connecting services on adjacent platforms were possible to assist passengers?

I would have though it's a win-win for all concerned as well. The Platform is there when it's needed, but there are substantially more facilities on the main island and it facilitates smoother operations generally which is much better for the passenger.

I never seem to be able to change trains at Crewe, Chester, Stockport, Derby or Sheffield without using a footbridge!

Tbf those are larger, busier stations where geography or service level would make it nigh on impossible to have all connecting trains use the same island.

 

[Llandudno]

I would have though it's a win-win for all concerned as well. The Platform is there when it's needed, but there are substantially more facilities on the main island and it facilitates smoother operations generally which is much better for the passenger.

Tbf those are larger, busier stations where geography or service level would make it nigh on impossible to have all connecting trains use the same island.

Indeed they are, but there are quiet times of day, like late evening or Sunday morning when perhaps more of an effort could be made to use adjacent platforms possibly!

 

[Sheridan]

Many of the late Down trains into Llandudno Junction are booked for platform 3, but I can see no benefit to this. By that time, the dispatchers have finished, and there are no connections, so the only concerns are for passengers entering or exiting the station - one set of steps or a lift up and the same down, regardless of whether it goes from 3 or 4. But if the service goes from 4, drivers can accelerate up to linespeed straight away, helping to make up for any potential delay (the late trains are usually generously timed but weekend passengers can still cause delays regardless).

 

[HamworthyGoods]

Many of the late Down trains into Llandudno Junction are booked for platform 3, but I can see no benefit to this. By that time, the dispatchers have finished, and there are no connections, so the only concerns are for passengers entering or exiting the station - one set of steps or a lift up and the same down, regardless of whether it goes from 3 or 4. But if the service goes from 4, drivers can accelerate up to linespeed straight away, helping to make up for any potential delay (the late trains are usually generously timed but weekend passengers can still cause delays regardless).

There’s better waiting facilities on the main platform than platform 4. Similar is done at Taunton where the majority of through services use platforms 2 and 5 (the loops) than the quicker main line platforms.

 

[Sheridan]

There’s better waiting facilities on the main platform than platform 4. Similar is done at Taunton where the majority of through services use platforms 2 and 5 (the loops) than the quicker main line platforms.

The waiting room and toilets are locked up by the time I’m talking about so the only real difference is the number of benches. I completely agree that for most of the day platform 3 is the better option.

 

[HamworthyGoods]

The waiting room and toilets are locked up by the time I’m talking about so the only real difference is the number of benches. I completely agree that for most of the day platform 3 is the better option.

Doing it for the whole day keeps consistency both for passengers and staff.

 

[markymark2000]

The waiting room and toilets are locked up by the time I’m talking about so the only real difference is the number of benches. I completely agree that for most of the day platform 3 is the better option.

There's benches on the platforms and you do have the kind of inside part as you come down the stairs onto the island platforms, where the ticket office is. It's undercover and has protection in all directions if it's poor weather. Not sure if any crew swaps happen around these times either but it would reduce the walking from the train to the crew rooms which are in the centre.

Less platforms in use means if someone is over on P4, it's then suspicious and more passengers in one area can make it safer.


During the day, the benefits can probably be seen better. The ticket office and ticket machine are both on the centre island. The station office and dispatcher are there. Crew room is in the middle meaning crew have to walk less (if walking time is a thing for TFW, having trains stop closer to the office is better). Passenger waiting room is in the middle and it makes connections much easier between the lines. Everyone wins from this arrangement.

But if the service goes from 4, drivers can accelerate up to linespeed straight away, helping to make up for any potential delay (the late trains are usually generously timed but weekend passengers can still cause delays regardless).

If anything, given the amount of benefits which come from having most Holyhead bound services off Platform 3, there is more of an argument for increasing the speed limit over the points (from Platform 3 onto the Down Main) rather than it being an argument of moving more services over to platform 4.

 

[Llandudno]

The cafe if/when it reopens and toilets are on platforms 2/3 as well…

 

[Russel]

The cafe if/when it reopens and toilets are on platforms 2/3 as well…

The cafe that charged me extra for a splash of milk in a cup of tea 10 years ago...