'on' a station?

[PaxVobiscum]

The whole English language has it's errors.

So it would appear.

 

[work-traveller]

Perhaps someone could enlighten me on the matter of a standard announcement when approaching a station:

'We are now arriving at *****, please take all your personal possessions with you, when you leave the train'.

What is the difference between 'personal possessions' and 'possessions'? It's a bit like the whole 'last and final stop' phrase - the completely pointless qualification of a noun.

 

[L&Y Robert]

Just thought I'd add my two pennorth - I think that persons making announcements on trains find a compulsion to say more to say than they need to say. For example, the word "Stop" in an announcement containing "Our next station stop" is a very small word, short, easily said but easily missed as well. Years ago, I disliked the way the American astronauts said "Affirmadiv" instead of yes, and "Negadiv" instead of "No" - until my Dad pointed out that the little words "Yes" and "No" could easily be lost in the hubub of static and so-on. "Afirmative" has three syllables - easier to catch in a noisy environment. Is this the reason?
--- Although I have to admit that they do go on a bit and I often find myself muttering "Oh DO shut up for goodness' sake". Especially to the snack-bar/trolly girl.
By the way, how is it that "Shortly" has come to mean "Soon"?
And why do train staff (and others,it must be said) feel they must explain that their services are being offered "Today"?

 

[Sod]

Because the standard language for Trains & Railways was adapted from the days of ocean-going liners, and ships pull into port.

So the train comes alongside the platform and makes fast by means of stem and stern painters; out come the gangways to allow the passengers to disembark etc.?

But a vessel "pulling into port"? Maybe "coming into port", even if we're drifting off-topic here.