Platform Numbering Anomalies

[Paul AC]

Stafford has platforms 1,3, 4, 5 & 6 but no platform 2 as this was removed when the station was rebuilt to its present form in 1962.

A siding behind platform 1 at the north end of the station (originally a bay for the Uttoxeter line, presumably) was refurbished and used as platform 2 during the 1985 Crewe remodelling; for local DMU services to/from Stoke-on-Trent.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Mar 2026 ==

. . .Quote so, but Preston is subject to an Overall Speed Limit of 35 mph throughout the station area and I would have thought that the last signals before the platform entries were all within scope for "theatre" route indicators, that's all!

. . .If I remember correctly, O.S. Nock's book "Electric Euston To Glasgow", which dealt with the modernisation of the W.C.M.L. signalling, remarked something like "The speed limit through Preston Station is 35 mph and as virtually all trains are timetabled to stop there was no economic reason to remodel the station for higher speeds."

The last northbound signals before the platforms at Preston, on a full width gantry quite close to the platforms, do have theatre route indicators showing platform numbers. These have all recently been changed to LED types, and this has resolved a long-standing anomaly whereby running from Down Fast into platform 3 had no route indication; now it correctly shows '3'.

There was another strange (to me) feature on this gantry whereby trains signalled into south-facing bay platforms 3C and 4C only got a 'B' (for Bay) route indication, with nothing to distinguish between the two platforms. Presumably this was allowed on the basis that they are parallel and the same length. I don't know if this has changed with the recent "LEDification". My experience is that the use of 'B' for Bay is quite common, as a warning that though you have a proceed (yellow) aspect you are not running into full length platforms.

Preston's 3C and 4C are much older than Sheffield's 2C mentioned earlier; but older members will remember pre-1985 Crewe with its north end (1A to 4A) and south end (1B to 6B) bay platforms alongside the main through platforms. There was a track diagram in thread https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/crewe-station-pre-1985-remodelling.263856/

 

[Magdalia]

Not a WCML service but the SO Sheffield-Blackpool and return service was not booked to stop there for many years, certainly well into the 80s.

The SO Sheffield-Blackpool and return services ran non-stop through Preston until 1985, as did the SO Newcastle-Blackpool and return services.

 

[D6130]

My experience is that the use of 'B' for Bay is quite common, as a warning that though you have a proceed (yellow) aspect you are not running into full length platforms.

This seems to have been a peculiarity of the former London Midland Region. When I was a driver at Skipton the 'home' signals approaching Carlisle had two route indicator boxes side-by-side showing 'B 2', B 5' or B 6' as appropriate. However, interestingly enough, the up 'home' signal approaching Lancaster only showed a number 1 or 2 when signalled into the bay platforms. Maybe it had been modified since the 1973 resignalling? I've never seen separate 'bay' indicators used on other regions.

 

[Western Lord]

The SO Sheffield-Blackpool and return services ran non-stop through Preston until 1985, as did the SO Newcastle-Blackpool and return services.

I believe that there was once a Glasgow-Blackpool train that ran through Preston non stop twice, Once southbound through the East Lancs platforms and then having negotiated the curves to the WCML northbound heading for Blackpool.

 

[Paul AC]

This seems to have been a peculiarity of the former London Midland Region. When I was a driver at Skipton the 'home' signals approaching Carlisle had two route indicator boxes side-by-side showing 'B 2', B 5' or B 6' as appropriate. However, interestingly enough, the up 'home' signal approaching Lancaster only showed a number 1 or 2 when signalled into the bay platforms. Maybe it had been modified since the 1973 resignalling? I've never seen separate 'bay' indicators used on other regions.

I've just gone back to my photos from a move into platform 2 at Lancaster on 28 June 2025 with 86259. Signal PN249 displayed a single yellow and a route indicator '2'. That's a long move (all the way over the "Carlisle Bridge" viaduct) and the end is well out of sight. It's important that the signal distinguishes between platforms 1 and 2, as 2 is barred to some vehicle types, and there's an 'electric trains stop' notice a couple of carriage lengths before the buffer stops.

In contrast, that move into platform 3C/4C is very short and I suspect you can see all the way to the buffers on both tracks, unless hidden by other trains.

 

[Dr_Paul]

Shrewsbury... had a platform 1 and 2 that are just long disused.

Whereabouts were they? I changed trains at Shrewsbury a few months back and noticed that the first platform was 3, but couldn't see where 1 and 2 might have been.

 

[Topological]

Whereabouts were they? I changed trains at Shrewsbury a few months back and noticed that the first platform was 3, but couldn't see where 1 and 2 might have been.

There are two very obvious south facing bays as you arrive from the Birmingham/Hereford direction.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Whereabouts were they? I changed trains at Shrewsbury a few months back and noticed that the first platform was 3, but couldn't see where 1 and 2 might have been.

1 and 2 were in the area in the South West side of the station, presumably used for trains either to the Cambrian or Cardiff.

 

[steamybrian]

A mention for Waterloo East and New Cross stations where the platforms are not numbered but use letters only.
Waterloo East for example the platforms are named A, B, C and D.

 

[Railcar]

West Croydon station has no platform 2. 2 was used by trains on the West Croydon to Wimbledon shuttle, which was adapted for Tramlink.
Passengers alighting from an Overground train on platform 1 have a few steps down to platform 3 (the up line to Victoria or London bridge) to reach the exit.
Platform 4 is the down for trains to Epsom Downs or Epsom via Sutton.
There is still a stub left of platform 2.

 

[zwk500]

A mention for Waterloo East and New Cross stations where the platforms are not numbered but use letters only.
Waterloo East for example the platforms are named A, B, C and D.

In both cases to prevent confusion with a nearby station - Waterloo itself and New Cross Gate respectively.

 

[SargeNpton]

A mention for Waterloo East and New Cross stations where the platforms are not numbered but use letters only.
Waterloo East for example the platforms are named A, B, C and Dlatform A at Liverpool Lime Street

The Merseyrail platform at Liverpool Lime Street is A to avoid confusion with the main line platforms.

I think that the Thameslink platforms at St Pancras are also A and B.

 

[cool110]

The Merseyrail platform at Liverpool Lime Street is A to avoid confusion with the main line platforms.

It is now, but for a long time it was also P1 to much confusion. Then for a while before the signs changed it was "Platform Wirral" in the online systems.

 

[plugwash]

Some examples that spring to mind.

Salford crescent is currently in the process of getting a new platform, but they have decided to number it 3, even though this puts the platforms out of sequence (numbering it 0 would have kept them in sequence).

Waterloo East has platforms A,B,C,D. Is this the only platforms C and D in the country?

The low level platform at Liverpool lime street can't make up it's mind if it's platform A or platform L.

The south end of Cambridge is numbered 3,2,1 from West to East, but the addtion of the new platforms means the north end is now numbered 6,5,4,7,8

 

[zwk500]

Waterloo East has platforms A,B,C,D. Is this the only platforms C and D in the country?

New Cross also has Platform A-D.

 

[RT4038]

1 and 2 were in the area in the South West side of the station, presumably used for trains either to the Cambrian or Cardiff.

or Minsterley or Severn Valley?

 

[Helvellyn]

Is 24 at Waterloo the highest numbered platform in the UK?

 

[steamybrian]

The first time I travelled to Edinburgh Waverley it confused me to see platforms 1 and 20 together then adjacent platforms were numbered 2 and 19. After some research I found the platforms were numbered clockwise.

 

[The exile]

The first time I travelled to Edinburgh Waverley it confused me to see platforms 1 and 20 together then adjacent platforms were numbered 2 and 19. After some research I found the platforms were numbered clockwise.

If your visit was before the renumbering that followed the building of several additional platforms, you would have found 1 and 19 together. 20 (and 21) were the little-used sub platforms through the wall from 10/11. You would have also noticed that 3-6,8 and 9 were conspicuous by their absence.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Is 24 at Waterloo the highest numbered platform in the UK?

No. Platform 26 at Waterloo might be though. (It's the arrival platform on the W&C - the plaforms are still numbered in the National Rail sequence despite having been part of the Underground for over 30 years)

Waterloo also has four more platforms (A-D) in Waterloo East, and six on the Underground.

 

[BrianW]

If your visit was before the renumbering that followed the building of several additional platforms, you would have found 1 and 19 together. 20 (and 21) were the little-used sub platforms through the wall from 10/11. You would have also noticed that 3-6,8 and 9 were conspicuous by their absence.

I think most folk just want CLEAR signposting to the platform for THEIR train, and that that's the objective for all concerned,trying to get it 'right', whether or not we notice what's not there, unless it's 'our train' that's not!

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Is 24 at Waterloo the highest numbered platform in the UK?

No. Platform 26 at Waterloo might be though. (It's the arrival platform on the W&C - the plaforms are still numbered in the National Rail sequence despite having been part of the Underground for over 30 years)

Waterloo also has four more platforms (A-D) in Waterloo East, and six on the Underground.

Platform C at Waterloo East is the highest numbered platform, C being 100 in Roman numerals.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Platform C at Waterloo East is the highest numbered platform, C being 100 in Roman numerals.

But then what about 11C at Leeds (not sure if 12, 15, or 16 have section Cs), that's (assuming we multiply) 1100.

 

[zwk500]

But then what about 11C at Leeds (not sure if 12, 15, or 16 have section Cs), that's (assuming we multiply) 1100.

If we're doing it Roman fashion wouldn't 11C be 98 ? (If the smaller number comes first, it is subtracted, 11 = II = 2).

If we're entering other numbering systems then 16B at Leeds in Hexadecimal translates to 363 in base 10. Are there any higher-numbered platforms with subdivisions, Edinburgh maybe?

 

[Rescars]

Goodness! With all these permutations, there is much to be said for stations like the current Epsom Downs - just a sole platform and no number at all!

 

[BeijingDave]

I think most folk just want CLEAR signposting to the platform for THEIR train, and that that's the objective for all concerned,trying to get it 'right', whether or not we notice what's not there, unless it's 'our train' that's not!

Yes, that's true, but it's better if they make logical sense.

For example, if you are alighting on platform 2, it is helpful for wayfinding/connections at an unfamiliar station to know that platform 1 will likely be on one side of you and platform 3 on the other.

 

[Tester]

Yes, that's true, but it's better if they make logical sense.

For example, if you are alighting on platform 2, it is helpful for wayfinding/connections at an unfamiliar station to know that platform 1 will likely be on one side of you and platform 3 on the other.

Keep very well clear of Stratford then

 

[The exile]

I think most folk just want CLEAR signposting to the platform for THEIR train, and that that's the objective for all concerned,trying to get it 'right', whether or not we notice what's not there, unless it's 'our train' that's not!

Apologies if you felt your toes being ridden on - that wasn’t the intention. Merely pointing out a few more of the quirks of a numbering system that appeared completely baffling to the unseasoned traveller but was (in fact) pretty logical once the penny dropped. Knowing that there were ways to get between almost all of them (other than 7, 20 and 21) without passing the barriers was very much “advanced level” stuff!

 

[steamybrian]

Platform C at Waterloo East is the highest numbered platform, C being 100 in Roman numerals.

D in Roman Numerals is 500

 

[61653 HTAFC]

D in Roman Numerals is 500

Well every day is a school day!