Request only stops?

[oreu]

I've noticed that a small station in Wales that I might be getting off at is a "request only stop".

As an infrequent rail user, I'm not quite sure how this works.

Is there a button on the train that I press to let the driver know I want to get off at that stop, or do I need to inform the ticket inspector/guard?

There's a chance I might be coming back from that station too. In that case, how do I make it known I want the train to stop there?

I've Googled this but can't find any info...

 

[yorkie]

Where are you traveling to?

On your outward journey, you can let the Guard know.

I expect they will either walk through the train asking anyway, and if they don't, I would expect the train to call.

On the return, act as if hailing a bus

 

[HughT]

I thought I quite liked the "press button for next stop" arrangement until one time in Switzerland, on a line with a fair number of isolated request stops, I realised I didn't know the line very well and had no good idea when to press the button. Conversely, there are Swiss stations where you have to press a button on the platform to arrange to be picked up - which works fine if you know that applies to your particular station. So many different ways of achieving the same objective!

 

[basfordlad]

which station are you talking about?

 

[SargeNpton]

From the National Rail website, for one station in Wales that is a request stop (and which will apply to all such stations)...


This station is a request stop.

To alight from the train, please inform the conductor or the driver of your intentions in good time.

To board the train at this station, please give a clear hand signal to the driver as the train approaches.

 

[hexagon789]

Giving a clear hand signal is important, 'making your intent clear' (as Geoff and Vicki would say):

You can see the duo board at request stop of Lelant in their video.

 

[Altnabreac]

I was on the late night (22:47) service from Glenfinnan to Lochailort recently and wasn't sure with the lateness of the hour and Covid whether the Guard would make it down to ask about request stops so I boarded at the Driver's end and asked her to stop at Lochailort.

The very efficient Guard then came to check if I wanted Lochailort or Beasdale anyway.

 

[Andy Pacer]

My main problem is knowing the correct pronunciation of some of these request stops.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

My main problem is knowing the correct pronunciation of some of these request stops.

Ain't that the truth? First time I was travelling from Barrow-in-Furness up along the Cumbrian Coast to Corkickle (it was a request stop then) thought it best to ask the guard for "the station just before Whitehaven"!

 

[Cletus]

Not as difficult as Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch of course!

The guard on my train when I requested it said "only if you can pronounce it"

 

[Bletchleyite]

Ain't that the truth? First time I was travelling from Barrow-in-Furness up along the Cumbrian Coast to Corkickle (it was a request stop then) thought it best to ask the guard for "the station just before Whitehaven"!

Is that not pronounced as it's written? Or is it another "Slawit"?

 

[Andy Pacer]

Not as difficult as Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch of course!

The guard on my train when I requested it said "only if you can pronounce it"

I actually managed that one without issue!!

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Is that not pronounced as it's written? Or is it another "Slawit"?

Probably, but I wasn't 100% sure. Might have been "Coracle" (like the circular Welsh row boat) for all I knew.

 

[mrcheek]

Not as difficult as Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch of course!

The guard on my train when I requested it said "only if you can pronounce it"

asking the conductor to stop there once, when I had a cold, I just about managed to say "Llanfair-mumble"

I had no idea there was also a place called Llanfairfechan, until the conductor yelled at me once we got there, assuming it was my stop!

 

[Whistler40145]

During the COVID19 pandemic, on some operators services you never see the Guard, so how would you get the train to stop at a request stop?

 

[Altnabreac]

During the COVID19 pandemic, on some operators services you never see the Guard, so how would you get the train to stop at a request stop?

Like I say. My experience on WHL was that the Guard was coming round to check for request stops even though the usual ticket sales were not being done.

Therefore I got a free return trip from Lochailort to Glenfinnan as neither station has ticket issuing facilities.

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

One wonders whether there could be more request stops, often enough no-one gets on or off at mandatory stops. What is the cost of stopping in brake wear and fuel?