Request stops

[steamybrian]

I have used several request stops on the Cambrian Coast Line such as Morfa Mawdach, Llanbedr, Fairbourne.
On one occasion at Tywyn where I was boarding and travelling to Morfa Mawdach the driver stopped the train adjacent to where I was standing. The train was busy and the conductor appeared out of the train issuing tickets so I asked the driver to stop at Morfa Mawdach which he agreed to do.
Later in the day at Morfa Mawdach when the return train was approaching I stood proudly on the platform holding my hand like hailing a bus. It felt good legally stopping a train....!

 

[linesider]

I have been to a holiday cottage at Silecroft, it was only a few yards to the station and it is a request stop.The fares are reasonable on that line and we used the train a lot.It does feel strange at first putting your hand out but we had no problems.

 

[Lad Brookes]

Gowerton is a request stop which does seem to have a lot of people using it, although once the double track is restored most trains will be timed to stop there.

Sugar Loaf on the heart of wales line is 1 request stop where i have never seen anybody get on or off the train.

When I got off at Sugar Loaf about 5-6 years ago, the guard told me he'd never stopped there for anyone before!

 

[JoeGJ1984]

I noticed that with Yorton, Prees and Wrenbury, they are usually served by a shuttle between Shrewsbury and Crewe, but (I know it's true on Saturdays, don't know if it's true during the week) towards the evening, these stations are instead served by trains running between Manchester Piccadilly and Cardiff Central. I don't know why they stop the Shrewsbury-Crewe shuttle at this time - it seems odd.

I wonder if these long-distance trains that are scheduled to call at Yorton, Prees and Wrenbury (i.e. Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central) ever get too busy for the conductor to come through. I wonder if they could forget to call at a request stop that somebody on board has mentioned, particularly if there is a long time between mentioning it and arriving at the station.

The Croydon Tramlink also has all of its stops except termini as request stops officially - you push a button (similar to on buses) to request the next stop (or you can press the buttons on the doors). In practice I think it is rare for the Tramlink to pass through stations. (I would have thought it would happen often, particularly at most stations outside Croydon). I don't think you have to make any sign when boarding though.

And would revenue protection inspectors pass requests on for a request stop?

 

[Gareth Marston]

I noticed that with Yorton, Prees and Wrenbury, they are usually served by a shuttle between Shrewsbury and Crewe, but (I know it's true on Saturdays, don't know if it's true during the week) towards the evening, these stations are instead served by trains running between Manchester Piccadilly and Cardiff Central. I don't know why they stop the Shrewsbury-Crewe shuttle at this time - it seems odd.

I wonder if these long-distance trains that are scheduled to call at Yorton, Prees and Wrenbury (i.e. Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central) ever get too busy for the conductor to come through. I wonder if they could forget to call at a request stop that somebody on board has mentioned, particularly if there is a long time between mentioning it and arriving at the station.

They tend to be early morning/late evening turns so the loading is not usually a factor.

 

[Birdbrain]

I've used Gilfach Fargoed several times whilst leaping for 37's. The guard had to tell you which door and coach of the Mk2 to go to so he could meet you there to open it!

 

[scotsman]

Yes,or any other sign you like.

I don't recommend raising both arms above your head, you may find they stop rather quicker than you expected (not from experience I add)

 

[ainsworth74]

I don't recommend raising both arms above your head, you may find they stop rather quicker than you expected

That's the railway equivalent of saying:

STOOOOOPPPPPP!!!!!!

Isn't it?

 

[scotsman]

That's the railway equivalent of saying:

STOOOOOPPPPPP!!!!!!

Isn't it?

It is indeed, only use it in an emergency.

 

[ainsworth74]

only use it in an emergency.

Indeed, though I'm hoping that the day I need to stand on the end of platform and give that particular signal never arises.

 

[reb0118]

I was on the Secret* line many years ago & was a bit slow in giving a stop signal to the driver at a certain request stop. He did attempt to stop but slid right through the station & disappeared round the corner.

"Oh well (or words to that effect)" I thought "only six hours to the next train"

Just as I was about to set off down the road I heard the train reverse back round the corner. I was amazed that they came back for me.


* Although it was many years ago I don't want to get anyone into trouble even though the guard said that no rules were broken as it was a RETB area.

I'll never forget that.

 

[anthony263]

Claberston road is another small request stop but seems to have a 24 hours rail service if you include the last night Fishguard Harbour train stopping there

 

[northwichcat]

On Manchester-Chester via Altrincham the following used to be request stops: Ashley, Mobberley, Lostock Gralam, Delamere and Mouldsworth. They were imposed to low usage stations by FNW due to tight turnaround times.

The request status at Mouldsworth was lifted when signalling was amended, while Lostock Gralam saw a new business park built near the station so the restriction was lifted there. Last December Mobberley and Delamere were due to have their request status lifted due to increases in passengers, which went ahead. However, Ashley also got it request status lifted as drivers reported difficulties in seeing passengers wanting to board at night.

 

[ChrisCooper]

Only time I've got off at a request stop is Berney Arms. Was a 150 and had to use the guards door. Never got on a train at a request stop.

I know a few times when I've been on trains that have had request stops the guard has run 2 bells as the train approached, presumably to tell them that there is no-one wanting that station, and that the driver can proceed as long as no-one is waiting to get on.

Most trams use request stops, and have bells like on buses to tell the driver (on most Blackpool trams you have to tell the conductor who rings the bell). In general though most stops will have someone waiting or wanting to get off, other than quiet ones on the outer edges of systems. Suprised on Croyden though as there has been much debate over if bus stops should be request or compulsory. Oviously in the centre there will be people on and off at every stop, but further out compulsory stops would be a waste of time and fuel.

 

[krus_aragon]

I used that line several times during a holiday last year and there was never a situation where the train went through more than one station. It stopped at Llanfair PG every time.

Going from memory, Llanfairpwll and Valley are conventional stops on many services, being the most patronised stations on Anglesey (excluding Holyhead, which is technically on Holy Island).

As for the time saved by crawling straight past request stops, public timetables suggest that the train will just sit for longer than usual at the next requested stop (e.g. Bangor). I guess there isn't much benefit to having request stops other than a chance to make up lost time on occasion.

All the request stops I've used have been on the Arriva Trains Wales network. On short request services such as the Conwy Valley staff can keep pace with the coming and going passengers quite easily.

For an example of a long distance route with some request stops at one end, ATW guards, on leaving Llandudno Jn westbound, will immediately walk through asking for any request stops at Conwy, Pen, and Llan (unless the next stop is scheduled as Bangor!), catching people who boarded at the Junction as well as people who've been sat down since before they started their turn.

The only time I've been caught out and missed a request stop was on a journey from Cardiff up the Heart of Wales line. On the direct train, I mentioned my intended stop to the first guard, and also the second one who took over at Swansea. On leaving Llangammarch Wells I dashed to the bathroom before we got to Cilmeri, but I was unaware that a third guard had taken over at the previous stop. Through either miscommunication or the fact that I was in the bathroom at the wrong time, when the guard met me at the door I discovered that we were actually pulling into the station after Cilmeri, Builth Road! Luckily there was little inconvenience as I'd gone for a day out on my bike, and it only added a mile or so to my intended journey.

 

[Greenback]

When I lived on the Cambrian Coast, I often caught the last train of the day back from Machynlleth. The conductors used to come through the train with a notepad to ntoe down the request stops that were required!

 

[MidnightFlyer]

On Saturday nights you find that, although request, all trains call at Entwistle as the guard never goes through and you probably can't see people on the platfrom signalling.

Add to list of request stops:
Yeoford, on the Exeter-Crediton branch towards Okehampton/Barnstaple, since 13 December last year.

 

[northwichcat]

In theory all stops on the Sheffield Supertram other than the first and last are request stops, which is how the German's tend to operate tram systems as well.

 

[PaulLothian]

Saw a run-past and subsequent reversal on the Kyle line a number of years ago, I think at Duncraig - wet and windy day, passengers sheltering and didn't hear the train rounding the sharp bend to the east in time. Everyone took it as a fairly normal scenario!

 

[fairysdad]

On Saturday nights you find that, although request, all trains call at Entwistle as the guard never goes through and you probably can't see people on the platfrom signalling.

Add to list of request stops:
Yeoford, on the Exeter-Crediton branch towards Okehampton/Barnstaple, since 13 December last year.

Yeoford has been a request stop for longer than that (plus at the moment it's not on the Okehampton branch either, just the Barnstaple one). On this line though, in the past Umberleigh hasn't been a request stop on some trains but on others...

 

[mountainmike]

Use Burneside regularly on Windermere branch. There is a 5mph limit on the open crossing at the end of the platform so all trains are going slowly anyway. Often I am the only person joining or alighting although the school run trains are both busy.

 

[matchmaker]

There were at one time passenger-operated signals at at least one request stop - Glencarron on the Kyle line.

 

[OuterDistant]

Nipped up to Penhelig when we went to Aberdovey last year out of pure curiosity. Although I'd been through it on a train many years before, I forgot that it was between two small tunnels - the drivers must need to keep a good lookout for that one.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

Yeoford has been a request stop for longer than that (plus at the moment it's not on the Okehampton branch either, just the Barnstaple one). On this line though, in the past Umberleigh hasn't been a request stop on some trains but on others...

I'm sure it's Yeoford, could have been Yetminster, but geographically, it is on the Okehampton branch too. I'll check later. Umberleigh could be down to FGW havin g to get an hourly service over a hell of a load of single track and scattered timetabling.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
It was Yeoford that became request only (see bottom bullet point).

 

[Track Basher]

Me and a mate were doing a freedom of Scotland many years ago and we decided to get off at Duncraig and flag down the 37 in the other direction. Just because we could.

Also used Attadale on the Kyle line as a fill in move to kill time while waiting for the bus in Kyle. There was over a foot of snow on the platform at the time.

Gilfach Fargoed was always well used because of the pub at the top of the hill.

Also got off and back on again at Corrour and had a belated Christmas Party on the platform between Class 37s off the sleeper onto the first train off Fort William. Move not possible now as the trains cross at Rannoch not Tulloch.

Never had a problem getting on or off at request stops. Just make it obvious to the traincrew what are you intentions.

 

[fairysdad]

I'm sure it's Yeoford, could have been Yetminster, but geographically, it is on the Okehampton branch too. I'll check later. Umberleigh could be down to FGW havin g to get an hourly service over a hell of a load of single track and scattered timetabling.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
It was Yeoford that became request only (see bottom bullet point).

I shall stand corrected on that then It must've become a non-request stop between then and 11 years ago when I did my Year 10 work experience at Barnstaple station and did the announcements

 

[222007]

On the Birmingham - Stansted line there's Manea. I believe there's only about 2 services a day booked to call if requested in each direction (although i'll happily be corrected) I've only ever worked 1 of these and we stopped due to having our regular passengers for that station on.

 

[175001]

On Saturday nights you find that, although request, all trains call at Entwistle as the guard never goes through and you probably can't see people on the platfrom signalling.

Just to add mate, especially on a Saturday night, Entwistle is now a very busy station as the Strawberry pub has reopened and is very popular with locals.

 

[Ivo]

On the Birmingham - Stansted line there's Manea. I believe there's only about 2 services a day booked to call if requested in each direction (although i'll happily be corrected) I've only ever worked 1 of these and we stopped due to having our regular passengers for that station on.

Manea should in theory have a more worthwhile service than that, being on the NXEA route between Ely and Peterborough. However, you are correct, and it therefore forms the only proper request stop on the entire XC network.

 

[trains2064]

I find Claverdon and Bearley quite funny. They are n the line from Hatton to Stratford Upon Avon and are managed by London Midland. Yet LM only have one train a day which is an early morning service from Birmingham Snow Hill to Stratford Upon Avon weekdays only and treat them as request stops. Chiltern who run most of the trains if they are in the timetable they stop (not treated as request stops).

The are also 4 between Stratford and Birmingham Snow Hill. Wootton Wawen, Danzey, Wood End and The Lakes which are all very busy. I nearly alway stop at all of the when I use the train.