Request stops

[JoeGJ1984]

Just out of interest, has anyone here actually used request stops on the National Rail network? I haven't, but I think I might use Yorton one day soon just for the hell of it (fairly near to where I live, although I've never used Yorton. I usually use Shrewsbury - some mapping sites say that Yorton is my nearest station, but the driving distance from my place to Yorton is slightly longer than to Shrewsbury).

Has anybody actually used a request stop? They say you have to inform the conductor on the train? Has anyone been unable to find the conductor (sometimes you can go through several stations without seeing a guard/conductor although I presume they will make sure they go through if the train has request stops. In particular, Yorton is mainly served by trains running only between Shrewsbury and Crewe - there are two other request stops on that route, so I presume the conductor will walk through after leaving Shrewsbury or Crewe to see if anybody wants any request stops. I don't know what would happen if one wanted to travel, say, from Wem to Yorton, though I can't see many people making that journey).

Anyway, has anyone used request stops? And has anyone had difficulty finding the conductor to make a request for a request stop?

 

[dk1]

We have several request stops such as Lakenheath, Berney Arms & Spooner Row. If the driver hasnt heard from the Conductor we stop anyway. Many services are too busy to get through or if there are several ranger style tickets its hard to tell where they wish to alight sometimes.

 

[martinsh]

Yes, I've used request stops. Never had any problems. Driver always going slow anough to stop when signal given. Guard always comes round and checks if anyone for request stations.

In fact, the one I've used most is Yorton. I used to be a regular at the Station Hotel ... On that line I've also used Wrenbury. The most recent one I used was Builth Road (had to go there on business !!) which was interesting because there was 6 inches of snow around.

Have also used a request stop between Bex and Gryon in Switzerland. A little short platform in the middle of nowhere with no lighting. Had to catch first train of the day at 5.45am (!) and my friend shone his torch onto me so the driver could see !

 

[me123]

Sorry to high-jack the thread, but out of curiosity, has anyone ever used the few "flag stop" trains still operating in the USA and Canada (eg, the Hurricane Turn)? These trains make no scheduled stops, but pick up and drop off passengers on request at any point along the route. Sounds like an adventure!

 

[scotsman]

Out of interest, what sign do you make to the driver? Just a hand out, like hailing a bus?

 

[martinsh]

Out of interest, what sign do you make to the driver? Just a hand out, like hailing a bus?

Yes - stick out hand

 

[NXEA!]

Out of interest, what sign do you make to the driver? Just a hand out, like hailing a bus?

Well from my experience yes, I've used Umberleigh quite a few times, and luckily the first time I used it there were others with me and so I copied them, and they stuck out their hands, as you would to hail a bus. To this day I've kept my first ticket from a request stop, as the ticket has red writing on the rear outlining the terms and conditions and its validity, and being 11 at the time, it was a pretty novel experience.

 

[Leslie Fletcher]

I have used Dolwyddelan regularly for about 6 years and have never had a problem getting on or off - it is unusual for me to be the only passenger and casual observation suggests that most trains stop here so it is quite heavily used for a request stop. On the other hand, it is very unusual to see passengers get on or off at some of the other Conwy Valley request stops.

 

[Clip]

Sorry to high-jack the thread, but out of curiosity, has anyone ever used the few "flag stop" trains still operating in the USA and Canada (eg, the Hurricane Turn)? These trains make no scheduled stops, but pick up and drop off passengers on request at any point along the route. Sounds like an adventure!

Putting that on me list of ones to do.. If just for the sheer annoyance of having to do it

 

[EPB on Tour]

Out of interest, what sign do you make to the driver? Just a hand out, like hailing a bus?

Yes,or any other sign you like.

On a route that I have worked on,which included request stops,one regular evening passenger always had a very bright torch that they would start to flash as you came round the corner into view,as the lights on the station were not the best.

Another (daylight) regular used to stand on the bridge that was prior to the station waving madley at you,then walk down to the platform as you ran in.

 

[SS4]

Yes,or any other sign you like.

On a route that I have worked on,which included request stops,one regular evening passenger always had a very bright torch that they would start to flash as you came round the corner into view,as the lights on the station were not the best.

Another (daylight) regular used to stand on the bridge that was prior to the station waving madley at you,then walk down to the platform as you ran in.

I thought bright lights would disrupt the driver's night vision?

 

[EPB on Tour]

I thought bright lights would disrupt the driver's night vision?

The station in question was around a mile and a half away when you turned the bend.They would start flashing the torch when they saw you come along,and I usually used to respond with a toot on the horn,to acknowledge them once I had seen them.They would then turn the torch off and wait.

 

[37372]

Try telling Network Rail that who've been putting those eye-wateringly bright LED signals up.

I've used a couple of request stops before, Dalston and Hawarden Bridge. I must admit, both times I've been slightly worried that the train will just go sailing through!

 

[bnm]

Yes,or any other sign you like.

Well.... maybe not ones involving one or two raised fingers!!

 

[EPB on Tour]

Well.... maybe not ones involving one or two raised fingers!!

Thats for when we forget to stop !

 

[YorkshireBear]

Thats for when we forget to stop !

aye, but does that ever happen?

a bus did it today and we stopped at red light sjust past it, and a woman at stop tried ramming doors in

 

[Ivo]

No, but now you mention it I might give Avoncliff a try later today for a "picnic" (i.e. photo opportunity mixed with a food stop)...

EDIT: I can't. Dang. Lousy Uni obligations.

 

[175001]

I have used Dolwyddelan regularly for about 6 years and have never had a problem getting on or off - it is unusual for me to be the only passenger and casual observation suggests that most trains stop here so it is quite heavily used for a request stop. On the other hand, it is very unusual to see passengers get on or off at some of the other Conwy Valley request stops.

Agreed. Dolwyddelan should be a normal stop, Glan Conwy seems to always have patronage when I head home to Betws too. As a guard, the only request stop on my route card is Entwistle. As a few services up to Clitheroe are full and standing, anybody for Entwistle usually makes an effort to come and see me when doing doors, which is much appreciated!

 

[ANorthernGuard]

The CLC Line between Mcr Picc & Chester used to have 5 Request Stops

Ashley
Mobberley
Lostock Gralam
Delamere
Mouldsworth

Mouldworth was 1st to go back to a normal stop due to the signal at the end of the platform protecting the single line, Lostock Gralam soon after (it can get reasonably busy), then at the winter timetable the last 3 went back to being normal station stops, makes the guards job alot easier as its so easy to forget if someones requested a stop!

 

[DarloRich]

Portsmouth Arms and Umberliegh in Devon when i lived there ( both on Barnstaple line)

To get on :driver slows on approach, you stick your arm out in the bus stop stylee and train driver stops the train (hopefully)

When i wanted to get offf: I always went to look for the guard at Exeter (if he didnt come for tickets) and then went and stood near his local door when we left the previous station. - Had one problem where a gaurd almost forgot and the train had to make a rather sudden stop!

 

[Gareth Marston]

Just out of interest, has anyone here actually used request stops on the National Rail network? I haven't, but I think I might use Yorton one day soon just for the hell of it (fairly near to where I live, although I've never used Yorton. I usually use Shrewsbury - some mapping sites say that Yorton is my nearest station, but the driving distance from my place to Yorton is slightly longer than to Shrewsbury).

Has anybody actually used a request stop? They say you have to inform the conductor on the train? Has anyone been unable to find the conductor (sometimes you can go through several stations without seeing a guard/conductor although I presume they will make sure they go through if the train has request stops. In particular, Yorton is mainly served by trains running only between Shrewsbury and Crewe - there are two other request stops on that route, so I presume the conductor will walk through after leaving Shrewsbury or Crewe to see if anybody wants any request stops. I don't know what would happen if one wanted to travel, say, from Wem to Yorton, though I can't see many people making that journey).

Anyway, has anyone used request stops? And has anyone had difficulty finding the conductor to make a request for a request stop?

I used the 1426 Salop- Crewe shuttle a couple of weeks back. The conductor walked through at Shrewsbury and the driver slowed for all the request stops even though nobody got on or off at them (Yorton/Prees) I got off at Whitchurch.

 

[bse35]

the only request stop i've used is kelling heath on the NNR. This works in much the same way as those mentioned above.

 

[Smethwickian]

Have got off at Wootton Wawen on the Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon line several times - have always walked up to the conductor as s/he looks out at the station I board at, and asked for the stop, rather than relied on him/her coming through the train. Sometimes have been the only person boarding or alighting, sometimes not, and it's usually a mixed response at the other request halts on this line, too, so there would probably be no point in having them as regular stops.

Am I right in thinking that the main advantages to the operator of request stops are an overall average time saving and a slight reduction in fuel used from a standing start? I would be curious to know if it really makes that big a difference.

 

[anthony263]

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.

 

[Greenback]

I was going to mention Gowerton! It's very, very rare that a daytime train fails to stop there. If it's not timetbaled through of course! The conductors usually come through the train after leaving Llanelli asking if anyone wants Gowerton!

On the busy evening trains going West there is often an announcements saying that the trian will stop at all request stops, so don;t worry abot the conductor not coming through the train.

 

[Welshman]

Going off-tangent slightly, what happens to the timing of trains where there are several consecutive request stops on the line?
For example, between Holyhead and Bangor, the five stations, Valley, Rhosneigr, TyCroes, Bodorgan and Llanfairpwll are all request stops.
Trains which are non-stop to Bangor are allowed 26-28 minutes and those which may be requested to stop are allowed 37 minutes. But that assumes all five stops will be requested, as the train is timed at all five.
So what happens if only one or two stops are requested? Are the crews instructed to kill time so they reach the next potential stop at the time stated, or do they just pass through early, meaning any hopeful passengers would be advised to be on the platform a good five minutes or so before the time in the timetable?

 

[The Planner]

Am I right in thinking that the main advantages to the operator of request stops are an overall average time saving and a slight reduction in fuel used from a standing start? I would be curious to know if it really makes that big a difference.

Request stops are normally timed as station stops with no dwell, so they are timed to slow to a stand and start again.

 

[dzug2]

The halts on the Cotswold Line used to be request stops - though they don't seem to be advertised as such now.

My experience was they stopped anyway.

 

[imagination]

Going off-tangent slightly, what happens to the timing of trains where there are several consecutive request stops on the line?
For example, between Holyhead and Bangor, the five stations, Valley, Rhosneigr, TyCroes, Bodorgan and Llanfairpwll are all request stops.
Trains which are non-stop to Bangor are allowed 26-28 minutes and those which may be requested to stop are allowed 37 minutes. But that assumes all five stops will be requested, as the train is timed at all five.
So what happens if only one or two stops are requested? Are the crews instructed to kill time so they reach the next potential stop at the time stated, or do they just pass through early, meaning any hopeful passengers would be advised to be on the platform a good five minutes or so before the time in the timetable?

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. Bear in mind that the train slows to about walking pace even when it doesnt stop, so it is still taking significantly longer than the trains that can just ignore them.

That being said it probably is a good idea to turn up a few mins early to any request stop.

 

[jd]

If you're worried about finding the conductor once you're on the train, it's probably best to speak to them as you get on instead. Though in my experience, conductors will usually come through the train at least once - on the Stratford line they tend to walk through several times calling out 'any request stops?', 'anyone for Danzey?' or something like that, or announce 'we're already stopping at Wood End and Wootton Wawen, if anybody needs any other request stops please come to the guard at the back of the train'. At some stops (The Lakes, certainly, I'm not sure if there are others too) the platform is only a couple of metres long, and the guard *has* to walk through the train because he has to manually open the front set of doors only.

In terms of boarding a train, so long as you make it clear to the driver in sufficient time that you want to get on, the train will stop. There's no formally prescribed signal, though sticking an arm out is generally the done thing, but you can wave or jump up and down or whatever you like really.