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The Yellow Line

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jopsuk

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So, I was waiting for my train home tonight, and my mind was wandering and wondering:
The vast majority of platforms have a yellow line, behind which it is advised to stand behind to avoid being injured by passing trains, or even by lengthy ones that are arriving or departing. My question is- is there a set distance for the line? As I was waiting, I noticed that on my platform it was painted tight against the edge of the concrete slabs that form the (otherwise tarmaced) platform, whilst on the facing platform, it appeared to be a few inches away from it.

Is line speed taken into account? I've seen lines on some narrow platforms on 100mph lines that would be almost impossible to stand behind, especially if one is, um, larger. Also, near the end of island or terminal platforms, I've seen lines come together and then continue as a single line, which seems a bit daft...

So, what are the rules? Or is it left to the whim of the line painters, a judgement of what "seems right" and a bit of "artistic licence"?
 
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rail-britain

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Due to the line speed being over 100mph, yellow lines on platforms should be in place
The distance is taken horizontal from above the nearest rail to the yellow line, hence why it may appear to vary along a platform

It should measure 6'6"
 

Guinness

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A good place for Yellow Line Action is at Rugby Station.

There is a module in the rule book somewhere in my bedroom with distances.
 

P156KWJ

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Our local station hasn't had yellow lines since it was re-tarmacced about 3 years ago. The station refurbishment consisted of tarmac and repainting the shelter, not actually repairing it :x and there's still the old regional railways decor and Central Trains information point that doesn't usually work :lol:
 

Coradia

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On the subject of yellow lines it seems to be that the terminal platforms don't have them. Manchester Piccadilly has lines on platforms 13 and 14, but no other.
 

me123

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Most trains in terminal platforms go under 30mph, though, so there's no particular need. On the other hand, it's particularly useful at Cambuslang, where WCML trains speed through at about 80mph.
 

Mojo

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On the subject of yellow lines it seems to be that the terminal platforms don't have them. Manchester Piccadilly has lines on platforms 13 and 14, but no other.

I remember when Chiltern painted yellow lines on the platforms at Marylebone a while ago (it was before plts 5/6 opened). They made a big deal of it because they said that shunting and other train movements often take place.
 

TheSlash

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Most trains in terminal platforms go under 30mph, though, so there's no particular need. On the other hand, it's particularly useful at Cambuslang, where WCML trains speed through at about 80mph.

Under 10mph i would hope! :shock:
 

Mojo

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I've also noticed some stations where slam door trains used to run (or still do - but with CDL it's now largely irrelevant) there is a yellow line which seems to be far away enough from the edge to allow the door to be open.

The attached example is from Lymington Pier station (photo taken June 2005 before CDL) which is a terminus.
 

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me123

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Under 10mph i would hope! :shock:

They can go quite fast on departure, I thought, depending on the station of course. Although if I was going into a terminus at 30mph, I'd be a bit worried! :lol:
 

Coradia

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I remember when Chiltern painted yellow lines on the platforms at Marylebone a while ago (it was before plts 5/6 opened). They made a big deal of it because they said that shunting and other train movements often take place.

That makes me wonder whether ManPicc might have had'em on terminal platforms prior to the 2002 makeover, since there were those VT class 47 shunting movements on XC services. I think they still kept the connecting track in place too.
 

driver9000

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They can go quite fast on departure, I thought, depending on the station of course. Although if I was going into a terminus at 30mph, I'd be a bit worried! :lol:

Trains must be under 10mph at the OSS appoaching the block ends, but yes they can be going faster on departing. A train approaching a main terminal with a long platform may well be travelling near 30mph, I regularly work into a block end a station and go past the ramp at 25mph.
 

Nick W

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I thought this was the real reason:

sucked_off.jpg
 
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