Train missing station

[sparks2000]

How often does this happen? i.e. a train booked to stop and allow passengers to alight/board but fails to stop and pulls up after the station.
It must be a reasonably common occurrence if left to human frailties to manage such a complex problem over and over again, I guess there is some automation?
It would be dangerous to continue if the following signal wasn't off and probably that happens even less often. Does the driver rely on signalling/trackside equipment to decide when to stop the train at stations? i know there are specific signalling codes to call the driver into a platform using his own judgement.

 

[TGV]

Drivers will occasionally miss a station through their own error. This could be confusing the diagram they are booked to take with another. In cases where I have been on board a train that failed to make a booked stop, the driver clearly attempted the stop but failed miserably and flew through the station at what I estimate at around 80mph. However there was no danger to the train as the signals were clear ahead as they didn't dictate the stop for other reasons such as protecting a junction ahead etc... Perhaps the only danger would be to people on the platform expecting the thing to stop and taking the usual shuffle forward to the edge but that's why there is a yellow line there.

In the case I describe, the driver coasted for a few minutes while clearly on the blower to the bobby in the box explaining the situation. What followed was a PA apology and the announcement of an unscheduled stop at a following station for those who wanted to alight at the missed stop. As for those left on the platform, I guess they are entitled to some compensation if their journey was significantly delayed by the cock up. In this case it was purely driver error, but I say again, at no point did he put the train in danger.

 

[michael769]

I have been on a train that missed a station. The driver seemed to realise as he passed through (or the guard got on the intercom and reminded him) as the emergency brake was applied and we ground to halt a little bit beyond the station, before the guard stormed up to the front of the train.

After a few minutes the driver must have got permission to set back as he had to make a "walk of shame" through the train to drive it back to the station to pick up some very confused passengers!

 

[FenMan]

Years ago, late one evening I was waiting at Carshalton to go to Clapham Junction. The train came around the curve at approx. 40mph with brakes screeching, before coming to a halt 100 yards beyond the platform.

A few minutes later it was backed up to collect us.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

Better than ATW then...their trains often depart early (five minutes or more) and as a result a number of people miss the train. One train crew's answer to seeing people running onto the platform as they heard the train approaching early? Stop the train 200 yards past the station then get the passengers to walk along the track to board. Not best practice, surely?

 

[sparks2000]

Better than ATW then...their trains often depart early (five minutes or more) and as a result a number of people miss the train. One train crew's answer to seeing people running onto the platform as they heard the train approaching early? Stop the train 200 yards past the station then get the passengers to walk along the track to board. Not best practice, surely?

That's interesting and probably unsafe. Was the walkway boarded and how did they climb into the train?

I think of the things that used to be possible; to alight or board a slowly moving routemaster, to jump on a moving slam door train, to go at faster than 30mph on a dual carriageway previously rated at 70mph. Although walking along the track has a lot of special dangers I wonder at the ROI on modern health and safety.

 

[MK Tom]

Curiously this has never happened to me but the opposite has. Back in Silverlink days I was on a Northampton service that slowed right down for Wolverton before the guard bolted up to the front and spectacularly shouted ''we're not supposed to be stopping here!''

 

[142094]

Better than ATW then...their trains often depart early (five minutes or more) and as a result a number of people miss the train. One train crew's answer to seeing people running onto the platform as they heard the train approaching early? Stop the train 200 yards past the station then get the passengers to walk along the track to board. Not best practice, surely?

Have to say unless there is evidence I don't believe something like this would have happened. If it did, they'd be getting their P45s rather quickly afterwards.

Trains going past stations is quite uncommon, when you think of how many services are operated each day. Lot of questions are going to be asked by the TOC if a driver goes past a station.

 

[sparks2000]

Trains going past stations is quite uncommon, when you think of how many services are operated each day. Lot of questions are going to be asked by the TOC if a driver goes past a station.

I wondered about that and was part of the point of my question - would the driver be unreasonably reprimanded. My take is that if enough journeys are taken then sooner or later a human error will occur. Would a driver with an inevitable enquiry pending be in a fit state to continue with the journey? Would he remember to contact the bobby (as the late pull up and subsequent thinking time, even without reversing, has to be unexpectedly blocking the line)?

 

[michael769]

Would a driver with an inevitable enquiry pending be in a fit state to continue with the journey? Would he remember to contact the bobby (as the late pull up and subsequent thinking time, even without reversing, has to be unexpectedly blocking the line)?

In my case where the driver was allowed to set back - he then went back up front and continued as normal - so he clearly felt he was fit to keep driving.

 

[Karl]

Better than ATW then...their trains often depart early (five minutes or more) and as a result a number of people miss the train.

Five minutes early? I find this hard to believe. Has anybody else ever heard of similar on the railways?

 

[bolli]

Better than ATW then...their trains often depart early (five minutes or more) and as a result a number of people miss the train.

Travelling on Arriva regularly, I have never been on a train that has left early.

For a train leaving 5 minutes early, there would be serious questions raised by any dispatcher/guard.

 

[TorqueOfTheDevil]

unless there is evidence I don't believe something like this would have happened

It may be hard to believe, but this happened just before Christmas. I must admit I was surprised; I can only imagine that, because it was the last train of the night, the train crew felt it was only kind to let the passengers on, and it was easier to get them to walk down the track than reverse to the station.

Five minutes early? I find this hard to believe

Of this I do have photographic evidence - and it's not a one-off. If somebody can explain to me how to post a photo, I'll show you!

 

[SS4]

You get it occasionally on the cross city north where the train runs non-stop from BHM to FOK [Four Oaks] presumably to make it in time to form the reverse service.

 

[6Gman]

I was once on a Paignton - Leeds (or similar) which bucketed its way from Exeter St David's to Taunton (with a Class 45 on the front). Shame it was booked to stop at Tiverton Parkway! The passengers wishing to alight were not impressed. Change at Taunton, next train back.

And I can assure the OP that a train stopping in an unusual location is not of itself a safety hazard as it will be protected by the signalling system.

 

[mr williams]

About 10 years ago I was on a train that went straight through Newbury Racecourse station where it should have stopped. At the time there was a temporary/replacement timetable in place (can't remember why) and when I got out at Newbury an exasperated looking driver was having an animated conversation with the guard and several unhappy passengers and was waving a piece of paper which presumably said he should have gone straight through.

In 1986/87 I was on the last train from Hereford to Cardiff (still engine & coaches in those days) on the first day of operation for the new Cwmbran station. The train left Pontypool and happily gathered speed en route to Newport when the driver realised that there was in fact another station on the line and dropped anchor in what must have been the equivalent of an emergency stop (I've never known a train pull up so quickly in more than 40 years of train travel). He managed to stop with the very last door of the last of the 5/6 coaches on the last yard of platform, and the detraining passengers had to make their way to the back of the train to get off.

 

[leyscjd]

Recently on a southbound EC service, the train overshot the platform at Stevenage. After 5-10 minutes we were authorised to set back but by the time the doors were released my onward connection via the Hertford loop had been missed.

I refered to the overshoot in my Delay Repay letter but the reply completely missed the point, claiming that on occasion trains omit station calls to make up time when running late! Good old Plymouth-based EC customer relations.

 

[David Goddard]

Travelling on Arriva regularly, I have never been on a train that has left early.

For a train leaving 5 minutes early, there would be serious questions raised by any dispatcher/guard.

The only way I can imagine this happening would be on a route with many request stops (like Heart of Wales), where the train does not need to stop at a succession of stations, and when they finally do have made a lot of time. A mis-read of the time or timetable then results in an early departure.
Only a suggestion, and I am not in any way saying that this happens.
When we did HoW last month the train was busy and we stopped at every other station.

 

[sprinterguy]

I still have a letter of apology from Northern Spirit, apologising for the failure of the 09:00 Sunderland - Newcastle train to make it's customary stop at Seaburn at 09:03. The 09:00 was an oddball in the timetable of the Sunderland to Newcastle line, as for the rest of the day the xx:00 departures from Sunderland ran fast to Heworth, but the 09:00 called at Seaburn and Seaburn alone of the intermediate stations inbetween. The train failing to stop happened a couple of times, and it is easy to understand why a driver used to the regular, clockface timetable would neglect to make this one erratic station call from time to time.

So in response to the OP, if the station in question is not protected by a signal that is likely to be at danger, then it is very much up to the driver's powers or recollection and their understanding of the diagram to ensure that they stop at the correct stations.

 

[anthony263]

We had a thread on this before and I do remember a number of occasions where this has happened at Didcot with passengers getting off at Swindon and traveling back on the next London service which stops at Didcot.

 

[marks87]

Five years ago, I was on Virgin service where the driver forgot to stop at Lockerbie. We were held for about 20 minutes before he got permission to set back.

 

[dzug2]

This is also fairly common - deliberately - with late running trains in order to allow them to catch up some time

 

[northernrail]

I had something similar at Castleton once, the driver of a Northern 142 had someone in the cab with him, i dont know who but it seemed like he thought he was on an express service as he was going about that speed just as we passed the ramp of the platform, the Emergency brakes slammed on, after a while he set back under the bridge and into the station..

 

[GlosRail]

Some yeas ago (late 90's) I was at Bordesley railway station after a Birmingham City game when the train was due to make an extra stop, but didn't do so.

That's the only time I've seen a train miss the station, but I've had it the other way around where a train stopped at a station it wasn't due to do. I think it was Denham Golf Club on the Chiltern line last year.

 

[telstarbox]

It may be hard to believe, but this happened just before Christmas. I must admit I was surprised; I can only imagine that, because it was the last train of the night, the train crew felt it was only kind to let the passengers on, and it was easier to get them to walk down the track than reverse to the station.

You're saying a guard got passengers to walk 200m down the track in the dark in December, then climb a metre up to the train?

 

[Requeststop]

Many years back when I was a student at Bristol Uni, I took a Sunday evening train from Temple Meades to Parkway. I was meeting a pal for a couple of pints at his nearby local. We sped right through Parkway stopping about half a mile down the way. Many on board very consternated. These were the days when passengers from the South West used to travel up to Parkway and change for the tunnel to South Wales. We were taken onto Gloucester. I was told to stay on the train to Cheltenham and pick up a train back to Parkway. Given the ride back to Parkway - way too late for the drinks and stayed on board back to Temple Meades. If I remember correctly, the fare then was less than 50p.

 

[BestWestern]

Many years back when I was a student at Bristol Uni, I took a Sunday evening train from Temple Meades to Parkway. I was meeting a pal for a couple of pints at his nearby local. We sped right through Parkway stopping about half a mile down the way. Many on board very consternated. These were the days when passengers from the South West used to travel up to Parkway and change for the tunnel to South Wales. We were taken onto Gloucester. I was told to stay on the train to Cheltenham and pick up a train back to Parkway. Given the ride back to Parkway - way too late for the drinks and stayed on board back to Temple Meades. If I remember correctly, the fare then was less than 50p.

That's a very strange one. Quite a curve approaching Parkway, along with signals at Stoke Gifford Jcn, so would be very surprised to see a Driver failing to stop; it would be rather difficult to miss it! Still, can't grumble too much for 50p I guess

 

[class303]

about 12 years ago on a Saturday was travelling from Hull to Northampton. rail enquiries suggested i change at somewhere like manchester and get a virgin train that would be calling additionally at Northampton (i think it was in times of disruption on the WCML and a lot of virgin's were calling at northampton for some reason), the destination monitors at the station did indeed show northampton. the train did run via the northampton loop but, much to the surprise of a handful of passengers, just sailed straight through. no announcement or anything. so off at MK and take a silverlink back the other way. bizzare.

 

[howittpie]

I have been twice on train that missed stations.
1/ When virgin ran the onia northampton once daily Eus-man via Northampton service that called at all the trent valley stations the train missed Lichfield Trent Valley not many trains stopped there in those days. It made an additional stop at Stafford and passenger put on a train back south
2/EMt forgetting to stopat East Midlands Parkway not long after it opened a few shoppers were miffed.

 

[Rodders1963]

Better than ATW then...their trains often depart early (five minutes or more) and as a result a number of people miss the train. One train crew's answer to seeing people running onto the platform as they heard the train approaching early? Stop the train 200 yards past the station then get the passengers to walk along the track to board. Not best practice, surely?

Load of ****e.........

ATW Driver