Trivia: Platforms you never see certain trains depart from

[bigfoote]

I'm surprised no one's mentioned P2 at Portsmouth Harbour (yes, I have inserted my tongue firmly into my cheek)

 

[BestWestern]

Any passenger trains at Worthing platform 1.

FGW used to terminate late running Brightons in there from time to time, once it was established that a long running Appendix instruction banning Class 158s was nonsense!

 

[BestWestern]

Talking about platforms, how much effort, time and money would it take to bring Platform 5 at Southampton back into full working passenger use? I’m aware it’s usually only used to stable stock, and the fact it’s only got a GPL, rather than an actual signal with relevant OFF indicator etc.

It's probably more a question of what would use it, does anything much terminate coming from the west? The same question and answer probably applies to Platform 2 at Bristol Temple Meads.

 

[swt_passenger]

It's probably more a question of what would use it, does anything much terminate coming from the west? The same question and answer probably applies to Platform 2 at Bristol Temple Meads.

There are a few a day terminate from the west - mainly GW short workings (other than the normal hourly Portsmouth Cardiffs), and a couple of SWR, but they'll probably cause less conflicts leaving them on the P2/P3 island, rather than crossing them over to the down fast on arrival.

P5 would have been useful space when GW were terminating their whole service from the west a year ago, when they were shunting into P5 to lay-over between arrival and departure, but that sort of blockade (Fareham wasn't it?) doesn't come round that often.

I expect the signalling changes (and PIS additions) that have been talked about for years come at quite a hugely inflated cost.

 

[swt_passenger]

Never seen any Thameslink or Swr service departing fro m Wimbledon platforms 1,2,3,4 and 10a and b... strange.....................

I think SWT have used P4 in fairly recent memory, during some sort of blockade that involved running via East Putney.

 

[sd0733]

Plat 2 at MIlton Keynes I've only ever seen used for terminating services I've never seen working use it

 

[61653 HTAFC]

There is no access into Platform 1 for passenger trains, so unlikely to see any additional use. Not sure any changes to that are planned either.

Whenever something like that comes up, I can't help but wonder why, and on what basis. Presumably at some point in the past it was decided that that platform wasn't needed so maintenance didn't need doing. The infrastructure then falls out of use and it costs an awful lot to bring it back if needed. :roll:

 

[Kite159]

Plat 2 at MIlton Keynes I've only ever seen used for terminating services I've never seen working use it

Didn't it get used by the Southern services when they were operated by single 377/2s?

[although I was thinking about the South Bay platform rather than the main platform)

 

[Ianno87]

Plat 2 at MIlton Keynes I've only ever seen used for terminating services I've never seen working use it

Not sure if there still is, but a few years ago there used to be one train in the evening that arrived from Euston in Platform 2, terminated, and then continued through ECS to Northampton.

I have also been 'through' Platform 2 in both directions to/from the north during various disruptions. Still very rare, however to do so (MKC does have a very flexible layout*!).

*Best one was watching a pair of Class 325s pass Platform 3 in the *Up* direction at 75mph (crossing Up Slow to Up Fast through the station). Caught a few folks on the platform by surprise!

 

[30907]

Whenever something like that comes up, I can't help but wonder why, and on what basis. Presumably at some point in the past it was decided that that platform wasn't needed so maintenance didn't need doing. The infrastructure then falls out of use and it costs an awful lot to bring it back if needed. :roll:

In this case there is no physical route from the Up side into the Down Bay, and a quick Google suggests there never has been. The present layout is simplified steam-era rather than fully remodelled.
Terminating trains would have run into P4 and be shunted across to P1 To depart so as to maintain cross-platform connections. (Off the top of my head, Crowhurst and Wareham on the SR were worked that way.)

 

[PHILIPE]

I'm surprised no one's mentioned P2 at Portsmouth Harbour (yes, I have inserted my tongue firmly into my cheek)

It would be off the road if there was one

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I'm surprised no one's mentioned P2 at Portsmouth Harbour (yes, I have inserted my tongue firmly into my cheek)

Similarly, P3 and P7 at Huddersfield haven't seen trains in a while

 

[Crossover]

Platform 6 at Wolverhampton. Never seen it used except one ECS.

From memory, I am sure there is a signalling limitation on that platform - movements one or another are not signalled for passenger use

EDIT: I think it is "inbound" - there is a service out in the morning, but in the evening, the service terminates into another platform from Shrewsbury before running ECS from that platform into the bay, stabling overnight to run the morning service

 

[Harbouring]

Looks like Fareham platform 2 is getting some use today with problems at Hilsea

 

[sw1ller]

You won't see a 158 in the parcels bay at chester. And if you do, someone's messed up!!

 

[Nean]

I've yet to see a Merseyrail service in P2 at Hunts' Cross. It's signalled and has a juice rail to act as an alternative to P3 but I've yet to see a 507/8 in there!

 

[SpacePhoenix]

I've yet to see a Merseyrail service in P2 at Hunts' Cross. It's signalled and has a juice rail to act as an alternative to P3 but I've yet to see a 507/8 in there!

Juice rail rusted up at all there?

 

[Skipness]

I have only seen Derby platform 5 used once when a failing train from the Matlock branch pulled into the usual platform 6 to transfer its onward passengers into a waiting unit in 5

 

[XCTurbostar]

Platform 13 at Birmingham New Street (Eastern Dock)

 

[gazr]

I have only seen Derby platform 5 used once when a failing train from the Matlock branch pulled into the usual platform 6 to transfer its onward passengers into a waiting unit in 5

A few booked services from what I can see. Definitely looks like being used on SUN 15/22 as engineering block north of Derby.

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

Platform 13 at Birmingham New Street (Eastern Dock)

I use Birmingham New Street a lot.

I have never seen platform 13. where is it located, I can't picture it at all.

 

[Crossover]

I've yet to see a Merseyrail service in P2 at Hunts' Cross. It's signalled and has a juice rail to act as an alternative to P3 but I've yet to see a 507/8 in there!

I think it is booked once a day - whether it actually happens, I'm not sure.
In reality, terminating Merseyrail into p2 at Hunt Cross doesn't make much sense, as it still has to cross back onto the Up/Down Electric - I suspect it is there more for flexibility in case something jams up p3 for any reason

 

[D365]

0934 Huntingdon to London Kings Cross on Saturdays use platform 1 at Huntingdon

Would that qualify as one of the lesser-known so-called "Parliamentary" services?

Unless John Major has something to do with it, I rather doubt it.

 

[XCTurbostar]

I use Birmingham New Street a lot.

I have never seen platform 13. where is it located, I can't picture it at all.

Its not really a platform but more just a loco stabling (or used to be) during the New Street platform works some of the speakers and cameras reference 'Platform 13' although the platform itself is only big enough for 2 coaches.

The platform is on the south eastern side of the station at the derby end of platform 12.

Thanks,
Ross

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Its not really a platform but more just a loco stabling (or used to be) during the New Street platform works some of the speakers and cameras reference 'Platform 13' although the platform itself is only big enough for 2 coaches.

The platform is on the south eastern side of the station at the derby end of platform 12.

Thanks,
Ross

Speaking of little-used 2-coach platforms, earlier this evening I arrived on a service into Huddersfield platform 5 for the first time in years (I've departed from there more recently). RTT had the service down as routed into Platform 1 until the last moment which I thought odd, but I figured this might be an effect of the "Lime Street control" which prevents anything too long being routed into P5 (40m) or P6 (circa. 70m) and how RTT deals with the data feeds it gets. Was I right, anyone?

 

[Kite159]

Speaking of little-used 2-coach platforms, earlier this evening I arrived on a service into Huddersfield platform 5 for the first time in years (I've departed from there more recently). RTT had the service down as routed into Platform 1 until the last moment which I thought odd, but I figured this might be an effect of the "Lime Street control" which prevents anything too long being routed into P5 (40m) or P6 (circa. 70m) and how RTT deals with the data feeds it gets. Was I right, anyone?

RTT sometimes gets confused,
For example this service departed from platform 2, not platform 1:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y62394/2017/09/30/advanced

 

[61653 HTAFC]

RTT sometimes gets confused,
For example this service departed from platform 2, not platform 1:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/Y62394/2017/09/30/advanced

I know it does- but this was the first time I've checked for the allocated platform on an arrival at Huddersfield that I was actually on. My reasoning was that the service was a 142 (ex-Wakefield) so could arrive at any of 4, 5 or 6 (Or technically 1, but unlikely) and as I was near the centre of the unit I wanted to know which side of the unit to stand on. Had it been anything longer than a 150 I'd have known to stand on the right (in the direction of travel) to get a quick exit to run for my bus! I checked RTT as we left Deighton and was surprised to see platform 1 indicated, in red (which I took to mean a late alteration to the "usual" platform) and was refreshing every few seconds to see if it changed.

RTT updated to indicating platform 5 just as we passed over the "Unna Way" on the viaduct, i.e. just before the points leading to 4/5/6. Upon seeing when this was, I was reminded of the mechanism which prevents long trains in the short bays:- the "Lime Street control" as I understand it is termed.

 

[BurtonM]

Never seen a TPE service in P5 at Stalybridge (is it even possible?), in a similar vein P2 isn't used for much except terminating the Denton Flyer, and reversing ECS moves coming from Newton Heath TMD to head towards Piccadilly. I have however boarded a starting TPE service in P2.

(similarly, TPE in the Manchester Victoria bays).

ATW services in P1-4 of Manchester Piccadilly.

GatEx in the not-GatEx platforms at London Victoria (especially SE side)?

 

[Peter Mugridge]

GatEx in the not-GatEx platforms at London Victoria (especially SE side)?

I have seen that happen during engineering work albeit that was about 15 - 20 years ago - I actually traveled on one from platform 7 once. Pretty sure they used 8 as well at the same time.

 

[Welshman]

I know it does- but this was the first time I've checked for the allocated platform on an arrival at Huddersfield that I was actually on. My reasoning was that the service was a 142 (ex-Wakefield) so could arrive at any of 4, 5 or 6 (Or technically 1, but unlikely) and as I was near the centre of the unit I wanted to know which side of the unit to stand on. Had it been anything longer than a 150 I'd have known to stand on the right (in the direction of travel) to get a quick exit to run for my bus! I checked RTT as we left Deighton and was surprised to see platform 1 indicated, in red (which I took to mean a late alteration to the "usual" platform) and was refreshing every few seconds to see if it changed.

RTT updated to indicating platform 5 just as we passed over the "Unna Way" on the viaduct, i.e. just before the points leading to 4/5/6. Upon seeing when this was, I was reminded of the mechanism which prevents long trains in the short bays:- the "Lime Street control" as I understand it is termed.

OK - I'll ask - what's the "Unna Way"?

At least if your train had arrived on platform 1, you wouldn't have had as far to run for your bus.