Trivia: Stations where trains do not pull up to the buffer stops

[greaterangrier]

Are there any stations where terminating trains do not pull all the way up to buffer stops?

I'm interested in stations where this happens and why, and stations where this should happen and why. In other words: stations where there is a potential benefit from trains not pulling up to the buffer stops.

This is inspired by previous stopping position at Cambridge North platform 3, where the stop position further back allows a quicker and drier exit from station.

Cambridge North platform 3 stopping location

For the last few weeks, the terminating GA trains on platform 3 at Cambridge North have been stopping at the far (north) end of the station, rather than near the bridge as before. Obviously this isn't a difference for 10-car trains, but for 5-cars, it is quite an additional hike - and not...

www.railforums.co.uk

One potential candidate could be Southminster - it sees no scheduled use of 10 car trains so the stop position could be moved back to avoid TPWS grids and reduce the likelihood of buffer stop collisions (13th June), as there would be a greater overrun distance, and improve reliability by reducing reversal times by 30 seconds as the train does not have to travel as far.

 

[jammmmmsssssss]

Ipswich platform 1 due to the wires ending early

 

[12LDA28C]

Are there any stations where terminating trains do not pull all the way up to buffer stops?

I'm interested in stations where this happens and why, and stations where this should happen and why. In other words: stations where there is a potential benefit from trains not pulling up to the buffer stops.

This is inspired by previous stopping position at Cambridge North platform 3, where the stop position further back allows a quicker and drier exit from station.

Cambridge North platform 3 stopping location

For the last few weeks, the terminating GA trains on platform 3 at Cambridge North have been stopping at the far (north) end of the station, rather than near the bridge as before. Obviously this isn't a difference for 10-car trains, but for 5-cars, it is quite an additional hike - and not...

www.railforums.co.uk

One potential candidate could be Southminster - it sees no scheduled use of 10 car trains so the stop position could be moved back to avoid TPWS grids and reduce the likelihood of buffer stop collisions (13th June), as there would be a greater overrun distance, and improve reliability by reducing reversal times by 30 seconds as the train does not have to travel as far.

There are plenty of stations / terminal platforms where trains operate DOO and do not proceed all the way to the stops due to the position of 'reversing' car-stop markers in order to align the other end of the train with the correct DOO monitors/mirrors (for trains which do not have in-cab DOO monitors).

For example a platform may accommodate 6 cars but only has one set of DOO monitors/mirror at the non-buffer stop end of the platform which means that a 2-car train would have to stop 4 coach lengths away from the stops in order for the rear cab to align with the DOO equipment.

 

[43055]

Whenever I have been to Holyhead I find that the TfW services seem to stop halfway down platform 2. No idea why as the entrance is at the end of the platform.

 

[Western 52]

Fishguard Harbour- the buffers are a bit farther than the terminal building, so no need to go that far with the usual 2 or 3 coach trains.

 

[theageofthetra]

Hayes Kent 10 car stop boards not at end, same at Bromley North for 4 car.

 

[Russel]

Whenever I have been to Holyhead I find that the TfW services seem to stop halfway down platform 2. No idea why as the entrance is at the end of the platform.

I've noticed this too at Holyhead and found it odd.

 

[Sheridan]

Whenever I have been to Holyhead I find that the TfW services seem to stop halfway down platform 2. No idea why as the entrance is at the end of the platform.

There are two entrances, I’ve found shorter trains tend to stop between the two.

 

[Jan Mayen]

I've read somewhere that when the Slough Windsor shuttle is three cars rather than two, it attracks people who need to do that extra bit of track twowards the buffers. Not sure I believe this story...

 

[cool110]

Merseyrail half of Ormskirk, 3rd rail ends and there's a sand drag before the buffers.

 

[Western 52]

Rhymney and Treherbert - at both stations the lines continue beyond the platforms to provide access to the carriage sidings. The buffers are therefore well beyond the platforms (apart from the new bay platform at Treherbert).

 

[Purple Train]

I've read somewhere that when the Slough Windsor shuttle is three cars rather than two, it attracks people who need to do that extra bit of track towards the buffers. Not sure I believe this story...

I haven't noticed anything to that effect! And, besides, there's still more track beyond the 3-coach marker, which, I'm fairly sure, can and has been used by longer trains. High Wycombe platform 1 is another one where usually trains stop short of the buffers. I haven't a clue why as the connection to platform 2 is beyond the buffers, but High Wycombe is in any case not a station for those who dislike walking!

 

[12LDA28C]

I haven't noticed anything to that effect! And, besides, there's still more track beyond the 3-coach marker, which, I'm fairly sure, can and has been used by longer trains. High Wycombe platform 1 is another one where usually trains stop short of the buffers. I haven't a clue why as the connection to platform 2 is beyond the buffers, but High Wycombe is in any case not a station for those who dislike walking!

I explained the reason for this (and any other similar locations) in post #3. It's down to the position of DOO equipment and reversing car-stop markers.

 

[Purple Train]

I explained the reason for this (and any other similar locations) in post #3. It's down to the position of DOO equipment and reversing car-stop markers.

That's interesting - it seems fairly consistent regardless of train length from what I remember, but you're much more likely to be correct than I am! How much of Chiltern is DOO, just out of interest?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Think I'm right in saying that Whitby-Middlesbrough trains, when changing direction of travel at Battersby, stop well short of the buffers.

 

[306024]

Slightly ironically Thurso. You can't go quite as far north as you may wish to. Platform height seems to be the reason.

 

[D6130]

Stranraer Harbour....trains stop near the exit, but the platform continues further on and the bufferstops are beyond the end of the platform.

 

[Sorcerer]

Quite often at Euston I've noticed that Pendolinos don't pull all the way up to the buffer stops at platforms 13 and 14 specifically. They seem to always leave quite a bit of space with the cab ends not even pulling right up to the ramps, but at the same time it seems like Desiros do stop right at the buffers which makes me wonder if it's anything to do with stock-specific stop markers.

 

[12LDA28C]

That's interesting - it seems fairly consistent regardless of train length from what I remember, but you're much more likely to be correct than I am! How much of Chiltern is DOO, just out of interest?

Everything south of Banbury, except LHCS. Since the Bay at Wycombe can accommodate 6 cars, a 6-car train would go all the way to the stops, or at least the 6-car stop board which is close enough.

 

[jamesst]

Merseyrail half of Ormskirk, 3rd rail ends and there's a sand drag before the buffers.

The sand drags gone now, trains go to the buffers

 

[InkyScrolls]

331s into platform 1 at Skipton stop short of the buffers to avoid issues with the location of the TPWS aerials.

 

[cool110]

Does Morecambe platform 2 count, since there's a headshunt beyond the end of the platform?

 

[Tractor37]

331s into platform 1 at Skipton stop short of the buffers to avoid issues with the location of the TPWS aerials.

The same reason for 3 car 150’s in platforms 3 and 4 at Sheffield

 

[DM352]

Would Shepperton count as the buffers seem further out and could be a safety since a 508 jumped the buffers many years ago? I have never been there as it used to be outside the zone 6 capitalcard in the day!

Hadfield may qualify but that is more due to BR deciding to call it a day with a transpennine route in 1981 so buffer stops are a bit after the platform.

Thought Whitby and Newquay as trains stop outside the bay ends but on closer examination the track is lifted for the last few yards so the buffers are where trains terminate so these don't count.

 

[507 001]

I noticed that 777s stop way short of the blocks at Southport, whereas 507s still go all the way.

Perhaps they’re worried about another Rock Ferry incident…

 

[rower40]

Shepperton definitely. The 4-5 Car stop board is well short of the buffers. This begs the question - when a 4-car train comes in, how does the driver know if there's another working booked to attach behind, in which case they have to ignore the 4-5 Car stop board, to go to the buffers in order to leave room for the second train?

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

Would Shepperton count as the buffers seem further out and could be a safety since a 508 jumped the buffers many years ago? I have never been there as it used to be outside the zone 6 capitalcard in the day!

Shepperton is still outside the zone 6 boundary but a friend who lives in Sunbury is telling me that spelthorne council want it to be incorporated into the tfl zones

 

[godfreycomplex]

Shepperton definitely. The 4-5 Car stop board is well short of the buffers. This begs the question - when a 4-car train comes in, how does the driver know if there's another working booked to attach behind, in which case they have to ignore the 4-5 Car stop board, to go to the buffers in order to leave room for the second train?

No booked attachments at Shepperton but it’ll be the same as other locations - IE either be written on the drivers’ diagram or a clear understanding will be reached with the signaller

 

[michael8]

Platform 15 at London Victoria - there is a glass panel door some way down the platform ?

 

[sleepinglion]

Haven't been there for years so might have changed recently but Swansea, no idea why though but it's been like it for decades There used to be signs with red lights in the middle of the tracks a few meters before the buffers, IIRC platform 3 & 4 had it further back than 1 & 2, this photo from 2019 shows new buffers fitted in front of the platform embedded ones

File:Two trains at the end of the lines, Swansea station (geograph 6324015).jpg - Wikimedia Commons

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