Where do guards stand on IC225's?

[Searle]

On Saturday, I need to make a 2 minute connection at Stevenage; Fortunately it's a cross platform change, but I need to ask the guard if I can use my ticket on the service (the old non reservation on an advance ticket chesnut cropping up again), so it'd be useful if I could be positioned roughly around the right area to ask the guard.

So is there a fixed position where a guard would be on an East Coast IC225 where I can wait, or is it just pot luck? Thanks :P

 

[ainsworth74]

Pot luck mostly as they can dispatch from anywhere within the train or from the DVT. Their office is found in the DVT and they do use it fairly regularly but I wouldn't rely on them being there.

 

[yorkie]

At certain stations there can be a fixed position, I do not know about Stevenage but given that we have staff who have experience of working at that station on this forum I am sure we can get the answer for you

However providing the train you wish to catch is an "appropriate" connecting train, you do not need to ask the guard, as I mentioned to you the other day, East Coast allow passengers to use their reserveable trains between Stevenage & London for the connections part of an Advance ticket.

The requirement for an alternative "appropriate" connecting train to be non-reserveable is not actually in the public domain, however the Fares FAQs have this requirement but also mentions that it does not apply in this case.

 

[Searle]

However providing the train you wish to catch is an "appropriate" connecting train, you do not need to ask the guard, as I mentioned to you the other day, East Coast allow passengers to use their reserveable trains between Stevenage & London for the connections part of an Advance ticket.

The requirement for an alternative "appropriate" connecting train to be non-reserveable is not actually in the public domain, however the Fares FAQs have this requirement but also mentions that it does not apply in this case.

I'm going from Stevenage to Peterborough this time! I'm not that forgetful, haha! I'm getting into Stevenage at 10:20 09:20 (from Hertford North) and then catching the 10:22 09:22 to get to Peterborough, before connecting to York

I'd imagine it would be ok, but I'd just like to check with the guard beforehand :P

(Just edited it with the right train times, just realised I had put the wrong ones!)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
also just to clarify, I do realise this is an "illegal" connection, my itinerary is actually to get the 10:12 FCC service from Stevenage - Peterborough, getting in at 11:06, and then the 11:15 service to York, involving a 9 minute connection I could do without, to be honest :P

(also I have an advance ticket from Stevenage to York and I'm buying a single from Hertford North to Stevenage. This should clarify everything!)

 

[yorkie]

You are permitted to take the 0947 from Stevenage, arriving Peterborough 1038.

If you do ask the guard I'd show both tickets so he knows you've come from Hertford North as otherwise he/she may wonder why you've turned up at Stevenage almost an hour early.

 

[Searle]

Ok, cheers. Will just stand in the middle of the platform and be ready to leg it to either end

 

[yorkie]

Exit from the rear of your train, and head for the DVT - that is the official position but they could be in another part of the train. If your train is on time you might make it.

 

[Searle]

Thanks for your help
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just got to Stevenage (somehow got a clean run through Langley junction?!) And the east coast service was two minutes late, meaning a leisurely stroll across. Asked a lady if I could board the service, not sure if she was actually the guard, but she let me on (think she was a bit pressurised at already being late!) and I'm now on my way to Stevenage, 25 minutes early
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also just passed an FCC class 365, which was on the fasts, just north of Sandy, never seen that! ECS I presume? :P

 

[Aictos]

Thanks for your help
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just got to Stevenage (somehow got a clean run through Langley junction?!) And the east coast service was two minutes late, meaning a leisurely stroll across. Asked a lady if I could board the service, not sure if she was actually the guard, but she let me on (think she was a bit pressurised at already being late!) and I'm now on my way to Stevenage, 25 minutes early
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also just passed an FCC class 365, which was on the fasts, just north of Sandy, never seen that! ECS I presume? :P

Just 2 pointers, how can you be heading to Stevenage if you're already there

On Saturdays, there are a few additional FCC fast services from Peterborough which call Huntingdon, St Neots, Biggleswade and Kings Cross BUT usually only towards London, there are no such return journeys as far as I recall.

 

[Bald Rick]

Coincidentally I'm on the same train (first trip on ECML in years). The Train Manager is a lovely girl so it looks like she was ok with it. Although she did make 3 announcements at KGX prior to departure about the perils of being on the wrong train with an advance ticket!

We were late due to some slow running from Welwyn North tunnels to Knebworth, not sure why.

 

[Searle]

I meant Peterborough!

Blimey, didn't know FCC did that quick from Peterborough on a Saturday. It makes sense that there isn't a return journey in the morning, the stock's come from the nene valley sidings.

Turns out the person I asked wasn't actually the guard, but she was ok with it too, she seemed pretty nice, can agree with you there! Maybe a TSR slowed you down, every EC service northbound at Peterborough has been about 3 down from what I can tell on the platform

 

[ainsworth74]

Although she did make 3 announcements at KGX prior to departure about the perils of being on the wrong train with an advance ticket!

That's standard these days, if she was following the script there should have also been several warnings about travelling on tickets marked Grand Central or Hull Trains Only. It certainly means that you wouldn't have a leg to stand on if you were on the wrong train after that many announcements!

 

[Bald Rick]

Delaay caused by 50 ESR at Woolmer Green following a rough ride report last night.

 

[GNER 91128]

That's standard these days, if she was following the script there should have also been several warnings about travelling on tickets marked Grand Central or Hull Trains Only. It certainly means that you wouldn't have a leg to stand on if you were on the wrong train after that many announcements!

They even have warnings about being at the wrong station now! "If your train is the 17:05 EMT service your are on the wrong train please leave the train now and make your way over to St. Pancras as your train is ready to leave"

Normally said about 2 minutes before departure.

 

[trentside]

They even have warnings about being at the wrong station now! "If your train is the 17:05 EMT service your are on the wrong train please leave the train now and make your way over to St. Pancras as your train is ready to leave"

I've only ever heard that one the other way round, at Lincoln - the 0704 service to St Pancras (via Nottingham) usually features a warning on the welcome announcement that it isn't the 0720 to Kings Cross. I've not heard of anyone confusing the two, but I'm sure it must have happened.

I do find that announcements on East Coast can vary, quite often I've heard nothing from the Guard until the 'Doors are about to be locked' announcement just prior to departure and others seem to make their announcements three or four times prior to departure from Kings Cross. If this is the same guard I had the other day, she did remind people several times - though we were on the EMT set and the PA from the Guards office is awful, and almost inaudible it seems.

 

[455driver]

Where does the guard stand?

Normally inside the train because they cant check tickets from the outside plus its a bit draughty!

Note, I waited until the OP had completed his journey before posting!

 

[Searle]

Where does the guard stand?

Normally inside the train because they cant check tickets from the outside plus its a bit draughty!

Note, I waited until the OP had completed his journey before posting!

very funny!