Why don't the UK TOCs have an "audio brand"?

[Doctor Fegg]

I happen to think that GWR's branding is pretty strong for a TOC - the dark traditional colour scheme matches the '5 go' advertising well - it's just a shame that the interior of the trains really does not. I'm not in advertising, but I'm sure a suitable noise could be found (a seagull?) that would similarly emphasise seaside holidays nicely on announcements. The example I gave above of from a ship is a good example of how a simple tone helped build up the quality feel of the brand.

The first five notes of Elgar's 'Nimrod' - G Eb Ab F Bb - would work wonderfully as a, locally appropriate, audio brand for GWR.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The first five notes of Elgar's 'Nimrod' - G Eb Ab F Bb - would work wonderfully as a, locally appropriate, audio brand for GWR.

I like that - very much in keeping.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

There are aren't they? I know Clapham Junction and the former SWT stations have their own jingle. I think its heard of GWR stations too.

 

[318259]

You missed the best "catchy railway jingle" - the Hungarian State Railways jingle.

 

[Bletchleyite]

You missed the best "catchy railway jingle" - the Hungarian State Railways jingle.

I wonder if that's based on something else?

I just listened to these two by the way:

ATW jingle

and

Piano version of the Welsh national anthem

...and it seems like it actually is. Neat. I wonder if it was a DB idea given that it's done on some of their stock?

 

[K.o.R]

Brussels has a nice jingle that I stole for my phone's notification sound.

The full thing is used on the platforms and the last 3 notes are used before "next stop" announcements.

 

[JaJaWa]

Another thing that works well, though I can't recall where I heard it, is to have a shorter "bong" for a local stop, and a longer one and more waffly announcement for an interchange or main station. I seem to recall the Arriva Trains Wales "jingle" was only used at some stations on that sort of basis. You can use part of a coordinated "audio brand" for the shorter one and the full thing for the longer one.

Taipei Metro does this, the jingle is only played at interchange stations (and I think Taipei 101). They are also the only ones to get Japanese in addition to Mandarin, English, and the two Taiwanese languages.

I’m surprised no-one mentioned the Nederlandse Spoorwegen tone which is also played on Thameslink Class 700s for some reason...

The worst one has got the be the “generic doorbell” used across China Railway and CRH.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I’m surprised no-one mentioned the Nederlandse Spoorwegen tone which is also played on Thameslink Class 700s for some reason...

I'd forgotten about the NS jingle on 700s - you only get it for a manual announcement, though. Wonder how come that ended up being specified? Perhaps the PIS was the same one as NS specified so they didn't bother changing it as TL weren't specific?

 

[fgwrich]

Didn't Virgin Trains (or BR) previously have a Jingle in their MK3 Stock every time the PA Handset was used? Always liked that sound - and it's still on the Night Riviera.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Didn't Virgin Trains (or BR) previously have a Jingle in their MK3 Stock every time the PA Handset was used? Always liked that sound - and it's still on the Night Riviera.

They did, see post 49, though it is more of a harp than a guitar

 

[fgwrich]

They did, see post 49, though it is more of a harp than a guitar

Brilliant, thank you. I've always wanted to record that sound for a message tone alert!

Although oddly, as I typed that, an eBay alert pinged up and I've noticed how oddly similar they are.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Please not more aural pollution! A simple "attention please" tonic triad is sufficient. And to minimise confusion, should be the same nationwide.

Too-chatty websites are not only nauseatingly naff (who needs a chatty khazi?) but can be actually distressing. The operator's website's upbeat tone, suggesting the ticket I was buying would be the trip of a lifetime, just increased the stress involved in the arrangements for the journey - not least when it became literally true, as the journey took longer than the remaining lifetime of the dying relative I was travelling to see.

 

[LOL The Irony]

I don't particularly like the SNCF chime as I feel it's missing a final note at the end. The best chime I've come across is the one that was used at Blackpool North and my still be in use at the Etihad.

On another note, I think these would translate well into announcement chimes;
Alstom corporate theme (at the start & end of the video)

(Why didn't they use this on their trains?)

The previous Amazon Originals intro

Gran Turismo 4 Race End

 

[6Gman]

I wonder if that's based on something else?

I just listened to these two by the way:

ATW jingle

and

Piano version of the Welsh national anthem

...and it seems like it actually is. Neat. I wonder if it was a DB idea given that it's done on some of their stock?

I've heard that "jingle" hundreds of times.

Never have I felt the need to stand!

Doesn't sound like Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau to me.