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Installation of platform stopping markers

You are here: Home > Forum > Miscellaneous > The real thing (anything else rail-oriented) > Installation of platform stopping markers

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Installation of platform stopping markers 15/08/2013 at 19:30 #48456
fsxfaulder
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Hi All,
I've got a small query that I'm hoping someone may be able to shed light on.
At my local station, Flimby (on the Cumbrian Coast Line), a set of stopping markers (please excuse my terminology if it's wrong) have been installed on the platforms. These are train specific two blue background/white text signs on each pole stating the number of carriages and train type (class 153, class 142 or class 156). Flimby is a relatively small two platform request stop operated by Northern Rail with the platform lengths around 40m.
What I'm confused about is why have the stopping markers been installed? The older up platform is a bit lower than the train heights and does have a 'mobile' set of steps however the stopping markers don't seem to line the train doors up with this (unless it's been moved) and there are also stopping signs on the higher down platform. There are no other obvious reasons I can see.
Also, is there any reason that the carriage numbers are also included on the signs? Is it just standard to do so?

Thanks to anyone who may be able to help.

Last edited: 15/08/2013 at 19:32 by fsxfaulder
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Installation of platform stopping points 15/08/2013 at 19:32 #48457
headshot119
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4869 posts
" said:
Hi All,
I've got a small query that I'm hoping someone may be able to shed light on.
At my local station, Flimby (on the Cumbrian Coast Line), a set of stopping markers (please excuse my terminology if it's wrong) have been installed on the platforms. These are train specific two blue background/white text signs on each pole stating the number of carriages and train type (class 153, class 142 & class 156). Flimby is a relatively small two platform request stop operated by Northern Rail with the platform lengths around 40m.
What I'm confused about is why have the stopping markers been installed? The older up platform is a bit lower than the train heights and does have a 'mobile' set of steps however the stopping markers don't seem to line the train doors up with this (unless it's been moved) and there are also stopping signs on the higher down platform.
Also, is there any reason that the carriage numbers are also included on the signs? Is it just standard to do so?

Thanks to anyone who may be able to help.
You are quite correct in them being called stop markers. A page on railsigns may be an interesting read for you.

They may have been installed because the station has a history of overruns / under-runs especially if the platform only just fits two coaches.

"Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer
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Installation of platform stopping points 15/08/2013 at 19:41 #48458
fsxfaulder
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77 posts
" said:
" said:
Hi All,
I've got a small query that I'm hoping someone may be able to shed light on.
At my local station, Flimby (on the Cumbrian Coast Line), a set of stopping markers (please excuse my terminology if it's wrong) have been installed on the platforms. These are train specific two blue background/white text signs on each pole stating the number of carriages and train type (class 153, class 142 & class 156). Flimby is a relatively small two platform request stop operated by Northern Rail with the platform lengths around 40m.
What I'm confused about is why have the stopping markers been installed? The older up platform is a bit lower than the train heights and does have a 'mobile' set of steps however the stopping markers don't seem to line the train doors up with this (unless it's been moved) and there are also stopping signs on the higher down platform.
Also, is there any reason that the carriage numbers are also included on the signs? Is it just standard to do so?

Thanks to anyone who may be able to help.
You are quite correct in them being called stop markers. A page on railsigns may be an interesting read for you.

They may have been installed because the station has a history of overruns / under-runs especially if the platform only just fits two coaches.
Hi Karl,
I've just checked on Google Earth and the platforms are actually around 55m (40m sounded a bit short) and I don't believe there are usually over/under-runs

Thanks for the suggestion though

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Installation of platform stopping markers 15/08/2013 at 19:57 #48459
Steamer
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Sounds like someone at Network Rail has a big pot of money they need to waste. Especially differentiating between 153 and 156- there's only 18cm difference between 1 coach of each! I can see markers have their uses at larger stations with long trains, but at a local shack like Flimby I think the driver should know where to stop.
"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
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Installation of platform stopping markers 15/08/2013 at 20:01 #48460
Sacro
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Aside from the fact that a 1 car 153 is normal, a 1 car 156 is a slight problem.
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Installation of platform stopping markers 15/08/2013 at 20:04 #48461
Ron_J
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" said:
Sounds like someone at Network Rail has a big pot of money they need to waste.
Car stop markers on stations are the responsibility of the TOC(s) involved.

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Installation of platform stopping markers 15/08/2013 at 20:47 #48464
Forest Pines
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Back in the 90s Edinburgh Waverley had Class 373 stop markers installed on the through platforms. I know there were plans for them to serve Waverley regularly, but I seriously doubt even a single trip has ever got that far (I don't think anyone has ever dared risk take one across King Edward Bridge in Newcastle).
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Installation of platform stopping markers 15/08/2013 at 20:59 #48467
postal
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The markers may be to do with an item in Railway Magazine this month:

More Cumbrian Stations 'get the hump'

Eight stations on the Cumbrian Coast Line are to get the modular platform raising system, known as the 'Harrington Hump' after the station it was first installed at.

The hump is a low-cost GRP (glass reinforced polymer) height raising device that covers the central section of station platforms that are historically low, avoiding the need for a step to get on or off the train.

The eight stations to 'get the hump' by September are Bootle (Cumbria), Braystones, Corkickle, Drigg, Flimby, Kents Bank, Parton and Wigton.

Similar humps are being installed at other stations round the country.

“In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe
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Installation of platform stopping markers 15/08/2013 at 21:44 #48471
Tempest Malice
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" said:
Back in the 90s Edinburgh Waverley had Class 373 stop markers installed on the through platforms. I know there were plans for them to serve Waverley regularly, but I seriously doubt even a single trip has ever got that far (I don't think anyone has ever dared risk take one across King Edward Bridge in Newcastle).
" said:


CLASS 373/2 TRAINS: ROUTES AND RESTRICTIONS

...

2.2 Route Restrictions

...

(All movements are prohibited beyond the platform starting signals at the North end of York Station as defined above).


i.e. The furthest north they've been allowed is York, never mind not getting to Newcastle; so yes to agree with your point having the stop markers installed for them in Edinburgh is quite a pointless effort. As usual from the Railtrack type managers around in the part of the 90s when class 373's were running

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Installation of platform stopping markers 15/08/2013 at 21:45 #48473
fsxfaulder
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" said:
Aside from the fact that a 1 car 153 is normal, a 1 car 156 is a slight problem.
Yes - there certainly is a problem!

Postal - I suppose it could be but I'm not sure it's that likely. The odd thing is that they have the stopping markers on the down platform which to be honest looks like it's made out of GRP and does have the 'hump' on it. Other stations with the 'hump' though don't have them.

On another note, I just don't see why they have to have a separate sign for each train??? I believe before this drivers were instructed to stop at the end of the platform so that they were sure the train would fit fine and partly due to the fact the only entry/exit is located at the platform end.

One thing I have just remembered though is that I know a driver (it's OK - I don't usually forget about friends lol) that I can ask about this.

Anyway,
Thanks for all your input

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Installation of platform stopping markers 16/08/2013 at 16:00 #48495
Sam Tugwell
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Tempest Malice said:
i.e. The furthest north they've been allowed is York, never mind not getting to Newcastle; so yes to agree with your point having the stop markers installed for them in Edinburgh is quite a pointless effort. As usual from the Railtrack type managers around in the part of the 90s when class 373's were running
Pretty sure they worked as far as Leeds?

"Signalman Exeter"
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Installation of platform stopping markers 16/08/2013 at 16:34 #48496
Danny252
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If you get to York whilst trying to get to Leeds, you've gone a bit too far! Leeds isn't that far North.
Last edited: 16/08/2013 at 16:37 by Danny252
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Installation of platform stopping markers 16/08/2013 at 16:43 #48498
Ron_J
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" said:

i.e. The furthest north they've been allowed is York, never mind not getting to Newcastle; so yes to agree with your point having the stop markers installed for them in Edinburgh is quite a pointless effort. As usual from the Railtrack type managers around in the part of the 90s when class 373's were running
Sorry to burst your bubble but Eurostar set 373307/8 visited Edinburgh Waverley (platforms 1 and 19) on the 3rd and 6th of June 1997, hauled by two EPS class 37s, 601 and 606. On the other side of the country there is still a 'Class 373 STOP' sign in Shields depot number 2 headshunt.

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Installation of platform stopping markers 16/08/2013 at 17:41 #48499
Tempest Malice
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" said:
" said:

i.e. The furthest north they've been allowed is York, never mind not getting to Newcastle; so yes to agree with your point having the stop markers installed for them in Edinburgh is quite a pointless effort. As usual from the Railtrack type managers around in the part of the 90s when class 373's were running
Sorry to burst your bubble but Eurostar set 373307/8 visited Edinburgh Waverley (platforms 1 and 19) on the 3rd and 6th of June 1997, hauled by two EPS class 37s, 601 and 606. On the other side of the country there is still a 'Class 373 STOP' sign in Shields depot number 2 headshunt.
Fair enough, if you say they have definitely been there I can't disagree with you seeing as I wasn't even 2 years old when that happened. I was assuming that if the sectional appendix lists them as restricted them from going there now, implying that the infrastructure to allow them past york isn't there now then it was unlikely at best to have been there 16 years ago.

Although if they were moved by a pair of 37s then having a car stop in place for the 373 itself feels a bit weird as the driver would have to work out when he was two engine lengths beyond the car stop marker for the 373 to be in the right place; but that's neither here nor there regarding whether or not it happened anyway.

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Installation of platform stopping markers 16/08/2013 at 18:21 #48506
Ron_J
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It certainly happened as I saw it with my own eyes. I suspect there must have been other visits to Edinburgh around that time too. Eurostar sets made a number of test runs to Glasgow too, though I don't have dates immediately to hand. A huge amount of money was spent on upgrading Polmadie depot, where they were to be serviced, and some of the modifications carried out there are still useful for the Virgin 390s today.
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Installation of platform stopping markers 16/08/2013 at 19:00 #48513
Steamer
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" said:
It certainly happened as I saw it with my own eyes. I suspect there must have been other visits to Edinburgh around that time too. Eurostar sets made a number of test runs to Glasgow too, though I don't have dates immediately to hand. A huge amount of money was spent on upgrading Polmadie depot, where they were to be serviced, and some of the modifications carried out there are still useful for the Virgin 390s today.
Wasn't Longsight also upgraded to handle Eurostars that never came? Also, have 373s ever been up the West Coast Main Line?

"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
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Installation of platform stopping markers 16/08/2013 at 20:07 #48516
Copping
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373's had a gauging issue on the approaches to Newcastle, something to do with the kinetic envelope also as it was restricted to 110mph in certain places.
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Installation of platform stopping markers 16/08/2013 at 20:28 #48518
Hugh Jampton
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373s certainly have been up the WCML. Buried somewhere in my loft I have a photo of one passing through Crewe. I can't say exactly when, though I suspect it was in the late nineties because I was still at school at the time.
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Installation of platform stopping markers 16/08/2013 at 21:33 #48521
Hugh Jampton
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Found it! 3310 & 3319 taking the Manchester line at Crewe on 24/02/1998.
I can't begin to tell you how much trouble I'm in with wifey for fumbling around in the loft at ten o'clock on a Friday night...


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Installation of platform stopping markers 17/08/2013 at 13:49 #48545
kbarber
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It's certainly possible that test runs occurred under the authority of special notices (and almost invariably with some kind of conditions of passage). But that doesn't mean there would be any working other than that. It's also possible that SA restrictions were imposed as a result of those test runs rather than the runs taking place in spite of the restrictions.
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