Automated Announcements
 

Just wondered if anyone had any experiences with an automated system on a E/DMU? When the 175's were first being used FNW used an automated announcement on them, I was on a service to Blackpool North, and the announcements were all 'one stop behind' e.g. the 175 comes to Oxford Road, "this is Manchester Piccadilly". Now the 175's don't seem to use them anymore.

The 185's use automated announcements, wonder how long TPX will keep using it?:D

I think the automated systems on trains are better than what they used to be. I can rember going dow to London when the 165s were 'new' and they only had a visual screen and it kept repeating all the stoips until we got to London:D :D. But these new EMUS in use on the West Coast in the Midlands have a voice and it keeps up with the train!"!!

I live on the Manchester-North Wales line which is worked mainly by "Arriva Trains Wales" Class 175's. The automated announcement system is usually operating although I have experienced the fault you describe quite a few times. Maybe there is a train driver or conductor on the forum who can explain why this happens and why it can't be corrected once it starts. Talking of the actual announcements, I'm not sure which is worse........the sickly, artificial sounding, pieced together lady's voice or (when this breaks down) the broad Manc voice trying to get to grips with the Welsh place names:D
John.

Well the Southeastern Networkers (465/466) are still like that as they're based on a common design. It's late 1980's technology, and the diplay shows ALL the stations round and round ad infinitum :rolleyes: But at least they've got displays, as the 319 series (early 1980's) don't have any PIS or automated announcements at all.

More modern stock often has GPS incorporated, where the system 'removes' stations from the list once they've been visited. But no system is perfect, and the GPS can lose its fix - particularly in heavily built-up areas.

I caught a 175 a couple of months ago and they were using the automated annoucement system, they have made some modifications to them to include all the Welsh spellings and to program in routes like Manchester to South Wales which weren't programmed in when First North Western got them installed.

Central Trains also use them on some of there new trains (I forget the model no) but it announces "We will shortly be arriving at X" about 5 minutes before the train reaches X.

There’s also the refurbished 507s and 508s used by Mersey Rail that used automated PAs. I’ve never heard them making any mistakes. Although passengers unfamiliar with the routes get a bit confused by the Wirral line announcements.

This is because trains originating at Chester, Ellesmere Port, West Kirkby and New Brighton follow circular routes. They call at all stations to Liverpool James Street, then Liverpool Moorfields, Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Central, Liverpool James Street again, then all stations to where ever they originate from. This means that trains heading towards Liverpool state that they are going to Liverpool Central, but after they call at Liverpool James Street the first time they state they are going to Chester/Ellesmere Port/West Kirby/New Brighton.

The annoying thing with the 185s automated announcement system is that certain generic announcements such as discounted tickets cannot be bought on board, keep getting repeated after every station.

On the 175s I think the conductor has to press a button for the announcement to be made. An announcement could be missed and announced at the next station because they are still checking the tickets On the Manchester to Llandudno route this could happen a few times as the timings between some of the stations are as follows:
Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Rd: 3 minutes apart
Newton-le-Willows and Earlestown: 3 minutes apart
Runcorn East and Frodsham: 5 minutes apart
Frodsham and Helsby: 4 minutes apart
Llandudno Junction and Deganwy: 4 minutes apart

I was on a 185 going from Leeds to Manchester yesterday. Due to engineering works it went into Huddesfield and then back out the same way, before joinng the line through Rochdale down to Manchester Victoria. About two minuts after leaving Huddersfield it was announced that we where approaching Huddersfield station! And as for annoying annoucments the Northern services on the Airedale line must be the worst, they keep on going when the train is stationary! I'm sure that everyone who's experienced this will remember on ephrase above all others, "Welcome to the Skipton train"!

Adam

The Central 350s are interesting, "this is the service to Liverpool Lime Street, calling at................................................ ....................Wolverhampton e.t.c. The long wait for announcements.

I was at Nottingham today and they have the same auto announcer as Manchester and Leeds. Is there anywhere else that has this (can't remember if York had it or not)

Before Transpennine Express got their new trains the conductors sometimes made mistakes with annoucements.

On one occassion when I boarded a train the conductor announced "Welcome aboard this Transpennine Express service to Manchester emmmm. No sorry Liverpool Lime Street." On another the conductor announced while the train was stopped "This is the xx.xx Transpennine Express service to York." then after the train started moving "Welcome aboard this Transpennine Express service to Leeds. Any passengers for York should change at Leeds." The train was timetabled to terminate at Leeds, not York.

I remember onboard an MML sevie a couple of years ago, the feamel crew staff were laughing that much when trying to announce, ti took them a couple of times to get it right. Plus I was on a Virgin from London many years ago where the announcer said we would be going to "Manchester Victoria", then correcting himself "Piccadilly".