Charing Cross (C)

[Deleted]

Whilst headed southbound on the Northern Line today, I was shocked (and HAPPY!) to find that after pulling into Charing Cross station, the T/Op came on the blower and stated rather unhappily that the train was terminating there and reversing back north.

Elation turned to confusion when, after telling me that he had no information and could not get in contact with the Line Controller, he proceeded to tip out and individually close up the train. After getting his bag stuck in one of the doors on the rear DM, he then proceeded into the cab and pulled out, heading north.

I tried again with the next train, but the T/Op in this one was able to get in touch with the Line Controller, and was informed that he would be proceeding southbound.

After experiencing this, I have a few queries:

1. Why did the T/Op tip out the train, when instead he could have left the doors open and simply proceeded as a normal passenger service?

2. Why was he reversing there in the first place?

(note: I am especially cranky, since I missed the chance to get the Stockwell crossover too! )

[frankoids]

1.....Indeed you're right the T/OP could have run in normal passenger service as the signal at the N/B end of the platform is a normal colour light signal, but the reason we tip the train out and close up is passengers will board the train thinking it is a S/B service.... it just saves confusion

2....... Late running probably.

As for getting the bag caught going onto the rear DM yep been there done that!! ;D

[Deleted]

Considering that he had just told everyone that the train was not going south, I doubt anyone would have boarded it thinking it was going that way.

It was certainly the case that the second train was rather empty until the T/Op got on his blower and stated that the LC wanted him to continue south.

[Tubeboy]

theonekea said:

Considering that he had just told everyone that the train was not going south, I doubt anyone would have boarded it thinking it was going that way.

It was certainly the case that the second train was rather empty until the T/Op got on his blower and stated that the LC wanted him to continue south.

Believe me mate tube travellers are not known for their intelligence. Also, someone could jump on at the last minute and think its going South.

[Deleted]

tubeboy said:

theonekea said:

Considering that he had just told everyone that the train was not going south, I doubt anyone would have boarded it thinking it was going that way.

It was certainly the case that the second train was rather empty until the T/Op got on his blower and stated that the LC wanted him to continue south.

Believe me mate tube travellers are not known for their intelligence. Also, someone could jump on at the last minute and think its going South.

The number of passengers who don't listen to important announcements is quite scary. As can be often be seen when trains are terminated short due to engineering works, many passengers just sit there expecting the train to carry on as normal despite a multitude of announcements.

[Deleted]

theonekea said:

Considering that he had just told everyone that the train was not going south, I doubt anyone would have boarded it thinking it was going that way.

Oh, you'd like to think so, wouldn't you! Sadly it's a virtual certainty that someone would.

[Deleted]

stephenk said:

The number of passengers who don't listen to important announcements is quite scary. As can be often be seen when trains are terminated short due to engineering works, many passengers just sit there expecting the train to carry on as normal despite a multitude of announcements.

I was once on a plane from Sydney to Melbourne. During the hour-long flight, the crew made a number of announcements about having found a cell phone. After we landed, the woman next to me started to gather her bags, and realised she had lost her cell phone. I pointed out that there had been a number of announcements.

"Oh," she said, "I never listen to any announcements on airplanes."