Mirrors and Monitors

[Deleted]

Was travelling about the other day and noticed (on the westbound certainly) that there are big mirrors on the platform at stops between Upm and Bkg - were these at one point monitors? I seem to remember the monitors on the east end of the line, or am I imagining things?

[Deleted]

Plaistow had monitors when I went through there about 8 weeks ago.

Never really go beyond Barking on the District, but maybe I'll go tomoz...

Lakeside anybody???

[Deleted]

I was on about the bit between Barking and Upminster, I think Dag E has a big mirror at least

[solidbond]

Most W/B platforms between UPM and Barking have had their monitors replaced by mirrors in the past year. The only monitors left are at Upminster Bridge, used in conjunction with a big mirror, and Upney which is due to get a mirror sometime in the future. This is because mirrors are a) cheaper to maintain, b) less prone to failure, c) give a better view overall of the platform, d) are harder for the local chavs to knock out of alignment. Unfortunately it took a lot of work to get them changed due to LU 'standards'

[Deleted]

Cheers SB, I now know I wasn't imagining those monitors!!

[Deleted]

When originally fitted but before commisioning some, eg. Hornchurch, Dagenham East and Becontree westbound, had a monitor fitted alongside the big mirror (though one had it's glass broken before commisioning). Sadly only Upminster Bridge retained the monitor part. The retention of the monitor (and it being a colour display) would have been absolutely perfect. Upney e/b had one for about two months after which it was switched off and has been ever since.

Flat screen colour monitors give a much better view of the platform. These new mirrors are dubious, they appear better only because the recessed black and white monitors and old mirrors were horrendous. These Mirrors do not give a good view of rear most cars in the platform especially in the dark and on the westbound that's where all the waiting and running passengers are.

The hanging mirrors on the eastbound are far, far worse. An absolute exact stop may give you a wafer thin view of the PTI (Platform Train Interface). There is no stopping position which gives you a full view of Dagenham East e/b without wandering about the cab and pressing your head against the cab glass.

The one at East Ham e/b is a joke, the platform is curved and busy and the steps at the back, allighting passengers on the platform completely obstruct the view of the last car, so you have to wait ages if you are to be sure it's clear.

Frankly I'm surprised HMRI are allowing some of these to go unchallenged !

All strikes me as a good job having been watered down to be done on the cheap i'm afraid

[Deleted]

aspect said:

The hanging mirrors on the eastbound are far, far worse. An absolute exact stop may give you a wafer thin view of the PTI (Platform Train Interface). There is no stopping position which gives you a full view of Dagenham East e/b without wandering about the cab and pressing your head against the cab glass.

The one at East Ham e/b is a joke, the platform is curved and busy and the steps at the back, allighting passengers on the platform completely obstruct the view of the last car, so you have to wait ages if you are to be sure it's clear.

I agree that the mirror at Dag E is terrible, but I've never had any problem at East Ham.

[prjb]

Your H&S Rep's pushed hard to get to the current OPO solution, if there are problems you should fill in a 'whats wrong form' and let your local H&S Rep know too.

[Deleted]

prjb said:

Your H&S Rep's pushed hard to get to the current OPO solution, if there are problems you should fill in a 'whats wrong form' and let your local H&S Rep know too.

Yes. The H & S rep seemed a tad put out when i was slating them the other day, after proudly claiming they had argued against monitors. In fairness whilst i prefer good monitors, the majority seem to prefer mirrors.

H & S are well aware of the Dag East mirror and the East Ham one, but that doesn't seem to have motivated any work on them

[prjb]

It has been a hard fought battle on the part of your reps, so I did wonder what their reactions would be! Still, you can't please all of the people all of the time!!